What Is a Gated Community? (A Complete Guide For You)

A gated community is a type of residential community with controlled access. They are generally composed of private residences which are protected by an entrance gate. Gated communities offer residents many benefits, including security, privacy, and exclusivity.

The most well-known gated communities in the United States are located in South Florida, California’s Orange County, Arizona’s Maricopa County (especially near Phoenix), and the Las Vegas Valley of Nevada.

In this blog post, you will learn about what is a gated community and how it works!

Gated Community – Definition and Meaning

Gated communities – sometimes called a gated enclave – are residential subdivisions that feature walls and a security gate blocking entry by nonresidents. When you think of a gated community, you probably imagine the homes inside to be luxurious with high property values.

In this article we will examine what is meant by the terms “gated community” and “gated enclave.” We will also look at some famous examples of gated communities in the United States.

• The term “gated community” means different things to different people. For instance, in the case where there are two adjacent communities, one fully enclosed with walls and a security gate and the other without, some consider the second community to be part of a gated community because anyone entering that community first must pass through a gate.
• In spite of its different meanings to different people, a gated community basically refers to a residential neighborhood or subdivision with walls and security gates restricting access by nonresidents.
• The gates are both physical and metaphorical. Physical gates are used to control access by nonresidents who must pass through security booths before entering the community. Metaphorical gates protect residents from social outsiders.

Gated communities vary widely in their features and amenities, size and styles of homes, types of recreational facilities, proximity to schools, shopping, businesses and workplaces – in short, in almost every conceivable way.

Top Benefits to Living in a Gated Community

There are several benefits of living in a gated community. Here are just some of the top ones:

In A Gated Community, You Have Less Crime To Worry About

Crime rates have been on a steady decline for years now, however, there’s still a chance of being a victim of petty theft or even being mugged . Living in a gated community means that you’re living among other people who want the same level of safety as you. With less crime to worry about, you can sleep better at night.

A Gated Community Means Better Property Values

Because of the fact that there’s less crime and overall peace of mind for those who live within one, property values are effectively higher in gated communities than they are in non-gated communities. You can enjoy your home more knowing that you’ve got the safety of a closely knit community backing your home up.

You’re Better Protected From The Weather

Having to worry about hurricanes is no fun, even if their harm is mostly limited to flooding and the occasional severe thunderstorm. If you live in an area that is prone to severe weather, make sure to invest in a home with a community gate.

You can then rest assured that you will remain dry and safe no matter the weather forecast since the community association will make sure of proper measures, even from the building plan up to the precautions you take to secure your home.

A Gated Community Means Less Traffic To Worry About

Traffic nowadays can be pretty horrible. With “rush hour” lasting for hours on end, not to mention the long commute you may have to deal with , living in a gated community gives you a certain peace of mind. No matter how bad traffic gets out there, it’ll never be able to get past your gate and inside your carefully manicured lawns.

Live In A Safer Neighborhood

Most of the world is becoming a safer place, but that doesn’t mean that every neighborhood is safe. If you’re looking for a truly safe neighborhood, go with a gated community. You can rest assured knowing that those who live within the community care about their safety and that of their neighbors and fellow residents.

You Have Fewer Distractions On The Way Home

Temptation is everywhere, even on the road. Living in a gated community means you’ll be more likely to avoid distractions such as billboards and advertisements while driving home from work. This way, you can get home faster and spend more quality time with your loved ones.

You Can Get Out More Often

If you’re looking for a new hobby, there are plenty of activities to be found in gated communities , including sports clubs and classes for various hobbies. A community gate gives you the convenience of more easily getting involved in these extra-curricular activities.

No Need To Worry About Driving Outside The Community

While it may not be fun to think about, driving outside of your gated community comes with risks you don’t have to deal with while driving within the confines of the gates. By staying inside your community, you can truly enjoy all that it offers without having to worry about things like cars running stop signs, reckless drivers speeding by you, or even accidents.

When looking for a home, always consider living in a gated community. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are safe and that you’re better protected than ever.

Some Drawbacks to Living in a Gated Community

As there are benefits, you also would like to know about some of its risks and disadvantages:

1. Isolation: People who live in gated communities tend to become isolated from the rest of society. If you think that this won’t happen to you, we can tell you that it is almost impossible not to get involved with other families around them, but if the residents just get together to have some barbeques, they are not being very sociable.

2. Alienation: People who live in gated communities tend to become alienated from the rest of society. This may happen because they avoid any interaction with others or it could be that people outside of their own community may see them as snobs and treat them in the same way.

3. Safety: Although living in communities where you can get help when needed is a good thing, getting into trouble with the law also involves paying your dues to society, which may include some jail time. Even though social justice has many flaws, there are still laws that need to be obeyed and failing to do so may have consequences.

4. Boredom: If you’re going to be living in a gated community, expect that you will have a certain lifestyle, which means that your children may not have as many opportunities for fun and learning as they would if they lived elsewhere.

5. Pompousness: People who live in gated communities tend to become pompous and may even have a feeling of superiority over others. Not seeing what happens outside their community makes them believe that they’re better than those who live in less prestigious neighborhoods.

6. Restriction: As if it is not enough that those who live in gated communities feel superior over others, there is also the fact that they do not allow others to live as they please, which means that those who have their homes outside of the community will only be allowed to enter through certain gates and at specific times.

7. Unequal: As we mentioned before, gated communities tend to separate people into social classes and poor residents may not be able to afford living there. Although the gates may allow certain people to enter, if they do not have the means to pay for their own homes, they still would be forced to live in more economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

8. Racism: Some of the most prestigious gated communities are usually located close to high traffic areas and it is almost impossible for them not to include people of different skin colors. This means that the upper class tends to look down upon racial minorities and discriminates against them whenever they can.

9. Crime: Although most gated communities are safe and crime is almost nonexistent, there will always be a small minority who try to get in without permission and cause trouble with the residents. Even though this may seem like a small number of people, it can be worrying for some and cause them to become paranoid.

10. Price: If you’re going to live in a gated community, don’t think that it is not going to cost you more than if you lived somewhere else. Although the fees tend to be lower than luxury condos, they are still more expensive than houses that can be found in other neighborhoods.

11. Competition: Everyone wants to live in the best community out there, which means that gated communities tend to have lots of competition when it comes to selling homes, which is great for real estate agents but not so much for buyers who may become frustrated at the amount of details they need to go through.

12. Space: Gated communities tend to be small, which means that you’ll have a limited amount of space for your home and the rest that you wish to build can only be used for decoration. If you want more room for your furniture and plants and other things like this, you may not get it in one of these communities.

13: Maintenance: Although these communities are usually well maintained, there will always be some homes that need more work to keep them in perfect condition.

What are Guard Gated Retirement Communities?

Being retired doesn’t mean you have to live in a nursing home. Many retirees are looking for alternative ways to maintain independence without sacrificing security or social interaction. They are discovering that gated retirement communities are the answer.

The main difference between these homes and regular group homes is the people they attract, including senior citizens who have actually remained active and involved in their community.

Gated communities allow the freedom of retirement lifestyle without sacrificing security, confidentiality and living expenses. They can accommodate individuals with a higher level of income and provide them with an extra measure of comfort and safety.

* A guard gate is a barrier that controls access to an area or neighborhood by residents or invited guests only.

Gated Retirement Communities are different than age restricted communities, which have a minimum requirement of 55 years or older. These retirement homes don’t focus on the exclusivity of having to be retired in order to live there, but they do enforce an age limit.

• Some guard gated retirement communities consist of homes or villas. Some communities offer both in the same location, and they might even include a market, medical facilities and other amenities specifically catered for older adults.
• Whether you’re interested in one level living or want to choose from homes that come with different levels of service, there is an option that will fit your lifestyle and budget.
• Seniors are often at risk for loneliness, depression and anxiety. However, they can get out of this slump by being exposed to other people through the social events offered by their retirement community.

They’ll find that many retirees in the gated community may share similar interests like cooking or outdoor activities. Many seniors also benefit greatly from simplified house maintenance and the convenience of having a maintenance team that takes care of any repairs.

Safety and Security is Important to Seniors

As people age, their mobility and health can decline. Such limitations may make it difficult for them to stay safe in the face of potential dangers unique to older adults or locales.

Seniors (aged 65 or more) are at greater risk than younger people for many types of violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault and elder abuse. These risks can be heightened when seniors live alone, suffer from poor health or memory loss, and if their daily routines change.

Thus, staying at a gated community for seniors provides peace of mind and safety in numbers by providing a safe, secure environment for them to age gracefully.