Is a gated community right for you? According to recent US Census data, gated communities are one of the fastest- growing forms of housing in the US. Take a look at the pros and cons of living in a gated community before you decide.
What is a gated community?
Gated communities have been around for longer than you might think. They center around a development or neighborhood in which the only way in or out is through a gate. The level of security, (privacy and protection) offered in a gated community can vary from an unmanned gate that is operated automatically with a swipe of a card, to a gate that is manned 24 hours a day with one or more guards who check id and have to be notified in advance of guests.
So what are the pros and cons? To some, regarding gated communities, a pro may be a con and vice versa. It all depends on your needs and wants.
Gated communities are a status symbol. Owning a home in a gated community can enhance your standing. Many people enjoy living somewhere exclusive. Gated communities can also be seen as elitist and the people who live there as snobs.
Many people who live in gated communities say they do so because of the reduced crime, the reduced traffic and the ability to provide their children with a safe place to play outdoors. People who shun gated communities may say that they feel uncomfortable with the idea of being locked in, “imprisoned,” or separated from the rest of the world. They also don’t want to have to be accountable or monitored for their comings and goings.
Home values in gated communities are generally higher than those of standard homes, about 5 to 7 percent, and they tend to stay that way. Even if the area around the gated community loses value, the gated community can be isolated from that effect. Gated communities come with security and other fees that can off-set that higher home value.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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