Secure Communities...
Our Top 10 Gated Estates.

Secure Communities, often called "Gated Estates" are springing up all around the world as more people are attracted to a lifestyle that promises increased security, high quality amenities and facilities, and comfortable social surroundings.

So let's look at some of the top gated estates around the world... secure communities where many people searching for safety, security and lifestyle would gladly live, if only they could afford to.

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... Peninsula na Barra da Tijuca RJ.
   

   "It is believed to be the safest of Rio's upper class neighborhoods due to its lack of favelas and plentiful private and public security.

   With large mansions and luxury condominiums, Barra da Tijuca is well-known for being the home of the Brazilian high society, celebrities, and soccer stars".... (ref:Wikipedia)

   Secure communities don't come much better than this.

   
   
   
   
2. Florida, U.S.A.... Sailfish Point.
   

   "Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal, this private sea island community offers five miles of shoreline, an oceanfront Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, a full-service marina with direct ocean access, and a beachfront country club.

   Nearly every home is waterfront or overlooks the golf course in this, one of many sought after secure communities".... www.privatecommunities.com

   
   
   
   
3. Bombay, India... Thane Housing Complex.
   

   "A haven in the midst of the chaos"... that's the promise of gated communities like the Thane Housing Complex in the north of Bombay.

   This report from DW-TV looks at why people (who can afford to) choose to live in secure communities.

   
   
   
   
4. La Zagaleta... Andalucia, Spain.
   

   Priding itself as "one of the most exclusive addresses in the world" La Zagaleta was created in 1991 near Marbella on Spain's Costa del Sol.

   The 900 hectare country estate enjoys "breath-taking views of the Mediterranean, Straits of Gibraltar and North African coast... with total security and peace of mind".

   The amenities include 24-hour reception and security, 2 world class golf courses and club house, clay and hard surface tennis courts, a bowling alley and pistol range, natural lakes and springs, a 23-stable/4-ring equestrian centre, and its own heliport.

   
   
   
   
5. Gold Coast, Australia... Sanctuary Cove & Hope Island.
   

   These two secure communities lie in coastal south-east Queensland where the locals proudly tell you the weather is "beautiful one day, perfect the next".

   
   
   
   
6. Cairo, Egypt... Beverly Hills in the desert.
   

   Social issues are behind the much more complex reasons why the middle classes are deserting the heart of the city for the "more controlled environment" of secure communities springing up on the outskirts of Cairo.

   
   
   
   
7. South Africa... Dainfern Community.
   

   "When Dainfern Golf Estate and Country Club was established, it was a ground-breaking development, and set a lifestyle precedent that has been closely followed by many of the golf estates that have subsequently been founded. Being located on the north fringe of Johannesburg, the estate provides a green oasis on the edge of an urban setting".

   "Residents of Dainfern Golf Estate and Country Club can take comfort in the knowledge that their Johannesburg real estate is located in a gated community and that it is a safe and secure place to raise a family".

   "CHOOSE DAINFERN GOLF ESTATE AND COUNTRY CLUB FOR SECURE AND EXCLUSIVE REAL ESTATE".

   This gated estate certainly seems to tick all the boxes that buyers in secure communities are seeking.

   In an address in Amsterdam (July 2011) Manfred Spocter of Stellenbosch University advised that there were around 450 "gated developments" in South Africa's non-metropolitan Western Cape Province alone (just one of 9 provinces).

   And this figure excluded the number of gated developments in the city.

   His analysis of the Security Features of non-metropolitan gated developments in the Western Cape revealed around 90% were gated, 62% were walled, 50% were fenced, 50% had a guard house, 25% had electrified fencing, 43% had a guard, and 1% were protected with razor wire.

   For more details on Manfred Spocter's address go to Gated Communities From A Global Perspective.

   
   
   
8. London, Great Britain... Bow Quarter.
   

   "Like most gated communities, the complex of around 700 apartments is walled off from the surrounding area, employs security guards round the clock and is peppered by dozens of infra-red surveillance cameras.

   Once you've been signed in and got past the gates and the security guards, you're in a totally different world to the streets you've just left behind.

   Bow Quarter is peaceful, quiet, litter and graffiti-free and, of course, feels totally safe. It stands in stark contrast to the noise, bustle and social mix found on the Bow Road at the end of the street".

   BBC News, 18/3/2004
   Anita Rice.

   
   
   

   There are an estimated 1,000 gated, secure communities in England. (ref: Wikipedia)

   
   
   
   
9. Beijing, China... Fulicheng.
   

   "A gated community in downtown Beijing, where I happen to live. More specifically located around Central East 3rd Ring Road at Shuangjingqiao bridge. This is considered a rather fancy establishment, with much more park and scenery than most other areas in the downtown region".

   
   
   
   
10. Moscow, Russia ... Rosinka.
    

    The Rosinka development (located 5km outside Moscow) became "the leading expatriate gated community since its foundation in 1990. Top executives of the leading global corporations, diplomats and businessmen choose Rosinka to be their Moscow home.

    "One of the main priorities of Rosinka is the safety of the tenants. That is why there is a 24-hour security service supported by an advanced electronic safety system: the territory of our community is guarded by the state-of-the-art tracking systems and sensors".

    Rosinka International Residential Complex - Moscow