Should you buy a bungalow as you get older?

youth_leader

I wish I could have afforded a house with the potential for a stairlift to be fitted, I was about £25K short of local house prices when I bought this bungalow. 

I am now 68 and have been here for four years and bungalow legs is definitely a 'thing'. I went to Madeira at Christmas and stayed in a hotel .... checking in I noticed a large marble staircase and realised it was up to the restaurant.  I was embarrassed to ask if there was a lift.  I do miss 'going up' to bed, as well as being able to survey my surroundings.  

GDB2222

youth_leader said:

I wish I could have afforded a house with the potential for a stairlift to be fitted, I was about £25K short of local house prices when I bought this bungalow. 

I am now 68 and have been here for four years and bungalow legs is definitely a 'thing'. I went to Madeira at Christmas and stayed in a hotel .... checking in I noticed a large marble staircase and realised it was up to the restaurant.  I was embarrassed to ask if there was a lift.  I do miss 'going up' to bed, as well as being able to survey my surroundings.  

When MIL died, we inherited her dog. That dog could not manage our stairs. It had bungalow legs. 

SarahB16

incus432 said:

... we chose a detached house where one of the downstairs reception rooms could be converted into a bedroom and ensuite when necessary. Also level access.

Is a stairlift not possible? Surely installing a stairlift would make more sense? Gives you more rooms downstairs to use as you wish.  

A downstairs bedroom and ensuite would surely only be required if you were very frail and couldn't get to the bathroom in time which is on the same level. 

Cairnpapple

SarahB16 said:

incus432 said:

... we chose a detached house where one of the downstairs reception rooms could be converted into a bedroom and ensuite when necessary. Also level access.

Is a stairlift not possible? Surely installing a stairlift would make more sense? Gives you more rooms downstairs to use as you wish.  

A downstairs bedroom and ensuite would surely only be required if you were very frail and couldn't get to the bathroom in time which is on the same level. 

If you're buying what you intend to be your last home, it's probably not a bad idea to plan for becoming very frail. If you use a wheelchair or walker it may be less faff to be on one level. 

koalakoala

A bungalow for me every time

Maahes

When I bought two years ago we wanted at least some bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor due to stair climbing issues for two of my family. Due to the number of bedrooms we needed - 4 minimum - there were no bungalows available. I did get lucky and find a house with an odd layout with three double bedrooms and the main bathroom on the ground floor and another two bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor.

Albermarle

Cairnpapple said:

SarahB16 said:

incus432 said:

... we chose a detached house where one of the downstairs reception rooms could be converted into a bedroom and ensuite when necessary. Also level access.

Is a stairlift not possible? Surely installing a stairlift would make more sense? Gives you more rooms downstairs to use as you wish.  

A downstairs bedroom and ensuite would surely only be required if you were very frail and couldn't get to the bathroom in time which is on the same level. 

If you're buying what you intend to be your last home, it's probably not a bad idea to plan for becoming very frail. If you use a wheelchair or walker it may be less faff to be on one level. 

The immediate surroundings of the property are also as important ( maybe more so) than having just one level.
Only small step up to entrance door, flat driveway/pavement, driveway long enough to have a ramp, flat and level access to local amenities, not on busy main road etc .

Albermarle

chrisw said:

Can you rent the bungalow out for a few years until you get a clearer idea of your future requirements?

As mentioned regularly in many threads, renting out a property is not to be taken lightly.
There are a lot of rules to follow, potential problems with tenants, maintenance etc.
Although as the bungalow came to the OP at zero cost, at least the rent would be mostly profit.

youth_leader

@Albermarle has reminded me of my bungalow hunt in Exmouth in Devon and I agree, the surroundings are so important. 

I went to view two bungalows in a place called 'The Marles', it was miles of bungalows on sloping hills with a varying gradient.  I had got the bus there and hadn't realised Exmouth was so hilly, it was a struggle for me.  Both bungalows had steps up to the front door, and very steep tarmacked drives. I wouldn't have enjoyed living there.

bouicca21

I have ended up in a ground floor flat - it was the best option for the money but I do think it will be handy if I become less mobile. No fear of bungalow legs as I go to the gym and cycle regularly.  My location requirements were good transport links within a short walk, coffee shops, green space, easy access to supermarkets.  What I didn’t think about was that even though I was keeping in touch with friends I would need to make new ones and that can be difficult when you are older. I’m very happy with my space, my new friends and the locality.