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By Alyce Collins
Senior Reporter
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While living with family isn't for everyone, this 37-year-old woman couldn't be happier to live under the same roof as her mom and sister—but their family home has a unique twist.
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Mary Tan spent several years living by herself, and although she relished the privacy of having her own space, she also wanted to be closer to her mom and eldest sister. As they each lived in separate apartment complexes, their three-story family home was being rented out—that was, until they came up with a better plan for the property.
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Tan told Newsweek that she loved the idea of "being back in the family home" where she grew up, so they all came up with the plan of converting the house into three apartments and living together in a multigenerational home.
"It happened organically. Over time we started discussing the possibility of converting the family home but keeping our own physical spaces and clear boundaries. Some of my neighbors have known me since I was a child, so it's been a beautiful experience moving back," Tan said.
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On the outside, it looks like a regular house, but once inside it reveals three separate units. Tan lives on the first floor with her partner, her sister has the second floor, and their mom lives with a carer on the third. They also have communal spaces available on the top floor with a gym and a guest room.
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"Each unit is decorated to our personal taste and is fully self-contained. We're each responsible for the cost of designing and furnishing our own units as well. It's like living in a regular apartment. I don't feel any pressure to socialize if I don't want to and we've always respected each other's personal space," she continued.
Living in the same house as her mom and sister certainly has its benefits, such as splitting bills and maintenance costs between three households. But perhaps most importantly for Tan, it's the comfort of being near her aging mother and getting to spend so much cherished time together.
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"There are many perks, but the most important one is that I can be close to my mother as she ages. She still has her health now, but I know that could change. It gives us all comfort and peace of mind to know that in the event of an emergency, we're just one flight of stairs away."
It also comes with a few perks too, as Tan jokes that if she ever runs out of milk, she's sure to find some upstairs.
"If there's a delivery while you're out, chances are someone is around to grab it for you. And when friends or family visit, they always know there's room for them," she added.
But that isn't to say it's always plain sailing, as disagreements can arise when having to make group decisions—such as the Wi-Fi plan or managing the garden. In those instances, Tan says they do their best to "reach a happy compromise" and not to let things escalate too much.
How Did TikTok React?
While Tan explains that it's not uncommon to live with family or parents in Asian cultures, she started documenting her living arrangements on social media to inspire others.
On June 23, she took to TikTok to share what it's been like to live inside "a multi-generational home" for the past two years. Social media users were fascinated by this idea, leading to more than 851,200 views and over 88,000 likes on TikTok already.
She never expected her living arrangement would generate so much attention online, but she loved opening up her unique home to people.
"I never intended for it to go viral, but I'm flattered that people have taken such an interest,"Tan told Newsweek. "I hope this has sparked a positive conversation within families and if there's any way that my account supports others, then that's great.
"In Singapore, people are curious about the separate living arrangements, as to some who are used to living in close quarters, it seems cold. In more individualistic cultures, there are many comments saying this is the healthy way to live— going back to our communal roots, being close to the elderly, sharing resources, and supporting each other."
Since going viral, the TikTok video has amassed over 690 comments. Many people were mesmerized by the design of the house, while others lauded the notion of being so close to family at all times.
One comment reads: "This looks like a good idea to me. Thank you for sharing everything that comes with it!"
Another person wrote: "I think this is the most beautiful living arrangement I've ever seen."
While one TikToker commented: "I would love to do this with my mom. Sold on the own space and privacy. Sounds cost-effective too."
Do you have any amazing viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
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