Gated communities are very popular in Colorado Springs. Usually tucked away in the suburbs, they are given regal names, such as Cedar Heights, Stone Gate Terrace or Star Ranch. They feature narrow, winding streets that also have cute names like Diamond Creek Drive or Carmels Ridge Lane. Living in a gated community gives the home owner a sense of exclusivity and safety. Most of gated homes in Colorado Springs feature manicured lawns and exquisite landscapes that look better than the many golf courses. But for some people, this is a snapshot of the American Dream. Should you buy a home in a gated community? Let’s take a look at some of the plusses and minuses.
A big plus for most potential Colorado Springs homeowners is that houses in gated communities in Colorado Springs keep their value. Since HOA maintenance rules for most gated communities are so strict and there is very little through-traffic, the values of homes in most gated communities tends to stay high. Reselling your home if you have to move away is also easier. Many home buyers begin their search in exclusive gated communities.
A downside to many other Colorado Springs home buyers is the Home Owners Association. Although as we mentioned, the maintenance rules keep the homes manicured and looking good, the scope of what a homeowners association asks of its homeowners has become the stuff of legend. Often there are ridiculous standards to which a home and lawn must be kept can drive a person crazy. Many gated community home owners give up trying to maintain their own lawn and exterior because it’s too difficult to meet the standards of the community. Everything from the color you’re allowed to paint your home, to how you decorate it, to what you’re allowed to keep on your lawn, whether children can have a swing-set or trampoline, are all up to the local homeowners association, not you. This is more than most people can stomach after paying a few hundred grand for a house. But some find the conformity comforting.
One plus many potential home buyers with children love is the perceived safety of a gated community in Colorado Springs. Of course, the community is much safer if your gate is guarded and the gate mechanism deters people from following the car in front into the community. But there is little doubt that your children will be safer riding their bikes on streets with very little traffic and excruciatingly slow speed limits found in most gated communities.
Just like the guard at the gate can work in your favor to keep riff raff out as well as drunk drivers targeting your kids, the gate guard can work against you, too. Every time you order a pizza, or if you need an emergency visit from the plumber, you have to let the gate guard know and have them buzzed in. This can be a hassle, and more times than not, you’ll probably forget and this will leave your visitor stranded.
Buying a house is a stressful enough decision in life but when you factor in the pros and cons of living in a gated community, the process can seem overwhelming. The best piece of advice of all is to talk to your Realtor, visit several homes in gated communities. Also, talk to those that already live in a gated community and see what it’s really like before you take the plunge.
If buying home in Colorado Springs in a gated community is important to you and your family, there are many great communities to choose from:
Homes in Cedar Heights covet a vantage point in the foothills of Colorado Springs overlooking Garden of the Gods. The luxury homes feature one acre plus home sites with a 24-hour manned security gate. The community is heavily populated with cedar trees and wildlife, particularly deer. The natural landscape provides some privacy while also being close to everything you want or need.
Star Ranch is another gated community in Colorado Springs. It’s located just minutes from Cheyenne Mountain State Park, The Broadmoor Hotel and Golf Club, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo among others. Star Ranch sits against the Cheyenne Mountain and has a limited number of luxury homes in Colorado Springs on half-acre home sites. There are wooded home sites, exceptional trails, abundant wildlife and amazing views of Cheyenne Mountain and the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.
Kissing Camels is a 24-hour guarded gated golf course community in Colorado Springs. Situated on the west side of Colorado Springs, homes for sale in Kissing Camels have spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods. It is one of the most affluent and prestigious neighborhoods in Colorado Springs. If you are looking for a home for sale in Kissing Camels, we would be happy to help you.
These are just three gated communities in Colorado Springs. To find the right community for you, contact one of our many qualified Colorado Springs Realtors
We’d love to help you find your next dream home.
