Amen.

Jim, the assessment here is not all that high in comparison to other HOAs with amenities

yes and no.

I now live in a 55+ community in the Chicago area and pay $1605/year in HOA fees They have gone up $12/year each of the last 2 years.BUT eveything is included. We have 3 pools (one indoor), 2 fitness centers, indoor track (13 laps = 1 mile), tennis courts, baseball field, woodshop, 90,000 sq. ft. lodge and beutifully maintained parkways and common areas. The lodge has an art studio, cermaic studio (with kilns), reading room, wellsness center, other than for some very nominal club fees there are no additional charge to use these facilities (2 people per property). There is even a computer club. Join for $25/year and you can probably get about any issue with your computer resolved for free.

We have a pofessonal management company and most of the work is contracted out.

We have a restuarant - run by a small local chain - But we don't own it!!

We have a golf course, But we don't own it!!

Real estate taxes are terrible though, but that goes with being in Illinois. Land of Chicago style politics and governors who go to jail