My current home actually violates two of my deal breakers on future homes: an HOA and a beam that I have to duck to walk under. At 6’5" tall, I’m hardly the Jolly Green Giant, and I don’t think it’s too much to ask that all of the ceilings be at LEAST 7 feet high. I’d prefer 8 or 9 feet.
Other deal breakers would be noise, large amounts of ambient light, and lack of a place to set up my workshop.
Actual laws are fine. It’s the imaginary ones( from the HOA) that cause all the problems.
A city law may require you to paint your house..but it won’t dictate what color.
A city law may require you to park your car on your own property, but it won’t prevent you from keeping a car on your own driveway.
A city law may prohibit you running a business in your house, but it won’t dictate no garage sales, ever.
And city laws are administered by a formal legal department, not the bitchy woman next door.
Not only would I not mind a cemetary, I would enjoy most of the ones I’ve seem. Some are amazingly beautiful; others of historic interest, and as has been mentioned, are quiet at night.
Dealbreakers: location in a flood plain, or near a bar. I once lived a summer in downtown Madison, WI, a popular student bar across the street and another round the corner. The noise levels at bar time were deafening; the levels of vomit and public urination were disgusting. I will never, never, never live near a bar again.
In all seriousness, for the doubters: My Father’s neighborhood HOA will fine you $400 for parking your car in your driveway overnight. All vehicles are required to be kept in the garage.
I would move next to a cemetary, in some cities it’s the largest green space for miles.
landfills, gravel mining, & mega churches all deal breakers
My biggest one – no HOA. I prefer the tyranny of faceless bureaucrats to the petty bickering of my idiot neighbors.
He’s got a point: you can’t spell “Shoah” without… you know.
Well said. HOA’s tend to be run by little tin-pot dictators who seem to think that they are living in Stalinist Russia, or maybe in a Borg collective.
For us:
A strong HOA, I don’t mind a weak one with very few powers. I will read all the documents prior to purchase to make sure that they don’t have those powers.
bad drainage. Water problems are expensive to fix.
On a main road. Our current rowhouse is on a busy street, and while we’ve installed good windows, and really don’t hear it. It would be nice to have easily available parking in the front for guests. I’d like a bit more quiet and privacy.
Not really close to public housing.
Bad schools.