So far, so good, but is this something you'd consider?

Sounds like a really great idea, if you get on and it suits you both. We often had lodgers when our children were younger, it helped to pay the bills and was company for me as my husband was often away. Nowadays we have the teachers from overseas school groups who come to learn English, which we enjoy and it raises a little cash (tax-free up to a given level). Each group comes for one or two weeks and we often have the same people from year to year.
Not to put a black cloud over your arrangement, but obviously as time goes by one of you might need care. Are both of you up for this? At what stage would your lodger have to go? And if something happens to you (illness or worse) will you have a legal agreement to say that she leaves? A long term lodger might have the right to stay in your house, affecting what can be done with it should you not be living there.

I think this is a wonderful idea,- for some. In fact I am quite envious of those for whom it would work. However, I know for sure it would not suit me. After 7 years alone I am too selfish and too set in my ways. I did discuss it briefly once with a good friend, but sadly she died before we could decide anything.
Brilliant idea for many people, lots of luck to those who
choose it.

Sorry to digress but how are you henetha we have been thinking of you.

Did anyone watch Waiting for God a few years ago? I always thought that was the perfect arrangement, your own living accommodation but a connecting conservatory. I just need to find an empty terrace of houses now, build a conservatory across the back of them all and off we go!

I thought Waiting for God was set in a very upmarket retirement home. I always wondered what the two main characters were moaning about, as the place they were living in looked magnificently civilised to me - a far cry from some old people's homes.

We were taking my mum and dad out for a drive one day when he decided he wanted to call in to see a very old friend he hadn't seen for several years. This friend, a charming man who was then in his 70's, was extremely knowledgeable about the arts. We were talking about the theatre and he mentioned a production he had seen of Waiting for Godot, which he said was one of his favourites. Mum piped up "Oh yes, we always watch that". There was a silence as we all wondered what on earth she was talking about. Then it suddenly hit me: she meant the TV comedy Waiting for God. We laughed so much on the way home, recalling the puzzled expresion on my Dad's friend's face.

Sorry, I've gone right of the subject.

I'm in my early 50's and am seriously thinking about it too. It's a great idea OP. I remember watching a programme called "The Golden Girls" a few years back and it stuck with me. More and more women are now living on their own with no interest in "starting again" with a man.

It makes a lot of sense.

Do any of you know of oldies living with Offspring with two teenagers? This is something we are considering - selling both properties to buy something suitable for both families. Having two DS who are completely wrapped up in their own lives, our DD and SiL have suggested this and as we have always been very close, think it might be feasible. We did a similar venture with OH parents who converted an outbuilding on our property and it worked really well. Preferable to sharing house with unknowns?

That's what we've done, GrandMareS

We converted a building on our land into a granny pad for us. It's quite large and mostly open plan so we don't feel cramped. DD and the two teenage DGSs now live in our bungalow. We're just across the garden from eachother.

It's definitely preferable to all living under one roof. We did consider extending the bungalow but I don't think that would have worked.

The one thing in our favour is that WE own the property so we will have nothing to worry about if DD decides to move in the future.

I understand that in many cultures, it is taken for granted that different generations live under the same roof. Unfortunately, we would not own the property as my DD is worried that her brothers would make a claim, should we peg it. Also Care costs have to be thought about as it is no longer viable to dispose of income before it may be required. Presumably your property could be sold if need be without affecting your DD

Someone likes cooking, another person like eating, sounds fine to me, bit like marriage without the sex. But I'm not sure anyone else would want to live with me.

There is an organisation that assists older people to house share.
www.housingcare.org/service/type-30-homesharing.aspx

Up until quite recently it was not unusual for different generations in the UK to share a home. When I was growing up in the 50's and 60's, most of my friends had a grandparent or an unmarried uncle or aunt living with them.
Sometimes it worked out well but not always.

I have never heard of this before. I think it’s a fantastic idea especially for folks who don’t have a lot of family or friends around. Being the oldest of five, all with kids of our own and grandkids, there’s always someone popping in. But certainly something I would consider if not for this crowd.

Watch this space! Someone will turn Mature Sharing into a business soon if they haven’t already.