2024 Guide to Buying an Atlanta Gated Community Hom
Living in an Atlanta gated community home can mean you enjoy increased safety and security, more privacy, a strong community, and a peaceful neighborhood atmosphere.
At the same time, you’ll want to ask yourself many questions to make sure you are choosing the right community for your lifestyle. For example, you’ll want to consider which part of metro Atlanta you’d prefer to live in, which amenities you want access to, whether a new development or established community would be better for your family, and so much more.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about buying a home in an Atlanta gated community.
What Are the Benefits of Living in an Atlanta Gated Community?
Gated communities are popular options for a number of reasons– they can offer additional safety, privacy, community, amenities, and more. Let’s explore some of the compelling arguments for purchasing a home in a more exclusive community.
1. Safety
One of the primary reasons that gated communities are a popular choice for residents of the Atlanta area is that they can provide an additional level of security. Though the specifics can vary between communities, entrances will have a gate that is typically only accessible using a code. Some gated developments will even have security guards stationed at the gates around the clock.
Having a gated entrance can help you feel more comfortable in your home and in your neighborhood, as you know that everyone has to pass through the gate to enter. On the other hand, some do find that living in a gated community can feel isolating or exclusionary for this same reason.
2. Privacy
Since gated communities aren’t open to outside traffic, they can create a quieter atmosphere with less busy streets and more privacy.
Sitting on your front porch doesn’t have to mean being disturbed by a constant flow of through traffic, and you’re much less likely to have your family dinner interrupted by door-to-door salesmen.
3. Amenities
It’s common for Atlanta gated communities to offer a wide range of amenities that residents can benefit from. For example, some of the best-gated communities in the Atlanta metro area have clubhouses, golf courses, fitness centers, walking trails, pools, and much more. Some developments pride themselves on offering residents events throughout the year, helping create a strong sense of community.
While some gated communities have basic amenities available to the community, some are lavish and luxurious. For example, higher-end developments can have spas, wineries, restaurants, theaters, and other perks that help to make life feel like an ongoing vacation.
For many homeowners, the ability to meet with neighbors at the tennis courts or community pool can be very appealing.
4. Less Traffic
Though traffic can be a source of annoyance for just about anyone, the reduced traffic on the streets of gated communities is particularly important for families with small children.
If you’re interested in living in a neighborhood where you feel comfortable with your kids riding around on bikes or playing in the front yard, a gated community can provide a low-traffic, safe area for outdoor activities.
5. Resale Value
If you don’t expect your next home to be your forever home, the stability of home prices in gated communities can also be a selling point. Thanks to HOAs that almost always govern these communities, property values tend to maintain more stability regardless of outside market conditions.
Beyond that, the luxury amenities that often come built into gated communities and added security can help ensure that you are able to fetch a higher sales price if you sell down the road.
6. Atmosphere
Modern life can feel hectic sometimes, and having a home in a quiet, peaceful place can mean you have a haven from the standard hustle and bustle. You don’t have to worry about the relentless sound of honking horns or constant traffic.
Instead, you’ll find the streets are quiet and frequently empty, providing a calm environment where you can walk the dog, ride a bike, or enjoy a lovely evening on your front porch.
7. Community
Finally, another primary reason that gated communities are a popular choice in the Atlanta area is the community they can provide.
You and your children can build connections with your neighbors, and community events can help provide opportunities to get to know the other people in the community.
What Are the Drawbacks of Living in an Atlanta Gated Community?
Living in a gated community also comes with its downsides. For example, the upfront costs will likely be higher, the ongoing costs will probably be higher, HOA governance can feel pretty restrictive, and you’ll likely find you’re a drive from the heart of urban activity.
1. Upfront Costs
Though it’s a perk that buying a gated community home means you’ll probably be able to fetch a higher resale price when you sell, it also means that the upfront costs when you buy will probably be higher than in a traditional neighborhood.
Depending on your budget, the choice to purchase in a gated community might mean settling for a smaller home than you would in a non-gated community. At the same time, many who live in these neighborhoods feel it’s worth the additional cost for the security, privacy, community, amenities, and other perks.
2. HOA Governance
You will be hard-pressed to find a gated community that isn’t governed by a homeowner’s association. This means there will be rules and regulations you must follow as a condition of living in the community. These rules can sometimes be fairly restrictive, impacting things as personal as the appearance of your home’s exterior, what types of vehicles you have parked in the driveway and even the types of events you can host in your yard.
For some individuals, having this level of restriction on the way they use their home is a major turn-off. For others, though, the uniformity and structure offered by these regulations help to provide a more enjoyable, peaceful, and predictable environment.
3. HOA Fees
Another thing to take into account when considering a home in a gated community is the HOA fees. While even non-gated communities are often governed by HOAs in the Atlanta area and will, therefore, require monthly or annual fees, the fees might be even higher in a gated community.
This is because there are often more amenities and perks to maintain in Atlanta gated communities. Additionally, the costs of security and other safety features aren’t offered by other types of developments.
It’s always important to factor HOA fees into your budget when shopping for a home, as this can change the price range of homes you’re looking at.
4. Doesn’t Entirely Eliminate the Potential For Crime
It’s worth noting that, though gated communities can offer residents quite a bit of protection, they aren’t completely immune to crime. Having to pass through a gate to enter the community or even interacting with a security guard can sometimes give residents a false sense of security.
Since they know they have an additional layer of protection, they might be less likely to lock their doors or take other safety precautions.
5. Guests and Deliveries
Though gated communities can be nice in that you know everyone who enters needs to pass through the gate, it can also cause some issues when it comes to having guests over or receiving deliveries.
Of course, both of these problems likely aren’t dealbreakers. However, if you enjoy having friends stop over unannounced, living in a gated community can make this much less likely.
6. Limited Locations
Finally, another drawback of gated communities is that they tend to be located in the suburbs. For some, this isn’t a problem at all– in fact, it might be ideal. For others who commute to the city or otherwise enjoy a more lively environment, a gated community might feel far from the heart of the city.
If you’ve always loved being able to walk out your door to the grocery store or your local coffee shop, a gated community might feel quite limited. However, if you’d rather have a bit more space as well as some peace and quiet and you don’t mind driving, gated communities can be a great option.
How to Choose the Right Atlanta Gated Community
1. Hone In On Your Preferred Locations
In Atlanta, you can find gated communities in any cardinal direction from downtown. Depending on where you work, where your kids go to school, and which part of the metro area you feel best suits your lifestyle, you might decide to focus your search on a few particular towns or areas.
You might find that it’s worth prioritizing a community that has easy and direct access to the major interstates of metro Atlanta. On the other hand, maybe you’d prefer to be a bit further from highway noise and don’t mind a slightly longer commute.
Equally important for many is proximity to necessary amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more.
Shopping for a home in an Atlanta gated community can be overwhelming because there are so many options around the metro area. Choosing some locations where you can focus your search can help you hone in on the communities that make the most sense for your lifestyle.
2. Research Developers
Whether you’re buying a new construction home, a recently constructed home, or an older home in a gated community, it can be useful to get to know a bit about the developers.
You can look into their portfolio of completed projects and take steps to learn more about the quality of construction they’re known for.
3. Assess the Security
Not all gated communities are created equal. If one of your main reasons for home shopping in a gated community is security, you’ll want to take a look at the perimeter fencing, access points, security features, and other factors.
You might even take steps to learn about the hiring practices for security personnel as well as research crime rates in the surrounding area.
4. Consider the Amenities
Does the idea of having an in-community spa sound like a dream come true, or are you uninterested in paying higher HOA fees for amenities you likely won’t use very often? Think honestly about what amenities would be meaningful and useful to you and your family.
By identifying the amenities that you feel are the most important, you can narrow down your shortlist of communities.
5. Compare New Vs. Existing Communities
When it comes to buying in a gated community, another big decision is whether to purchase a home in a community that is still being constructed or in an established community.
Buying in a new community can mean you have the opportunity to have input into your home’s layout, features, and finishes. Furthermore, it likely means that security features represent the latest in safety technology.
On the other hand, established gated communities already have a reputation you can use to assess prospective neighborhoods, have functioning HOAs, and likely already have a pre-established community.
6. Track Down the CC&Rs
Another very important step when buying an Atlanta gated community home is exploring the rules and regulations set by the HOA in various communities. These rules can significantly impact your life, so this isn’t something you want to overlook.
For example, your community might have policies on home modifications, noise, parking, pets, and more. There might be restrictions on how long guests can stay, whether you can rent out your home, and so on.
You might desire an HOA with stricter rules, as this can help create a stable and predictable environment to live in. On the other hand, you might feel suffocated by too many regulations and more inclined to find a community that is a bit more lax.
7. Talk to Residents
Gated communities can end up catering to a specific demographic, such as retirees or families with children. Taking the opportunity to talk to some residents about the vibe of the community, their experience with the HOA, and what they feel are the pros and cons can give you a lot more information about a particular development.
After all, the literature offered by any gated community is going to highlight what they feel are the selling points. Speaking with residents with on-the-ground experience can be illuminating and help you get a sense of which community is right for you.
Are You Searching For the Perfect Atlanta Gated Community Home?
Buying a new home in this market can feel overwhelming, particularly if you’re angling toward a home in a desirable gated community. Don’t worry– we’re here to help!
When you work with the Justin Landis Group, you work with a realtor that serves as your primary point of contact. On top of that, our entire world-class team will be tasked with helping you achieve your real estate goals, ensuring that you are well-positioned to purchase the home of your dreams.
Ready to get started? Reach out and get in touch today!