Why are automatic gates important?  The popularity of living within a gated community is increasing but why?  Are people concerned with status or safety?

Automatic gates are gates that open and close without the assistance of a person when the conditions are presented and fulfilled.  For instance, in Oscoda where we vacation we have an automatic slide gate.  In order to exit or enter the facility we must press in a code, a different number for each resident.  We enter this code into a small access control system that sits to the side of the gate. When we key in the correct code we are then allowed to enter or exit. Emergency vehicles such as police and fire trucks are given an emergency response code to access the gate in case of an emergency with in the cabin association.

There are many positives and negatives associated with gated communities.  I love the freedom it allows us on our family trips to the cabin.  We know everyone in the association and traffic is always minimal so you feel very safe letting your kids play with other kids in the area without the worry of outsiders entering.  The safety I feel on vacation is worth every dime we paid to have the automatic gate.  It also gives us a greater sense of security with the cabin when we are not around.  I am not as worried about someone entering the cabin and removing our belongings.

The gate is also a wonderful addition to keep the kids from traveling outside of the allotted area. A busy road is right outside the gate.  I don’t worry at all about my children accidentally riding their bikes out into the traffic causing a potential deadly situation.  The gate holds two purposes keeping people out and keeping people in.

I also really like the class status it gives to our cabin association.  It defiantly makes the grounds and landscaping richer.  I am sure when people drive pass they are thinking about the level of people that live within.  Not realizing it is really just us, cabin dwellers.  It is funny how something like an automatic gate can change the status of an establishment.

Many people consider automatic gates and inconvenience.  My girlfriend hates that when she visits us at the condo she has to call us and we have to buzz her in.  I never give my code out to anyone.  Personal information such as that is meant to stay within the family and that is it.  If someone uses the cabin they are given a temporary code that the association assigns and is only viable during the dates we give them access to the cabin. I know the resale value of our cabin went up once the gate was installed and operating.  Of course I see this is a benefit but potential home buyers may not.  Gated communities tend to be a bit more pricy than there non- gated counterparts.

Before you decide on living full time in a gated community way the options available to you which will help you make a more educated decision.  I know or home is not located within a gated community and I feel equal as safe allowing the kids to play and stay home alone.  I have spent time making friends with the neighbors; I choose to live on the end of a private dirt road with minimal traffic and installed motion lights around the house for the evening hours.   This and the knowledge that I keep very good tabs on the where about of my family at all times makes me feel like I have made the right choice for both our cabin and residence.