What comes to your mind when you think of a gated community? You will probably think of some ideas like safety, security, exclusivity, and price. But, what does it really mean to live in a gated community? Is it really better than living in one of the non-gated communities in Cabo, or is it worth the higher price? The first thing to take into account in a situation like this is to check your own priorities. Is a home in one of these neighborhoods the right fit for you and your family? In this post, we’ll review some of the pros and cons of living in a gated community. Keep reading and learn more about gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo.
One of the top priorities when acquiring a home definitely is safety. But of course, the value is another thing to consider, but this sometimes alludes to safety as well. Feeling safe in your home is, without a doubt, a top priority. Whether you want the prestige of a gated community or an open site away from expensive HOA’s, we’ll see the pros and cons of each option.
Gated vs. Non-gated communities in Cabo
Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of gated and non-gated communities to get a better idea of how things operate within these communities. There might be some factors you have not considered yet. Therefore, let’s dive in and ensure you consider everything before you decide. We will cover both the more obvious factors along with more specific details on gated communities, like the added costs of having a guard, for example. And, we will also weigh the considerations of a non-gated community, where there is a chance for more traffic and no monitoring of who enters the community, just to mention another example. Learn more about gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo right here!
Is a Gated Community really the best choice?
Security experts say that crime happens anywhere and everywhere. In fact, statistics show that crime rates of gated communities are similar to those of non-gated communities. The best action, regardless of where you live, is to protect your valuables by securing them in your home.
The gate, while sometimes more of an illusion of security than actual protection, is still attractive to home buyers. The less traffic and privacy are worth the extra price of living in such an area. Therefore, keep reading and learn more about gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo.
Pros of a gated community
Remember, it is not only about the gates, but the clubhouses or recreation centers that serve as community gathering space. Monthly events, such as cookouts or book club meetings, create a strong sense of community. Gated communities also have private amenities such as golf courses and tennis courts. So those are definitely things to take into account when choosing your next home in Cabo.
Security
One of the biggest perks for sure is privacy and safety. This is actually one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of a gated community, right? The number one reason people choose to live in gated communities is the security element. Because a gated community is private, it is more difficult to access than a standard community. Since only residents and invited guests can enter the gates, you can expect to see less unknown people walking around. Gated communities provide a lot of benefits to the residents that live within them, though the amenities don’t come cheap.
Criminal activity is reduced in gated communities, and visitors will have a more difficult time bothering residents. This is clearly a fantastic thing if you’ve ever lived outside a gated community and dealt with crime and unwanted visits. But of course, there is a cost associated with this commodity. The important thing to consider for yourself is to make sure it’s worth it according to your expectations.
Higher property value
If you purchase a home within a gated community, you’ll be required to join a more expensive HOA. And being as private and fancy as you decide, dues will be higher. But it’s worth it because your property value will increase too. Standard HOAs cover the community streets, along with maintaining the general landscape of the complex. You can’t totally rely on added security, but having a home within gates provides a first line of defense against criminals. There are also proven statistics showing that homes within gated communities sell much faster, too!
No traffic
Gates also limit through-traffic, and this can only mean that commutes are easier. Also, the streets may be quieter and safer for your family. Traffic and speeding cars are also reduced within the gates, making it quieter and safer for your children to play within the neighborhood. You likely won’t have the morning commute using your street as a shortcut, either. So start taking all of this in the account for your next home purchase in Los Cabos!
Some extra “pros.”
Another positive aspect of gated communities is a higher standard of home quality and stricter building codes that promote uniformity in design. That means more comparable sales and better value for all the homeowners within the community. Furthermore, homeowners in these communities also generally have a greater pride of ownership and keep their homes in better condition. There may also be social benefits, such as a community center or events that promote group activities for families to get to know each other.
Now with the cons of gated communities
We’ve gone objectively through some of the pros of being or not being on a gated community, it’s time now to see the dark reality of it too. Here are some cons of living in gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo.
Reduced personal privacy and control
Gated communities offer security, that’s true, but this often goes at the expense of personal privacy and control. If you’re considering a property in a gated community, be sure to understand the HOA regulations that may be different. If they seem too strict, you might think twice about it. Then of course, the HOAs do have more standard rules ranging from home color restrictions to car parking requirements, but are usually even more strict.
Not growing much?
Some people might love the appearance of a homogeneous neighborhood, but as such, anything and everything ages and goes out-of-date. Gated communities are usually some of the last to ever see infill and new lots for sale. Design changes are more rare too, because of architectural guidelines put in place by the HOA.
Expensive home prices and HOA’s
One obvious downside is the higher cost of living in one of the gated communities in Cabo. But, don’t look at it just like that, as it can eventually turn into a positive thing if you’re able to afford it. You may also be subject to pricey HOA dues, to maintain those gates and added services.
Not all gated communities in Cabo have live guards either, and automated gates aren’t tough to breach once someone gives out the code to some visitor or someone else. Furthermore, most roads in these communities are designated private. That means you may have to carry the expense to fix those potholes or repave a bumpy road at your own expense. Although you can negotiate these problems with your neighbors, you must be lucky enough to have some friendly ones first.
Waiting in line at the gate
Here’s one thing you may have overlooked: It can be time consuming waiting in line at the gate as guards check in each car. Imagine how it gets during holidays, for example, or if you get a new car and you don’t have the correspondent permits yet. Anyone that comes to your home will also have to be added to the list, and visiting hours may be limited. Assuming that the gate is, in fact, guarded, visitors may get delayed waiting in line to come to your home. That means your family and friends may have to wait during busy periods, and you’ll likely need to call down to the gate every time a visitor is expected. Annoying, right?
Now that we’re talking about time, gated communities in Cabo are also typically located farther away from businesses and other services. This, of course, makes any commute a bit longer just to drive out of your neighborhood every day. Just to set an example, you can say that it could take five minutes of driving just to exit the gates and get back into the “outside world.”
Conclusions on gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo
Look, you can make conclusions based on this new information we brought up to you. If you do get your hands on a home in a gated community, there’s a good chance your home will appreciate nicely in the years to come, especially in Cabo. To put it in simple terms, it could be well worth the price. Also, you can think of the quality of life for you and your family. And even if you don’t live in a gated community in Cabo, you can always build a gate around your own property or purchase a condo in a secured resort. It’s certainly nice to have some layer of security between your living space and the outside world, but it depends on your own priorities. Choosing gated vs. non-gated communities in Cabo will only depend on your preferences.
Los Cabos real estate
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See Nick Fong in action on his Los Cabos Agent YouTube Channel. His videos are posted on the Los Cabos Agent VLOG, where you can read a short, yet in-depth post. Below is an example of one of Nick Fong’s Los Cabos Agent videos:
Visit Los Cabos soon
Thank you for reading Residential communities in Cabo: Uncover the pros and cons of gated vs non-gated written by Greg Hixon of RE/MEX Image. Be sure to read other posts about Los Cabos on the Los Cabos Agent blog. There, learn about the many wonderful aspects of Los Cabos, Mexico, from blog posts like this.