Pros and Cons of Multigenerational Homes: Is Multigenerational Living Right for You?
By HiLine Hal
Multigenerational living is a style of household many families are embracing. Homeowners and their families are finding new ways to establish a home by creating more functional and flexible spaces to fit their lifestyles. Multigenerational living has a wide array of advantages, but there are a few disadvantages to consider before taking the leap into a multigenerational household. This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of living in a multigenerational home.
What is a Multigenerational Home?
A multigenerational household is a home lifestyle where two or more generations, such as parents with their kids and grandparents, live together in a single home or on the same property. Housing meant for multigenerational living is designed with dual primary suites or another home on the property, such as Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs).
The popularity of multigenerational households is climbing, and there is a steady rise in demand in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States. Families are discovering the benefits of having a multigenerational living arrangement, and the trend is increasingly moving in that direction.
Pros of Multigenerational Homes
There are several ways to incorporate living with extended family in your home, whether it is your parents, grandparents, or grandkids. Some families with an existing home simply add a second home on their property, such as an ADU or mother-in-law suite for older parents. Other families decide to build a house with two primary suites. No matter the option your family decides is best, a home built with multigenerational living as the goal allows everyone to live in a flexible living space and build a community together.
If you’re considering the options available to begin living in a multigenerational space, these are some advantages of housing with extended family:
Proximity to your Family
Living in a multigenerational home not only gives you peace of mind knowing your elderly parents are close by but also strengthens family relationships. Families can connect daily, play games, prep dinner, help with homework, or watch their favorite TV program together. Multigenerational home floor plans that include communal and private spaces allow for living nearby while offering vital space for solitude.
Saving Money
Living in a multigenerational household means more people share the cost of a mortgage, taxes, and utilities, making homeownership more affordable for everyone involved. By sharing resources, older, more established family members may assist younger families in saving money, reducing debt, and improving credit. More senior members of the family that can no longer live on their own are restored with the dignity of independence and the security of living together. Meanwhile, this living arrangement may eliminate the necessity of the high cost of nursing care homes or other assisted living facilities while allowing your loved one to be more comfortable during their golden years.
Help with the Kids
Family life is a busy life! Maintaining strong family connections while not missing important milestones in life may feel impossible. That is why families are certainly grateful for helpful grandparents to lend a hand in reducing the load of homework, mentoring, cooking dinner, and providing support—further benefits not to miss are lowering the high cost of childcare while establishing a lifelong bond with grandparents.
Shared Responsibilities
As older family members age, it becomes harder to do things like mow the lawn, clean gutters, shovel snow, and move furniture. Living together in a multigenerational household, each family member can pitch in, helping with day-to-day tasks. This division of labor can make life easier for everyone involved and builds a sense of responsibility.
Greater Support
One of the main advantages of living in a multigenerational house is supporting family members who need it. This living arrangement is especially beneficial for elderly family members who may need help with day-to-day tasks, physical assistance, or medical care. While older adults living on their own deal with loneliness and a lack of purpose, making them feel disconnected and unsafe, Multigenerational households provide the necessary support to alleviate those challenges. Specifically, homes with two primary suites offer a secure space for closeness and a better quality of life. Even more active older adults can feel better about having family nearby when needed and the ability to live independently, whether a separate home on the same property or a private suite is selected.
Cons of Multigenerational Households
Multigenerational living is not a utopia free of stress and conflict. With more people comes more social responsibilities, conflicts, and additional opportunities for a mess. Before you commit to having your in-laws or grandparents move in, it is vital to at least acknowledge the disadvantages of homes that are multigenerational.
Less Privacy
How much do you value your “me time”? Having a sense of privacy and establishing personal space is essential in the home’s design for everyone in a multigenerational family setting. If you’re used to living alone or with just a partner, having multiple family members under one roof may feel like an imposition. Being intentional about setting healthy boundaries, a good routine of date nights & a “me time” schedule will only increase the enjoyment of a multigenerational household.
Noisier Home
If you are considering living in a multigenerational home, be prepared for increased noise. It is a realistic expectation, as families with young children will have a home filled with constant movement, giggles, chatter, bangs, thuds, and crying. Teenagers will also have friends and social occasions spilling into the home atmosphere. While this can bring daily joy, if you need calm to be healthy, incorporating a quiet room is an idea to preserve peace. An easy solution for those concerned about privacy and noise is a separate standalone structure on the property to give older or more solitary family members a home away from the hustle and bustle or select to insulate all the interior walls to decrease noise distribution.
Financing the Multigenerational Household
While financing a project that encompasses multiple family members may seem like an obstacle, the basics are the same. To get the ball rolling, connect with a Home Consultant who will review our Approved Lenders to help direct you to a good fit for your project. Our Approved Lenders are industry leaders in construction financing. The first step is to establish your budget with a pre-qualification, then locate the right floor plan and property that will fit your unique lifestyle of a multigenerational household.
Build a Home For the Whole Family On Your Land
Attaining a beautiful multigenerational house that suits your family’s unique way of life is possible. HiLine Homes is here to show you the ropes and help you make it happen. Our streamlined construction process is designed for families to build an affordable home efficiently and more affordably with the opportunity of instant equity. We strive to clearly communicate your options and responsibilities as a homeowner every step of the way. Bring the whole family to visit a model home to make this decision together so that everyone can be comfortable on this new and exciting journey. One of our knowledgeable Home Consultants can walk you through the home-building journey to determine how to achieve your multigenerational household. Contact us today to set up your free home-building consultation.
