7 Great Benefits Of Living In A Guard-Gated Community

Do you wonder what benefits of living in a guard-gated community are worth the expense? Do you desire a high level of security protecting your household day and night?

Over 12% of the homes in Las Vegas are either gated or guard-gated communities. Since the rest of the U.S. averages 7%, there are reasons why these communities are popular in Las Vegas.

The Benefits of Living In a Guard Gated Community

Living in a guard-gated community provides the highest security levels in residential housing. High-Rise Condominiums are even more secure because they are off the ground floor.

Naturally, the benefits of living in a guard-gated community will vary for everyone. I have lived in regular residential home neighborhoods, gated communities, and guard-gated subdivisions in Las Vegas.

With guard-gated communities, typically, a 24/7 guard on gate duty screens all vehicles, requiring an ID. There are cameras that film people, cars, and license plates upon entering and exiting. Visitors are given passes to display.

An Additional Layer Of Protection

Someone without a reason to enter will not be allowed in. Guards, gates, and ID verification definitely bring down crime in a neighborhood.

However, I believe that there are differences and pros and cons to living in a guard-gated community. I listed 7 benefits that we’ve experienced and observed below.

Gates for gated community homes are a deterrent; however, there are not usually any cameras at the gates. Guard gated communities keep access records and video and are a great resource to the police if they are needed.

A Guard Gated Community adds the highest levels of security to your neighborhood, and also adds more. There is a link under “Buyer” on our menu bar to see Las Vegas crime statistics for any specific address.

Alarm Systems and Cameras

Alarm systems and cameras are great living in any community. Living in a guard-gated community is not an option for
many people due to costs or lifestyle. If you don’t live in a guard-gated community, home security continues to be a big concern across the country.

Crime is a rapid concern, especially in nicer communities. Nicer communities are better targets than poor communities. Right? However, even gated communities are often only an illusion of security.

I considered myself a cautious person, but we were robbed on December 23, 2017, while living in a gated community. It happens whether living in a regular community or a guard-gated community or a gated neighborhood.

Does A Video Doorbell Work?

When our Ring Security Doorbell first went off at 1:00 AM that night and again at 3:30 AM. I thought it was another side-effect of the wind and a ribbon on our holiday wreath. The thieves used the garage to load up their loot.

Since one guy walked out the front door probably to get the car, the Ring Doorbell captured pictures. Returning home on December 24, despite feeling violated, we were extremely grateful that we were out of town.

The police said they couldn’t make a 100% positive ID even though we knew who the guy with the shaved head was. We suggest that before buying a house that you check out the weekly crime stats in Las Vegas. There are is a separate crime map for Henderson and North Las Vegas has a crime map too. See the links below.

Links to Weekly Crime Report Maps For:

• Las Vegas
• Henderson
• North Las Vegas

Always Consult a Security Consultant

After we were robbed, a security consultant was in our house because electronic devices are not the best security available. No matter where you live, in 2022, you need additional security. If exterior video footage doesn’t help you, it may help a neighbor or the police.

Guard-gated and gated communities are great additional protection when added with your alarm, lights, and cameras. Let’s face it, if someone wants in, they’ll get in. I want to have the video that’ll possibly send them to jail.

I think about the fact that a monitoring service would have checked out the house, and an alarm bell would have alerted the neighbors. Our current house is guard-gated- we learned the hard way. 

Las Vegas Police and Sheriffs ask homeowners to let them know if you have a camera in front of their house. They notify homeowners in the vicinity of a crime to check their footage. We appreciate it when the community works together to make our community safer.

7 Benefits Of Living In A Guard-Gated Community

#1 Screening At The Gate

Of course, the security element is the number one reason people choose to live in a guard-gated community. A gated community is very, very lax in comparison. Residents living in a guard-gated community want assurance that unauthorized people can’t get inside their neighborhood without difficulty.

Often guard-gated neighborhoods have one or 2 additional exit gates for residents. While guards man the main gates, they often watch the additional gates on CCTV.

CCTV gives the guards the ability to control both cars and pedestrians. Some communities use a hybrid system where the main access point is guarded. Then at least one other access point is gated for residents to enter and exit.

There rarely is a keypad at additional entry gates. Opening the gates from the outside is only by remote control. There are usually keypads on pedestrian access gates.

#2 Sense of Community In Guard-Gated Communities

Making your home and living in a guard-gated community increases a sense of community shared by all the residents. Neighbors cultivate trust with other neighbors who share this desire for anonymity and safety.

One of the big reasons many people say they enjoy living in guard-gated communities is they find it easier to make friends with their neighbors. This increases the community’s strength and adds to the security when you leave on a trip.

#3 Enjoy Higher Property Value With Guard Gates

There is a reason why homes for sale in a guard-gated community have a higher property value. From the inside to the outside, the overall beauty of the houses is nicer than in many regular housing communities.

This includes both the features within the houses themselves and the community features. The exclusivity alone provides leverage when you decide to sell your home.

#4 No Solicitors – A Big Benefit!

“NO SOLICITORS” – Did this sign ever stop a single solicitor? Solicitation is a pet peeve for many home buyers. Once you reside in a guard-gated community, say goodbye to this unwanted annoyance.

#5 Eco-Friendly Living

You probably think, “How can living in a guard-gated community mean eco-friendly living?” Living in the Southwest can be challenging from a water standpoint. (see our blogs on Las Vegas Water and Is There A Water Shortage in Las Vegas)

Over the years, water districts have created strong partnerships with Homeowners’ Associations (HOA’s). These partnerships encourage financial benefits to the HOA’s to provide beautiful water-friendly landscape designs.

In general, as a result of these alliances, desert beauty and lushness are more prevalent features than water. Low-water varieties of plants provide eco-friendly landscaping. Many guard-gated community homes and common areas in older HOA’s continue to replace high water-using landscapes with low-water usage designs every year.

Lovely, colorful, water-efficient landscaping replaced water fountains and waterfalls. In Las Vegas, the Southern Nevada Water Authority shares the cost for renovations, rebating up to $3 a square foot for changes. Saving water and rebates create a winning situation for everyone. HOA’s benefit from lower monthly water bills and lower maintenance costs. The entire city benefits from lower water usage.

#6 Exclusive Lifestyle and Prestige

Safety costs money, so communities tie amenities and guard gates into a lifestyle package. Most guard gated community developments provide amenities and facilities that support a healthy and exclusive lifestyle.

Community centers with pools, game rooms, meeting rooms, and activities are usually offered. Sports courts, outdoor exercise stations, trails, and private parks are also within most guard-gated communities.

In Las Vegas, golf course homes with a Country Club will be in a guard gated community. Within the Country Club, you’ll find features like a state-of-the-art gym, clubs, and swimming pools.

Some guard-gated communities in Las Vegas also have tennis courts, concierge service, and others offer so much more. These secure and exclusive neighborhoods can be among the highest-priced residential real estate in the valley.

#7 Living In A Guard-Gated Community Can Offer You Peace

With our increasingly hectic pace of life, a place that gives you a peaceful atmosphere becomes more important. Lush green and colorful open spaces give off a relaxing feel as you drive through the neighborhood.

Neighbors follow the CCRs, and well-maintained homes line the streets. Walking or biking through a community with a security patrol provides a safer feel. This combination promotes both your mental health and your physical health.

Pros and Cons of Guard-Gated Communities

Above are 7 benefits of living in a guard-gated community. There are two complaints- or cons – about why our clients may choose to live in a gated community and not a guard-gated community.

Those reasons are strict CCRs and costs. The cost of 24/7 security for 1-2 or even 3-4 guards is expensive. Shared between residents of larger communities, the cost can be reasonable. In smaller communities, the cost can be quite high.