Most people know at least a few individuals who are constantly longing for the halcyon days of college. In college, waking up, doing some studying, eating lunch, and using the computer are activities that not only take place in different rooms, but, often times, in different buildings.
But don’t expect to find any cinderblock rooms, cabinets filled with ramen noodles, or empty red solo cups on these luxury single-family home campuses, as they can cost upwards of $2 million.
As The Wall Street Journal reports, “compound properties” are made up of different wings or buildings that have distinct functions. So one building will house the kitchen and dining area while the bedrooms and living rooms will be in their own buildings, as well.
Individuals who have spent the time and the money to construct these compounds say that physically separating different living areas allows for privacy and for a different look and feel in each area. From a more functional standpoint, these small campuses allow for all the living space of a two or three story home, minus the steps, which is very appealing to many older Americans.
There are some drawbacks associated with turning a home into a mini campus, however. For one thing, it can cost between 25 percent and 30 percent more to build a home separated into the sum of its parts as opposed to building a unified home. Additionally, more separate buildings means more exterior walls that will require insulation and have the potential for heat loss, which adds to maintenance costs.
But those who are taking the plunge into compound living are doing so with little worry and no regrets as the solitude and privacy offered seems to outweigh any added stressors of extra cost.
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