What Are Gated Communities? Get The Facts You Need To Know

House hunting can be an extremely overwhelming process. There are so many things to consider – the number of bedrooms, square footage, lot size and many more. Don’t forget to spend some time researching any potential future neighborhoods, too.

You will need to consider what you are looking for in a neighborhood: lot size per home, community feel, amenities and safety are all important factors to consider. Depending on the market in your area, you may have homes located in gated communities as an option for you to purchase.

Gated communities offer a wealth of features. Learn about living in a gated community and discover the safety and convenience that gated communities provide.

What Is A Gated Community?

Gated communities refer to neighborhoods that are entirely contained within a fence or wall. Typically, there are very few entrances and those entrances are protected by a gate. Often, the gate is manned by security 24/7 or requires a code to open. This is to ensure that only people who live in the neighborhood or who are specifically on the list are able to enter the community.

If you are doing neighborhood research and seeing these communities as a possibility in your area, you will definitely want to keep reading. There are pros and cons to gated communities, depending on your personal preferences. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of a gated community to see if it might be the right fit for your needs.

Why Do People Like Living In A Gated Community?

There are several big reasons why someone might seek out a gated neighborhood. Here are some of the most popular reasons to love them.

The Feeling Of Safety

It can be difficult to check neighborhood safety when touring a neighborhood. But, having a gate around the area instantly makes a space feel safer and more secure. This is because there is a physical, literal barrier to entry. This makes it much easier to cut down on random visitors who might otherwise cause a disruption in the area.

More Privacy and Exclusivity

Just as the gates keep danger out, they also limit the total number of cars and people who will pass through daily. While there will still be traffic from residents, workers and visitors, it will be much lower compared to open streets and eliminates people cutting through the neighborhood to save a minute on their drive. This gives the homes a lot more privacy and a feeling of exclusivity.

Numerous Amenities To Enjoy

Gated communities often offer neighborhood amenities, as well. This will vary by area but may include:

• Golf courses
• Swimming pools
• Exercise centers
• Tennis courts
• Playgrounds
• Bike paths
• Dog parks

Oversight From An HOA

For some people, the presence of a homeowners association (HOA) is a good thing. A gated community is all but guaranteed to have an active and involved HOA. Their role might include:

• Protecting and enhancing property values
• Increased community involvement
• Maintenance and care of common areas

Negatives To A Gated Community

There are a few potential drawbacks to living in a gated community.

Strict Rules

HOAs can have strict rules, and gated communities are likely to have some of the strictest rules of all. If you like to leave up Christmas lights all year round or park your boat in the driveway, you are likely to get push back from an HOA. In general, if you don’t like being told what to do or to ask permission before doing work on your home, a gated community might not be for you.

Increased Costs 

Gated communities are typically more expensive simply because there are costs to running and managing the gate. Plus, many of these neighborhoods are expensive by design as a way of increasing the feeling of prestige and exclusivity. Finally, roads behind gates are typically not maintained by the city, which passes the maintenance costs on to the homeowners and the HOA.

Inaccessibility

While the gate is great for keeping people out, it can also make it hard for people to get in. If you have visitors, guests or people working on your home, the gate can cause an unnecessary complication and delay in getting people into the area. If you have regular visitors from outside the neighborhood, you’ll need to make sure they can enter freely.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Gated Community Homes?

Here are some of the pros and cons of gated communities:

FAQs About Houses In A Gated Community

Learn more about gated communities with these frequently asked questions.

How do I choose the right gated community for me?

It is important to visit a community and see if you feel comfortable and welcome there. Get a feel for the neighbors and neighborhood amenities to be sure that it meets your expectations and fills your needs.

Can gated communities be found on military bases?

Gated communities can include military bases, retirement communities and professional neighborhoods. Any neighborhood that is contained within a fence or walls is considered a gated community. Military bases are highly regulated for entry, but residents can access anytime at certain gates. However, because of the size of this type of gated community, you could see increased commute times in and out of the base, and you have to be associated with a stationed military member to live there.

How much will I have to pay in HOA fees to live in a gated community?

HOA fees vary widely depending on your area, the included amenities or expenses, and the general prestige of the community. Yes, some neighborhoods charge more – just to create a feeling of exclusivity.

How do I get a mortgage for a gated community home?

Typically, you can use a conventional mortgage, an FHA loan or a VA loan to purchase a home in a gated community. Talk to your lender to be sure there are no restrictions in your area.

The Bottom Line: Gated Communities Have A Lot To Offer

Gated communities are a great place to live and can be wonderful for families looking for security and privacy. If you are ready, start the mortgage process for homeownership in a gated community.