HOA

I have never lived anywhere that so many people seem so obsessed with everyone else' business. HOA's -- I really dislike them. We lived in one when we first moved to FL and decided we never wanted to live in one ever again. Apparently there is no other option if you move to the North East. I am having a hard time right now because of this. We found the house that seemed like it was "our" house. We were actually ready to make an offer. Then, the Covenants. Here is the problem. First, Russell saved his money from the time he was 4 til he was 8 to buy a sailboat because he loves boats. Then, when we moved up here we bought the boys a dirt bike and a dune buggy to ride ( which are really fun ). Oh yeah, don't forget the RV we just bought so we can travel more and the trailer to tow the motorcycles. All these things add up to -- NOT WANTED IN THE NORTH EAST. I thought people moved out to the country and bought land so that others would stay out of their business and they could have room to do as they please on their own land. I guess I was wrong. Evidently they do it so they can stare at the land and do nothing with it except claim it as a status symbol. We have been told that if we buy the house we love we will not be alllowed to use the dirt bike or dune buggy on our own 4.5 acres. and that we will not be allowed to park the boat or RV or trailer anywhere on our property that is visible to anyone. Do they have any idea how expensive it is to build a RV Garage??? There is always the storage option. Pay exorbitant fees to park your stuff somewhere else that is inconvenient any time you want to use it. AAAAHHHHHHHH. I feel much better now that I have vented a little. I guess the worst is -- I really want that house, and I don't just want that house, I want to move up there were we can see Chris more often than the weekends. I want so much more than this area can offer for the boys but at what cost?