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Original poster

Would you buy a bungalow as a family home?

71 replies

Roaringlogfire · 19/12/2021 08:28

I have another thread going also about whether to have a loft conversion.

We bought a bungalow as a family home as we really wanted to be in this area. I never saw myself living in a bungalow.
10 years on and we are out growing it.

A loft conversion might be beyond us so we are also considering a one room extension as a compromise. This would make it a 4 bed or 3 bed / 2 reception.

Would this make it undesirable? IE too big for retirees but still a bungalow therefore putting off families.
As a family would you consider a 4 bed bungalow?

OP posts:

Woodpigeonsnest · 19/12/2021 08:30

We have, although we are moving it isn’t because it’s a bungalow!

Ours had three offers at asking price on the same day it went on so I don’t think the size puts people off. In fact, if it’s for retirees they like extra space.

In terms of it being a family home it isn’t really all that different but we had our baby here so I’ve never known any different!

Grumpycatsmum · 19/12/2021 08:31

Bought a 3 bed/2 reception this year for family of 4. It's sort of split level but still a bungalow. Wasnt what we were looking for but I love it. Only downside is going to be the cost of eventually replacing the roof - as its massive.

MichaelAndEagle · 19/12/2021 08:31

I would if it met my other requirements. Being a bungalow wouldn't matter to me at all.
Is it in a family area though or is it in bungalow land? That might impact my opinion.

notacooldad · 19/12/2021 08:33

If it was big enough for our needs and the location was right, of course. Why not?

BeetyAxe · 19/12/2021 08:35

We bought a 4 bed bungalow as a family home,don’t know what you wouldn’t?

BarbaraofSeville · 19/12/2021 08:35

Bungalows are known to be desirable and insufficient supply for the demand. Retirees might want a larger home so they can have relatives or carers stay, or have room for hobbies.

They are also attractive to multigenerational living or younger families where someone has mobility problems, uses a wheelchair etc.

If you are looking at a single storey one room extension and this is more affordable than a loft conversion, and you're planning to stay in this property in the medium term, eg until your DC leave home, it's probably worth doing and likely to be cheaper than moving if the property is otherwise suitable.

Wombat69 · 19/12/2021 08:38

I live in a place with loads of bungalows. A lot are getting bought by younger families & having big extensions put on. The whole area is definitely getting a younger demographic as the original owners move or pass away.

We would prefer to have a bungalow with more space to the house we currently have.

ohreallynotreally · 19/12/2021 08:39

We did when our children were little Huge downstairs; huge garden ..absolutely perfect.We did a loft conversion for the forth bedroom. Definitely no regrets

Iamanicepersonreally · 19/12/2021 08:40

I've bought a bungalow. I love it

DaisyDozyDee · 19/12/2021 08:40

I really prefer being all on one level. It’s particularly lovely when children are small and they can potter around between their bedrooms and the living room without having to worry about stair gates. Now they’re a bit older, I like that I can read (Mumsnet) quietly in my bedroom and still been in easy earshot of the living room.
I also like that in a bungalow it’s really easy to change the use of most rooms as needs change. You wouldn’t switch an upstairs spare bedroom into a formal dining room in a normal house, but in a bungalow that would be fine.
I’d never consider buying a bungalow with a loft conversion though - it’s the worst of both worlds. If I must have having, I’d want a house with proper headroom throughout upstairs and storage space in the loft.

itwasntaparty · 19/12/2021 08:41

I'd love a bungalow! There's one street around here if bungalows, they're mostly family homes not retirees.

NeedWineNow · 19/12/2021 08:42

Living in a dinky Victorian terrace cottage I have to say I'd love a bungalow! There are several in our village and I love them. Would be so much easier
to have my elderly mum to stay as she's getting a bit wobbly on stairs now, especially as our bathroom is downstairs and I worry about her getting up in the night.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/12/2021 08:43

It would put me off, no real reason why other than I like to go upstairs to bed.

Fispi · 19/12/2021 08:46

I grew up in a 4 bed bungalow so it wouldn't put me off. It was originally a 2 bed but as the family grew my parents converted the office into a bedroom and split the biggest bedroom into 2. DH is disabled so it would be a positive being more accessible. My MIL is looking at moving and absolutely set against bungalows because she doesn't like the thought of sleeping downstairs. It never bothered me...

DaisyDozyDee · 19/12/2021 08:48

I will say (as I always do on these ‘should I extend?’ threads) that depending on what you need the extra room for, it’s worth considering a stand alone garden room rather than an extension (loft or otherwise). Even if you go for a really good quality garden room with plumbing and electrics etc, it’ll be cheaper, quicker and much less disruptive. It’s great if you need the room for anything like a home working space or guest room, but obviously not a good option if what you need is an extra child’s bedroom.

Bussinbussin · 19/12/2021 08:49

We have a bungalow, not uncommon in Australia and I've always wondered why they're not so popular, or seen as old people's houses, by some in the UK.

We have 3 bedrooms and a fourth which has been a formal dining, second (kids) living, and is now my home office.

I love being close to all parts of the house at all times. Easy to keep an eye on what's going on, easy to tidy and clean. Most rooms open to the garden.

rrhuth · 19/12/2021 08:50

I nearly bought a bungalow where they had done that but in the end didn't because it was not as appealing as either:

a properly conversion (dormer) with garden space retained
an untouched one at a lower price with scope to convert ourselves

So be very careful about how much you will spend vs how much you can market for. I think garden space is a big factor - I would personally prefer single level but in our town most have not-huge gardens so extra footprint in the house has negative impact.

Whatever you do - do the shell properly, the number of bungalows we ruled Purdue to shit extensions was amazing!

rrhuth · 19/12/2021 08:50

Purdue? = out due

LIZS · 19/12/2021 08:57

No all bungalows are suitable for loft conversion. It depends on the height and angle of the roof space. Have other neighbours done theirs? Planning may restrict it too. Dbro is extending his at ground level as the plots are usually larger.

Diddytv · 19/12/2021 08:59

I love bungalow with small children. It’s the ideal really. No stairs to worry about

Diddytv · 19/12/2021 09:00

I do think you need to be careful about loft conversion meaning you no longer have the bungalow desirablity. You lose anyone who is willing to pay premium for one floor living.

Oldraver · 19/12/2021 09:03

I've always thought of mine as a house but technically it's what is referred to in EA speak as a chalet bungalow. So it was built like a bungalow with a loft conversion

We have two bedrooms downstairs one used as a spare room and one as a toy now sewing room. We have occasional y used it as a bedroom but don't really need to. The downstairs bedroom is ideal for OH when he has to get up really early and I suppose eventually if we can't manage the stairs.

I suppose if you have enough downstairs space ur would make sense to go into the loft and yes families do buy 4 bed bungalows, next door moved in last year and now have three kids. I know some people dislike the idea of being on a different floor to children

gogohm · 19/12/2021 09:07

A lift conversation wouldn't put me off. Ideally in 10 years or so we may buy one to future proof but guest rooms upstairs are fine.

Starbonnet123 · 19/12/2021 09:08

We have a 4 bed bungalow and absolutely love it , we're on a bigger plot than the detached near us , so if we did want to put on an upstairs and make a huge house we could .
We've brought up a family and it's assorted animals up here and now have grandchildren running about.
There are no stairs to worry about or lug vacuum cleaners about. Maintenance is easier for gutters and roof work and again they are highly desirable and easy to re sell .

gofg · 19/12/2021 09:16

We have a bungalow, not uncommon in Australia and I've always wondered why they're not so popular, or seen as old people's houses, by some in the UK.

I've often wondered that too (I'm in NZ). I've never wanted a house with stairs, and would much rather have all the rooms on one level. Many of the houses in the UK look so small to me.

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