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Old 05-08-2012, 08:36 AM
 
23 posts, read 57,369 times
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We are considering a move this summer to Ponte Vedra. Although I have done little research at this point, the schools seem good in that area and it looks close to husbands work. Anyhow, Marsh Landing has come up a lot when I have poked around on Trulia. There seems to be an abundance of homes that would suit our large family of seven. However, I think this is a gated community. I have never thought of myself as a gated community type. I have concerns about an "us against them" bunker mentality or perhaps folks being overly concerned about crime or "undesirables" entering their space. So, I am wondering if someone might recommend and alternative area or have some experience to asway my concernes or invalidate them entirely. Thanks.
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Old 05-08-2012, 08:38 AM
 
23 posts, read 57,369 times
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BTW In order to use the St. John County Schools, which seem good, I think I would need to live in the northern section of the county or I fear the commute would be too long to Mayo. Thought this would be good info.
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Old 05-08-2012, 09:57 AM
 
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Like you, I had the same negative feelings about gated communities when I started looking at N.E. Florida neighborhoods when we were ready to make the move this area. I found the perfect lot on which to build and it was in a gated community so I was pushed into being a gated community resident. All my former concerns proved to be without merit. People in my community are not elitist and are not obsessed with crime statistics. The gated entrance serves many good purposes. For me, safety is not really the primary reason I have come to enjoy living in a gated community. Gates can give people an unrealistic sense of security. Most larger communities are not completely surrounded by a 10 foot wall. There are perimeter areas which can be breached. IMO, crime that occurs in gated communities is generally due to young people visiting friends in the community and service vendors who gain access because they work within the community. I like that non-residents cannot just drive up and down the streets "looking". Because there are so many "tourists" in the area and others who enjoy neighborhood cruising, ungated neighborhoods can get a lot of drive through traffic. Our community has 675 homes and our residents enjoy walking our streets which are much safer with less outside traffic. It is much easier to control access to our community ammenities (parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf course, etc) which cost less to maintain when only residents, members and visitors use them. (In communities with highschool aged and college aged residents, you can expect to have a significant number of unmonitored teenaged visitors coming through the gates to attend parties, use the amenities, etc.) I like that no door to door salespeople, religious info people, etc are ringing my doorbell and that my guests are announced so I know when to take my apron off and comb my hair :-) One word of caution for you since you have children: I'm not sure how this works in other neighborhoods, but in mine, the only schoolbuses that come through the gate are the special needs student buses. All other students are picked up and dropped off at the front gate area. Depending on how far your home is from the gate, this can be a real problem.
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Old 05-08-2012, 10:20 AM
 
Location: St. Johns, FL
219 posts, read 510,329 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssclulow View Post
I'm not sure how this works in other neighborhoods, but in mine, the only schoolbuses that come through the gate are the special needs student buses.
Coastal Oaks allows in school buses and most services (JEA, FPL, BugOut, etc) based on the guard's discretion.
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:09 AM
 
23 posts, read 57,369 times
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That is really great news. Thank you for your helpful reply!
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Old 05-08-2012, 02:19 PM
 
139 posts, read 355,552 times
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Sawgrass Players Club allows the school buses in also. They go into each subdivision. This is my first gated community and I don't find the people to be snobby.
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Old 05-08-2012, 02:34 PM
 
43 posts, read 110,253 times
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The only gated community in Ponte Vedra, that doesn't let the school bus in, is Plantation. Since you have kids, you wouldn't want to live there anyhow
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Old 05-09-2012, 07:03 PM
 
530 posts, read 1,351,422 times
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still love the Seinfeld take on all the gated communities in Fl .." who is stealing all the old people? Is it a big problem? " Del Bocca Vista..........
Kramer moves to Florida - YouTube
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Old 05-09-2012, 07:08 PM
 
Location: On the banks of the St Johns River
3,863 posts, read 9,508,850 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donisanasfan View Post
still love the Seinfeld take on all the gated communities in Fl .." who is stealing all the old people? Is it a big problem? " Del Bocca Vista..........
Kramer moves to Florida - YouTube
LOL
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Old 05-10-2012, 12:43 PM
 
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
14,617 posts, read 21,490,785 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alagal View Post
We are considering a move this summer to Ponte Vedra. Although I have done little research at this point, the schools seem good in that area and it looks close to husbands work. Anyhow, Marsh Landing has come up a lot when I have poked around on Trulia. There seems to be an abundance of homes that would suit our large family of seven. However, I think this is a gated community. I have never thought of myself as a gated community type. I have concerns about an "us against them" bunker mentality or perhaps folks being overly concerned about crime or "undesirables" entering their space. So, I am wondering if someone might recommend and alternative area or have some experience to asway my concernes or invalidate them entirely. Thanks.
I live in Marsh Landing - and it is a gated community.

I have lived "behind gates" in 3 different places in Florida for 35+ years (2 large high-rise condos and Marsh Landing). I've never encountered any of the attitudes you mention. Except perhaps on Halloween - and only on certain blocks - like our block. That's because many people who live in Marsh Landing invite all their friends to come here for "trick or treat" - and a huge number descend on our block (one of the best blocks for "trick or treat" in Marsh Landing). I don't mind having 100 neighborhood kids on Halloween - but I started to get PO'd when we'd wind up with 300+ - and the majority didn't live in Marsh Landing.

In any event - the house across the street from us went up for sale yesterday (out-of-town job transfer). Asking price is $800k. It is 4-5 bedrooms - 4 baths. I'm not sure it's big enough for a family of 7. If you have any interest - you can DM me. FWIW - your biggest problem in Marsh Landing (and probably other areas - gated or not) with a family of 7 might be parking cars (now and in the future if you have children who don't drive now but will in the future). Marsh Landing does not allow overnight street parking (for anyone - residents or guests). So you need sufficient on-site parking for the number of cars you own. Robyn
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