[aigel]

Some towns publish crime maps. If you analyze a map, you will clearly see a significant reduction (95%) of burglaries and other property crime in gated communities if they are in problem areas adjacent to regular neighborhoods. What I am saying is that they do deter crime significantly, if you are in a pretty rough area.

That said, they always remind me of the movie "The Truman Show". I have had the option to live in them and couldn't get myself to do so. Here in CA they usually are very new, the lots are tiny, everything looks the same and there usually is no mature tree in the whole complex. You also are so close to your neighbors that you could shake their hand out of your bathroom window or grab food off their plate when they are in their "yard" for a bbq.

That's my impression.

G