My new house in CA is in a gated community (no guard on duty, but walls and a gate). My house already has a security system built in. Should I pay $29/month to activate it? Or is it not necessary? (If I activate it, I would get 15% off my home-owners insurance.)
2006-10-26 05:54:20 · 9 answers · asked by Sean 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Without a doubt. We also have a monitored system and it includes the ability to contact not only police, but fire and paramedics. Just because you live in a gated community in OCEANSIDE (I'm in Escondido) does not mean that your neighbors won't have visitors or workers that are not unscrupulous enough to break into your house. It happens every day and there have even been home invasions in gated communities around here. (Just check out the N C Times archives.) Having my system activated saved my life when I fell down the steps and needed an ambulance to take me to the hospital.
However, contact the local office for Protection One. I get my system monitored from them for $45.00 a quarter and still get the insurance discount.
2006-10-26 06:25:11 · answer #1 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well. Let me tell you this. My wife and I were backpacking on the coast of oregon, two twenty-something neo-hippies, very scruffy looking very homeless, in fact, we were homeless in teh fact we had no home.
We reached a point on the beach we couldn't get across, and found a trail which lead to a road.
Upon entering the neighborhood, it was VERY nice. Custom light fixtures, huge houses. I walked towered the direction we came, and found ourselves on the other side of a gate.
Gated communities give a false sense of security, especially when there are no guards. They are really nothing more than a marketting scheme to get you to feel a part of an exclusive setting. I am sure your neighborhood is nice, but the gate part is not there for your security.
My grandmother lives in Pebble Beach, the ultimate gated community. I know of a dozen or more places to avoid walking near a gate.
Should you get an alarm, if you are worried about theft, yes.
2006-10-26 06:04:34 · answer #2 · answered by Recovering Kitty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For $29 a month and you get a discount on insurance? Why would you not. A lot of robberies are kids in the neighborhood or their friends that are bored. If your house does get robbed you would kick yourself for trying to save a fraction of what you lost.
2006-10-26 08:38:17 · answer #3 · answered by Dolby21 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes because I have heard even in gated communities there is still the possibility of crime. Just because it is gated doesn't mean all the people are respectable
2006-10-26 06:02:51 · answer #4 · answered by lpdecca 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do the math on your homeowners and the monthly cost. However some food for thought: My sister lives in a gated community with a guard and a woman was raped there a couple of weeks ago. There is a constant flow of workers coming and going and they strongly suspect it was one of them. She lives alone and they think someone had the opportunity to watch her and case it out.
2006-10-26 06:02:06 · answer #5 · answered by porkchop 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have a heartache story from a gated community. But to make a long story really shot. Activate! Sometimes it goes beyong money.
2006-10-26 16:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by copestir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do a cost analysis comparing of $29/mo to 15% off insurance.. if you can save $300/year...it cancels each other out..i usually go for the insurance for this reason...i put the security sign showing the home was protected, therefore, for tax purposes.....
2006-10-26 06:07:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Better safe than sorry. I mean, just because you live in a nice neighborhood does not mean no one will rob you. Come on, Wynona Ryder robbed Saks Fifth.....crazy!
2006-10-26 06:02:23 · answer #8 · answered by RoRo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My experience in the building trade has shown me that gated communities lean towards the , lets call it upscale side of housing. You spend probably more on housing that you would ever really need and your house is probably filled with amenities...AND YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT $1.00 A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GIVE US ALL A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-26 06:20:54 · answer #9 · answered by steve b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋