Sticking Together

More and more gated-developments are springing up around the island. Why are there so many, and what is it that makes them such a popular choice?

When it comes to a perfect tropical home on Samui, everyone has a different ideal. For some, only a private beachfront villa will do. Others dream of a secluded mountainside retreat with stunning ocean views. And some who just desire the convenience of having somewhere of their own, where they can sleep.

In reality, all possible types of property are available. But it’s becoming more and more common that, whatever you decide to buy, it’s likely to be part of a private gated-community. But how do you benefit from this as a property owner?

Well, there are a number of positive reasons why buying on such a development is beneficial. First of all is the security aspect. Most gated-developments employ a security guard to sit at the entrance and monitor who comes and goes. Even if there’s no guard in place, the physical barrier of a gate could act as a deterrent to potential burglars.

And, undoubtedly, everyone living within the development will get to know each other. And therefore any strangers will stand out. The community spirit is a big advantage, whether you intend to live here full time, or if the house is to be left empty for periods of the year. Simply having people around you, who are going through, or have previously experienced the difficulties of moving here, can be reassuring. And your neighbours will be from all walks of life, each being involved in different businesses and ventures on the island. Living on a gated-development gives you an instant network of friends and contacts. And moving to somewhere like Samui is a big step for most people. But it’s a small island and once you get to know a few people, it’s amazing how quickly you meet others, and the settling in process can be made much easier.

Gated-communities are not only reserved for the most upmarket developments, like in some destinations. On Samui they exist in all price ranges. And, whatever the size or cost of the project, there’s usually some communal facilities included: shared swimming pools; garden areas; gymnasiums; other sports facilities like tennis courts and jogging tracks; restaurants and shops can all be found.

There are other advantages too. Nicky from Koh Samui Land & Homes explains that when buying a house here on Samui, or anywhere else in the world, there are almost always minor teething problems. She says, "For those who buy individual houses, the responsibility of ironing out these problems can sometimes be frustrating. When you arrive on Samui there is an orientation period to go through, with many new customs and practices to get used to. But on a gated-development there’s usually someone around that can take some of that frustration and responsibility away from you. Having someone you can speak to face-to-face, on a daily basis, can certainly make dealing with any issues much easier."

You are also less likely to face infrastructure problems as, again, there’s someone in charge of the development to put things right. For example: if there’s a power-cut, you can be sure that someone will be working to find out whether the problem is with the supply to the development, or the whole area. And if it’s an isolated problem they will work to get the supply back as soon as possible. Or if the water supply stops, you can always confirm the problem with a neighbour. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that yours isn’t the only house without water is strangely comforting.

People’s impressions of developments are sometimes far from the reality. On Samui, most are very aesthetically pleasing. Landscaping, and beautiful plants usually adorn the well maintained roads and pathways that lead to your home. Not many consist of row after row of identical houses. On the contrary, the designs and layouts are usually planned to provide maximum privacy, with each house on good sized individual plots. And, on many, each house is unique in design. It’s worth knowing that a high number of the island’s most exclusive and expensive homes are set within such gated-developments.

If you plan to let your home, then again someone is usually around who can take away any hassles, and manage that for you. And the communal facilities can often provide an extra attraction for holidaymakers.

But they’re not for everybody. Not all people coming to Samui want to be part of a community, or even have neighbours. For some, dealing with any minor problems and settling in by themselves is all part of the adventure. For others, who speak the language or who have Thai partners, the frustrations experienced by others aren’t always a problem.

As with everything, it all comes down to personal choice. The quantity of gated-developments on Samui, and the fact that it’s always something that’s mentioned in the marketing, suggests that they’re a popular choice. That popularity is down to a combination of facts. And to the buyer’s individual situation and the purpose for which they want to use the house. In general, gated-developments are popular because they offer: a good level of security; an instant community; the convenience of communal facilities, good roads, and a well maintained area surrounding your plot of land; and the peace of mind of having someone to help and advise with any problems you may encounter.

Written by Richard Hartigan, courtesy of Siam Map Company

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