Gated communities and properties are always coming in and out of fashion. Some years they are popular, thanks to the privacy they provide, and other years they are dissed for their antisocial nature. Of course, there are pros and cons to living anywhere, no matter what the set-up is, but when it comes to security and the safety of your family there should never be a compromise.
We all have ‘wants’, but when it comes to a home it is important to first consider your ‘needs’ and always put these first. There’s no point buying a beautiful looking house that has a swimming pool if it has windows that don’t close properly or a garage door that doesn’t lock.
Not sure if living in a gated property is for you? Curious to find out if a gated community would suit your family and lifestyle? Below we’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages, so that you can make an informed decision before you uproot!
Advantages
First of all, safety adds a huge amount of value to the home, especially if located in a crime heavy area. Having a gate surrounding a property or community is one of the most effective ways to protect and secure an area, as it ensures no one can get in without permission or means of access, such as a key or code.
Though many people choose to live in a gated area due to the privacy it gives them, the primary reason for doing so is to feel safe and cut-off from problems from the outside. Where real or perceived, security threats have an enormous impact on how people shop for a house or home.
Gated properties or areas often have CCTV cameras and access control surrounding the gates. Not only does this lower the crime rate related to house burglaries, it also improves criminality in the street due to ‘residents only’ facilities, such as parking spaces, parks, playgrounds and gyms.
Disadvantages
With so many advantages it can be difficult to see the cons to living in a gated property or community, but they are there and do need to be considered. The first disadvantage to consider is price. Of course, gated properties are usually of greater value when compared to those that are not gated. As a result, this means that you will be paying more – and sometimes a lot more than your neighbour. In some cases, this investment turns out to be extremely worthwhile. In others, you effectively pay an extortionate amount of money for a gate that was put up years ago, and has also since paid for itself.
In addition, gated communities and properties usually give off a perception of wealth (as is often the case), which can contribute to a divide in the community – creating a sense “us” and “them”, rather than unity.
Choosing any type of home is a huge decision that requires an endless list of contemplations, so when you add an automated gate into the equation that list just gets longer. The key is to do your research and listen to your intuition, after all, it is you that will be living there.
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