Gated communities in Houston area

[Supermac34]

We live in Champion Woods in the gated custom section. One thing we have noticed as compared to our home in Windrose is the dramatic reduction in traffic. People DO come in the gates when they are open and check things out, but it really filters out people just driving around when they are closed.

The families with kids can feel a little bit safer as to the reduced amount of traffic.

I'm not really sure that it helps with security at all, but we did get a discount on our homeowners policy. I guess it offers the "illusion" of security and the fact that criminals tend to go to the places with the least path of resistance.

[gregorian]

Does gating really increase the resale value of a home & how much ?

[Hayato]

I live in Alief and I check crime stats for my neighborhood every month and so far we dont have any auto thefts, DUI/DWI stops and buglary in my gated neighborhood*. While just over the fencing and literally 30ft from our house is another new neighborhood with no gates and its quite unbelieveable how frequent their crimes are. In one year or so they have atleast 30 incidents reported.

*actually there is one theft reported in my neighborhood. childrens yard toys were stolen from the frontyard, probably by lawnmower guys. scary.

[Supermac34]

Originally Posted by gregorian

Does gating really increase the resale value of a home & how much ?

Its probably hard to put a dollar amount on it, but it certainly makes it easier to sell and is usually is seen as a plus.

[gregorian]

I believe gating is the wave of the future,but its glitches have to be corrected...

[xyz310]

I think it is a tossup with regards to burglary and personal safety. One the one hand, like people mentioned, it might keep people out who just randomly decide to rob a house. They would go the road of least resistance I suppose. But they are also not as smart as the ones who actually plan and are more likely to be caught with an alarm or something like that.

On the other hand a gated community also signals a certain amount of wealth. This will attract those individuals who are actually planning to rob people/houses. If you have enough time to plan a burglary it would make sense to pick a target that offers the highest return (i.e. a gated community will have a higher chance of having wealthy people/houses).

So you probably reduce the amount of crime, but increase the determination of the criminals that enter your community. Which effect is larger is not known as far as I know (though some insurance companies apparently seem to disagree).

I agree that it offers a more safe environment with regards to children's outdoor activities. A gated community will probably reduces the number of deaths due to traffic accidents since you get fewer random people driving in your streets.

[Indianspringsguy]

Bentwater is an example of a gated community to the north. Gates are manned and people there are quite friendly but firm. Quite place to live.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by xyz310

I think it is a tossup with regards to burglary and personal safety.

kinda like leasing a Mercedes Benz. Some people don't like the idea because it puts them in danger with determined criminals

[klewis22]

Any thoughts about Bentwater on Lake Conroe?