If you want to learn more about gated communities, let`s start by defining them.

A gated community represents a neighborhood protected by a gate which ensures controlled access and provides better protection against theft, crime and other intrusions. Everybody – residents or visitors alike – must pass through the gate (or the gates!) of such a community. Typically, gates have guard booths and security staff, or at least automatic systems that require a card or remote control access.

There are gated communities everywhere – in big cities, smaller town, as well as in rural areas. Their size also varies from a few properties to a few dozens.

If you consider moving to such a neighborhood, you surely want to know the pros and the cons. We offer you some guidelines.

What are the advantages of a gated community?

Besides better safety and protection, residents of gated communities enjoy numerous other advantages, especially if you are in lakefront homes Hot Springs AR communities.

Reduced vehicle and pedestrian traffic

There are no foreign drivers passing through these neighborhoods, the traffic being restricted to residents and guests. This makes walkways and roads safer for everyone, traffic accidents are greatly reduced and so is the noise.

The access to pedestrians is also limited, therefore residents experience less vandalism, theft and unwanted guests (such as those door-to-door proselytes, sellers etc.)

Access to public area

Many gated communities have their own communal facilities, such as parks, pools, sports facilities etc.

High property value

Owning a home in a gated community means higher HOA dues (these cover the costs of maintaining the patios, lobbies, landscaping etc.), but higher property value and faster home selling process.

Positive impact on the local economy

Gated communities tend to have a good impact on the economy in the area, which comes not just from the higher property value that we previously presented as an advantage, but also from high-income residents who generate tax boosts to their municipality. Some also advance the idea that gated communities put a barrier between low income and high income neighborhoods, encouraging economic inequality; in such a context, homes that do not belong to a gated community but are situated in its proximity may have to suffer by comparison.

What are the drawbacks of living in a gated community?

The residents of these neighborhoods typically experience less privacy and control.  There are various restrictions that everyone must respect, ranging from car parking requirements to the colors of the facades. There is a tendency toward uniformity (both physical and demographic) and some people may feel uncomfortable about it and constraint in their self-expression, although other will feel perfectly fine.

Another important detail is that the level of security is not the same in every gated community and it may not be what you expect.

It is therefore very important to get the necessary information before moving to such a neighborhood. You need to know the HOA regulations and it is also good to learn about other residents’ experiences related to living in a gated community.