Gated communities are neighborhoods which limit access to authorized residents and their guests. These communities are often staffed with a security team that watches the front gate 24 hours per day to make sure only those with permission are allowed inside. These types of communities are typically upscale and are popular with homeowners concerned about security.
No Through Traffic
One of the most important factors involved with living in a gated community is the peace and quiet. Neighborhoods with open access can, and often do, have lots of unnecessary traffic that adds noise pollution. A gated community tends to have only minimal traffic as residents and their guests come and go without the added hassle of other drivers passing through. The result is a very quiet neighborhood where rush hour isn't much different than the middle of the night when it comes to noise.
Safety and Security
The entryway to a gated community will have either a guard posted or a system that requires residents to use a code to gain access. This security feature prevents strangers from accessing the community, which lessens the possibility of certain crimes, such as burglary, vandalism or home invasion. The secured entry also prevents strangers from going door-to-door disturbing residents with unwanted solicitations. Community residents will also feel safer walking the streets, particularly at night, because strangers will not be lurking in the area.
Higher Property Value
The houses built within a gated community are often on the upper end in regards to design, beauty, quality and price. Being located within a community, houses have a better chance of gaining property value and tend to be steady during market fluctuations, according to the Barcelona Field Studies Centre. Because of these factors, houses in a gated community are thought to be better investments than some other types of housing, giving gated communities a significant advantage.
Children's Play
Families with children must consider the surrounding neighborhood and community when purchasing a home. A significant advantage of a gated community is that is provides a safe and secure environment for children to be out of the house for exercise and play. Without strangers passing through and traffic limited to residents and their guests, children playing in the common areas are less likely to be victimize by an accident or crime.
References
Writer Bio
Lee Morgan is a fiction writer and journalist. His writing has appeared for more than 15 years in many news publications including the "Tennesseean," the "Tampa Tribune," "West Hawaii Today," the "Honolulu Star Bulletin" and the "Dickson Herald," where he was sports editor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University.