A Granny Pod is another name for a Tiny House and is a popular option for single older people looking for an affordable way to downsize. Since many grannies outlive their husbands that’s how Granny Pods got its name.
They are bigger than a dog house and much more comfortable
Granny pods are usually no bigger than 400 square feet and are not attached to a larger home. They often sit in a relative or friend’s backyard or possibly in a trailer park. Some are prefabricated and others are built from scratch. Unlike a mother-in-law apartment which is attached to a home and may share a kitchen or bathroom, a Granny pod is self-sufficient, However, because of its small size, the kitchen and bathroom are compact as well.
A tiny house cuts housing costs for seniors
In some cities, like Los Angeles. a 400-square-foot studio apartment is expensive to rent. Renters also have to put up with rent increases, weird neighbors, or possible changes in ownership. A tiny house can be owned by its inhabitant, but they may have to rent the land it sits on as they would in a trailer park.
Why living in a Granny Pod is a good idea for a single senior
One of the advantages of living in a Granny Pod is that it can be placed near a relative or friend without invading their space. For seniors, help would be nearby in case of an emergency. The “granny” or “grandpa” could also be available for baby, pet, or house-sitting.
The cost of a Granny pod varies depending on where it is located. Some cost as much as $100,000 – $250,000 while others are much less. The resident will need to have utilities and electricity hooked up but it could be connected to the services of the property it is sitting on and the cost could be fairly shared.
Some Granny pods are specifically designed for seniors with Universal Design features such as a wheelchair ramp or easy-to-use handles.
Ready to move in?
Imagine a cluster of granny pods in a space with other older single women. It would almost be like living in a commune but each woman would have her own space and could look out for each other. What do you think?
Does anyone want to host a group of old farts? Just thinking about my options.
I know someone whose sister lives on her property in a small house. Not sure it would be called a “granny pod” but it is about 400 sq ft. It was built for her (for much less than $100K but then again it was in rural New York State). I haven’t been inside it. This women is medically fragile and my friend is able to be close if there is a health emergency. I think it’s a wonderful idea if you are able to swig it. My son lives in a mobile home park and he’s been encouraging my husband and I to buy a trailer and move to his park. I’m not anywhere near ready to do that, though.
It’s good to know about your friend, Alane. We rented a mobile home for a while but the park wasn’t typical. It was way up in the hills and our home was 1400 square feet. We loved it but the manager was a creep so we moved. The people who owned some of the homes had to pay a steep land rental fee. Some mobile home parks are for people 50 plus and have clubhouses with all sorts of activities. Ours was for all ages. It was like being in the country in the middle of Los Angeles.
I’d love to live in one if I was alone in my later years – not sure that either of my kids want me in their backyard though!
It’s better than living in their house though, Leanne. Maybe they’ll warm up to the idea if you find yourself alone.
I love the idea of a cluster of Granny Pods, each supporting each other. You have a built-in community and that is so important as we age.
I thought so too, Jennifer. You wouldn’t be right on top of each other but nearby so you can have a glass of wine together. LOL
Hi Rebecca! I think it is exciting that possibilities like granny pods are becoming available. There is definitely a housing shortage happening everywhere. That and the cost of housing is crazy, especially here in So Cal. But even though I like the idea of them, most of them are so very expenseive when they are really just a fancy mobile home or park model. In fact, if you look at park models (400 sq. ft. and they fit into any RV park) you can usually get one for a much better price. The trend is “tiny homes” but there are lots of ways to enjoy independent living if you can’t find a back yard to park in. I’m a big fan of cohousing but again, the pricing is often prohibitive. Finding a way to have affordable community is something I think we all should plan for in the future. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, good points. Putting a small mobile home in a backyard is an option too if they’re permitted. Mobile home parks, especially in California, charge a lot for land rental as we experienced and may not be as safe. I think it depends on how they’re built. Some are prefab and others are projects someone handy builds from scratch. They’re basically a guest house, which we have a lot of here in LA. People are even living in rehab shipping containers, although I’d want windows. There are affordable coop communities for older people in New York that I heard about during an aging conference at The Atlantic. That’s a great idea too.
I need about 700-900 sq. feet because I have hobbies that require space and I like to entertain and don’t like a laundromat. Our neighbor thought they could put one in their yard, take out the play structure, but zoning said no. They could however add on to their home with a separate entrance. There is a pod in town I know of that share the rent of the lot and have a common front area. While the idea is good, I know it is not for me.
Interesting Haralee. I can imagine they’re not for everyone. Space is always nice and having a washer and dryer makes a difference. They’re kind of like having a little cabin or small hotel room. For me, I’d rather spend money on travel rather than things. but in Los Angeles, even small spaces are costly. Having a separate entrance to a home is nice, although I’d rather have my own kitchen and bathroom. Just weighing the options.