When searching for the right home, consider looking at properties in gated communities if you value privacy and security. A gated community is a highly secure residential neighborhood that’s enclosed by fences or walls. It may also have controlled entrances that can only be accessed by traveling through a gate. Getting into the community is possible via a camera, security guard, or keypad.
The purpose of a gated community is to ensure residents receive a level of security and privacy that isn’t available in standard neighborhoods and suburbs. Most entrances into gated communities are monitored or guarded, which means that access is restricted for non-residents.
Gated communities aren’t all the same size or style. You can live in small neighborhoods with single-family homes as well as large communities with vast estates. These communities often provide residents with numerous shared amenities, including clubhouses, parks, and swimming pools. Most gated communities are overseen by homeowners’ associations (HOAs). An HOA is responsible for enforcing community standards and maintaining common areas.
Keep in mind that gated communities aren’t just available with residential housing. They can also contain condominiums and retirement villages. Many prospective homeowners consider gated communities because they allow for a more relaxed and peaceful lifestyle. The following guide explores gated communities and their many advantages.
Are Gated Communities Safer?
Gated communities are designed, first and foremost, to be safer than traditional neighborhoods. They provide residents with many helpful security measures, which include guards, access codes and cameras. The level of security depends on the community you reside in. While some communities have security guards on hand at each entrance into the neighborhood, others use access codes to let people in. The level of security can impact how much homes in the community cost.
The community you move to might be encircled by a tall fence as well as unmanned entrance gates. In this scenario, you’ll likely need to enter a code into a keypad to unlock the gate. Some HOAs provide residents with remotes that make it possible to enter with the click of a button.
Many of the people who live in gated communities find that the enhanced security provides peace of mind. Anyone who enters the gate has a specific reason to be there. There’s also evidence that living in a gated community is safer than residing in a non-gated neighborhood.
For example, homes in non-gated neighborhoods are over 30% more likely to be broken into and burglarized than ones in gated communities. Even though theft can still occur in gated communities, the risk is much lower. Even the presence of gates and controlled access makes criminals less likely to attempt to enter the community.
If you move to a gated community that employs security guards, it’s possible that they’ll be on duty 24/7. In this scenario, the security guards might also patrol the neighborhood. Unmanned entrances are often paired with security cameras to ensure that anyone who enters or exits is recorded. These security measures provide residents with detailed logs that can be referenced if a theft occurs.
What Does Gated Community Mean?
A gated community is any residential community with controlled entrances. These communities can be surrounded by a gate or wall to provide controlled access to vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles. The most common features of a gated community include an HOA, security cameras, guards, and keycode access.
The types of shared amenities you gain access to often depend on the size of the community. For example, residents in smaller communities might only have a single park in the neighborhood. However, larger communities might make it possible for residents to remain in the neighborhood for most of their daily activities. The best gated communities provide access to some or all of the following amenities:
- Tennis courts
- Ample water supply
- Large playgrounds
- Swimming pools
- Exercise facilities and gyms
- Security
- Dog parks
- Golf courses
- Leisure facilities
While gated communities are available all over the world, they’re most commonly found in the United States. Even though there are many common spaces and shared amenities in a gated community, homes are privately owned. If an HOA oversees the community you move to, you’ll be tasked with following certain rules and paying monthly dues.
Do Gated Communities Have Less Crime?
While research into the effects of gated communities is limited, some institutions have studied the difference between gated and non-gated neighborhoods over the years. For example, the Crime & Justice Research Alliance study found that the risk of theft in gated communities is around 33% lower than in non-gated ones.
As mentioned earlier, this research shows that residents are generally safer in gated communities. The study also discovered that luxury homes are at a lower risk of theft, which means that upscale gated communities are likely to provide more security.
There are many factors that contribute to reducing crime, which include community security measures and controlled access. Gates effectively reduce theft by making it considerably more difficult for criminals to quickly drive in and out of neighborhoods to look for vulnerable homes. Even though burglaries can still occur in gated communities, criminals must invest an ample amount of time and take on more risk to successfully steal something.
In a non-gated neighborhood, criminals are only tasked with monitoring properties for a few days from a nearby street. Gated communities with surveillance and restricted access are more difficult to get into. Even if a criminal scales a wall, they might be detected by the other security measures that have been implemented in the community.
There are also many effective security methods that can be used at gates. While physical keys, vehicle-based access mechanisms, guards, and four-digit pin pads should keep most criminals out, it isn’t too difficult to get around these obstacles. Security guards can make mistakes. These security measures can be enhanced with the inclusion of a smartphone-based access solution that only allows people with specific devices to get into the neighborhood.
How Do Delivery Drivers Get Into Gated Communities?
Amazon truck drivers and other delivery personnel can get into gated communities when they need to deliver packages. For example, residents can provide drivers with access codes that allow them to enter. These drivers can also coordinate with security personnel to ensure that deliveries are never delayed.
These methods facilitate deliveries while also maintaining community security. No one should receive access to the neighborhood unless they already have permission from a security guard or resident. Permission can also be revoked depending on the types of security measures that are used in the community.
How Do Police Get Into Gated Communities?
Police and emergency responders are able to enter gated communities via special codes, resident coordination, or gates. When an emergency occurs, police usually have special keys and codes that allow them to provide a rapid response. They can also get into the community without permission if they are answering a 911 call or pursuing a criminal. It’s crucial that emergency personnel have rapid response capabilities to ensure residents within the community remain safe and secure.
How Do Ambulances Get Into Gated Communities?
Entrances in gated communities are commonly paired with telephone systems or intercoms. If an ambulance arrives at the community and is unable to enter it, they could contact a tenant through the telephone system or intercom to gain entry. These systems usually come with a directory of residents, which should make it easier for emergency personnel and visitors to find the number of the person they’re looking for.
Ambulances can also gain entry with access codes that they’ve received from residents or by coordinating directly with security staff. If the community has a security booth with a guard at the entrance, they can check the credentials of the emergency personnel to ensure that they are allowed to enter the community. These individuals might also have unique credentials and access keys if the neighborhood uses a virtual guard.
Keep in mind that certain access control systems come with a unique feature that only activates when a first responder uses their emergency radio or turns on their strobe lights. With this feature in place, the gate will be unlocked long enough for the vehicle to enter. Many gated communities implement designated routes for quick access to first responders and residents.
Conclusion
Gated communities often provide residents with enhanced security and additional privacy. When you live in a gated neighborhood, you’ll also have a stronger sense of community. Many of the amenities are shared, which should make it easier for you to converse with your neighbors and get to know them. Gated communities significantly reduce crime risk as well. Depending on your safety and lifestyle preferences, a gated community may meet your needs.