Everyone has their "thing". I live in one and it's fine. If I had to choose between looking at a yard full of junk across the street or following some neighborhood rules about house color and such, I pick neighborhood rules

To the HOA haters, you knew what you signed up for at closing. If you don't like the rules, change them or move please, but don't whine. A deal is a deal.

It is impossible to tell the real cost of various forms of energy because utilitity companies in different states get different kinds of government handouts for gas and electric, depending on the state. None of them pass the savings on to rate payers and instead pass the cost savings on to the CEOs. It's Big Utilities, who buy and pay for commissioners and elected officials, that are the problem.

It is more difficult to express yourself in written communication. I didn't read the OPs post as overly negative, just that she is tired of seeing the same thing over and over.

My sister and I were talking about cars the other day. They are buying a new vehicle, want another Honda CRV. The 8 color choices are red, dark blue, black, white, light gray, med gray, dark gray and an even darker gray.

Remember when you had a choice that included several different colors and not just black/white/gray?