One of the most common uses for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is ‘‘aging in place'’, which led to their cultural names ‘granny flat’ and ‘in-law suite’. Aging in place is the idea of staying in your home, or the home of your choice, as you get older. For many, their plan starts with moving closer to family to age safely while in community. ADUs are a wonderful option for those considering aging in place because they provide privacy for multigenerational households, they create a housing type that is lacking in supply, and they provide an affordable option relative to the current housing market.
Recently completed Studio/1ba 'East Lake' ADU in Grant Park that is occupied by the homeowners mother.
Multigenerational households are on the rise. After declining to its lowest point in 1980, the number of adults living on the same property with their parents was close to its 1950 peak again by 2016, at 20 percent of the American population. ADUs serve, and you could argue precipitate, this growing population by creating a detached space that is close, but not too close to family members. Extended families can live on the same property without sharing walls, bathrooms, or kitchen/living space. Thanks in part to these ADU amenities, multigenerational living has become celebrated (once again) and strongly considered as a viable lifestyle in the US.
The owners of this 'East Lake' ADU in Avondale Estates recently retired and downsized closer to their daughter. The ADU is currently an art studio but it could house a caretaker if/when necessary.
Downsizing should be the easiest part of the aging in place equation. Sell your home, pocket the equity, move into a smaller, “old person friendly” home closer to your kids, and everyone wins. The challenge, however, is that those smaller homes are increasingly harder to find. According to Chen Zhao of Redfin, “When we’ve surveyed baby boomers, the vast majority want to age in place, but there is a lack of housing supply that’s appropriate for them. Many of them don’t want the 4-5 bedroom, 2 story house they raised their kids in. They prefer a smaller one-story home, but that might not exist in their community.” Building an ADU solves this problem by creating the perfect housing type in the perfect location, right next door to your kids or in your backyard.
Our most recent project to break ground. This 2b/2ba 'KWood+' ADU in Kirkwood is for the homeower's parents who are downsizing from their home in the same neighborhood. This ADU will feature ADA accomodations.
It’s likely no surprise that if you do find that cute, 1 - 2 bedroom ranch in the Atlanta market, it’s so expensive that downsizing doesn’t make sense financially. ATL ADU client Cary Childre shared, “I looked into buying a place in Atlanta, but everything was so much more expensive than in Athens that I would have needed a job. I could have downsized in Athens but then I would have that drive and wouldn’t be right here (by her family). With this route, I was able to sell my home, pay for the ADU and have money left over to invest for retirement.” The best part about ADUs, from a financial standpoint, is that you, or your family member, already own the land. That means you can build an ADU for less than half the median home price in most of the Atlanta neighborhoods we work in.
Cary with her daughter Eva in front of her 1bd/1ba 'RTtown+' ADU in Grant Park in Eva's backyard. Cary is able to provide free childcare for her granddaughter and her son lives close by as well.
Aging in place is a huge life decision but fortunately there are more innovative housing options like ADUs. If you or a loved one are considering aging in place with an ADU, in the Atlanta area, we would love to have a conversation! Contact us below and we will follow up with a free preliminary site analysis and schedule a brief call to discuss your goals and our service in more detail.
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