Lol, why is it stupid to want neighborhood amenities? Because that is the purpose for the vast majority of HOAs. To collect money and use said money to maintain and provide amenities.

My HOA is $90/month and we get two approx 2 acre ponds with fountains, one that has a dock to fish from. Walking trails around both ponds. Entry ways kept and maintained to look nice. A 2 acre open park for sports practices or whatever else you want that is mowed and weed controlled. A large resort pool with tons of nice lounge chairs. Two separate kids playgrounds. A clubhouse that is free to rent for private parties. A tennis court that is properly surfaced and maintained.

That’s money well spent in my book.

I’ve only talked to an HOA member one time since I’ve lived here. And that was when we first moved in and they just brought a small house warming gift, a packet with access keys and neighborhood directory.

The house I bought had been on the market for a year. The lawn was terrible. The trees needed trimmed badly. The flower beds were awful. Took me 2 years, but it finally looks up to par with neighbors. Throughout said two years, no one ever said anything or sent any notices or any fines. They either didn’t really care enough or they recognized I was making progress on it.

This isn’t a unicorn HOA. My previous house had a HOA with a little fewer amenities and was only $40/month. When tons of houses were breaking HOA rules, they’d just send out emails that didn’t really change anything. So another HOA that put money to good use and kept the peace.