Granny apartment, what is the granny apartment that is depopulating

Greetings, dear readers!

As Daniela Uslan, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the latest housing trend that’s taking the world by storm: granny apartments.

These compact, self-contained living spaces, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are revolutionizing how we think about multi-generational living and affordable housing solutions. Here’s why they’re depopulating traditional housing markets:

• Flexibility: Perfect for aging parents, young adults, or rental income
• Cost-effective: Lower construction and maintenance costs
• Space-efficient: Maximize property usage without major renovations
• Increased property value: Add up to 30% to your home’s value

Dry facts:

• Average size: 400-800 sq ft
• Typical cost: $40,000 – $125,000
• ROI: 65% average return on investment

Granny apartments are not just a trend; they’re a smart, sustainable solution for our evolving housing needs. Consider exploring this option for your property!.

It was born with the need to meet the need for security and peace of mind for the elderly, but within a very short time it has become an extremely popular housing solution that meets the needs of a very large segment of the population: we are talking about the granny flat, which literally means “granny apartment.” This trend comes from the United States, but of course it has already conquered many other countries around the world. Let’s find out what it is and what its benefits are.

Granny flat, the new trend from the USA

When you get old, the demands of life change dramatically: unless one needs continuous assistance due to the now reached lack of self-sufficiency, it is often enough to have someone close by for a little help or a simple “check-up” so that some unpleasant accident does not happen. Reason why many families are forced to make great sacrifices to welcome their aging parents or in-laws into their homes-when they are not a’substantial economic outlay to obtain accommodation in senior housing.

This is how the United States has come to have the granny flat trend, a “granny apartment” that possesses certain characteristics that make it perfectly safe and comfortable to accommodate people of a certain age. This is an actual dwelling-usually in “miniature”-that is built adjacent to the family home, often taking advantage of existing outbuildings (such as a garage or disused housing) or simply building something new. In this way, a great many problems can be solved Always having loved ones close by, while avoiding what sometimes becomes a difficult cohabitation.

How the granny flat was born

Where did this very particular idea originate? Initially, it was to fill a personal need that has found wide acceptance not only in the United States, but all over the world. The people who came up with the granny flat were Bo Sundius and his wife Hisako Ichiki, residents of La Canada (in California) and partners in a famous architectural firm. Bo needed to find a solution to care for his father, now suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, without overly sacrificing the space intended for the rest of the family. And many people know that when it comes to living with diseases of this kind, the situation is far from simple.

The couple have therefore designed a’accessory dwelling unit (ADU), consisting of a small 66-square-meter arrangement that housed a large bedroom. Renamed Elysian Cottage, this first granny flat saw the light of day in 2012 within the Sundius property: it turned out to be the perfect solution for Bo, who was thus able to have his dad one step (literally!) away from home, taking care of him without giving up the intimacy of his family. Of course, in a private space where he could provide maximum security for a now elderly and seriously ill man.

How the apartment for grandparents works

It only took a few years for the Sundius’ living arrangement to get positive feedback in the United States, thanks in part to new legislation that has regulated the construction of ADUs and allowed for the issuance of numerous permits. But let’s look in a little more detail at what this is all about: the granny apartment is an apartment that is built in close proximity to the main dwelling unit, usually within the same property. Separating the two dwellings may be a simple landing, but also a garden or simply a dividing wall.

It is often possible to take advantage of existing outbuildings, as long as they are up to code and there is the possibility of comply with the regulation of ADUs. Thus, a granny flat can be set up inside a large garage, or even a small dwelling once used as a janitor’s residence (in the past it was definitely much more common to have such accommodations). But it is also possible to design an entirely new space, building a mini apartment or simply opting for small prefabricated constructions.

The moment you go to set up a granny flat, the choice is truly boundless: there are those who are content with very small spaces and those who want to recreate an environment as equal as possible to that of a real family home. One can opt for the use of state-of-the-art technology, which also allows for closer monitoring of the safety of the people living there, or for simplicity, usually much appreciated by the elderly who are not used to modernity. The common feature is always the realization of a safe and comfortable environment, where one can live without going through the small everyday inconveniences that, at a certain age, become real obstacles (such as stairs or raised floors).

The advantages (and disadvantages) of the grandparent apartment

What are the advantages in making an apartment for grandparents? First of all, the price: In most cases, outfitting a small home-or building it from scratch-within an already purchased property costs significantly less than having to buy a new home. But the real convenience is the possibility of Having loved ones always close by, without having to give up their privacy and intimacy (spaces, in the family, are indeed sacred). Just think of how many times wife and husband find themselves arguing over the presence of a “bulky” parent, who nevertheless cannot be left alone.

The granny flat then becomes a lifeline for those people who, now elderly but still quite self-sufficient, feel much safer living next to their family members, being able to count on their help at all times. In fact, today this type of apartment finds much wider uses: there is those who place their now-grown child there enough to start an independent life (but perhaps not yet able to support themselves), and those who decide to rent it out for extra income.

The disadvantages? Actually, the only one concerns the possibility that a granny flat may not be feasible according to current legal standards. In this case, it would be necessary to understand whether an alternative solution can be found or whether, unfortunately, all that is left is to give up the idea of a new mini apartment on one’s own property.