The Rise of Multi-Generational Living in Minnesota

There’s been a shift in recent years, where more and more American families are choosing to live together as multi-generational families. Bringing three or even four generations under a single roof strengthens bonds, increases pooled resources, and generally leads to a higher quality of life for all involved. But in a poorly designed home, it can also cause undue stress and conflict. Fortunately, a semi-custom new home that’s been tailored to accommodate multiple generations’ space and privacy needs offers the perfect solution.

In this blog, we will cover:

• Why MN families are choosing multi-generational living.
• The integrated suite vs. ADU debate and the value of a walk-out basement.
• Country Joe Home’s flexibility in modifying semi-custom floorplans.

The Rise of the "Multi-Gen" Home in Minnesota

Ideally, multi-generational homes offer much more than just a guest room for a grandparent to crash in. Rather, every generation should have distinct, private spaces that address their needs and support their autonomy, plus shared spaces where the household comes together.

These kinds of multi-generational homes are financially efficient, help ease the burden of childcare, and make it easy for older generations to age in place surrounded by family. They also tend to require more space than your average urban Twin Cities abode, and may run into red tape during construction due to inflexible zoning requirements. Because of this, suburbs like Blaine, Lakeville, and Woodbury have bubbled up as hotspots for folks who want to build new multi-generational houses for their families with minimal hassle.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) vs. Integrated Suites

Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)  and integrated suites are two different ways to create privacy and autonomy in multi-generational properties. However, ADUs have historically been much harder to build in Minnesota, with many Twin Cities neighborhoods and suburbs still banning them outright. Integrated suites, on the other hand, are generally much easier to secure permits for and more cost-effective to build. They also tend to be easier to resell, since single residence properties are more sought after.

Flexible Floor Plans: CJH’s Advantage Over National Builders

Finding your builder is the first step to building a multi-generational home. But beware of large, national, ‘production’ house builders. The production model keeps building costs under control by strictly adhering to established floor plans, and those floor plans are almost always intended for just single family living.

On the other hand, the semi-custom model used by Country Joe Homes is designed to let you modify your chosen floor plan as needed. Many of our customization options are ideally suited to supporting multiple generations, including:

• Main floor junior suite conversions that turn a study or formal dining room into a bedroom with an en-suite bath.
• Dual primary suites that provide equivalent privacy and dignity for both generations.
• Separate entrances via the garage, side doors, or basement walk outs.
• Distinct living spaces for family members to spend time independently including living rooms, porches, and patios.

The "Minnesota Secret": Leveraging the Walk-Out Basement

Perhaps the most popular solution for multi-generational living in Minnesota is to turn the basement into an apartment-like space. This is best achieved with a basement walk-out that gives occupants their own distinct entrance. At Country Joe Homes, we regularly customize basements to include all the features necessary for apartment-style living, including:

• Secondary kitchens & wet bars
• Secondary living zones with separate HVAC
• Separate laundry hook ups
• Soundproofing between floors

Designing for Accessibility (Universal Design)

Another way to approach customizing a home for multi-generational living is the Universal Design philosophy. This approach means building everything with the dual goals of being aesthetically pleasing and accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability level. Universal design features include:

• Zero-entry showers that minimize trip hazards
• Wider doorways that accommodate current and/or future mobility aids
• Smart home features that manage lighting and support caregivers with monitoring and security functionalities.

Starting Your Multi-Gen Journey with Country Joe Homes

At Country Joe Homes, we wil work with you to turn whichever one of our floor plans you choose into the customized home you and your family have been dreaming of. So, if multi-generational living is what you’re searching for, let’s chat. We’ll help you browse our library of plans and discuss what tweaks you can make to create the perfect house for everyone.