More and more, we are receiving requests for homes in San Diego that will accommodate all living generations in a family. It’s an emerging trend and one which might grab the attention of builders in years to come.Much of the recent regrouping of families, thanks to a dismal economy, comes from boomerang kids. There are estimates that over 50 percent of recent college grads are returning home to live –mostly because of financial constraints and employment issues. At another end of the family spectrum are young working couples with babies and small children who need a “Nana” to help care for the kids in a loving way. So in moves Mom or Grandma–if a downstairs bedroom and bath or entire apartment is available.
Then we have the “Sandwich Generation” who may provide and care for both their own older children as well as aging and possibly disabled parents. We see more of this all the time. A widowed parent, a grown child (or two) come to live with the logical choice and suddenly….a differently-configured home is needed. Where three years earlier a couple dreamed of a cozy condo by a sparkling beach, they are now a searching for a single level home with secluded master bedroom and a guest house that will accommodate the son home from college, his grandmother needs of the now-expanded family.
Which brings us to the wish-list of those who have unexpected expansions in their families:
- A larger single level home. The middle part of the sandwich thought they would be exchanging stairs for an elevator when they moved to that Miami or La Jolla condo. Now they just want a master suite that insulates them from the grown kid’s music and entertainment choices–and offers the older parent privacy of his or her own. Besides, Grandma may not do stairs–and nobody wants to listen to bass Dub-Step beats from the grown son or daughter’s elaborate speaker system at midnight.
- A guest house. Or granny flat. Or garage apartment. SOMETHING that prevents the older and younger parts of the sandwich from inflaming each other.
- Privacy for all. This may be the toughest wish and one that needs fulfilling at least once in awhile. A family compound with separate homes for each would be ideal, but more modest circumstances require accommodation. Stay out of each others’ bedrooms unless invited and try to establish separate areas for independent activities.
Depending upon circumstances, these blended families may also want to discuss financial, maintenance and upkeep responsibilities–and who takes care of what. And these are likely new issues for current generations of Americans. In prior generations and in other cultures, it is recognized that infants, children, the disabled and the elderly may need the care of those in between. It is simple knowledge that given a full life, we will all pass through most of these stages and it is incumbent upon the able-bodied to take care of more helpless family members.
As they say, what goes around, comes around–and is all part of the circle of life.
Love the article and must admit. The thought of 3 generations in 1 Salt Lake Luxury home is worth entertaining.