This is a collaborative post: You may have heard the term ‘multigenerational living’ in recent years as the phrase has started to become more commonly used, but what is it? How do you know if it’s the right choice for your family? And what are the practical implications?
Read on to find out…
Multigenerational Living – More Common Than You Think
Although multigenerational living is a term that has become more well-known in the Western world in recent years, the concept is very common in many cultures and countries around the world. Multigenerational living is also the norm for some families in the UK.
But what is it? Well, multigenerational living is quite simply the concept of multiple generations of family all living under the same roof, or on the same property.
Usually, three generations will live together and although this isn’t fixed, that may consist of a couple, their parent/parents, and the couple’s children. For some people there may even be grandparents living in the same home.
Whilst more unusual in the UK, multigenerational living is quite common in European countries such as Italy or Spain, and beyond Europe, it may be one of the most common living arrangements in countries such as India.
The concept is becoming more popular in the UK for a few reasons, and there are several benefits.
Multigenerational Living In The UK
Multigenerational living may be rising in popularity because the cost of social care has increased significantly in recent years. For some families, it makes financial sense to have your ageing parents move in with you. Multigenerational living may also be beneficial to families where a member has a disability or chronic illness.
For some families, they just enjoy the concept of all living together and being able to see each other every day. There are benefits to this too – grandparents can spend more time with grandchildren and be closely involved with raising them. An arrangement like this can also help ease childcare pressures. Multigenerational living can also help with the loneliness and isolation some older people experience.
The Practicalities
Now, whilst multigenerational living sounds ideal to some families, it may not be practical. Properties tend to be smaller in the UK, so if you don’t have spare bedrooms, it can be tricky to accommodate everyone. There is also the issue of privacy– whilst multigenerational living has many benefits, each member of the family will benefit from having their own space to retreat to.
A common solution in the UK is a ‘granny flat’. This is usually a self-contained extension on the side of a property. A family member or parents can live in this flat, benefiting from keeping some of their independence yet still being in close daily contact with children and grandchildren.
Another solution that has become very popular in the last decade is the ‘granny annexe’. This is like a granny flat, except annexes are usually bought as modular buildings that are erected on your property. Like a granny flat, annexes are self-contained and have everything a person needs to live independently.
For some families, building a granny annexe or granny flat may make more sense financially than an elderly parent going into a care home. Despite the name ‘granny annexe’, they aren’t just for grannies either – annexes can be utilised by grown children who are struggling to get on the property ladder or a family member with a disability.
There are many reasons to consider multigenerational living and its benefits. Is it something your family would think about doing?