Are Gated Communities Making a Comeback?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the real estate market saw an explosion of “McMansions” and sprawling estates across the nation. The economic downturn toward the end of the decade brought the country back to earth and shifted the trend in new housing from giant luxury homes back to moderately sized residences.

While many have claimed that the McMansion boom is over, others beg to differ.

From Tiny Houses To Gated Communities

There are points to be made on both sides of the argument. Some people want homes to get smaller and neighborhoods to devolve into more modest living environments, while others are more interested in buying up expansive properties or calling a gated community home.

For evidence of the clash, just flip on cable television, and you’ll find reality shows on both sides of the equation. The FYI channel features a show called Tiny House Nation. Remember Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? That debuted in 1984 and ran for eleven years.

While the tiny house trend has been intriguing to observe, it’s not terribly indicative of where the country is headed in general. For every house that’s being built on wheels, at least one other is moving into a luxurious gated community.

To be honest, experts who voiced a death sentence on McMansions, estates, and gated communities probably spoke too soon.

The Benefits Of Gated Communities

While they’re not for everyone and come with high price tags that make them prohibitive for many Americans, gated communities offer a number of advantages. Here are a few:

• Exclusivity. Most people desire to be part of something exclusive or special. Whether it’s owning the latest piece of technology, getting invited to the party of the year, or learning the inside details on your favorite team’s latest plans, exclusivity is desirable. And that’s clearly a feature of gated communities: They are closed off from the rest of the world, and therefore many see them as a desirable place to live.

• Security. Gated communities also offer a higher level of security. Most include restricted gates, security guards, and around-the-clock monitoring. These communities tend to have low crime rates and are family-friendly locations. While they certainly aren’t invincible to penetration by outsiders, they offer a heightened sense of security. It’s not uncommon for some communities to have 20 or more full-time security guards.

• Amenities. In some of today’s gated communities, there’s hardly any reason to leave for rest and recreation. Many feature golf courses, tennis courts, swimming complexes, full-size workout facilities, community centers, day-care facilities, parks, and more. For families with children, the convenience of having everything in a single area is highly prized.

• Peace and quiet. If you’re a fan of a quiet ambiance, gated communities have a big appeal. They tend to be peaceful and enable the residents to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and crowded downtown areas.

• Privacy. Aside from luxury, there’s a reason famous entertainers, politicians, and athletes choose to live in gated communities: They’re extremely private. You can live your life without interference and your interactions are limited to whomever you choose to be with. Even for people who enjoy mingling with large crowds, it offers a perfect retreat from hectic social gatherings and busy daily activities.

Gated Communities Are Still Popular In 2014

While your television may be assuring you that tiny homes are the way to live, current trends in the real estate market say something different. As the economy recovers and people begin to spend more freely again, an influx of homeowners are heading into gated communities all across the country.

From Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, gated communities offer a range of advantages and pleasures. If you’ve never considered the notion in the past, now may be the time.