Gate or no gate. That is the question!

[gittyup]

I live in a big community that has several small sub-divisions. Some of those sub-divisions have electronic gates at the entrance. Ours does not, but some of the residents in my sub-division have expressed interest in having one installed. Now, I am not sure how I feel about this. There is additional annual cost for initial installation and annual maintenance for us to agree to this, which would be a downside. Taxes, CDD, and HOA fees are already pretty high. Anyone have any comments on the positive of this? Thanks..

 

[wyvrn]

Gates don't always work for security either. At a friends' place in Houston, when someone wanted to get in they just rammed the steel entrance gate and forced their way in. Despite having one-way gates and razor wire, the complex continued to have robberies every month. I think it is false security. Now having a gated community with a full time security staff would definately be worth the money, imo.

 

[Ameesh]

how much is it?

 

[CubicZirconia]

I'm sure its different in a larger community with other subdivisions- But, I know if part of my town decided to do that they would be looked upon negatively. If you really feel the extra security is necessary, then I would consider it. But, as wyvrn mentioned, it may not do anything anyway. So I would probably say no.

 

[gittyup]

how much is it?

Well, rough estimates are $100K to install it and $20K annually for maintianing it. It equates to about $100 extra per yer per resident in this sub-division for 5 years for the initial cost and about $75 per resident annually for maintenance.

 

[Cyberian]

Are they going to put a fence around your whole community?
If not, a gate really doesn't accomplish a whole lot.

 

[amdskip]

I can build you a 2x4 gate for $100, j/k but man is that $$

 

[HappyPuppy]

Only wusses live in gated communities. If you feel threatened buy a Smith and Wesson.

 

[Freejack2]

Erm let me get this straight.
You'd willing pay $175 a year for a gate to your community that will do nothing to keep out criminals and waste your time getting past the gate every time you go home or out?
What a waste. For what you would pay for 2 or 3 years of that stupid gate you could buy a decent gun, or shotgun and pay for lessons on use of the gun. Probably keep you safer than a gate.

 

[gittyup]

Thanks for the replies. Let me ask this. How many of you that responded are home owners?

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

It won't scare off hardened criminals set on cleaning out the appartments, but it may stop smaller criminals. Just like putting an alarm in your house/car won't stop em all.

 

[QTPie]

"gated communities" sound cool, but have no or little practical security value.

 

[Kadarin]

I seem to remember an X-Files episode where all kinds of weird stuff happened at a "gated community". Don't do it, man...

 

[gittyup]

I am also looking at whether or not this would be more attractive to buyers. We don't plan on staying here forever.

 

[gittyup]

Only wusses live in gated communities. If you feel threatened buy a Smith and Wesson.

Hahhaah. Your funny. Sounds like a line from a bad movie. Do you even own a home?

 

[Freejack2]

Like I said all gates do is drive you insane. Did they say how you would be getting in and out? Would you have a remote or would you have to punch a code or put a card in? If you have to roll down your window to punch in codes or put cards in it's going to royally suck when it's raining. Also if there are several people going in or out you would end up having to wait to go through.

 

[gittyup]

Freejack2:

It has not even gotten to the point of details like keypad or remote control. It just seems they are in a very basic stage of just getting response from the homeowners. I think they need a 70% approval from residents to even do it. Honestly, there are really no crime issues where I live and I agree that gates really do nothing for security. They are just there as a piece of mind for some people. I plan to vote against it for 2 main reasons.

1) It will destroy the nice peaceful quiet entrance into our sub-division.
2) I already pay $4150 annually for taxes,cdd, hoa fees.

 

[GooberPHX420]

<< I already pay $4150 annually for taxes,cdd, hoa fees. >>


:Q
Umm you had better call the cops, cuz youre getting ANAL RAPED hardcore...

 

[lowtech1]

That is way too much money for a gate. Gate or no gate a determine criminal will find a way to rob you. The best thing that you could do is call the local cop shop & ask for advice on how to set up a neighborhood awareness program in your area. Also ask them what methods are successful in deterring criminals that you can use to protect yourself & what are the options.

I don't know how determine the criminals in your community are, but the criminals that we have experienced with have burn down my family summer home, and stolen 2 generators. The house has a 6 inch steel pipe gate & ¼ mile private driveway but it didn't deter the criminals, because they has been watching the activities around the property. The beautiful craftsman/rancher style home was robed twice & then burnt down on the third occasion in the 4th year of it life.

 

[gittyup]

Umm you had better call the cops, cuz youre getting ANAL RAPED hardcore...

Hahah. I somewhat agree, but consider this. I bought this home 2 years ago for $140,000 and today homes next to me are selling for $190,000. It's a very well designed and sought after community.