Gated communities are increasing in popularity all the time. We see it everyday at Nimbio. In fact, between 2001 and 2009, the USA saw a 53% increase in the amount of gated communities. Since 2009, the numbers have only been going in one direction too. However, to live in a gated community, behind an electric gate system, you’re going to have to pay a premium. This premium is clearly more in some places than it is in others.
Much like our post on the most stunning communities, this one focuses on how expensive they are.
Here are, in no particular order, 10 of the most expensive gated communities in America. At Nimbio, we provide up to date cellular access technology to communities like this everyday.
Birnam Wood, California
Located in Montecito, California, Birnam wood is a pretty exclusive and expensive gated community. The property prices in California have shot up astronomically over the past few years and even with that in mind, homes in Birnam Wood come at a premium. They start at around $3 million and can go all the way up to $20 million.
The gated community is manned and guarded 24/7 and is often called a golfing community because most of the homes back right onto the course. There are around 142 homes, some facing the ocean and others facing the famous and stunning Santa Yunez Mountains.
Port Royal, Florida
Naples Florida is known for its stunning golf courses, high end shopping and golden beaches.
Port Royal is a strange community, more of a hybrid gated community. There aren’t so many gates, but security teams monitor the community 24/7.
There are around 500 homes there, with about 90% of those having access to the deep seated waters in the gulf of Mexico. It’s ideal for those who like to take day trips in their boat or yacht. The exclusive Port Royal club is also a huge pull for those moving here. It comprises a spa, restaurant, gym facilities, pools, etc. the residents of Port Royale can use.
Florida has always been known as a retirement state, but Port Royal bucks the trend somewhat as it’s popular with executives, celebrities, and really anyone with enough money. It’s one of the most popular and most expensive communities in America. For example, in 2018, one of the homes sold for almost $50 million.
Silicon Valley, California
This is a bit of a cheat entry because there are a few gated communities in silicon valley such as the silver creek country club. However, there are under twelve in total. You probably know how popular Silicon Valley is with the large number of tech companies that are nearby, attracting people of huge wealth to the area.
Apparently, because of California building regulations in the area, its one of the most expensive places in the USA to build a house which naturally puts a demand on supply. The average house here costs around $6 million, but it’s not just the house cost…the cost of everything in Silicon Valley is notoriously vastly inflated.
Rancho Del Lago, California
Sticking to California, but moving to Santa Fe, Rancho Del Lago is an exclusive gated community where each home comes with at least four acres. There are 41 homes in a community that’s always in demand. Again, it’s centered near a golf club. It’s a relatively older gated community, being built in 1984. THe community is gated, and has some strange rules like no street lights to keep in tone with its tranquil surroundings.
Homes can start at around $5 million here but can easily top $16 million. The fact there aren’t that many homes puts them in demand too. There are usually 1 or 2 up on Zillow…but because the house sizes vary, if you’re looking for a certain amount of bedrooms or something specific you can end up waiting a long time.
Tuxedo Park, New York
We’ve spoken about Tuxedo Park before, and about how stunning the locale is. However we haven’t touched upon the cost.
Finally coming away from some of the sun soaked States, gated communities in New York are just as desirable and expensive.
It’s also one of the oldest gated communities in the United States. It was first built in 1885 by the legendary Pierre Lorillard.
The costs here do vary as the community is quite large, but be prepared to pay up to $20 Million. Considering it’s only 45 minutes from NYC it’s got a golf course and three tranquil lakes for you to relax by. If you like history, this is the place for you.
The Sanctuary, Florida
Tucked away in Boca Raton, The Sanctuary is a quiet and secure gated community for 107 homes. They take security seriously. While the community is gated and manned, it sits on an impressive stretch of river with many waterfront homes. As a result, there are multiple boat patrols each day running 24/7 to help keep the residents secure.
Pricing ranges widely here, as some of the homes were built to the spec of the plot buyers, while others were built by the developer. You can expect homes here to go from around $1.5 million all the way up to $20 million for a pad stretching all the way across the waterfront.
Conyers Farm, Connecticut
Again, close to New York City with only an hour’s drive separating the two, Conyers Farm is in Connecticut, Greenwich. Built on 20 unused farmsteads, Conyers was created in 1980 and comprises a large luxury gated community.
There are private roads, private riding paths (the main developer,businessman Peter M Brant was a keen polo player) and lakes. The farm is also set within unspoiled forest land. The lots have at least ten acres with some having considerably more. When first created, the lots were sold to developers.
All of this comes at a price. The smaller holding at Conyers comes in at around $7 million. Whereas some of the larger homes here go for upwards of $20 million.
Pelican Ridges, California
This isn’t The Ridges in Vegas, which we’ve talked about in our other article, but the Pelican Ridges in California. Situated on the Newport Coast, Pelican Ridges Comprises an exclusive gated community. Residents of this extremely upmarket gated community can enjoy tennis courts, pools and a clubhouse. The costings here are quite variable but you’re going to spend at least $4 million on a home with some going up to $10 million. The median is about $5 million for properties here.
Hidden Hills California
Hidden Hills is known as a gated city, a bit bigger than a gated community. There are around 1,750 people living there, it’s not small and it incorporates a school and other city amenities all within the community itself. The city is protected by a manned security gate along with CCTV around the whole complex.
The secret is in the name. The key benefit of this gated community is privacy.
Da Lido Island, Miami
Who needs fences and gates when your community is on an island? This is the case with the famous Da lido Island in Miami. Another example of waterfront homes proving to be ever popular with the rich and famous. Access to the clear blue makes a huge difference to a home’s cost, especially in Miami.
This stunning beachside location comes at a hefty premium. It’s more of a neighborhood than gated community, with a lot of homes…this makes it even more impressive that the median is around $10 million. All those homes with such a high median makes it one of the most expensive gated communities in America.
If you like our article, check out our blog where we’ve got a lot of others covering gated communities, smart homes, and gate security.
