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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
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Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 22:42

houselikeashed · 17/10/2023 22:39

I have a totally irrational fear of sleeping on the ground floor! I just can't do it, or let my kids do it either when they were younger. I still worry about my son in a student house ground floor bedroom!!
My husband teases me by asking why I don't think burglars can walk up stairs, but that doesn't help!
Even when we go on holiday, there can be no downstairs bedrooms. 😳
It's a stair lift for me!

Luckily my DH runs a security firm, so we are alarmed and camera'd up to the hilt! I also have an app on my phone so if I hear anything and he's out I can see all around outside. Obv I check this 20 million times when he's not in. I've seen Crimewatch 😂

OP posts:
BarbieKew · 17/10/2023 22:42

Blinkingbonkers · 17/10/2023 22:17

I constantly tell dh I can’t wait to move to a bungalow with patio when the kids leave home….he thinks I’m joking….I’m not!!!! Well done op! Bungalows are a commodity overlooked by most developers…they will no doubt make a comeback with the aging population!

They take up too much land, so developers almost always opt to build 2 or 3 (or more) family homes with tiny gardens to make more £££s.

Tumbleweed101 · 17/10/2023 22:42

I'm in a council property but have played with the idea of exchanging into a bungalow if I'm able when my children move out. I'm late 40s and have seen my parents both struggle with stairs during I'll health.

Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 22:43

Hibiscrubbed · 17/10/2023 22:12

I would be unutterably depressed at buying a single-level home in my forties purely to prepare for the miserable onslaught of old age. Fuck me.

Time of the month is a bitch isnt it! 😂😂😂😂

OP posts:
Saggypants · 17/10/2023 22:48

houselikeashed · 17/10/2023 22:39

I have a totally irrational fear of sleeping on the ground floor! I just can't do it, or let my kids do it either when they were younger. I still worry about my son in a student house ground floor bedroom!!
My husband teases me by asking why I don't think burglars can walk up stairs, but that doesn't help!
Even when we go on holiday, there can be no downstairs bedrooms. 😳
It's a stair lift for me!

It's interesting how our experiences shape our thinking. I live overseas where single storey living is very normal, and I feel secure knowing I have multiple safe exits to my house. If there was a fire or a break in at the front of my house, I can run out the back or side door, or climb out any window. I'd hate to be trapped upstairs!

BTW windows can be locked open a small way so air can get in but people can't.

HMP70 · 17/10/2023 22:48

I understand the worry about windows open whilst asleep. However our fabulous builder put window 'chains', not sure of correct name, on all the accessable windows, you can easily unlock if needed, but means no one can just climb in as won't open wide enough. Plus had small openers across top of windows so can get good circulation of air through.

Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 22:53

HMP70 · 17/10/2023 22:48

I understand the worry about windows open whilst asleep. However our fabulous builder put window 'chains', not sure of correct name, on all the accessable windows, you can easily unlock if needed, but means no one can just climb in as won't open wide enough. Plus had small openers across top of windows so can get good circulation of air through.

Frantically googling window chains 😂😂

OP posts:
Missfelinemoo · 17/10/2023 22:55

I bought one last year at 38. I've loved bungalows for years. Mainly because I hated hoovering the stairs and I can pop to the kitchen for a cup of tea and biscuits just walking across my hall, I'm lazy really. It's fab on one level. It's also lovely to be in a detached. Mine still needs renovating but that's going to be a long term thing without a money win. Still I feel lucky to have a little haven.

Saggypants · 17/10/2023 22:56

For sash windows you can also get locks for them with a pin through the frame - you put holes at different points in the frame so you can lock them shut, or varying degrees of open.

Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 22:56

Missfelinemoo · 17/10/2023 22:55

I bought one last year at 38. I've loved bungalows for years. Mainly because I hated hoovering the stairs and I can pop to the kitchen for a cup of tea and biscuits just walking across my hall, I'm lazy really. It's fab on one level. It's also lovely to be in a detached. Mine still needs renovating but that's going to be a long term thing without a money win. Still I feel lucky to have a little haven.

The hoovering and morning brews are a winner 🏆 I'm loving the lazy side of it!

OP posts:
NotesApp · 17/10/2023 22:58

Hibiscrubbed · 17/10/2023 22:12

I would be unutterably depressed at buying a single-level home in my forties purely to prepare for the miserable onslaught of old age. Fuck me.

Me too. Why not just get in the coffin now, saves a job later?

N0tfinished · 17/10/2023 22:59

Butteredtoast55 · 17/10/2023 21:18

Very mundane/paranoid question but how do you feel secure in a bungalow on hot summer nights? Do you just leave your windows open and hope nobody climbs through them? This genuinely interests me!

Windows have restrictors on them so they only open a crack.

DcatAnnie · 17/10/2023 22:59

Just googled bungalow legs as hadn’t heard of it before. Most houses in Australia are on one level so a type of bungalow. I rarely climb stairs at all.

Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 23:01

NotesApp · 17/10/2023 22:58

Me too. Why not just get in the coffin now, saves a job later?

Show quote history

Plenty of young people choose to live in bungalows too. A young family next door to us have just renovated a bungalow and it's gorgeous, much nicer than ours. It's a misconception it's just pensioners that live in bungalows. Just my opinion. Obviously will be great in older age which has been a huge factor future proofing, but we are also loving one level living now. Works for us, but I understand it isn't for everyone 😊

OP posts:
Mariposista · 17/10/2023 23:02

If you like it, fine. It's no different to living in a flat, except it has a garden.

dudsville · 17/10/2023 23:02

I really wanted a bungalow when we moved i was early 40s at the time. We couldn't find one that we liked. There's one on my set that looks really pretty and i may stalk it when it comes back on the market!

Contraryjane · 17/10/2023 23:04

It’s not a bungalow, it’s a single storey dwelling.

Celibacyinthesticks · 17/10/2023 23:04

Whatever the type of property I purchased in my forties I don’t think I would like the thought that ‘this is it’ until I die, i find the thought of no change of scenery or surroundings for possibly the next 40 plus years a bit depressing, I don’t think I would purchase my ‘final’ house until official retirement age.

justasking111 · 17/10/2023 23:06

Makes life easier letting the dogs out in the morning. However, the cat used to bring in the odd mouse and still climbs in through the top light in the middle of the night waking me up

beachcomber70 · 17/10/2023 23:07

I moved to this town because there were bungalows here. Often with families living in them. They are easier to do up and I've refurbished 4 and have lived very happily in one bungalow or another for 28 years now.

I can assure you I do not have 'bungalow legs'. No mobility problems here. But I'm active and pretty fit anyway.

Original poster
WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 23:07

Celibacyinthesticks · 17/10/2023 23:04

Whatever the type of property I purchased in my forties I don’t think I would like the thought that ‘this is it’ until I die, i find the thought of no change of scenery or surroundings for possibly the next 40 plus years a bit depressing, I don’t think I would purchase my ‘final’ house until official retirement age.

I've lived abroad and we have moved house about 5 times, so we are ready to stay put now. Weve done a lot of moving about. The thought of moving or renovating again fills me with dread. I feel I could stay here forever now quite happily but we are all different I appreciate that!

OP posts:
NotesApp · 17/10/2023 23:08

WinterVibes · 17/10/2023 23:01

Plenty of young people choose to live in bungalows too. A young family next door to us have just renovated a bungalow and it's gorgeous, much nicer than ours. It's a misconception it's just pensioners that live in bungalows. Just my opinion. Obviously will be great in older age which has been a huge factor future proofing, but we are also loving one level living now. Works for us, but I understand it isn't for everyone 😊

Show quote history

Oh sure, nothing wrong with a bungalow. It’s the thinking behind it that wouldn’t suit me.

gotomomo · 17/10/2023 23:09

Depends on the house though, we bought a fairly new house that by design is accessible with only minor alterations, staircase is wide for a stairlift and en suite is wet room compatible, already sealed

Lookingatthesunset · 17/10/2023 23:20

I've never slept downstairs and I'm not sure I would feel comfortable? Well I did once for a couple of years in uni halls but I don't think IGAF then!!

My cousin and her husband, who are very organised and very pragmatic, downsized to a bungalow several years ago and they seem happy with it.

We've lived in our two storey detached for 25 years and I love it here. We have a beautiful mature garden, which is an absolute suntrap in good weather. We have no issues at all with our neighbours. We have plenty of parking for whoever wants to visit. We have room for our three adult children (who have all come back to the nest for one reason or another!)

I'm updating the interiors prior to retiring. If I have issues getting upstairs, then I am just going to have to put measures in place to deal with that. I already have mobility issues at 60, but I don't want to ever leave this home!

WotNoUserName · 17/10/2023 23:21

I'd love to live in a bungalow. I'm lazy and stairs are an effort 😂

Unfortunately I'm not likely to ever afford one, so stairs is it. Forever.