Bungalow

[EllieRay]

We have found a property for sale, our dream plot. Loads of space for the kids, wrap around private garden in our budget.

The catch is that it's a bungalow and not a house. We would extend the bungalow to give us a big kitchen family space but all bedrooms would stay downstairs.

Going up wouldn't be an option as it would be out of our budget/push the ceiling price of the house.

We would have plenty of space and the plot we want but we are struggling to come to terms with living in a bungalow as a young family.

Any pros and cons of bungalow living?

I absolutely love living in a bungalow, it never occurred to me when we moved that anyone would think it was odd, but I've seen people say that several times. Honestly, the only con I can think of is that there's no under stairs cupboard Pros off the top of my head: flexible living - depending on the layout you could decide that the dining room is a bedroom and vice versa as they're all on one floor. Bedrooms don't get so hot in the summer!

Bungalows are brilliant. I struggle to see what your actual issue is?

Same as a ground floor flat.

I live in a 2 bed bungalow (could put an en-suite in the loft later) and compared to the 2 bed house I lived in before it's great. I am disabled so no stairs and shorter distances to carry things like washing make such a difference. I can also go the loo and be less than 3m from DS.

Bungalows are the best!

I think houses are the poor relation and bungalows are best every time
They are rarer now because builders can get more money by building houses on the plots.
I have lived in very large detached houses but always preferred a bungalow
With a bungalow there are no more wasted rooms sitting empty upstairs for the majority of the time
A room can be easily interchangeable when its all on one floor.
If you have a wrap around garden too you've hit the jackpot in my eyes!

I don't actually know what our issue is!!
I think we just expected to buy a house and see a bungalow as less of a family home.

We've never lived in a bungalow and don't want to regret it when spending so much money but the positives sound good!!

I loved living in a bungalow and would definitely buy one as a forever family home now if the right one came up.
Yours sounds perfect!

I have absolutely no idea why a bungalow would be less of a family home? Not a one.

Growing up, we always lived in a bungalow. 2 different ones. They both had a door in the hall to close off the bedrooms from the living areas which seemed to make sense if you need separation but I can't see any issue if it didn't have that. I would have happily bought a bungalow for my young family but they cost too much is my area!

Keep in mind that there is a shortage of bungalows to meet demand. They are always popular with older people. When you come to sell it gives you and edge.

Lots of bungalows were built in the 1960s but not so many now, so often they are in big demand.
I've just put DM's bungalow up for sale and there were offers of full price within days. Not because it's fabulous but because there are usually more people wanting bungalows than there are up for sale.

As to living in one, my first home with DH was a bungalow. The massive advantage is that you can use the rooms as you wish.
Spare bedroom can be a dining room or a study. Yes you could do this in a house but it would feel a bit odd.

I honestly cannot understand why people are wary of bungalows. Think of it as a massive flat with no one above, below or beside you. I live in a chalet bungalow and absolutely love it. Loads of floor space. So much so my daughter thinks it's ok to scoot around in the house!

I'd love a bungalow if the plot was decent. Op the one you have found sounds absolutely brilliant.

We want to downsize, we have 5 bed detached house at the moment, far too much work for me now, DS’ grown up. We want to sell and buy a 3 bed bungalow, it will be so much easier.

I'm not seeing the problem, tbh. I grew up in a bungalow, DH grew up in one too, I'd happily live in one now. No stairs to drag things up and down would be bliss. You'll have no trouble selling it either, they are always in demand.

I have lived in 4 bungalows and I love them. I don't see it being a problem living in one with a family. My son loves mine and would live here no problem.

They are easy to maintain and clean [windows, fascias, soffits] and decorate...no high stairwells. They are usually on a good sized plot and gardens usually have no overlooking windows....if in an area of other bungalows. No constantly going up and down stairs to bathroom/wc, to clean or put ironing away.

There are quite a few in the town where I am and I have noticed families living in them more often in recent years...as people realise they aren't just for old people, but offer a practical way of living.

And no problem selling them on, they sell very quickly. So I do not really understand your reluctance.

Thanks everyone, the positive stories have put my mind at ease!

I think it was just a last minute panic! We are going to put our offer in!

Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

Well done!

Pros:- No carrying babies/young children up and down stairs

• No need for 2 stair gates
• No carry the hover up and down stairs and trying to vacuum them
• No carrying linen/clothes/washing up and down stairs
• No need to go up and down the stairs everytime you need the loo (if there is only 1)
• You could always go into the loft in the future if finances improve

I'm only 40, but will need a knee replacement in time, so one level living is FAR easier and I'd never have a staired home again.

Good luck. I think the issue is they are associated with the elderly because when you can’t do stairs any more you tend to move to a bungalow.

We viewed one years ago, and I’d have considered it to be honest, it wasn’t the fact it was a bungalow that made us not wish it, it just wasn’t right. But I do get the thought process op.

I think though if you’re one for having friends over, or the tv on late, or you’re up late, pottering, it’s best the kids are upstairs sleeping than just across the hall so they are not disturbed by someone moving about outside their rooms.

This is exactly what happened to us last year and we had to outbid developers to get our hands on it. Pros are you usually get big garden and great floor space, cons are.... well nothing really. They usually have a decent sized loft space too so we've had an extension in phase 1 of our build and in phase 2 we convert the (now frickin enormous) loft :)

It will end up going from a 2.5 bed bungalow to a 6 bed place in a private road in a nice area :)

My house is a house but my little girls dad lives in a bungalow. She is much keener to play in her room there. I would love a bungalow for this reason.

Yes the kids playing in their rooms more would be great and free up more of the living space.

The bedrooms are all on one side and the kitchen/family space is on the other so I think it will be perfect.

We are going to have to pay top of our budget for it but the owner has lived in it since the 60's and doesn't want to sell to a builder so 🤞🏻 we are in with a good chance!