Some neighborhoods are developments that have a gate or some other design to keep nonresidents from driving through. There can be positives and negatives to this situation.

On one hand, you will have privacy, with no through traffic. That could mean that it's safer for your children to play outdoors. You will never have outsiders — such as salespeople — ring your doorbell unexpectedly. And you will have as much security in your home and neighborhood as is possible.

On the other hand, you might find it a nuisance having to pull out your card or other identifying item to get through the gate once or twice or more a day. You will have to leave messages with the gatehouse when you are expecting visitors or packages. Your monthly or annual service fee will be higher to cover the gatehouse and salaries for its staff, who may be there as much as twenty-four hours a day. The community may not be as secure as it seems. It may be possible for someone to enter from one part of the community or another, away from the entrance, and there are those who say once the first pizza delivery is allowed in, the security is compromised.

Some gated communities come complete with a full gatehouse and a staff of guards. Other communities may have a railroad-like gate that rises only when residents — or their expected guests — punch in a personal security code. The latter is likely to be far less costly than paying a staff, of course, although probably not as effective in keeping out unwelcome visitors.