Is HOA really necessary? I'm pretty sure by starting the petitio

City or county code enforcement can be a substitute for an HOA when it's consistently enforced. But if local ordinances aren't strictly enforced then your choice is between a free-for-all or dealing with an HOA.

HOAs are not necessary. No HOAs where I grew up in Minnesota. My brother just moved from North Carolina back to Minnesota and no still no HOAs at either location. Another brother lives in Chicago suburb, no HOA. Another brother in Pittsburgh, no HOA. Husband's sister lives in Chattanooga TN, no HOA. All live in neighborhoods like Kingwood. Don't know how Texas got bamboozled into thinking they were needed.

Moon007 :
Who pays only a $1k per year? I wish. I see the pros and cons - but even sending out letters to the neighbors "in violence" often gets ignored.

ExCTGuyInTX : They have a HUGE windmill in the front yard along with smaller hideous lawn decor. 3 shutters are missing from the house. They drove 4 wheelers up and down the street until the cops came. Loud drunken outdoor fighting between Mr. and Mrs.

Moon007: no way. All you have to do is venture out from the borders of Kingwood and see what it would look like as soon as the HOA's were.deactivated.

ZMAN : I'm at $1200/year. And many of our neighbors are pushing back on the nonsense of what we (don't) get out of it.And I'm NOT in one of the multi-million neighborhoods!

cbear :
HOA: They have a HUGE windmill in the front yard along with smaller hideous lawn decor. 3 shutters are missing from the house. Not HOA: They drove 4 wheelers up and down the street until the cops came. Loud drunken outdoor fighting between Mr. and Mrs.The HOA may be sending compliance letters that are being ignored. In MBV, for instance, the board is not allowed to disclose what addresses got what violations. It is not the HOA board who sends the notices, it is the management company.
Think about this, if you live in a community with an HOA, YOU ARE THE HOA (or part of it). The board is just there to work with the management company to maintain the standards for the community and many other duties.

cbear : Awful! I love my quiet neighbors. Even more after reading that.

TEXASGIRLMAMMA : While I am sad when a couple divorces (she cheated) I am glad to be rid of them.

ExCTGuyInTX : Oh yes. She freely admitted that they ignore the letters.

cbear : I can imagine!

sfa1tx :
I suspect the areas you mentioned have zoning laws whereas Texas does not. That means someone could put a gas station or 24 hr convenience store next to your home.