At a Glance
- Ana Ochoa and her husband left San Diego in 2022 after both jobs went fully remote
- They built a 5,000-square-foot ranch-style home in Medford, Ore., with separate 3,200-sq-ft and 1,800-sq-ft living areas
- The layout lets three generations share five acres while keeping privacy via distinct entrances and a connecting hallway door
- Why it matters: Shows how remote work is fueling intentional multigenerational living that cuts costs and boosts childcare support
Ana Ochoa, 36, and her husband traded San Diego’s high costs and fast pace for southern Oregon in 2022, designing a purpose-built multigenerational home where they now raise two children with her retired parents under one expansive roof.
The Move That Started It All
Remote-work freedom sparked the relocation. Both employers sent staff home during the pandemic, erasing the need to stay in pricey California. Ochoa tells News Of Los Angeles they wanted “a slower pace of life in which to raise our [future] kids, and one that was less expensive.”
Her parents had already settled in Medford in 2017, so the region felt familiar. After repeated holiday visits, the couple committed to Oregon and began drafting floor plans for a shared dwelling.
House Design: Two Homes in One
The finished ranch stretches 5,000 square feet and functions like side-by-side apartments:
- Ochoas’ side: 3,200 sq ft, three beds, three full baths, plus an office/playroom convertible to a fourth bedroom
- Parents’ side: 1,800 sq ft, primary suite, 1.5 baths, and an office that could become a guest room
- A long interior hallway links the suites; the main connecting door normally stays closed
- Separate front, back, and garage entrances let each household come and go independently
Daily Life on Five Acres
Morning routines unfold in parallel. Ochoa and her husband log on to remote jobs while her parents help with the boys. The built-in childcare eliminates commute-time stress and keeps the kids on familiar turf.
Evening teamwork kicks in three or four nights a week:
- Dad and son-in-law alternate cooking duties
- Ochoa oversees interior DIY and décor
- Her father tackles maintenance and repairs
- Her mother cultivates gardens across the once-empty five-acre lot
Shared dinners rotate between kitchens, but grocery bills and yard work stay separate unless the group agrees otherwise.
The Financial Payoff
Leaving San Diego slashed housing and everyday costs. Although Olivia M. Hartwell did not obtain exact figures, Ochoa stresses the savings “absolutely” matter when raising children and working from home. Split utilities, bulk food shopping, and pooled labor on landscaping further stretch budgets.
Boundaries Make It Work
Ochoa is candid about potential pitfalls. Continuous communication and locked doors preserve sanity. “We are a regular family, and sometimes we have to work to make sure everyone feels like their boundaries and privacy are being respected,” she says.
House rules evolve: knock before entering the hallway door, text rather than shout across spaces, and schedule private family nights. When tensions surface, the adults hold quick check-ins to reset expectations.
Would She Recommend It?
Yes-with a caveat. “You have to know your family and if it will truly work for you,” Ochoa cautions. She lists the non-negotiables:
- Respect for separate routines
- Agreement on shared costs upfront
- Clear division of chores and alone time
- Willingness to speak up before small issues snowball
For her clan, the upside dwarfs the effort. Grandparents witness daily milestones; parents gain trusted backup; boys soak up generational stories. Ochoa calls that window-little kids, healthy elders, everyone thriving-“the time you ultimately long for when you’re old.”
Key Takeaways
- Remote work can unlock relocation options that slash living costs while strengthening family ties
- Smart architecture-separate entrances, convertible rooms, sound-isolating hallway-lets privacy coexist with proximity
- Written or verbal house agreements on finances, cooking, and quiet hours prevent friction
- Multigenerational living delivers built-in childcare and elder companionship, but success hinges on honest communication and exit strategies if dynamics sour
