I think you are answering your own questions...

find out what is important for you when joining a team - is it the comraderie, the access to LBS services or or or?
of course what it costs to YOU as well...i remember i was looking into one team, and it was going to cost me the fee to join the team (300$ and i also would have to pay for my own license and racing fees) plus i had to buy a bike from their bike sponsor . i just bought a new bike, so i really didn't want to buy another one. not to mention because of my size, the bikes of that company (at the time) probably wouldn't have worked for me. anyway, i turned that one down.

I am a member of my bike shops team right now, mainly because i like the store and the guys there, i think they are the BEST. Up until now there were no costs to me, but this year we have to pay for our uniforms (i think a small price to pay)

Anyway i hope some of my thoughts might help you a bit

Happy racing!
Han