The View From Inside a ‘Gated Community’

Re “Imprisoned by the Walls Built to Keep ‘the Others’ Out,” Commentary, Dec. 19: Once again we are treated to a criticism of our Southern California lifestyle by someone who is part of the East Coast establishment (Setha Low, a New York professor, with the assistance of a geographer at the Sorbonne). These learned savants completely ignore the major reason that many of us choose to live in a “planned unit development,” which, by the way, is the correct designation, rather than “gated community.”

Our children are grown and we no longer require a large home and yard with all the attendant exterior maintenance. These services are provided by our monthly fee. Two swimming pools provide for our 281 residences with much less water and energy demand than pools at individual homes.

The authors imply that these developments are segregated, which is erroneous. Each residence is purchased from its former owner, who is free to sell to whomever he wishes. The rules and regulations are not “onerous.”

It is truly ridiculous that the only evidence cited is an episode from “The X-Files.”

Floyd F. Sabins

Fullerton

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I’m tired of apologizing for wanting to protect my family behind a gated community. I will gladly tear down my gates and “rejoin” the community when the vicious predators who terrorize our society learn to behave.

Jonathan M. Kolkey

Playa del Rey