Gated and guarded communities: Security with a price?

With the alarming crime rate in the country, house buyers are increasingly looking for properties that come with security features. Here, we look at other considerations that need to be addressed before making that all- important decision.

HERE'S a quick quiz for you: What are the advantages of living in Malaysia?

The standard of education has improved over the last few years. We have a multilingual workforce (many who speak fluent English), good infrastructure, and a stable political climate. What is there not to like about this country?

If you have been glancing at the newspapers of late, you would not have missed the media reports about our country's escalating crime rate, or stories about the problems housing estate residents face with frequent break-ins. I am not only referring to wealthy ones; the ordinary homes of normal folk and even flat-dwellers, too, are targeted.

Snatch thefts, assaults, rape and rampant break-ins, particularly in Klang Valley's urban housing areas, should make us all a little more concerned about our personal security. These crimes also do great harm to the image of our country. What can be done?

While residents of many condominiums and apartment homes may have the advantage of security services and thus feel a tad more secured, many more who are living in landed properties will find it increasingly challenging to deal with security issues.

This factor has given rise to the newer residential and housing projects, being marketed under the concept of `gated and guarded' communities.

The idea of living in a gated and guarded community is not really new. Homes that...