by Joy Capps
photography by Robert French
Are you seeking refuge from the sprawling metropolis we call San Antonio? When you leave the office, do you wish to escape to your own neighborhood, complete with nature trails, quiet streets and neighbors who take pride in their yards? Then a gated community is for you.
Iron fences and towering brick walls create old-fashioned neighborhoods, complete with electronic gates keeping outsiders away. Some controlled entrances even have 24-hour security guards who monitor those who are allowed to come and
go. “Restrictive access separates residents from curious, wandering traffic while adding to your home value,” says Jim O’Brien, founder of Jerbo San/Ann and developer of The Heights of Stone Oak. (Jerbo’s developments include Estancia
and Waterford Heights within The Heights of Stone Oak.)
Since the 1980s, gated communities have been rapidly developing in regions around the globe. A survey conducted in 2000 found over 8 million U.S. residents living in gated communities. By some estimates, gated communities encompass 10 percent of the new home market today.
These neighborhoods are no longer just for the wealthy. Today gated communities are composed of many middle- to upper-middle class households. In San Antonio these developments are becoming a standard. Some reports have shown San Antonio to have the largest number of gated communities in America, with over 100 established enclaves and many more in the works.
Gated communities have many residential streets and a number of amenities available to the families who reside within them. These neighborhoods of yesteryear offer lifestyle affinity, prestige and a sense of security.
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