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I lived in an ADU for a grand total of three months before moving out for more space in a typical apartment. I had to pay more but it was worth it to escape the

I lived in an ADU for a grand total of three months before moving out for more space in a typical apartment. I had to pay more but it was worth it to escape the claustrophobia. I've also lived in a duplex that occupied the same lot footprint as the bungalow + ADU, yet had much more space for both parties to enjoy because simply building up and adding a second floor was a more efficient use of the lot. I think ADUs are at best a stopgap but are so far from an optimal solution that they shouldn't be taken seriously by policymakers. I simply do not understand the aversion to multi-story construction in some places.

brewdad 4y ago
Multi-story can make it difficult to age in place as the population grows older. I'm not quite 50 and in reasonably good health for my age but already find trips up and down the stairs multiple times a day unappealing. My first descent in the morning frequently reminds me that I no longer have a 30 years old's legs.
- novok 4y ago
  IMO you should take that as a warning to improve your health before it gets even harder and have a pretty bad time in your 60s and 70s. You should be able to climb stairs with no problem in your late 40s and there are many who do fine in their 70s if they keep up their fitness. Like looks at this MRI comparing a 40 year old triathlete, a 74 year old and a 74 year sedentary man. Sarcopenia is a choice in many ways! https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-Typical-quadriceps-and-hamstrings-Magnetic-Resonance-Image-of-a-40-year-old_fig1_338446940 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-Typical-quadricep...
  - badpun 4y ago
    There are also joint issues, and they can actually be accelerated via keeping fit. Walking up the stairs with an aching knee or hip is no fun.
- lmm 4y ago
  Huh? Multi-story is the best thing for aging; an apartment block full of single floor apartments with a lift is easy and natural, a house without stairs is pretty hard to make viable.
- rascul 4y ago
  I concur with your assessment. I will not live in a home with stairs again if I have a feasible choice. I guess an elevator might suffice but I don't really want to live in a home with multiple stories, or in a shared building, either. My lower body is not what it used to be. I can go up and down stairs just fine when I need to but I will go out of my way to avoid that requirement at home. Turns out that years of physical labor and military, plus a couple surgeries, can take a toll on the body.

brewdad 4y ago

Multi-story can make it difficult to age in place as the population grows older. I'm not quite 50 and in reasonably good health for my age but already find trips up and down the stairs multiple times a day unappealing. My first descent in the morning frequently reminds me that I no longer have a 30 years old's legs.

novok 4y ago
IMO you should take that as a warning to improve your health before it gets even harder and have a pretty bad time in your 60s and 70s. You should be able to climb stairs with no problem in your late 40s and there are many who do fine in their 70s if they keep up their fitness. Like looks at this MRI comparing a 40 year old triathlete, a 74 year old and a 74 year sedentary man. Sarcopenia is a choice in many ways! https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-Typical-quadriceps-and-hamstrings-Magnetic-Resonance-Image-of-a-40-year-old_fig1_338446940 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-Typical-quadricep...
- badpun 4y ago
  There are also joint issues, and they can actually be accelerated via keeping fit. Walking up the stairs with an aching knee or hip is no fun.
lmm 4y ago
Huh? Multi-story is the best thing for aging; an apartment block full of single floor apartments with a lift is easy and natural, a house without stairs is pretty hard to make viable.
rascul 4y ago
I concur with your assessment. I will not live in a home with stairs again if I have a feasible choice. I guess an elevator might suffice but I don't really want to live in a home with multiple stories, or in a shared building, either. My lower body is not what it used to be. I can go up and down stairs just fine when I need to but I will go out of my way to avoid that requirement at home. Turns out that years of physical labor and military, plus a couple surgeries, can take a toll on the body.