[ColdWater]

If you want to live anywhere near a lot of areas, they aren't voluntary.

You contradicted yourself again. Way to go.

[mysterio]

Ok, let's clarify. When you move to an area that has an HOA, you should be able to decide whether you want to join it after closing the deal. This would put pressure on the little authoritarians on the boards to stop behaving like such jackasses, as they would rapidly lose members. Being forced to join as a condition of buying the house isn't voluntary.