[ninja617JF]

I currently live in florida but I donot live in a gated community I want the security of a gated community for my family can you advise me of which areas of saint lucie county offer the best in security. How much are the maint. fees and/or hoa fees We are interested in looking into traditions or poss. the reserve. I have heard verano is a good place. Can anyone tell me how much of the hoa fees is security covered you can tell alot about a community by how much they spend on security. as a former director of lawenforcement else ware I am very concerned about the saftey of my family and would like to know how much of my hoa fees would be going to security. If anyone knows the amount or an estimated amount in some of the better communities in saint lucie I would really appreciate it. This will help me make a choice in what community I would like to look into.

[Lilybeans]

Each community is different. You have to investigate each one.

[Thejan]

One quick issue. Since when do you believe a gate equals additional security? Unless you have 24 hr manned entrance only (which means NO unprotected back entrances!!!!), you have ZERO added security. Anyone can wait and follow one of your fellow prisoner back into jail. I have been following crime statistics in our new area, and the worst area right now is a community that has a main gate with 24 hr security guards. However, it has 6 other entrances, with regular gates. So really, everybody gets in. And they do. We live behind bars here too. And our neighborhood has the same crime statistics as the county average. Gates are only there for snobbery reasons.

We have found a noted exception though. A few miles from here, a community did way with the gate, but installed cameras on every street corner. These camera's are in full view and it is advertised that the records are kept for 7 days. Because of well lit entrances, they also do their job at night. This community has reduced their criminal statistics to well under the county average. And the few small issues they had were all on camera.

For a fully guarded entrance: expect several thousands per year.
For just an entrance gate with remote opening: 1000 or less.
No gate: a few hundred.


Jane.

[sange77]

Do not fall for the gated communities being any safer than not living in a gated one. ITA w/ the PP you have to move into a community that has manned security at the entrance. Gates are a farce b/c people piggy back and they always break! Good Luck!!! And do not move into a new community, move into an established one...you know what your getting into. Take it from someone who knows!