Estate living in sub-Saharan Africa has grown dramatically within recent years, with new estates developing at a rapid pace. Living within a gated estate has become a popular choice for many Africans as it comes with a multitude of perks. However, it is crucial to weigh out the pros and cons before investing in a property within an estate or complex, via online casino real money Australia.
- High Prices
Both purchase and rental prices tend to be significantly higher for properties within gated communities when compared with their non-gated equivalents. HOA (homeowner association) fees can also be fairly extravagant because you are paying extra for the maintenance of the gates and general security.
Internal roads are private, so residents must also pay for their upkeep. If there are leisure facilities, such as golf courses, swimming pools, and tennis courts, you’ll likely end up paying for those, too. In short, if you want to live in a private neighborhood, you should be prepared to pay a variety of monthly fees and expenses that you wouldn’t otherwise have to in addition to a higher rent or mortgage payment.
- Inconvenient Locations
Most gated communities are built in outlying areas with few amenities nearby. There generally isn’t much public transport available nearby, so you will likely need to drive some distance in your own car to experience the attractions of downtown areas, such as restaurants, stores, parks, sporting events, concerts, and arts events.
This also means that even routine chores like going to the store or taking your children to school can become tiresome. Local medical, dental, and educational facilities may also be limited. If there are facilities nearby that cater toward your private community in particular, they are likely to be higher priced than equivalent facilities elsewhere if most of their traffic comes from nearby.
Most gated communities have restrictions in place about how long the grass in residents’ lawns can be, what colors houses can be painted, and more. Most gated communities have restrictions in place about how long the grass in residents’ lawns can be, what colors houses can be painted, and more.
- Restrictive Rules
In most private communities, there are many rules to obey. These might include restrictions on what colors you can paint your house, how high the grass in your lawn is allowed to grow, what sorts of vehicles you can own, and where you can park.
Some people like these rules, as they can help keep property prices up, but if you prefer individuality and self-expression to uniformity—or you just have a more laid-back approach—you may struggle to adjust to the restrictions gated communities place on their residents.
- Social Isolation
Gated communities tend to operate like islands since interaction with the people in the surrounding areas tends to be limited. That’s part of the point, of course, but this can lead to a sense of isolation. Some gated neighborhoods have a strong sense of community, which can more than make up for any negatives, but this can’t be relied upon.
Residents who don’t have family or existing friends nearby may find it difficult to feel a sense of community. Additionally, the communities that exist within private neighborhoods tend to be more homogenous than those without. If you variety in your social circles, you may find gated communities somewhat sterile. But if you’re the introverted type and love to game at casino en ligne en france, you’ll find it comfortable.
- Security Issues
The general perception of gated communities is that they are far safer and more secure than non-gated neighborhoods, but the truth is more complex. Putting up a surrounding wall or fence doesn’t necessarily prevent crime.
If the gate isn’t protected by a security guard and instead relies on a keypad-operated automatic system, problems can arise. Security codes can easily become compromised when people are routinely giving them out to friends, family, pizza delivery folks, and other random visitors.
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