Would you live in a gated community? (apartment, homeowners association)

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Question! Would you live in a gated community? -Why Or Why Not?!

[BlueWillowPlate]

Not all gated communities are the same, but I still voted no.
I tend to dislike several things about them.
They feel, to me, like I am being kept in rather than undesirables are being kept out. It's as if the homeowner is in some sort of fortress, like going back to feudalism. On top of that, I don't think they especially stop a determined criminal; also weirdos and whatnot can still enter (or live in) a gated community.
Finally, I don't care for the automobile-oriented style of gated communities.
I do not care for front-loaded garages or having to get into a car for every single little errand.
I prefer a traditional neighborhood with alleyways and a community center and all that good stuff.

[Hoosier]

I agree with cil, traditional is the way to go for me. When I drive by some gated communities I get the feeling that I'm not good enough to go through the gates to "those" houses.

Criminals are masterminds. If they want something bad enough they will find a way to get it.

When we lived in Florida we rented an apartment in a gated community. We rented through the internet so didn't know about the gate. It did add a level of security to the area we lived in, but it would stay open long enough that people could wait and zoom through when someone else was going in. People wouldn't stop and question them. So it didn't offer much security...and I know it was a pain to order a pizza! My two cents.

[Sonnenwende]

No. I just am not that paranoid. If I was, I would seriously reconsider moving to that area in the first place.

[Paula Lynn]

I did once - but never again. You have too many restrictions, it's loud and not neighborhood friendly. Also, being in a gated building, you have a false sense of security. Cars will get stolen, breakins - if someone wants to get in,they will.

[plaidmom]

I voted "no" for two reasons:

1. I like old houses with lots-o character. Most gated communities are too new for my taste and

2. This is a bit embarassing, but I'm in a blurting mood this morning: I see gated-community living as something old people do.

Did I just say that? I'm old, but I'm not that old. Perhaps when I'm 92 or so.

[Figment 07]

Gate? I want a 24-hour doorman!

A proper doorman restricts access as effciently as any nightclub bouncer, will accept dry cleaning and package deliveries when I'm away, keep an eye on my luggage till I get it all downstairs, watch my shopping bags till I get them all into the elevator, accept food deliveries, tell people I'm not in when I am (but do not wish to be disturbed), greet me cheerfully and hand me my newspapers in the morning.

Let's see a gate do that.

[Dedalus]

Originally Posted by plaidmom

I voted "no" for two reasons:

1. I like old houses with lots-o character. Most gated communities are too new for my taste and

2. This is a bit embarassing, but I'm in a blurting mood this morning: I see gated-community living as something old people do.

Did I just say that? I'm old, but I'm not that old. Perhaps when I'm 92 or so.

Hey, I've known some pretty feisty old people.

Gated communities are for weenies.

[mels]

Originally Posted by cil

Not all gated communities are the same, but I still voted no.
I tend to dislike several things about them.
They feel, to me, like I am being kept in rather than undesirables are being kept out. It's as if the homeowner is in some sort of fortress, like going back to feudalism. On top of that, I don't think they especially stop a determined criminal; also weirdos and whatnot can still enter (or live in) a gated community.
Finally, I don't care for the automobile-oriented style of gated communities.
I do not care for front-loaded garages or having to get into a car for every single little errand.
I prefer a traditional neighborhood with alleyways and a community center and all that good stuff.

I agree with all of the above, plus gated communities usually equal homeowners associations and cookie cutter homes. While I know they (both HOA and cookie cutter houses) are ever so poular down south, I hate them. That is one of the reasons I never bought a home when I lived there.

[MoMark]

I would live in a gated community no problem. If you buy a home in such a neighborhood, you're going to expect strict HOA rules and regulations, etc. If I were that wealthy and I wanted to live in a place with a lot of other equally wealthy people, you bet, I'd buy a home in a gated community with a guard at the gate.
I had a doctor buddy in Las Vegas who had a palatial property in a gated community and the house was stunning. So was the neighborhood. It was a million dollar home a gorgeous neighborhood (though the front yards were awfully tiny). Even if it's a false sense of security, you still feel somewhat insulated from the outside world. And though it's true that bad folks can still get in if they want to, it's much more difficult. The guard at this community would stop all cars without a special sticker and take the name, license plate number, make of the vehicle, and would ask where that car was headed. He would also call the specific resident for permission. If he couldn't get ahold of that person, the non-resident car did not come through the gate. That's pretty good security in my book.
I never have lived in such a neighborhood and the closest I ever had to that was in Las Vegas where my neighborhood had only one way in, and one way out. Few people came into the neighborhood because they couldn't find their way out again. I liked that.
But I wouldn't trade my current home now on acreage in a fairly upscale area with the world's best neighbors for a gated community at this point. I love where I live and I like that I can do as I please.