One of the most interesting trends in residential real estate is households having multiple generations under one roof. Monterra, a brand-new master-planned community just outside of Dallas, has an innovative group of construction professionals who design homes to reflect the unique needs of every type of household – including those of multiple generations.
The ability to adapt a house’s layout to plan for future needs is a key trend in today’s homebuying market. For example, wider hallways are desirable for aging parents or having the availability of flexible space to accommodate the needs of adult children in transition who may come back home.
According to the Pew Research Center, a quarter of all adults ages 25 to 34 now live in a multigenerational home, defined as a household with two or more adult generations. One common assumption about multigenerational households is that they’re primarily the result of adult children moving back in after college, but this isn’t the only reason for this evolving trend in housing. Research by the nonprofit organization Generations United confirms that retired, older generations are moving in with their children for care assistance or to provide childcare for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Families may come together from need, but they stay together by choice,” says Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. Indeed, multigenerational living is here to stay, with more than 7 in 10 (72%) of those currently living in a multigenerational household saying they plan to continue doing so long-term.
Privacy with Communal Living
“Multigenerational homes work best when there are spaces that provide a sense of privacy and ownership that differs from communal spaces,” says Australian architect Mark Austin of Austin Maynard Architects. Austin went on to say that closing a door, screen, or curtain can give residents a sense of control over how much they interact with the rest of the family, but also give them direct access to shared spaces.
Mother-In-Law Suites
Simply stated, a mother-in-law suite is a residence inside a residence or an addition built onto the home. Mother-in-law suites can be as simple as a single room that has a bed, couch, and place to eat. Ideally, it would have a private bathroom.
Building a mother-in-law suite is the result of planning and forethought. Depending on family dynamics, many people are making sure accommodations will be available when that time comes. Also called a “granny flat,” mother-in-law suites allow family members to live under one roof and still enjoy independence. Flexible, self-sufficient spaces can also increase the resale value of the home.
The Baby-Chasers
At Monterra, residents enjoy many upscale amenities and many welcoming shared spaces. Monterra’s core design stems from the importance of facilitating a thriving intergenerational community. Instead of just multigenerational homes, there is now an upsurge in a trend towards multigenerational communities.
Homes in Monterra are designed to meet each family’s individual needs and the community is well-planned to encourage friendly interactions between its intergenerational residents.
Young families often decide to upsize their home when their household is growing, whether it’s to accommodate children, and pets, or simply have more flexible space, but after retirement, the once-perfect family home may become a burden to manage and maintain. Empty nesters often decide to buy a home in the same community as their adult children. These (cleverly named) “baby-chasers” want to live near their grandchildren without sharing the same home, and the added support of extended family provides a symbiotic safety net for all.
Strength in Diversity
When it comes to family life, one size does not fit all. According to an article in New Home Source, “ in these increasingly challenging times of economic, health, and social hardship, the well-being and care of our parents, children, and extended family members becomes a top priority for many Americans.”
Multigenerational living refers to families living in the same house and even in the same community. It’s no wonder that many families choose this type of lifestyle, there are so many benefits to consider.
Some of the key benefits include:
- The convenience of caring for aging parents
- Peace of mind knowing loved ones are safe and sound
- Help with the care of young children
- Financial savings on mortgage, maintenance, groceries, utilities, internet, and taxes with a single household to support
- Positive physical and mental health impact
- Passing down cultural and family traditions
Talkin’ Bout My Generation
“My Generation” is the signature song of the classic rock band The Who, and the band’s guitarist Pete Townsend, when interviewed by The Rolling Stone years later, said that the central message of the song had to do with a personal search for a place in society.
Although new again, multigenerational living arrangements harken back to earlier times when families lived under the same roof or just around the corner from each other. A family changes and evolves, and so do lifestyle trends. When it comes to living with extended family and multigenerational living arrangements, what’s old has become new again.
A Place to Call Home
If your extended family has been searching for a home in a thriving community that’s supportive of intergenerational living at its best, then your search is over. Come to visit Monterra to see how they put community into communal living! Schedule an appointment today.