Boomers grouping in homes a la "Golden Girls" (grandmother, housing)
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Given current demographic trends there will be a glut of over sized McMansion in the next decade. Many could be easily convert into share common areas (living, dining, kitchen, laundry) and 4 private suites. Each person would have there own private (lockable) space with bedroom, living room, bath and mini kitchen. With a private suite and shared common areas you could have as much private space/time or social time as you wanted.
Second idea would be for a group of retire folks to form a partnership to buy a small apartment building. All the owners would also be tenants and the partnership group could do all management and maintenance or hire it out. Each owner/tenant would have their own apartment but there could be shared common space both for socializing and for rarely needed uses (guest room, workout space, crafts space, workshop etc).
These are great ideas. The big "catch" is legal matters. In joint ownership, what happens if one party in unpaid debt has a lien put on the group's house/apt bldg? What happens if someone defaults on the shared expenses? Or when one or more die, in terms of heirs? etc etc. It would take a pretty good attorney to draw up the arrangement to protect all concerned.
These are great ideas. The big "catch" is legal matters. In joint ownership, what happens if one party in unpaid debt has a lien put on the group's house/apt bldg? What happens if someone defaults on the shared expenses? Or when one or more die, in terms of heirs? etc etc. It would take a pretty good attorney to draw up the arrangement to protect all concerned.
Excellent point. It would probably be easier for one person to own the house and rent out the other living spaces.
Excellent point. It would probably be easier for one person to own the house and rent out the other living spaces.
This is what I envision. In fact, in looking for our next home, I would like a set up that would accommodate such a living arrangement in the future. My dh is 14 years my senior so unfortunately, he will probably pre-decease me. If this happens, I will need to bring in some income. This is one idea for extra income, and to also fill a need for other senior women...affordable housing and companionship.
This is what I envision. In fact, in looking for our next home, I would like a set up that would accommodate such a living arrangement in the future. My dh is 14 years my senior so unfortunately, he will probably pre-decease me. If this happens, I will need to bring in some income. This is one idea for extra income, and to also fill a need for other senior women...affordable housing and companionship.
I think this is how many of the Golden Girl arrangement work. Someone has a house that they either can't afford alone or don't want to be alone in.
As to the concerns about the elderly taking care of each other, I'm thinking it would be more along the lines of hiring help.
In the Golden Girls, for example, if Blanche and Sophia needed help with their ADL's, they could jointly hire a CNA to come in to help out. They are likely already jointly paying for a housekeeper. Perhaps at some point they will hire a cook as well.
Many people move into assisted living when they are physically unable to keep up with the demands of daily living. Golden Girls could hire their own help rather than paying $5K+ each to live in a facility that provides that assistance.
These are great ideas. The big "catch" is legal matters. In joint ownership, what happens if one party in unpaid debt has a lien put on the group's house/apt bldg? What happens if someone defaults on the shared expenses? Or when one or more die, in terms of heirs? etc etc. It would take a pretty good attorney to draw up the arrangement to protect all concerned.
An attorney who specializes in condo law could be helpful here, particularly if it was an apt building.
I imagine many of the people who feel they could not do the room mate thing have not had a room mate (other than spouse or SO) since college or mid 20s. We all remember how much fun it was for 4 (or more) 20 year olds crammed together in a small, cheap house or apartment. And I think the whole shared housing in retirement idea appeals to singles more than those that are married.
But back on topic with a couple ideas that have come to me during this discussion.
Given current demographic trends there will be a glut of over sized McMansion in the next decade. Many could be easily convert into share common areas (living, dining, kitchen, laundry) and 4 private suites. Each person would have there own private (lockable) space with bedroom, living room, bath and mini kitchen. With a private suite and shared common areas you could have as much private space/time or social time as you wanted.
Second idea would be for a group of retire folks to form a partnership to buy a small apartment building. All the owners would also be tenants and the partnership group could do all management and maintenance or hire it out. Each owner/tenant would have their own apartment but there could be shared common space both for socializing and for rarely needed uses (guest room, workout space, crafts space, workshop etc).
I would not be looking for someone to take care of me in old age, but rather a share co-op situation where you knew your neighbors and you could get a ride or a little help when needed. I am also looking for a situation where I can travel 3- 4 months a year and do not have to worry about someone taking care of my place while I am gone. I would also want the option of renting out my place while I am traveling either thru something like VRBO or AirBnB.
I don't think any of these ideas is particularly workable. For example - places with larger houses usually have either local zoning or HOA rules about how many unrelated people can live in a single family house.
Even if the number of unrelated residents is ok according to local ordinances/rules - how do you structure up the thing legally? If joint ownership - then you have to wind up being nosy/inquisitive about the financial circumstances of your joint owners. If one person is the owner - and rents out - then that person becomes the landlord - with all that entails.
As for any type of joint ownership with "shared maintenance" - anyone who's interested in this should try a condo first. I didn't like the condos I lived in because so many people didn't share common ideas about appropriate levels of maintenance. Also - many residents were seasonal/part time. And - thought those of us who were full time residents should take care of things for them (like serving on insurance/landscape/similar committees). Note that these were "high priced spread condos". In middle priced spread places - I can assure you - these issues will be magnified a lot.
Your last paragraph is telling. *You* want to disappear for 3-4 months of the year (presumably those with the worst weather wherever you live). Well who's supposed to take care of stuff around the house then? There aren't many places in most areas that are "set it and forget it" for months on end. Also - although you say you're not looking for someone to take care of you in your "old age" - you're interested in neighbors who will "give you a ride" or a "little help when needed" (whatever the latter means). Well - if you're 80 - and everyone else is 80 - they'll all be in the same boat that you are. Wanting and needing help. So who do you think will provide that help? FWIW - my husband and I are in our late 60's - and the only older people we help are/have been our parents. Which has taken many hours/weeks/months/years out of our lives. Helping strangers? Forget about it at my age (perhaps I would if I needed the money and the people who wanted help were willing to pay money - but that's not my situation). Robyn
i don't understand why anyone would bother to take the time to comment on this.
That was my take on it exactly. For the life of me, can't understand why people would even read, let alone post on a thread in which they have absolutely no interest.
Fine by me, but why bother?
Whereas I have an interest in the topic. I'm a social person. The idea if sitting alone in my home, relying on online conversations for social interaction just seems so sad somehow. I want real live people around me and am enjoying the discussion on various ways one might set this up as part of their living arrangement.
Hi Robyn... I am one of those people persons who thrive's on social interaction. I don't ever want to see myself in a situation where I could not easily be among people even if I were in a wheel chair. I look at this co-housing type arrangement as providing me the ability to be near people. And being a musician and wanting to play along with others until I possibly can't anymore... living in our current home even if it were age friendly would not be an option. Interaction in whatever shape it takes is vital. Thanks for asking.
You're still very young IMO. A decade+ younger than me and my husband. Quite a few decades younger than our late parents were when they died - and probably about 4 decades younger than my 95 year old father. So - as you get older - think about it.
For many of us with long run good marriages - where we're joined "at the hip" with our spouses - we dread the day when we might wind up alone. My husband and I have been married for 42 years now - and both of us want to die before the other! And - if you asked us - neither of us could say exactly how we'd feel then - or want we'd want to do then. It would depend a lot on our age/health at that point of course. But also our personal preferences too. My husband and I - except for our personal relationship - tend to be loners. He likes to sit in his easy chair and read. I like to cook in *my* kitchen (and I can't stand having anyone in my kitchen unless - like my husband - he/she is willing to take direction from me - I think a lot of people who like to cook are like this). And sometimes I go to sleep at 8 pm - sometimes at 2 am. I want to do in my house whatever I want to do whenever I care to do it.
FWIW - I play keyboard (and worked in a band when I was in college to make a few bucks). My husband plays drums. We have both at home. And play then whenever we want. Keeping each other's sensibilities and sleeping habits in mind. Long term spouses are tuned into one another this way - and respectful of their "space". Most "strangers/roommates" aren't IMO.
I don't think you have to live with people to have "social interactions". Living in your own personal space and engaging with people in terms of things you care to do outside your personal living space is preferable IMO. Robyn
Excellent point. It would probably be easier for one person to own the house and rent out the other living spaces.
And that would essentially be a rooming house, which was the general non-agricultural lifestyle of middle- class America in the mid-19th C. Dealing with renters under one roof has got to have dozens of pitfalls you can imagine.
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