What is better as HOA-owned than privately/publicly owned?

What are the best uses of HOAs?

Swimming pools are at the top of my list. I don't know why anybody has a private pool. Considering the expense of purchasing and maintaining a private pool, you better be a professional swimming teacher or be Aquaman. In my old HOA, we had a swimming pool which I loved because the cost and hassle was spread over the whole HOA but it was basically vacant 99% of the time. Whenever you went out there, you were usually the only one so it was essentially private but with minimal cost.

Grassy areas and landscaping are ok. I mainly enjoy looking at them but have no desire to maintain them or pay gardeners myself. Still, I don't really use them that much.

Tot lots and playgrounds are not so good. The intrusion and vandalism by outsiders makes me prefer these in my backyard, rather than from a HOA.

Roads are lousy. I'd rather have the city maintain my roads than have the right to kick out trespassers.

Exercise room would probably be pretty good. Why clutter up a room in your own house with exercise equipment?

I never lived in a HOA that had a clubhouse. Worth it?

Any other amenities that are better HOA-owned than privately owned?

Obvious but point well taken.

Well, I am surprised no one made this observation:

If you lived in a private residence, who are you going to fight with?

I would imagine maintaining a 5 member board could get very expensive, and you know what happens if you have a board, they call a meeting. You just can't walk up to a hired Board Member and start ragging on them. They have to have meetings and so you are going to feel guilty if you don't attend, then you will have to pay a shrink to get you straightened out, So...........move into an HOA or condo, wall off your deeded property, hire a couple guard dogs, and put up some razor wire, dig a tunnel about two miles long, use it every morning and night to go to and from work........... seems like a winner to me.

Daniel,
Your orginial post as you posted it:
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What are the best uses of HOAs?

Swimming pools are at the top of my list. I don't know why anybody has a private pool. Considering the expense of purchasing and maintaining a private pool, you better be a professional swimming teacher or be Aquaman. In my old HOA, we had a swimming pool which I loved because the cost and hassle was spread over the whole HOA but it was basically vacant 99% of the time. Whenever you went out there, you were usually the only one so it was essentially private but with minimal cost.

Grassy areas and landscaping are ok. I mainly enjoy looking at them but have no desire to maintain them or pay gardeners myself. Still, I don't really use them that much.

Tot lots and playgrounds are not so good. The intrusion and vandalism by outsiders makes me prefer these in my backyard, rather than from a HOA.

Roads are lousy. I'd rather have the city maintain my roads than have the right to kick out trespassers.

Exercise room would probably be pretty good. Why clutter up a room in your own house with exercise equipment?

I never lived in a HOA that had a clubhouse. Worth it?

Any other amenities that are better HOA-owned than privately owned?

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There is nothing there about cost comparisons other than some esoteric references about your opinion of swimming pools and your opinion of the condition of your roads, and other personal opinions. I believe two folks posted it was all relevant, so I guess you will have to compare HOA's that are similar.....few are, and IMHO if you could make a comparison based strictly on cost, there is much to consider that the cost can't be quantitated. Consider your evaluation of a specific swimming pool in a narrow time frame, if you give that a cost value now will it be that in the next six months? Suppose nex week a family with five active teenagers descend on the pool with their buddies just as you are reaping the rewards of a private swimming pool, that you didn't have to pay for.