Gated Community Living in Southwest Florida
Gated communities are on the rise and are especially popular in Southwest Florida. In the past, celebrities and the super-rich flocked to gated communities to escape photographers and the prying eyes of the general public. Since then, the concept has become a more conventional option. Today, gated communities can still be expensive, but they can target a specific demographic, such as golf enthusiasts or retirees. They often offer specific services in addition to security to local residents. Many communities offer the convenience of “city living” with a variety of services and facilities just steps away, but all in a secure and private enclave. Larger-scale properties, such as 55+ planned communities, often include shops, businesses and medical facilities so residents have little reason to leave the gates.
Security in a gated community can take many forms. It can be as simple as a physical door to which residents have a key or a formal building that houses an armed guard on duty 24/7 who asks for authorization before allowing anyone to enter the building. complex. Some communities may also use guards who patrol the community at regular intervals to further protect the privacy and safety of residents.
Country clubs and golf communities are popular updates to the gated communities of the past. It’s not surprising that they are a fast-growing option in Southwest Florida, given the active, outdoor lifestyle that many residents seek when choosing to live there. Golf communities are especially attractive. Many combine the opportunity to play challenging courses on demand with elegant homes that boast panoramic views of manicured greens. Several of the more than 100 golf communities in Southwest Florida include club membership and full use of facilities with the purchase of a residence. Increasingly, club memberships extend beyond golf, including well-equipped gyms, resort-style pools and luxury spas. Many communities use the Club as a central meeting point for a shared meal, neighborhood planning, and a host of social activities that foster friendships and community spirit.
Southwest Florida is known for its number of gated waterfront communities that cater to boating and water sports enthusiasts. These communities are specifically designed to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Gulf and the surrounding freshwater lakes and waterways. Select neighborhoods feature stunning lakefront and waterfront properties that include boat slips and gulf access from a backyard dock. Designed with avid boaters and fishermen in mind, these communities combine golf and other amenities with a full-service deepwater marina, boat slips and a full-time dock captain.
While gated communities are sometimes dismissed as exclusive, they can appeal to a wide demographic. In Southwest Florida, the communities appeal to everyone from retirees to newlywed couples to young families with children. A historically sound investment, gated communities have high property values and have maintained their resale value even in a down economy. Over time, the quality of gated communities depends on the active interest of community members.
With more than 8 million Americans living in gated communities, these neighborhoods are thriving. In Southwest Florida, they are likely to continue to prosper as developers build neighborhoods for groups of people who share a love of boating, nature, golf and other coastal activities.