3 modern-day 'Golden Girls' spent $1.2 million to build a compound to live communally as they age. Take a look.
NEWS | 15 December 2024
In 2017, three older women built and moved into a compound near San Antonio. Its residents are two sisters and their longtime friend, who liken themselves to the Golden Girls. They share meals, split bills, and — most importantly — care for one another as they age. After Christina Guerra and her sister Michelle Douthitt lost their husbands within months of each other in 2012, they decided to turn their grief into an opportunity for a fresh start. Together with their longtime friend Muriel Lanford, the women chose an unconventional path: They sold their homes and used the money they made to purchase five acres of land in Fair Oaks Ranch, a small town just 30 minutes north of San Antonio, for $175,000. Their goal was to build a compound where they could grow old together. "A lot of people gave us strange looks when we talked about our plan," Guerra, a 68-year-old retired agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, told Business Insider. "I guess they thought we would implode." But despite the doubters, the trio — who liken themselves to the strong-willed, sharp-witted women of the iconic television series "The Golden Girls" — forged ahead with their plans. They enlisted Felix Ziga, the owner of San Antonio-based Ziga Architecture Studio, to bring the vision to life. Ziga teamed up with his friend Jimmy Sikkink, owner of Triple R Custom Homes, to design and build their one-of-a-kind compound. In 2017, the trio moved into their compound, which they call Tierra de Dios, or "Land of God." The compound includes a 2,378-square-foot main house, which has a private wing for each sister, and a separate 1,902-square-foot home for Lanford. The project cost about $1.2 million, including the land purchase, which the women split equally. However, for these friends — who share meals and split utility bills — the sense of security and community they've gained is truly priceless. "I used to work in the ER, and we saw countless elderly patients who had fallen at home, only to be found days later because their children couldn't check in. I remember thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I hope that's not going to be me,'" Lanford, a 68-year-old retired nurse, said. "Now, I have peace of mind. If someone doesn't hear from me for a couple of days, I know they'll be asking, 'Are you OK?'" Take a look inside the compound and read on to see how they make their experiment in communal living work.
Author: Alcynna Lloyd.
Source