What modern conveniences are the least we need?

[yardwork]

61. I bought a condo after a divorce and was prepared to love it.

It turned into a nightmare and I was grateful to sell at a loss and get out.

It was a very pretty, spacious two-story unit in a charming, older complex. Great location. Space in front and behind for me to garden. Big trees. Affordable. It seemed like heaven at first.

My co-owners - and when you own a condo unit you are co-owners of the whole thing, along with all the other owners - were irresponsible, didn't pay their dues, didn't want to pay for essential maintenance and repairs, allowed their kids to have wild parties that damaged our communal property, wouldn't volunteer to serve as officers and treated those of us who did serve as hired help, etc. One of the other owners had serious mental health issues and early dementia. She was verbally abusive, put nasty letters in our boxes, and chased off all our maintenance contractors. The guy who served as treasurer for a year didn't pay any bills. Another couple seized control for a few years, cancelled our termite bond, and tried to cancel our insurance. I stopped that - right before a tree fell on one of the units. In desperation, I agreed to be president and tried to keep things from falling apart. Absentee owners let their units decay or rented to irresponsible kids. Things were so poorly maintained, a tree caught fire because the cheap president hired an unlicensed electrician to jerry rig the outside lighting. I could go on and on. I developed panic attacks when I drove home.

Never again. I live in a house in a suburban tract with a HOA now and love it. I like our neighbors. Im easy going with neighbors, friends, and co-workers. I like to live and let live. That condo experience was a nightmare.