So people's answers have raised new questions...
I live in a town* that borders a rust belt city...our town has stuff like pools, parks, recreation opportunities...IOW, many of the things people have said their HOA provides.
Do the towns or municipalities that you live in also provide amenities like pools, parks, tennis courts? Or laws that prevent people from not maintaining houses or lawns?
*it has been a town since the 1800s but most of the homes are 1920s-1950s builds. Not a planned or gated community type place at all.