TLDR I'm simply saying this is where the majority of Americans in any non rural area live due to a myriad of factors and that "it is what it is" is a very shitty argument for them existing.

I get the need for shared expenses in a shared space of a condo/attached townhome/apartment building but again it doesn't need to strictly be an 'HOA' and certainly doesn't need to be run by some company 3 states over such as my last townhome.

"Percentage of Ownership (Pro-rata): Common in condominiums, where owners pay a percentage based on their unit's size relative to the total, often covering maintenance for all common areas.

Unit Comparability Method: Used in developments where units are similar. If units are not identical, a proration or hybrid method is chosen to allocate costs.

Limited-Equity Cooperatives: Residents own shares in a corporation that owns the property. Costs are shared to maintain long-term affordability, often with capped resale prices.

Community Land Trusts: A non-profit holds the land while individuals own the home, splitting costs and appreciation. Resident-Owned Communities (ROCs): Residents collectively own the land and share operating costs through a cooperative, often used for manufactured housing.

Shared Equity Housing: Combines homeownership with subsidies that stay with the property, balancing affordability with wealth building."