Grandma Lives In ‘Granny Pod’ In Her Daughter’s Backyard
July 17, 2019
Photo credit: Matt Hagen
If you’ve never heard of the term “granny pod” before, it’s because they’re a relatively new housing trend. Granny pods are forms of tiny homes that are usually situated in the backyards of their children. Granny pods are designed to give aging parents some sense of independence, yet be close enough to children or caregivers to receive assistance with anything they need.
I’ve seen some pretty nice-looking granny pods before, but this one definitely takes the cake. 66-year-old Meredith Stannard and her partner, 69-year-old Elyse Zandonella live in a 613-square-foot cottage in the backyard of a house owned by their daughter and son-in-law. They wanted to eliminate their mortgage in order to travel often, live comfortably, and spend summers at their home in Cape Cod.
Meredith and Elyse now call a two-story cottage with one upstairs bedroom, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and custom-made furniture their home. Although they had to sell most of their possessions in order to move into their new home, the downsizing certainly seems to have been worth it. Their daughter and son-in-law are expecting their first child, and Meredith and Elyse are thrilled at the prospect of being so close to their new grandchild.
Although living in your child’s backyard may not be your idea of a great living situation, granny pods are definitely beneficial for certain families. Meredith and Elyse love their granny pod, and it’s clear that this cozy, gorgeous cottage will be their home for years to come.