Neighbor Spotlight: Jane and Doug in Mill Valley
In 1969, we bought this house in the canyon and raised our family here. By the mid-90s, our three sons were all grown up or in college. We had a pool table in the basement that had entertained the boys for many years, and once they left, it mostly gathered dust. We were aware of housing problems even then in Marin because people would post ads looking for units, so you could learn something about them before renting.
It took a while back then to get a permit, but once it was remodeled, we rented it based on word of mouth. Some leases were for just a couple of years because young people would move on as their careers and lives changed, but one tenant stayed for 17 years! She was a checker at the local market and close to retirement when she first moved in. Our current tenant works at the same market. He has told us that living here has made an enormous difference in his life. He used to commute an hour and half each way and now is just a ten-minute walk away.
Having an ADU has been wonderful. We help each other – I give them rides and make them cookies, and they help with the cat and the newspapers when we are away. We are very concerned about the affordable housing crisis, and it feels good to know we’ve done a little bit.
Location Mill Valley
ADU type interior conversion
Price $8,000 ($12,000 in 2019 dollars)
Year completed 2000
Time 1 year total with 6 months to build
Size 200 SF
