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Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead
My questions are: Since these communities ( I assume ) are considered private property, when a fire occurs or when the police are dispatched, do they have the “codes” to open the gates?
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Police/Fire/Medics have their own master keys ("fire-keys"), codes, transmitters, etc.
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How are plumbers, repair men, UPS deliveries, the mail service, etc. handled with the keypad-only situation?
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Plumbers/repair men/etc. usually need a "temp" code given to them by a resident. The reality is that most residents just give them their personal/permanent code for access. FedEx/UPS/USPS/etc. have their own codes/keys (usually just waved-in if guarded).
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Anyone living in a Gated Community care to comment?
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Have lived in one previously, and they are a PITA IMO. As mentioned, it is little more than security "theater".
Some HOA's (behind gates) can be much more restrictive with their rules, and the dues can be comparatively higher than most non-gated ones. This is usually to cover the additional cost of the gates, maintenance, and repairs due to gate-crashing which happens frequently.
If it's guard-gated, then the dues can be steeper still. Guard-gated, patrolled, on a golf course, with clubhouse, rec-center, and man-made lakes? Prepare to bend over. You better pray nothing catastrophic happens to any of those "amenities" either, as you can/will be hit with a fat "special assessment".
If nothing else, the actual gate itself is a pain for ingress/egress. Not to mention, several gated communities have speed bumps and ridiculously-low, radar-enforced speed limits. No thanks.
The primary benefit that I see with gated communities would be the limiting of solicitors.
YMMV.