The Best Perks of Gated Communities in Southwest Florida

Before I began visiting my parents in Southwest Florida, I thought gated communities were for celebrities and tech billionaires. After all, even my most successful friends up north don’t live behind a gate.

But Florida is a whole different ecosystem. If you look at this map of Estero below, you’ll see 4 gated communities lined up right in a row. Cross the street to the north, and you’ll find the same thing.

Of course, not all gated communities are the same. You’ll find retirement communities, bundled-golf communities, and master-planned communities. Moreover, not all gated communities are created equally. Some have restaurants; some have boat docks; and some have nothing but the manned gate itself.

Now that I live in a gated community myself, I could never go back to a regular neighborhood. Check out the perks of living in a gated community in Southwest Florida to see why. Ten bucks you call your realtor before you even finish the list.

Security
Privacy
Amenities
Socializing
Maintenance-Free
Beauty
Investment

1. Enhanced security and peace of mind

Simply put, gated communities have manned gates. If you want to enter, you either have to be a resident or on a resident’s guest list.

This might sound snooty. This might sound extreme. But let me tell you why I love it.

In case you’re curious, I come from Chicago. I’ve been held up twice at work. The day before my husband and I moved, we heard a gun shot in the back alley. Let’s just say, bullet casings were some of the least concerning things found in that alley.

I love being able to walk around my neighborhood without constantly looking over my shoulder. I feel completely safe. I’m more worried about running into a snake than I am a robber.

In fact, snakes are just as much of a deterrent as the manned gate. Once the sun sets, nature comes back to life. Who’s going to want to come creeping into your neighborhood when they have to worry about stepping on a prehistoric dinosaur?

2. Privacy and exclusivity

For those who come from owning huge swaths of land up north, you might scoff at the word “privacy.” True, the houses are packed closely together. If you live on a lake, you can hear your neighbors across from it. Word to the wise: sound travels.

But while Northerners might have larger lot sizes, they probably don’t have their own bundled golf course or resort-style swimming pool on their block.

But when you buy into a gated community, you’re buying into the luxury amenities that go with it. And you don’t have to worry about sharing those amenities with anyone other than your neighbors.

There’s another thing. Because gated communities tend to have lavishly landscaped grounds, you’re generally protected from the hustle and bustle that exists outside the development’s boundaries.

When you’re in a gated community, it’s easy to feel like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. But just remember, it’s not like you’re trapped. You can still leave the development and go get your favorite tacos whenever you feel like it.

3. High-quality amenities

Unless they’re uber rich, people outside of Florida don’t tend to have homes with resort-style swimming pools or pickleball courts.

Granted, those of us in gated communities have to share such things with our neighbors. But it’s more fun to play pickleball or lounge at the pool with friends anyway.

By buying into a gated community (and forking over some HOA or CDD cash), you get to experience the finer things in life.

For example, some days I go to the pool, play pickleball, hit the fitness center, and order a margarita from the bar – all on the same day – without ever leaving my neighborhood.

Check out some of available amenities at various gated communities across Southwest Florida:

And the list goes on…

Case in point: Verdana Village has its own full-size indoor basketball court. There, you’ll find middle-aged men running around with the energy of teenagae boys. My husband is one of them.

4. Social opportunities

The best part of living in a community is…[drum roll 🥁, please]…the community.

I rarely bother to make social plans anymore. Why? Because there’s always something fun going on where I live. The plans come to me.

Most gated communities will have a Lifestyle Director on-site. Our Lifestyle Director at Verdana Village organizes non-stop fun for the residents all week long.

Check out some typical HOA-sponsored activities, social clubs, and fitness activities you’re bound to enjoy at a gated community.

Some examples of HOA-sponsored activities

Some examples of social clubs

Some examples of fitness-related activities

In fact, I’ll probably have to wait until retirement to take advantage of all the activities where I live. Oh well. Good thing I like my job.

5. Maintenance-free living

This one is a big selling point. As someone who’s managed to kill a cactus, I appreciate the lawn-care service that’s part of my HOA fees. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Or should I say “palm tree?”

Examples of amenity maintenance

Examples of resident maintenance

Just remember, not every HOA is the same. If you live in a condo, your HOA will probably cover your roof. If you live in a single-family home like mine, then forget about it.

I’m sure you’re thinking, all these perks sound great. And it is. But just remember, when an HOA is in charge of maintenance, it means you aren’t. You have to give up a certain amount of self-determination to live in a gated community. So if you want to be able to run your sprinklers whenever you want – think again.

Pro Tip: Just remember, a lawn-care service is not your personal gardener – as one of my friends likes to say. Make peace with this one early on, and you’ll save yourself a headache down the road.

6. Beautiful natural surroundings

Depending on where you’re driving in Florida, you might find yourself passing concrete buildings, six-lane highways, and strip mall after strip mall.

But turn into a gated community, and suddenly you’re surrounded by lush foliage. Gated communities are a paradise of greenery in an overdeveloped environment.

Check out why you’ll have better luck keeping your pristine view with a gated community in the mix.

Landscaping

When you pull through the gates of a gated community, you’ll likely see stately palm trees, colorful blooms, and tall hedges that keep the outside world at bay.

There might be a highway down the road, but you’ll hardly know it from your secluded spot in the world.

Dedicated Preserves

Depending on where you’re buying in Florida, there’s a good chance that your developer will be required to preserve a portion of the land through conservation easements.

Conservation easements = landowner voluntarily donates certain rights to the land to a conservation organization or government

For example, Cameratta Companies, the developers of Verdana Village in Estero, restored 1,200 acres of conservation lands within the development. Not only does the eco-system benefit, but I get to enjoy my beautiful view in perpetuity.

7. Good investment opportunity

Buying into a gated community is usually a safe financial bet. For one, the amenities and enhanced security features attract high-end buyers and renters. As much as I love Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” I don’t exactly want him as my neighbor.

Properties are always meticulously maintained, so you don’t have to worry about your neighbor forgetting to mow their lawn for a month. Plus, most HOAs run a pretty tight ship, so there’s no chance that pesky neighbor will paint their house purple or build a chicken coup in their back yard – thereby plummeting your Fair Market Value.

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Like what you read? Make sure to check out more resources on buying a home in Southwest Florida.