Sometimes, and only sometimes does it make for a nicer neighborhood.

One big advantage of a HOA/POA occurs when you are in a gated community. The HOA maintains the gates, security cameras, and roads inside the gates. We have the ability to restrict who can come into the neighborhood and at what hours they can come in because we maintain the roads. A regular neighborhood has public roads and has no ability to restrict access in any manner. We have a sophisticated access system that allows us to track who comes in, who authorized them to come in, what hours they are allowed to come in etc. Yeah we give up some privacy in the process but the security is worth it for the folks that choose to live here. I have lived here for 6 years, I have been on the board for 5 years and the president for 3 and we have had zero robberies, thefts, break-in or even vandalism of any kind (that I am aware of) in the 85 home neighborhood during that time. Talking to other residents that have been here longer that extends even further back in time. AND we are able to keep ALMOST all solicitors out. A very few slip in each year but generally get run out pretty quickly.