The Drawbacks of Living in a Gated Community

There are advantages and disadvantages to living in a gated community. Our experts on visitor management solutions offer a look at the drawbacks.

1. Elevated Cost of Living

Living in a gated neighborhood is a pricey venture. Places on these properties tend to command more than those in other houses. This is barely surprising given the added protection and the upscale nature of homes in gated neighborhoods. Purchasing a parcel here will cost you a pretty penny, although this can be quite useful when it is time to market the house.

Other than increased home-buying expenses, living costs in such communities tend to be loftier. You will pay for all upkeep costs, and HOA expenses can become unreasonable within no time. If there are potholes on the secluded roads within the estate, parts of the repair expenses will rest on you. The same goes for neighborhood facilities, security costs, and any other assistance furnished on a community basis. You will soon find that living in these houses is no cheap thing.

2. HOA Regulations

If you value living life on your terms, you might find HOA rules overbearing. Depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in, you may have to stick to strict regulations of all kinds. For example, there could be restrictions on the shades you can paint your home, the suitable length of grass on your yard, and even whether or not you can include solar panels on your property. Before you live in a gated neighborhood, acquaint yourself with the HOA rules, and confirm that you will not have any problems abiding by them.

3. Appealing to Criminals

Gated communities are typically safer than most other communities. Nevertheless, security systems are weak to compromise, which ultimately poses a security hazard to citizens. For example, if security guards are relaxed, your house becomes just as sensitive to thugs as residences in other communities. There is a good possibility that gated communities are more appealing to criminals who think that these houses have more high-value objects. To bypass this, take some safety measures and avoid leaving your valuables in the open.

4. Inconvenience

Another downside to living in gated neighborhoods in the US is that it can be rather inconvenient. Getting deliveries can quickly become a chore since you must let the delivery men into the property every time. In addition, your visitors will have to go through the haste of meeting the security criteria before they can reach your house. If you are having a party, you must get approved access for each one of your visitors. Further, some gated neighborhoods only permit contractors and other employees at precise times. This can be frustrating if you urgently need their assistance outside permitted hours.

Conclusion

Gated neighborhoods offer a quality of life that many other communities can't. Living in these houses can feel like living the dream, from limited access and top-notch safety features to regular care services. However, there are disadvantages to this life, the most notable one being the high cost of living associated with gated neighborhoods. If you are considering moving to a gated community, weigh the pros and cons of living in one. If the pros overshadow the cons, go ahead and make a move.

These are some of the disadvantages of living in a gated community. Contact us today for more information on our visitor management solutions. We are here to keep your neighborhood safe.