Household income is a basis for neighborhood choice. With the higher income, a family can broaden its choice of more exclusive residential precincts. Personal safety and protected property value are also significant factors in selecting gated communities. There are very early gated developments in the United States for the very rich. Other such developments were found along the coasts of Florida and California.
People do seek communities of uniform economic, cultural and ethnic characteristics.
It is suggested by some residents of gated communities that the gate is not the only reason for choosing the place. The gate not such a critical factor. Residents of gated prestige communities seem ambivalent regarding the community outside of the walls. The sense of community and security is not necessarily a consequence of gated communities. It is a manifestation of the fear of crime and separation from the surrounding community.