The 'Granny Pod' and Lennar NEXTGEN Homes – Are They for You?

America's Age Wave is leading to new backyard cottages dubbed 'Granny Pods' and "homes within a home" via Lennar's NextGen Housing, which is offered locally in Maple Grove.

What do you think of them? Could you see them fitting your lifestyle? Would you rather live in one of these options than in a nursing home or assisted living apartment complex?

Both options are a "Back to the Future" approach to U.S. housing, where older and younger generations live together. That was the norm here in the past, and remains the norm in a number of countries.

The Granny Pod

I can't stand the name, but the phrase "granny pod" gets your attention. One company's version is called a MedCottage. It's designed to provide an affordable, non nursing-home alternative to families at the end of life. It's temporary, modular housing that you can put in your backyard (assuming local zoning accepts it) ranging from 288 sq. feet to 605 sq. feet. Other features include:

- - Electricity and water connected directly to homeowner's utilities.

- - A kitchen with a small refrigerator, microwave, and medication dispenser.

- - The bathroom is easily accessible.

- - Includes cushioned floors and sensor and web-cam technology.

Lennar NEXTGEN Model

According to Pew Research Center, last year almost 17 percent of Americans lived in multigenerational households, including households with parents and adult children, as well as skipped generations with grandparents and grandchildren. That's up from 12 percent in 1980.