I own a condominium. I’ve lived in communal housing my entire adult life. A house would be too big for me on my own. For anyone else in the same situation and I know there are many, isn’t it a trip? Ha!

There are 115 units where I live. So everyone here is one 115th of our association. It’s astoundingly amazing how many people think they live in a single family home. HOA regulations be damned. Huh.

Living with many others in several buildings is a better education in life probably than anything else you can encounter. Different cultures, different levels of intelligence, different religions although most people don’t go to Church (ask me how I know on a Sunday morning). Many wonderful people. A number of jerks, and then the occasional drug addict or boozehound who keeps everyone up at night by yelping wildly in the courtyard high on a bottle of something. Let’s not forget a few visits now and then from the Police and Fire Dept, not to mention ambulances. After being here 22 years I could write a rather good book on the place. Ha!

It’s a wonderful thing if you’ve been raised by terrific parents and were taught to respect other people and not get involved in their messes. My brother and sister and I were pretty solid when we left home…able to see a lot of situations for what they are. Sometimes it seems like I’m in the theater watching the “human” show. Interesting behavior amongst people.

Then there are the really nice folks you become friends with and enjoy living in the same community with. Then you get yourself on the HOA Board. Oy vey! Nice small group of us who happen to think almost the same. Now you really learn the “stuff” communal living is made of. Not for the faint of heart many times.

There’s also the laundry area where you run into a number of other residents. Some are very nice but again, others can’t seem to set the timer on the cell phone (that is attached to their hands) in order to retrieve their laundry when the washer or dryer cycle is finished.

Also add the parking lot where people either park very well in their deeded spaces or crooked which is so pleasant when you are trying to park your own car without hitting someone (or getting hit by that person parking crooked). There are also rules for smoking…in your own unit or outside no closer than 15 feet from the buildings. And…pets. Cats are inside but dogs…always on a leash outside. Otherwise in your unit…not roaming the hallways. Not in the laundry area or the pool area in summer. In short, a whole list of HOA regulations to sort of keep everyone happy and not at each others’ throats. And it’s just superb when people actually follow those regulations.

The interesting thing is that we somehow sleep. I guess we all learn to put up with noise in the building and outside, since most communal residences are on main streets. We do have quiet hours between 10 pm and 7 am. I live near a hospital so there are a number of ambulances screaming by at all hours. Motorcycles, large semis, etc.

Even though you live with a number of other people on site, you still have privacy in your own unit. And the odd thing is that you somehow feel safe with others around…even if you don’t like a number of those people. Hah!

Ahh yes. Don’t get me wrong. I would still like a bit more soundproofing and my own washer/dryer. I’d also like to live in a bigger unit on an upper floor with a spectacular view of maybe…Boston? Maybe one day before I check out of this life I will actually have that bit of enjoyment. I should probably search for some really great guy who is a millionaire right? I think I’m due something like that by now. As soon as I find him, millionaire or not, I’ll be sure to blog about him. Stay tuned!

Communal Living. Did I mention it’s a trip?!

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