Its almost impossible not to have them if you have commone buildings. I used to not get them with free standing homes and lots but I found out a lot of localities basically sorta force new construction to be like this so they don't have to provide services. Its made as a community which has to manage its own garbage and the local water/sewer lines so the locality only has to worry about the connection going to the community. This way they get taxes but don't really have to provide services.

Because if you live in a good hoa, life goes on as normal.

Sometimes its nice your neighbor isn't allowed to put their chickens and rooster shed backed up to your bedroom window.

You only hear about the hoa horror stories.