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Original poster

Moved to a Bungalow early!

344 replies

WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 20:53

We are a couple late 40's early 50s. We've taken the plunge and moved to a lovely bungalow in a quaint village with beautiful views. We are still close to a lovely vibrant market town and have 2 lovely country pubs within a 2 minute walk.
Bungalows seem so sought after and hard to come by (and mostly overpriced due to this fact, especially in good area's). We decided to take the plunge now, rather than wait until we are a lot older. I've witnessed so many older family members struggling to afford one but now have health/mobility issues etc. and would be much better off on one level. My elderly Mum is terrible on her feet and I really wish her and my Dad had moved to a bungalow years ago, but she feels too old to uproot now which I understand, plus the area's she would prefer are out of her reach price wise now.

This will be our forever home and we've done quite a lot of renovating to put our own stamp on it, its all open plan living and kitchen with a lovely log burner so even heating will be cost effective as only one main room - I feel like we are ahead of the game now rather than having to face the transition when we are old and it's much harder for us. It's great for us now, but equally I could happily see us here when we are old and frail - if we are lucky enough to reach old age 🙏

Do you think we are bonkers?
Over-Planning?
Has anyone else done this to be ahead of things and future proof?
Bungalow chat a-hoy 👵🧓😂

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Newestname002 · 18/10/2023 17:36

I wish I'd done the same years ago. Too expensive for me now. 🌹

Hesma · 18/10/2023 17:59

Most if my family (Ireland) live in bungalows. They’re lovely but it’s not that exciting 🤣

Zebedee55 · 18/10/2023 17:59

A lot of young people are buying them around here. I had a bungalow, but (due to a long story), am now on a garden flat with the same sort of layout.

I love living on the flat without stairs!

And I leave my little upper windows open all summer.

Congrats OP🍾

justasking111 · 18/10/2023 20:42

"House Price History" https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-72514638-12943621?s=e82281bbad3ac436991ff3930f2a13aed0c343e7fc3a8415ca0c5eb27a9c3495#/

Here's one transformed one. They tend to be done by younger couples who do them up. Small builders and their wives. The difference is astonishing you just need to graft hard and have an eye for style

House Price History

View house price history reproduced using Land Registry and Rightmove data.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-72514638-12943621?s=e82281bbad3ac436991ff3930f2a13aed0c343e7fc3a8415ca0c5eb27a9c3495#/

Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 21:52

Mirabai · 18/10/2023 17:34

Not just a carer to come in, a carer to drive you to the doctor, dentist, hairdresser; to drive over every time you need to post letters, pick up a prescription, milk, whatever. If you’re loaded and you can find a reliable carer that’s fine. My aunt was and did. But I know all about bungalows on top of steep hills with OAPs who can’t get down to the village. Been there done that.

If you’re happy in your bungalow @ 40something that’s fine. But don’t bill it as old age proof when you haven’t actually got your head around what that actually means.

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The village has Dr's, Chemist, physio, hair Salon, pub and post office, so anything else I need, if I can't drive anymore, I'll get a taxi. A few of my neighbours are elderly, as in their 80s and seem to be managing OK, so hopefully I'll be fine. We can't foolproof every aspect as none of us know what the future holds, but we've done what we feel will be right for us now but also over the next 20/30 years if we are lucky to reach that 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 21:56

user1471538283 · 18/10/2023 16:21

Me! I was partly raised in a bungalow and apartments and I love one floor living!

I'm in my 50s and I wanted to future proof myself. It took ages to find the one I wanted in the area I wanted. It needs alot of work but it's detached and quiet in a really good area with amenities. Bungalows fetch a premium in my city but this is my last move. It's blissful and I'm so happy here!

I saw my DGM struggle with a big house until she was just living downstairs. I just didn't want to be in that position.

Same.
If we end up living on the ground floor of a house we may as well free that family home up and actually be on one level!
We love it now, so we haven't solely done this for old age, but I'm sure we'll be grateful when we are older having no stairs to contend with.
I'm glad you are happy in your bungalow 🥰

OP posts:
Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 21:59

cruisebaba1 · 18/10/2023 17:35

🙄🙄

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Apostrophe police. I thank you 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 22:02

Hearmenow23 · 18/10/2023 05:50

Village
Top of a hill

These are not future proofed at all.

I will sell immediately and search for a 'bottom of hill bungalow' 😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 22:05

Memberofstaff · 17/10/2023 21:23

Sounds very sensible. Areas doesn't need an apostrophe by the way.

🤣 😀

OP posts:
GrouchyKiwi · 18/10/2023 22:09

WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 22:02

I will sell immediately and search for a 'bottom of hill bungalow' 😂😂

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No no, you can't do that, then the village will be at the top of the hill!

Original poster
WinterVibes · 18/10/2023 22:23

GrouchyKiwi · 18/10/2023 22:09

No no, you can't do that, then the village will be at the top of the hill!

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You're right! Maybe I should live halfway up the hill? 😂

OP posts:
givemeasunnyday · 18/10/2023 22:34

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/10/2023 08:21

Of course there are other ways, but for a lot of people who aren’t in the habit of going to a gym or doing any other strenuous exercise, stairs are evidently a help.

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I live in a country where most people live in single storey buildings, and I very much doubt the elderly here are any less fit than those in the UK. Anyone reading this thread would think that people in the UK are the fittest people on earth, simply because they have stairs! I worked in a building with stairs - I was no fitter when working there than at any other time (and I've never been to a gym in my entire life, or done strenuous exercise).

JRM17 · 22/10/2023 07:35

My parents bought a bungalow when they first got engaged at 20 and 23yrs old. They are now 66 and 70 both still very active but have never moved house so I grew up in a bungalow (then moved in to another one for a while) and now I'm in a house with stairs and I hate it, Im 39 and would move in to a bungalow tomorrow given the chance.

JazzTheDog · 22/10/2023 08:00

I am honestly gobsmacked at posters who are fearful of sleeping on the ground floor 😂

Possibly because I was brought up in a village where ALL the houses are bungalows. My parents moved in when it was new aged 25 and my mum is still there at age 70. When mum is gone I fully intend to move in there myself!

Your home sounds lovely for you OP!

Wishingdirect · 22/10/2023 08:19

Sounds like a sensible plan. The only concern is getting ‘bungalow legs’ from lack of stairs usage

ColesCorner7814 · 22/10/2023 08:19

Parents renovated an outbuilding when first DD was born and we moved in. It’s a bungalow. We were 31. Didn’t realise we lived in an OAP home!
It’s been a perfect environment to bring up a family.

Twdfn123 · 22/10/2023 08:27

My husband and I bought our current bungalow when we were in our 20s, now just reached 30 and raising our kids here.

Never gave it much thought. It's just a bungalow....

samupnorth · 22/10/2023 08:44

Bungalows are very normal in other countries . It’s only in England that I’ve noticed people have strange ideas about how they are only for older people . I love them as they’re practical and flow better as a home .

MrsCarson · 22/10/2023 08:52

We're future planning here too. It's a good idea.
We have a dormer bungalow so a room downstairs that we can have as a large bedroom and still have living, dining and kitchen. Downstairs bathroom is being made into a large shower room as the bathroom needs updating anyway.
It takes the what if's out of where we'll live that's accessible.

icebearforpresident · 22/10/2023 08:52

I don’t have a bungalow but husband and I moved a few years ago to a house with a bedroom and the only bathroom on the ground floor, plus two rooms for the kids upstairs, the idea being it can literally be our forever home. We bought it from family (my grandparents house) and they both lived here until they passed away in their 90’s.

My bedroom is even at the front of the house, just to really freak out those of you who hate the idea of sleeping on the ground floor.

BodegaSushi · 22/10/2023 08:56

DisforDarkChocolate · 17/10/2023 21:03

It's been shown to be bad for your mobility if you do it too early. Stairs are good for you.

Nonsense. I come from a country where the majority of hisses are bungalows and people become no less mobile in their elder years.

And loads of people in this country live in flats!

Some people will find any way to shit on an OP

WASZPy · 22/10/2023 09:03

So you've moved to somewhere at the top of a steep hill with little in the way of amenities because you think it is future proof?? What will you do if you can't drive any more? How many times a day does a bus run from the town to the top of the steep hill?

LT1982 · 22/10/2023 09:24

Theeyeballsinthesky · 17/10/2023 20:58

Done the same OP. Best thing about most bungalows is they’re detached some no annoying neighbour noise😆

Not always....my mum'sbungalow is terraced

DottyLottieLou · 22/10/2023 10:03

Who wants a stair lift when you can have the perfect home in a lovely area. You have done absolutely the right thing. Some people on here are bonkers. Just live to be contrary.