Moved to a Bungalow early!

[WinterVibes]

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 👵🧓😂

Why not?
The village is flat with amenities.

I drive.
DH drives.
If I'm completely infirm/unable to drive one day, then I wouldn't be going anywhere much anyway would I?
Finding a bungalow or any home for that matter with zero hills close by is practically impossible.

It's strange isn't it how the UK perceive one level living (bungalows) as for the elderly, when other countries just see it as completely normal living on one level.

This thread is hilarious. The idea that you need a set of stairs in your house to keep fit! As if there are no other options in life for exercise, and people who are exceptionally fit are doing it all through multiple trips up to the bedrooms every day

People may be fit through other forms of exercise but people with stairs also maintain 'stair' fitness so they will be stronger than those without.

I am not talking about people who are unfit eating dorritos, sleeping on the sofa because they can't be bothered to walk upstairs!

Also agree with previous poster what's the point of a bungalow on top of a hill out of the village if it's to safeguard your future?

So someone with stairs is always fitter than someone without?
That doesn't make sense at all
You could have someone with stairs who walks a dog daily only and someone who lives in an apartment who runs marathons and lifts weights

I chastised my husband for looking at bungalows when we were house hunting as I didn’t like them. Viewed one to shut him up and fell in love.😄Been here 8 years now.

I'm in a village with amenities.
Close to a busy market town.
The village of flat.
I drive.
DH drives.
There is public transport.
Can I not one day be elderly and live near hills?

I already live in a dormer bungalow which has one bedroom downstairs and 2 bathrooms so thankfully won’t need to move unless the garden etc gets too much for me

Of course. But don’t bill it as your forever home for old age as if you lose your mobility or eyesight you will have to move.

Not wanting to be a doom monger but... hospitals? Rural bus services and rural amenities are not guaranteed and sometimes get closed down. I don't mean "Don't move to your bungalow!" (it sounds nice), just be open to the possibility that you still might end up moving at some point. (Renovations aren't always necessary, just because one moves, surely. It depends on the place you are moving to.)

DH and I are both late 30s, we moved to a bungalow last year with our baby and toddler. Great sized rooms, huge garden, no need to worry about stair gates (great for us just now), lovely location. That said, it's needed/needs A LOT of work as belonged to an elderly person previously and hadn't been touched in decades! We love it and see it as our forever home.

Also, excellent potential to extend! We've had planning permission granted to double the size of our property.

My grandmother lived in a 4th floor flat with no lift, all of her adult life. She'd go out at least once a day. I'm convinced it kept her fit in old age. She was still climbing those stairs in her 80's.

I live in a converted house with 2 full flights of stairs and 2 half flights. My garden is also down a long flight of stairs. I don't intend to move to one level at any stage. Maybe I'll need to, but maybe I won't. Not everyone does. But if it works for you OP then that's great.

So someone with stairs is always fitter than someone without?

Of course not! But if someone is doing the same fitness and has stairs they will be fitter!

People who don't have stairs (can) struggle with stairs as they get older - ask any OT or Physio.

I think an average Australian bungalow would keep you far fitter than the average UK bungalow, they tend to be far larger so have much more floor space to stride around.

Living 'on top' of a hill is very different to living in area with hills in the vicinity.
You don't plant to go anywhere much when you can't drive?
You could have a stroke at 66. I see it everyday. That's a lot of years to be potentially housebound.

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.

Why will I? 😂 if I eventually needed a carer to come in that's fine. But I see no reason whatsoever why I would leave my home

Op, I am just generally against the idea of retiring to a village in old age. Taxis are expensive and hard to come by. Infrequent bus service that probably won't be around for ever. Very few amenities and just general services. Very dark in the winter etc. I've currently got an unexpected injury that could see me out of action for 2 years- I'm completely screwed as its stopping me driving- im trapped.

It sounds really lovely to me!
And they always seem to be deceptively spacious.
It's a thumbs-up, OP!

And I hope you'll be really happy there.

I'm in my 40's and have moved into my second bungalow - the last one has dodgy parking. Bungalows are awesome.

Moved into ours in our late 30’s. We have been here 30 years. I love it!

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.

🙄🙄