Buying a home is an exciting journey, especially once you’ve been handed the keys and you walk through the door for the first time as a homeowner. While there are many different decisions you’ll have to make throughout your home buying journey, one important decision, especially when purchasing a home in the Palm Beach Coastal area, is if you would prefer to live in a gated or non-gated community. As with many things, there are many pros and cons associated with both gated and non-gated communities, the key is deciding which option best fits your personal needs and wants.
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Gated Community Pros
Easily one of the biggest pros to calling a gated community home is the security that it often provides. With gates, your chances for burglaries are drastically limited, likewise, you often won’t find prowlers throughout the neighborhood as many gates will require some sort of key, code etc. for entry. Additionally, the streets of gated neighborhoods are often less busy than those of other communities making them a safer space for children to ride bikes, people to walk their pets, etc.
Gated Community Cons
While the gates provide a sense of security for some, for others, this can create a feeling of entrapment or even claustrophobia, and should you have to leave or get home in a hurry, you may face lines at the gate entrances and exits. Another con, due to potential malfunctions in the gate mechanics, the gates may be stuck or non-operational, which could in turn lead to delays or you to be late. Additionally, oftentimes gated communities come with a premium, and thus, the homes within are often more expensive.
Non-Gated Community Pros
Affordability is one of the biggest pros to purchasing a home that resides in a non-gated community. Without limited traffic control in and out of entrance and exit gates, you can come and go easily without delay.
Non-Gated Community Cons
Unfortunately, without gates to secure the perimeter of the neighborhood, non-gated communities are easier targets for theft and burglars, car prowlers, as well as speeding vehicles that can make the streets more dangerous for those enjoying the outdoors of the neighborhood.
Related: 10 Simple Ways to Make Buying a Home More Affordable
Ultimately, you must weigh the pros and cons of each option until you find the home that suits your needs, whether that be your budget, security, safety, etc. It is also important to decide if a gated or non-gated community is a deal breaker when it comes to your home search, and if so, make sure to convey to your agent that you are only willing to purchase a home within a gated or non-gated community as viewing homes that are outside of your preference is a waste of both your time as well as your agents.
If you’re currently searching for a new home, whether within a gated or non-gated community, townhouse or condo, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Palm Beach Coastal Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.
