Gated Community Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When evaluating different aspects of gated communities, it\u2019s important to remember that what seems like an advantage to one person could seem like a disadvantage to another. Gated communities can also vary widely from one to the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, there are a few key traits that are commonly associated with gated communities. Let\u2019s take a closer look at each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many residents, the most obvious advantage to a gated community is security. As we mentioned earlier, community gates may be staffed with guards or may open with the use of technology, including key cards, remote controls, and security codes. Some may also be augmented with video surveillance or guards patrolling the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is little scientific consensus on the extent to which gated communities reduce crime. A 2013 study<\/a> published in The Oxford Handbook of Environmental Criminology found that gated communities experienced 33% fewer burglaries than non-gated communities, but a different study<\/a> from the University of South Florida the previous year found that a gated community appeared to have little effect on burglaries. Researchers have also barely scratched the surface regarding the rates at which gated communities experience other kinds of crime, or the extent to which they might drive criminal activity into surrounding, often lower-income neighborhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, even if their statistical effect on crime rates is nominal, gated communities still bring a perception of safety for the residents \u2013 which might be particularly useful in neighborhoods that were low-crime to begin with. As with any other private property, entering a gated community uninvited is illegal, but having a physical barrier to your neighborhood can provide more emotional reassurance than reading up on local trespassing laws. The reality is that gating a community is not a panacea, but one tool of many in a property manager\u2019s toolbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of that said, safety is about much more than keeping trespassers out. Given the limits on cars entering and leaving, gated communities are not only relatively quiet, but generally have much less through traffic than un-gated ones, which can make it safer for children to play outside, and for older residents to take a walk. This aspect can be particularly useful to parents of young children, or multi-generational homes. That said, this same benefit can also be a hazard, as the security precautions in a gated community can slow down emergency personnel like ambulances, police, and firefighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what the neighborhood\u2019s surrounding area is like, gated communities bring a promise of privacy and tranquility that can be enormously appealing to many would-be residents. Those who\u2019ve become accustomed to life in bustling urban areas may see a gated community as just the peaceful oasis they\u2019ve been looking for \u2013 where traffic is quiet, they won\u2019t have solicitors knocking on their door, and even shared facilities are only shared by so many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside this sense of privacy, these neighborhoods can also foster a real sense of warmth and community. In contrast to heavily populated areas where residents may never get to know their neighbors, having fewer people in your neighborhood can make it easier to recognize, trust, and befriend one another \u2013 not to mention community events arranged for the residents, like picnics, movie nights, holiday festivals, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, as with almost every aspect of a gated community, there are two sides to the coin: Where one person sees privacy and belonging, another might see enclosure and isolation. This type of neighborhood may feel stifling for residents who would prefer to have friends and family drop in at any time, and to host parties without needing to submit event hours and guest lists to security ahead of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On a bigger scale, life inside the gates can also leave some residents feeling closed off from the wider cultural community in which they live. The fees associated with gated communities (which we\u2019ll get to below) can have also the effect of grouping people of the same socioeconomic status together, and leaving others out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with any neighborhood governed by an HOA, gated communities bring several rules and regulations \u2013 the appeal of which is often subjective. For instance, HOAs often enforce standards regarding home exteriors; and where one resident might enjoy a neighborhood with a cohesive aesthetic and no chipping paint, another resident might feel that such regulations stifle their individuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from the security measures we\u2019ve discussed above, some common gated community regulations include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also worth mentioning that enforcement of these rules by the HOA \u2013 who may issue warnings, charge fines, or put a lien on your house as penalties \u2013 may be a relief to some, and irksome to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belonging to a gated community can come with a heavy price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For one thing, homes in gated communities can come with a higher asking price; a 2016 study<\/a> from the American Real Estate Society found that the average home in a gated community sold for $30,000 more than a comparable home in a non-gated one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Residents will also be required to make regular payments for the upkeep of the community. As we mentioned, all gated communities are governed by HOAs, which means that residents can expect their community-related fees to start with a typical monthly, annual, or quarterly HOA fee (though, as we discussed in our HOA blog post, there\u2019s no such thing as a \u201ctypical\u201d HOA fee, as one HOA might charge $40 per month while another might charge thousands).<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the variation in these fees may depend on several factors, the most straightforward predictors of HOA fees are generally community size and amenities provided; and as gated communities include the additional amenity of substantial security measures (after all, the gate, security guards, and key cards all have to be paid for), their HOA fees will be higher than those of comparable non-gated communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an example, while HOA fees for a non-gated community in Daytona Beach, FL may come to about $600 per year, the HOA for a similar home in a gated community may charge upwards<\/a> of $2,000 over the same period. It\u2019s also worth noting that additional expenses may be incurred by following many of the community regulations we\u2019ve already discussed, particularly those related to home appearance, structure, and quality controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While HOAs in non-gated communities may not provide any amenities at all, members of a gated community can more likely expect certain shared resources. In addition to basic services like trash removal, these communities might include a fitness center, park, landscaped grounds, swimming pool, and more; Sea Gate<\/a>, an 8,000-person gated community in Brooklyn, includes a dog park and a private beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of the amenities themselves, common spaces and shared resources in these neighborhoods will typically be held to high standards and maintenance, just like the actual homes are \u2013 all of which can have the significant advantage of stabilizing or increasing home property values over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth noting, however, that amenities are not automatically a plus. In the same 2016 study which concluded that gated community homes sell for $30,000 more than non-gated ones, researchers found that the increase appeared to be caused by the gate (and related security measures) alone. When it came to additional community amenities, like fitness centers or pools, homes saw their sale price reduced by an average of $20,000 \u2013 which researchers pegged to perceptions that the maintenance costs of amenities may outweigh their benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As with so many decisions facing potential homebuyers, the question of whether to consider a gated community largely comes down to personal preference. And if you get to the point of evaluating a particular community, it\u2019s imperative to research specifics, whether online or with the help of your realtor. Just remember that choosing a new home isn\u2019t just about choosing a new space, but a new way of life \u2013 and that for some, life inside a gated community may be well worth exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Gatehouse](\"https:\/\/www.khov.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/gatehouse-at-community-entrance-750x480.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSecurity and Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.khov.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Family-Walking-through-Neighborhood-1024x655.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPrivacy and Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rules and Regulations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gated Community Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pool](\"https:\/\/www.khov.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/community-amenties-1024x568.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAmenities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n