Some might not like living next to someone w/ clotheslines in other’s backyard, but I say good luck to you if you want to put up a swing set or a basketball hoop for your kids in your backyard only to have your neighbor say you can’t.
For me, I don’t want anyone to tell me what I can or can’t do w/ my home. The home I paid hard earned money for. So I don’t want any HOA. But if I have to, the most I’ll put up with is 20-30/month for exterior maintenance.