Why Multigenerational Living Is Making A Comeback

In much of the world, multigenerational living isn’t a trend — it’s tradition. Families living under one roof, supporting one another across generations, is as normal in places like Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East as morning coffee is here in the states. For most of human history, that’s simply how people lived.

However, here in the U.S., we’ve spent the better part of the last century pulling away from that model. Independence and individualism became the new standard, which has led to the nuclear family taking center stage. And as suburban development exploded after World War II, so did the expectation that each generation should have a home of their own — even if that meant isolation or financial strain.

However, the tide is shifting.

According to Pew Research, the number of Americans living in multigenerational households has nearly quadrupled since 1971, reaching close to 60 million people today. This isn’t a blip. It’s a cultural shift. And while much of the conversation focuses on rising housing costs, affordability is only part of the picture.

Yes — shared housing eases the financial burden. Families save by splitting mortgages, sharing utilities, and avoiding the steep costs of child and eldercare. In fact, data shows that multigenerational households are significantly less likely to fall into poverty, especially during periods of unemployment or retirement.

But to view the resurgence of multigenerational living as simply a byproduct of unaffordable housing would be missing the bigger picture

There’s something deeper pulling families back together — something rooted in connection, community, and care.

A recent Generations United study revealed that nearly 80% of Americans living in multigenerational homes said it strengthened their family relationships. Over three-quarters also noted positive impacts on mental and/or physical health.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Daily life in a shared home often means:

• Grandparents actively involved in raising grandchildren
• Adult children able to care for aging parents without outsourcing that support
• Shared meals, shared memories, shared purpose

In a time when loneliness has been labeled a public health crisis, multigenerational living offers built-in community. 

I know my parents biggest fear is to be apart from their grandchildren. They are eagerly awaiting the day they will be able to take their grandchildren to the park or babysit when me and my future wife want to have a night out. I also know how expensive childcare can be, and have witnessed the difficulties in finding someone you can trust to look after your kids. This is where multigenerational living makes plenty of sense, because my parents get to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives and I can rest easy knowing they are in good care. Not to mention, by my parents assisting in raising my children, they will receive a life’s worth of knowledge and wisdom from trusted adults who truly care.

The reality is that many families choosing to live this way aren’t doing so out of desperation — they’re doing so on purpose.

Some are looking for lifestyle flexibility. Others are preserving cultural and moral values. Many are thinking long-term about wealth, family legacy, and mutual care between loved ones. The opportunity to share a life with the people you love and care about most, is one that many people are choosing. And increasingly, buyers are seeking properties designed to accommodate this kind of living.

Developers are catching on, adding in-law suites, dual primary bedrooms, and even completely separate living quarters within single lots. In other words, the market is beginning to reflect what people actually need.

As I have mentioned, I am awaiting the day when I can retire my parents and move them in with me. Aside from childcare and keeping the morals and values my parents instilled in me present in the lives of my children, the main reason I want to have a multigenerational household is because I want the privilege of taking care of my parents. When I was young and vulnerable, my parents invested so much and gave everything they had to raise me and take care of me. I feel it is my duty to do the same for my parents as they age and become vulnerable. An old folks home is not an option for me. I want to be the one to repay my parents for everything they have done for me, which is why multigenerational living is the only option for me.

The return to multigenerational living isn’t just a shift in how people live — it’s a shift in how real estate is structured, marketed, and transacted.

For REALTORS® and investors alike, this presents both a challenge and a massive opportunity. Traditional search tools and listing structures don’t always account for homes that serve multiple families under one roof. That’s where Package Property Platform (P3) steps in.

P3 is built for the modern real estate landscape — one that recognizes that a property with two homes, a duplex and a trailer, or a main house plus an ADU, isn’t unusual. It’s real. It’s valuable. And it’s becoming the norm.

Multigenerational homes are Package Properties™. Whether you’re a REALTOR® wanting to bring parents and children together under one roof, or an investor looking to serve that growing market — P3 helps you list, search, and manage those deals with clarity and confidence.

What we’re seeing isn’t just a market trend — it’s the social pendulum swinging back towards community and collectivism. As families reconsider what it means to live well, many are rediscovering that “home” is less about space and more about presence. It’s not just about having room — it’s about having each other.

Multigenerational living is back — and this time, it’s not just about survival. It’s about choice.

Package Property Platform™ is here to make sure real estate keeps up.