When house hunting, you might wonder if those fancy gates with security guards are worth the extra money. People talk about security, privacy, and feeling safe in gated communities in Tennessee. But here's the big question—are neighborhoods with gates really safer than regular ones? The answer might surprise you.

For informational purposes only. Always do your own research if you're concerned about a particular community's safety.

Quick Safety Facts You Can Share

• The Crime and Justice Research Alliance has found that homes in gated communities have 33% lower burglary risk than homes in regular neighborhoods
• However, there may be confounding factors, such as community location
• Gates create a feeling of safety, but might not be the driving force behind lower crime rates
• Many people with gates get careless about basic security (like locking doors!)
• Knowing your neighbors might protect you better than any gate or wall

Why People Love Gates Around Their Neighborhoods

Most people who choose to live in gated communities do so because they feel safer. That security guard checking IDs and those tall walls make it seem like you're entering a protected zone.

And there's some truth to this feeling—homes behind gates have 33% lower burglary risk than homes in regular neighborhoods.

Gates limit vehicle traffic. Fewer, if any, strangers can drive through, and the lower number of passing cars overall lowers traffic noise and makes it safer for children to play outside.

Plus, many gated communities come with nice extras like pools, tennis courts, and parks that only residents can use. Golf communities, 55+ communities, and other "lifestyle" communities are often gated as well.

Gated vs. Open Neighborhoods: What Are the Numbers?

Statistics on gated vs. non-gated communities are difficult to find for a variety of reasons. What counts as "gated" can vary between regions and researchers, and gated communities are still a relatively recent and niche phenomenon.

There's one other big reason why studying gated vs. open neighborhoods is so hard: confounding variables.

Whether a community is gated or not might not actually matter as much as:

• Where it's located (suburbs, where most gated communities are located, usually have lower crime rates than big cities)
• Resident household income (wealthy neighborhoods are statistically less likely to be burglarized, paradoxically enough)
• Population density (while apartment and condo complexes may be gated, "gated community" is generally used to refer to a neighborhood of single-family homes, decreasing density and thus crime in general)

This fact surprises many homebuyers. HOAs often promote security as the main benefit of gates, but other things matter just as much. Sometimes, gates can even attract thieves who assume the homes inside have expensive stuff worth stealing.

There's not really a good way to compare apples to apples. Most gated neighborhoods are also built with their gates, so it's hard to compare pre- and post-gate numbers.

Remember this: Walls and gates alone don't guarantee safety. What really works is neighbors watching out for each other and staying alert.

How People Feel About Safety Behind Gates

That tall wall with a guard booth makes you feel protected, right? Many people believe gates automatically make them safer. While gates do stop some people from wandering in, they don't magically prevent all crime.

Gates can actually cause problems with safety. People often get too comfortable and forget basic precautions like locking doors and windows. They think, "We have a gate, so we're fine." But that's a BIG mistake!

It's even possible for gates to impede emergency services if they don't respond quickly to emergency vehicles.

Also, living behind walls can mean you talk to fewer people. This matters because real safety comes from neighbors who know each other and watch out for suspicious activity. When you recognize who belongs on your street and who doesn't, you're safer than any gate could make you.

Do Gates Actually Work?

Gates sound great in theory, but do they really protect you? The 33% drop in break-ins is good news. But don't let that number fool you—gates have limits.

Think about it: Delivery drivers, landscapers, and other service people come and go all day. Once someone gets through the main entrance, they can usually move around freely. Many residents assume the gate handles security, so they skip basic safety measures like alarm systems or proper locks.

You also have to consider just how gated the community is:

• Is the gate ever left open, such as during the day vs. at night?
• Is the community gated to both pedestrians and vehicles, or just vehicles?
• How often is the passcode changed, if it's changed at all?
• Are there security cameras watching the gate?
• Is there a guard checking visitors at the gate, or are the gates automatic?

If your community has a guard verifying that visitors are supposed to be there before the gate opens, the gate should be pretty effective. With an automatic gate, a stranger driving in is as easy as following close behind a resident before the gate can close.

Some criminals actually target gated communities because they know expensive homes are inside.

On the other hand, consider this: most property crime is a crime of opportunity. Reduce the opportunities, reduce the crime. A gate—any gate—can be enough of an obstacle to convince thieves that there are easier targets.

With fewer (if any) strangers driving through, fewer potential thieves can see unattended packages or unsecured vehicles. With vehicle access blocked, theft of large items is suddenly a lot less practical. A gate doesn't have to be impenetrable to deter crime.

How Smart Planning Makes Neighborhoods Safer

Good neighborhood design matters for safety. When developers plan communities thoughtfully, they naturally create safer places to live.

Mixed-use areas where homes sit near shops and restaurants keep streets busy and watched. When your home is close to shared spaces, you're more likely to meet neighbors and build relationships that strengthen security.

Well-lit streets with homes that face public areas make it harder for criminals to work unnoticed. Good lighting is also essential for security cameras to work, as many apartment complexes know.

Traffic patterns that slow cars down make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

For informational purposes only. Always do your own research if you're concerned about a particular community's safety.

Should You Move to a Gated Community?

If you're looking at gated neighborhoods, chances are you're concerned about neighborhood safety. If the gates don't work as advertised, should that be a dealbreaker? The truth is—not really. Whether or not gates themselves are the main factor, the truth remains that gated communities tend to be in lower-crime areas.

Just don't let the gate be the only thing you look at. Do your due diligence. Look at crime reports. Talk with your potential new neighbors. Get a feel for the area. And once you move in, don't let the gate lull you into forgetting your home security measures. And, equally, if you find your dream neighborhood, don't let the lack of a gate stop you from calling it home.