Sisters buy 100-acre plot in Canada to raise children together: Should Brits do the same?

When Danielle Schleese stumbled upon an 88-acre plot of land, she knew that it would be perfect for her growing family.

Danielle, 33, had always dreamed of bringing her kids up close to her sister Samantha and their parents, so when the neighbouring 12-acre plot of land went up for sale, convincing her sister to buy it and create a neat 100-acres compound was a no-brainer.

After purchasing the properties for $1.1million CAD (£660,000) and $1.5million CAD (£900,000) respectively, the sisters from Ontario, Canada are now neighbours along with their parents, Sabine and Jochen.

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"It was always Danielle's vision to live as one big happy family - I wasn't sure at first about us all living together," Samantha says.

"But after a hiking trip in Summer 2020 it made me realise how nice it would be to be somewhere surrounded by nature. We got so lucky when we found the place and had to jump on it. It's perfect and there is still so much of our land that we have yet to explore. I was nervous to live all together but I'm loving it."

Danielle adds that the family often joked about living in a compound, but now they have made the dream a reality.

"We've had to relearn what it's like to share a lot of things and create boundaries this time as adults," she says.

Danielle’s property, which she shares with her partner Gabe Mazza and their 18-month-old son Wilder, already had two houses, two collapsed barns, a garage and a Quonset hut on site, which they have spent the past year renovating.

Now living in separate houses on their compound, the sisters even had their first children just two weeks apart, with Samantha giving birth to daughter Willow 13 days after Danielle had Wilder.

"They have the biggest playground to grow up in," Samantha says. "Day to day we just give each other our kids. It gives you a big break.

"We have meal nights twice a week and sometimes more. It's a dream set up. It's a sanctuary."

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Danielle and Samantha aren’t the only people to prefer the close company of family. The hashtag #familycompound has over 71 million video views on TikTok as people buy plots of land with family members, citing it as a way to 'increase multi-generational wealth' and raise their families together.

TikTok user @frawlin_out bought land across the road from her sister two years ago and they have built houses facing each other.

"Watching my kids grow up with their cousins is the greatest gift," she wrote on the video that’s been viewed over 5 million times.

Commenters were quick to share their experiences of growing up close to family, with one person writing: "I grew up on family land with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all together all the time. Best way to grow up!"

Another added: "We live in Australia in a major city and have 22 family members on the one street! Five houses! Cousins, siblings, grandparents and great grandparents."

While compound living isn’t so common in the UK these days, psychologist Barbara Santini says it used to be a common practice in the UK.

"Think of the old coal communities of Wales or fishing villages in Cornwall. The community-centric upbringing wasn't just about shared homes but shared lives," she says.

"However, urbanisation and the desire for autonomy reduced this trend. Today, with the rising cost of childcare and housing, and a renewed focus on community due to global events, there's a shift in thinking. The compound setup offers a practical and emotional solution to many modern-day challenges."

Should Brits make their own family compounds?

Can we expect family compounds to become the norm once again in the UK? Sutkus says it all depends on the family and the individuals.

"The tight-knit community essence of compounds might resonate with some, especially those feeling the brunt of societal isolation," she says. "But for others, individualism and autonomy could hold greater allure."

Family relationship expert Tautvydas Sutkus says that some of the benefits for children living on family compounds include psycho-social development, learning skills like resilience and resourcefulness, and a deep-rooted sense of identity.

"Immersed in an ecosystem of varying ages and personalities, children can develop advanced socio-emotional intelligence. They learn to navigate both the affection of a doting aunt and the rivalry of a same-age cousin," Sutkus says.

"In larger family structures, not every need is immediately addressed by a parent. This can make children more resourceful, learning early how to wait, negotiate, or find alternative solutions."

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However, some pitfalls for kids living in compounds include issues with boundaries, stunted external socialisation, and economic dependency on the family.

"With numerous authoritative figures, children might feel smothered, leading to potential rebellious tendencies," Sutkus explains.

She adds that if most social needs are met by cousins or other family members, then kids may not feel the need to make friends elsewhere - something that is "crucial for a well-rounded social perspective".

"Navigating compound living requires a delicate balance. While the setup offers a robust support system, it also demands constant communication, respect for individual boundaries, and a commitment to collective well-being," Sutkus adds.

"For those considering this path, I often advise a trial period, allowing families to gauge the practical and emotional implications before making a long-term commitment."