jmcquown wrote:
>Pico Rico wrote:
>> "gtr" wrote:
>>> Kalmia said:
>>>> gtr wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> They're compelled to provide money to the place whether they eat there
>>>>> or not. You'd think they would voice their viewpoint. But at a certain
>>>>> point, particularly in "retirement communities" predictably bad is okay
>>>>> because it's predictable.
>>>>
>>>> I bet if enough residents banded together, they could vote to disband the
>>>> dining room and all the rest of the frills, and do away with that
>>>> assessment.

Why would they... they chowse to live there to enjoy all the extras
and they can readily afford them... normal brained people do not
choose to live at places they cannot afford.

>>> Before the get to that point though, they might encounter the "oh well"
>>> reaction. I note that as I advance in years the "oh well" response and the
>>> "why bother" response come up more and more frequently.
>>>
>>>> Evidently, enough residents are satisfied with the arrangement.

People who bought there knew very well what they were buying... and
folks with thin wallets don't choose to buy a home on a golf course.

>>> Silence, as has long been typified by the American political situation,
>>> daytime TV and all manner of other things, does not necessarily imply
>>> satisfaction.
>>
>> nor agreement.
>>
>>
>Except I've stated I have *not* been "silent" about it. I protested
>being forced to join the club when I knew my parents' hadn't been
>members since 2001. I even met with an attorney who just shook his head
>and said I couldn't win a lawsuit against them. So I took my case
>directly to the president of the DIOA and the chairman of the membership
>board. I provided them with all sorts of documentation and information.
> The full board discussed my request and declined to issue a membership
>waiver.
>
>The thing about this place is a lot of the residents are seasonal.
>(Read: they have money.) I'm well acquainted with two couples who own
>homes on my street who are only here for a two or three months out of
>the year. Then they had back to their other homes up north. IMHO,
>anyone who can afford to own, furnish and maintain two houses isn't
>concerned about something like club dues and dining assessments. More
>power to them!

Many of my neighbors are retired and spend summers here in NY and
winters in a home down south (many in the Carolinas), most of the
"snowbirds" here are not wealthy. Many rent for part of the year,
many who own rent their place out for half the year. They do the
snowbird routine because they are old and/or have illnesses and don't
wqnt to tolerate the cold here in winter. But as they get even older
many unload their place in the south and return full time to their
homes in the north to be near family, friends, and the familiar,
living in two places and constant traveling becomes too much of a
drain; physically, emotionally, and financially. Around here the
folks who own homes on golf courses and ski resorts are generally
wealthy... most of the resort living properties are both golf in
summer and sking in winter, the fees are very expensive, the homes are
gorgeous but with prices to match, nothing under $500K and most cost
several Million. Those folks never bitch about club house fees, in
fact they boast about the high costs, they are happy the prices are
high, keeps the riff raff out. If you're bitching about the costs
where you live you really don't belong there. People who say it's
about the principle and not about the money it's really about the
money, it's always about the money.

>Early last year the DIOA proposed renovations to the clubhouse. This
>included enlarging the Pub Room and expanding the outdoor patio area for
>dining. For something this big the residents *do* get to vote on it.
>(Naturally I voted no.) Club expansion passed with a majority. I asked
>one of the seasonal neighbors about it and he was all for it. He said,
>"This is a resort, after all." I'm sure I gave him a strange look. A
>resort, really? Perhaps if I was only here a couple of months out of
>the year I'd think of it like that, too. <shrug>
>
>Meanwhile, for three months last year everyone's monthly dues went up by
>$250/month so the DIOA could pay for the renovations.

People with limited financial resources don't choose to live on golf
courses, at ski lodges, and the like, especially if they don't
golf/ski. Folks of ordinary means who enjoy golf buy a season
membership or pay for the day at a municipal course, they don't buy a
house on the course. Your living in a house on a golf course makes as
much sense as my living on a fishing yacht when I don't fish. The
longer you remain there the more financially behind you will become.
And if your favorite pastime is relaxing on a couch with a jug of wine
and a book all you really need is a furnished room. You need to sell
that albatross, even if it's a bad market whatever you get will be far
more than you paid. instead of staying and constantly bitching you'd
have exhibited intelligence had you placed it for sale the day your
mom died, you could have easily moved into another apartment... I
remember how you enjoyed your apartment.