We've seen some examples of cohousing here at Re-nest, but as far as we can remember, we've never discussed multigenerational living. An article in the San Francisco Chronicle profiling three families got us thinking about the topic and whether or not it's a green way to live.
Does Multigenerational Living = Green Living?
San Francisco Chronicle
Multigenerational living is pretty self-explanatory: It's when different generations of the same family live together ... when Grandma and Grandpa move in, or move into the apartment out back.
From the article:
Some might attribute the rise in multigenerational dwellings to the recession, the current housing crisis or the increasing cost of child care and residential care for the elderly.
Of course, none of the families in the article seemed to choose multigenerational living for financial reasons — they all wanted to be closer with their families.
So how might multigenerational living be greener? Well, this is how we were thinking about it: It seems like a perfect opportunity to share, share, share. Share resources, share things, share chores. If Gramps babysits, that saves the gas it might take to go drive the kids to daycare. If Dad mows his lawn, he can quickly mow Grandma's so she doesn't need to pay someone else to do it. The examples seem endless.
We'd love to hear from people who have their parents or other family members living in their home or nearby. Do you think it's a green move? What sorts of environmental advantages do you see in the living arrangement?
Read more: The gang's all here.
Comments (2)
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Hmmm, I think the only reason to be living with my family would be mainly because of financial reasons. My parents tell me instead of paying rent just pay more on my loans every month so they can shrink and be gone.
Since I'm an only child... I have a lot my own space but I can't imagine it if I had a bunch of brothers and sisters. :\
view witchbaby's profile
I grew up in Japan with my grandma living on the same property of my parents & my 2 brothers. It's sort of a tradition for the eldest son to look after the family estate (in our neighborhood, anyway) and to live with the elder parents. It was not cheap to own/rent a dwelling of your own for an average person, so it sure made financial sense to do so as well.
When we were small we never went to daycare. My grandma kept herself young by staying active also, as there were tons of things to do, helping both of my working parents. Cooking was done for everyone mostly by my grandma, so my mom rarely had to cook after coming home from work. You never had to go far to get little help.
In the last few decades, it became common to live with parents in homes that are semi-separated. More privacy with the benefits of multi-generation living, not too close, but not too far...
They call it "the distance miso-soup won't be chilled".
view papoocha's profile