AIBU To think it is not too late to 'upsize '.

[SnickettyLemon]

I am in early 50s, DH is early 60s. One DC at University. We have lived in the same 2 bed house for over 20 years. We own it outright and have extended in on ground floor. We have recently recieved a windfall( keeping it brief , as may be outing) Do you think we are too old to move to a bigger property? I would love to have a spare bedroom and more importantly a downstairs loo. My hubby thinks it is pointless as DD may not want to come back to our town when she completes Uni. I am looking ahead to when( if ) she has a family and comes to stay. Also generally we have very little storage space here, think vacuum cleaner and ironing board stored in corner of kitchen.

In your situation, I would absolutely go for it.

If you'll be cash buyers why not? Life's short :) Furthermore you just want an extra bedroom not a mansion.

I would absolutely go for it. You have an opportunity to buy - and enjoy living in - a house with things that you’ve always wanted - a downstairs loo, a spare bedroom, more storage space. At some point, you’ll retire and likely spend more time in your house. You may also have grandchildren in the future, and an extra bedroom will be of good use then. A downstairs loo is always a bonus. It sounds like now is the time to make that change - go for it!

* I get the general concept of thinking ahead but it’s very depressing to see so many posters advising a person in their early 50s to be thinking about downstairs bedrooms and installing a stair lift.*
Absolutely not offended or depressed by any suggestions that I may one day get old. I only hope that I do indeed live long enough to need a downstairs loo.
Thank you all for your encouraging remarks.

I am looking ahead to when( if ) she has a family and comes to stay.

I wouldn’t do it for that reason - just because it might not be a thing. DH & I don’t stay over with any family - just because they’re quite different and we’re happier in our own space. They have rooms, but we tend to either go home or get a hotel.

But if you can afford this and you want to do it, go for it! My in-laws have a spare room, although I don’t think anyone has stayed in it in the 7 years I’ve known them well enough to say, and an office room so they can go on the computer and read in a nice place. If they had a downstairs bathroom and somewhere to potentially put a bed downstairs, I don’t think they’d ever move… as it is, MIL is struggling a bit with stairs on and off now, so I think they will at some point.

Downstairs loo, more storage space, etc. - absolutely, you should do it. You'll be grateful every time you don't have to trek upstairs to use the bathroom or trip over the vacuum in the kitchen. You're early 50's, so could have 30+ years in a nicer, more convenient house.

Of course it's not too late if you can afford to and want to.

Similar age here, both early 50's. Just done similar, except had to remortgage as buying from outside London into London. Zero regrets.

We are a few years into our new build which was built with the over 55s in mind. We have a downstairs loo and shower where the door opens our to accommodate a wheelchair if necessary. One room can be made into a bedroom if needed. Upstairs we have 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. One master with en suite and we gave incorporated the bathroom into another bedroom to give us another ensuite which has been great when having visitors. Seeing the impractical design of the houses of elderly relatives we decided to be proactive and move house. It's only slightly smaller than our old one and there are some features that we miss but it's working out really well. We are closer to a large town and there is a good local taxi service. There is even a flexi bus which passes quite close to us once a day which would save going into town to get a bus (only a mile ) Moving house can be stressful but better done when in your sixties than waiting till it's maybe too late.

We upsized when I was in my late 50's. I love having all the space and 2 spare bedrooms plus an office. Lots of room for people to stay as well as grandchildren. Just do it.

Buy the house you want and can afford

I think it’s sensible to be thinking about future proofing it now while you have plenty of time before it’s needed. No one is suggesting that OP needs it imminently

@Sarah2384

Buying a house with downstairs toilet is future proofing for old age. I'd be looking at one where there was a second reception room in case you ever need a downstairs bedroom and space to install a shower.

This. It’s the set up we’ve got, sadly without the space to put a shower. We’d be moving for that if we saw somewhere suitable.

Do it. We've got a house that's far too big for us really. We are in our late fifties and just about to build an extension. Because it will make us happy and we love our home.

You're never too old for anything (that isn't biologically based!)

If you want a bigger home, and can afford a bigger home, then get one! Property is usually a sound investment.