Is it necessary to be in a gated community?

The short answer…yes. In the Dominican Republic, as in many developing countries, poverty and opportunity are  catalysts for theft.  For those of us from first world countries like Canada (where I originate), gated communities are rare.  At the least they are for the very rich, and are more of a status symbol as opposed to a crime deterrent.  The following are the main reasons a gated community is a good option for foreign buyers:

1. Crime Deterrent:  The Dominican Republic is a lovely country.  It’s safe to walk down the street in the middle of the night.  Is there crime?  Of course -just like in any country.  However, most is not of a violent nature.  Even a modest, middle class North American way of life is a large upgrade for the average Dominican person.  For a small component of the population of the DR (and other countries like it), a home sitting by itself on the side of the mountain is too much to pass up.  When the owners come home they may find their laptop missing, or the tv gone. A gated community provides a visible deterrent and boundary.  Thieves know that breaking in is difficult and may result in guards holding them for arrest.
2. Lock up and leave:  if you plan on going back and forth to your home country, a gated community provides protection and monitoring of your property in your absence.  Guards walk about day and night – they notice if something is amiss with your property. Even a water leak is detected and handled on your behalf.
3. Medical aide – in may developments, security guards are medically trained to handle emergencies.  They provide an instant form of contact in the middle of the night if someone requires assistance.

At the least, a gated community provides peace of mind.  Owners know their properties are watched over and care is taken to ensure their large investment is safe and secure.