What's the deal with all these gated communities?

I have a feeling that no gate will keep a good Mermaid out!!!

Gotta keep the rif raf out

I will only go places where Mermaids feel welcome!

Many homes in SoWal are unoccupied for parts of the year and a gate obviously helps with security. We have a gate, but its only closed at night. It really does help keep people out who don't belong and keep peoples' homes safer.

Mermaid-you should hear the band Mofro's song about Florida. I won't quote it because it's been a while since I've heard it (I just spent 10 min. looking for the cd) oh well you'll get the point. It says something like...
another stripmall, another mickey mouse, another gated community-tearing my heart out. If my grandfather could see this now, he'd lay down and die...lord, he'd lay down and die...
Anyways, your post just reminded me of this song. See ya later-- nice to have met you at the wedding...

JJ's lyrics are definitely moving. He may appear to be merely a redneck surfer country boy, but he has such a worldly voice and nuturing way of expression.

Here are a few more lyrics from Florida:

Now skyscrapers and superhighways are carved through the heart of Florida, building subdivisions while the swamps are drained, making room for people and amusement parks. It's like watching someone you love die slow. They're killing her one piece at a time."

Those gates are meant to keep people out???? :shock: Geeze, I thought they were to keep the residents IN...ya know, kinda like at the zoo.

I too hate the gates - but when I brought it up at a homeowners meeting once - I was told without the gate we had too many people going to the beach and parking in our area including peoples driveways and parking spaces.

I never thought of the practical application of gates (so it's good to be educated) but even still, they rub me the wrong way.

From what I have heard, thieves target gated communities, but maybe the ones they choose are not as secure as others.

I guess gated means different things to different people.
I am sure that having a gate also reduces lots of inconveniences and hassles, and I realize that some people worry about safety. To me a gated community is a segregated community; it feels like public space has been privatized.
But I do understand that behind that gate, property is safer and likely holds its value longer.

It is interesting to compare different gated communities. Has anyone seen the fortresses in South Africa? Or Latin America? Not pretty. I sure hope that doesn't happen here.

I understand the importance of safety and minimalizing theft, but that seems more appropriate in Memphis than SoWal. As for trying to decrease traffic for beach access, I completely understand.

The place I stayed at during my last visit had a gate in the back of the complex but nothing in the front. Anyone could get in the front access. It didn't make any sense to me.

I HATE gated communities and you'll NEVER find me living in a place that has a gate or security booth at the entrance (hope I don't have to "eat" my words). Here in Tampa Bay area the "gated communitiy" is a real prestige thing and I think it is totally annoying. We visit friends in those subdivisions and are just waved right in. Now what kind of security is that? And what a nuisance to have to call the "guard" everytime you have company. I don't think so!!!!

I get annoyed just visiting friends that live in those places. Sorry that SoWal has stooped to the level of "gates".

You can see why my handle is "OT". I really do like the old days.

No gates at the PINK house. We'll be there Thursday night for Granny's Christmas Party. Can't wait!!!

Oldtimer, how is Granny doing?

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No gates at the PINK house. We'll be there Thursday night for Granny's Christmas Party. Can't wait!!!

You all have a wonderful Christmas party!

Oldtimer, how is Granny doing?

Granny (aka Mama Sis, the Queen) is doing much, much better. She is really looking forward to our family party. After a thorough inspection by the Mayo Clinic staff she was found to be "well" and we are so thankful. Now we just have to keep her spirits up.

Hope you and M'man are staying warm. Stop by and visit us anytime!

Happy Holidays.

Great news about Mama Sis- hope y'all have a great Christmas!

Granny (aka Mama Sis, the Queen) is doing much, much better. She is really looking forward to our family party. After a thorough inspection by the Mayo Clinic staff she was found to be "well" and we are so thankful. Now we just have to keep her spirits up.

Hope you and M'man are staying warm. Stop by and visit us anytime!

Happy Holidays.

Oh, I'm so glad! We'll be back to the beach the day after Christmas, so we will certainly pay you a Holiday call.

I've seen it cited that if you take two like neighborhoods with the same income and SES levels, one gated and one not, that crime rates in the gated neighborhood are the same as the ungated neighborhood.

Our Seagrove neighborhood has a gate on one end of the street only... due to the location of the street, it quickly became a raceway, cut-through & is a narrow street, often with lots of little kids close to the street. I couldn't believe how some people gunned down that street before the gate. Every other solution imaginable was discussed ad nauseum. The gate was the first thing tried and it has worked perfectly!! Anyone can still drive down the street coming in from the other end, they just have to turn around & go out the same way.

pk305
That's really a special case, but I am curious:
Were speed bumps ever discussed as a solution?

Prior to moving here, I would have never imagined living in a gated neighborhood - it seemed snooty. But, we live in a gated community in SoWal and I must admit, it's kind of nice.

Here's an example of why: Last year, some friends from Memphis stayed with us for several days. Their son Peter was perhaps 3 and had not been allowed to go out in his front yard alone. His mom relaxed when she realized that there really was no traffic on our street, and Peter got his first taste of independence that trip. It was extrememly sweet.

Poor dad, when they left, mom, Peter and his older sister were all bawling in the car.

That's a cute story, Sunshine, though it could be argued that every child needs to learn to be street smart, and low traffic is not a good reason to leave a young child unattended in a front yard.

I dunno, living behind a gate just seems like kind of a sad trade-off.

I picture teenagers having to check in with the security guard before they TP a house. ;-)

Our neighborhood in Denver contended with cars shooting down the street.
They added a stop sign but denied us speed bumps. My next door neighbor took things into her own hands and began walking with eggs in her pocket, which she has indeed thrown upon occasion.

pk305
That's really a special case, but I am curious:
Were speed bumps ever discussed as a solution?

Speed bumps were debated, discussed a lot.
Funny thing about speed bumps. Several neighborhoods in Nashville (which have become big cut-through streets in the last few years) installed speed bumps, infuriating a lot of people
Well the word got out to just HONK while driving over each bump.....in a few months the bumps were outa there!!

Speed bumps were debated, discussed a lot.
Funny thing about speed bumps. Several neighborhoods in Nashville (which have become big cut-through streets in the last few years) installed speed bumps, infuriating a lot of people
Well the word got out to just HONK while driving over each bump.....in a few months the bumps were outa there!!

Great idea. I hate speedbumps.