Gated communities (property, neighbor, county, how much)

[sonarrat]

I've had major safety and QOL issues in my neighborhood - drug deals, gunfire, bums rummaging around in the trash on my property, idiots throwing trash on my yard, unchecked loud parties. It's been very instructive as to the downsides of single-family homes in marginal areas, and I'm strongly considering a gated community for my next home.

My question is this: there seem to be several different types of "gated." Sometimes the front door is only accessible through a physical gate which has a key, but parking is open. One complex I've seen actually has a booth with a person in it 24x7, who gives out visitor passes to anyone who doesn't live there. I like that, but is it really necessary? How much control over access is needed to ensure a safe community even in a so-so area?

[ShaneSA]

You need as much security as it takes to make you feel safe. If a locked door is enough, good. If you think you want a guarded gate, good. You decide. I frankly, do not want to llive in a self imposed prison.

[bentlebee]

I have lived in a community with a person at the gate and everybody could get in...

Some communities have gates but you can walk in because the walk entrance doesn't have a gate...

And ....I have a home in a nice community which is not gated and it has less crime compaired to the gated sub communities in the same community...

In our County we have a sheriff's website and you can see for every community/area what 911 calls have been placed and that is the best way to check on crime...hopefully you have it also...