The Multigenerational House, Coming To America?
Many European families live together in one house for generations
, sometimes hundreds of years.
But American houses tend to wear out faster, maybe only lasting about 100 years before they start to fall apart.
But there are houses that, if built of sturdier materials could last through and shelter multiple generations of the same family.
Its something you see in big cities. There are 3 story row houses all over the country.
Each floor has 1 bath, a kitchen, a family room, a bedroom or 2, and maybe a dining room.
An entire family, from grandparents, to adult children with kids, to adult grandkids can all live together in one building.
But there are other options, too.
A homeowner could live in 1 or 2 units and rent the other, or rent 2 to help pay the mortgage.
You could have a business on the ground floor and live above the store, reducing your expenses to a manageable level by using the same space as your business location and your home.
Best of all it could work almost anywhere in the country.
This kind building can adapt to changing circumstances and needs of families almost endlessly. An elderly parent might need the ground floor. A complicated pregnancy, handicapping injury, or other illness could make the ground floor important to other family members, too.
You could also create better accessibility with an elevator, too.
This kind of house could actually be handicapped accessible on 2 levels with earth sheltering in a basement that is accessible. An additional drive and entry to the second floor could make one house accessible on 2 levels.
Another advantage in a house like this is that it can have a small footprint and be built on a small lot and still have a lot of room for anything a family needs to do with the space.
The stacked living spaces are more efficient to heat and cool, too.
Its one of those ideas whose time has come. With housing prices in free fall people or families could pool their incomes to meet the mortgage on one of those big old honking houses that went up all around the country.
A 5,000 square foot behemoth could easily shelter some single moms and kids, too. Many big homes that were built in the late 19th century or early 20th century ended up being turned into rental apartments.
Its a good time to bring more practicality in shelter and in all living arrangements. Maintaining closeness is good for families. Buying a home or building that can shelter multiple generations of one family, or a family and a business, or a family or homeowner who has rental income all make life more financially secure.
A home that shelters you and yours is great old way to look at housing that is new again. If you also use it to produce income from a business or rental income it can revolutionize housing and home ownership for singles and for families, too.
A house could be more than just a home for 2 or 3 people. It could shelter generations of one family or lots of little families or a homeowner and a business. Its a long tradition and a good one.
by: Paula Stone
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