I am probably the only one in the world that is happy with his HOA. Mine costs us just under $300 per year but gives us plenty for the buck. They maintain the private roads in the development, they maintain the irrigation access roads and canals and they order and schedule the irrigation water we get. On top of that they don't mess with you.
I would like to say the same thing but it seems this HOA has all of their priorities wrong. They don't like me because I've had like 30 cars in the last 23 years. I was one of the first home owners in this HOA. I get letters all the time warning about what I can and can't do in front of my house. They should be after the A-holes playing loud music, not power washing their houses, or repairing the rotted wood and painting.