Why Bungalows Are A Good Investment For Older Adults

Living independently for as long as possible is something the majority of people aspire to but achieving this will likely require a few potentially difficult decisions – including possibly moving house and finding something better suited to your evolving needs.

For older people, one of the best property types available if you are considering relocating is a bungalow. 

Now, these don’t have to be small properties by any means and, in fact, you may well find that their layout and floor plan are particularly attractive prospects, not to mention the fact that bungalows very often have especially large gardens, so you could find yourself with a very large plot indeed.

Practicalities

From a practical perspective, bungalows represent an excellent investment for ageing in place because they’re laid out over a single storey, which instantly makes them more accessible.

The bathroom, for example, is one of the most dangerous places in the house, where slips, trips and falls often take place. 

By having this living space on the ground floor, you instantly make access safer since you don’t have to go upstairs to carry out personal care. Wheelchair users are also sure to appreciate the fact that the downstairs bathroom is easier for them to make use of.

When it comes to home adaptations, the bathroom is one of the places that needs significant attention and an overhaul of the space can be quite disruptive, made even harder for residents if the bathroom is upstairs. 

Having it on the ground floor will make any necessary construction work easier to complete – and potentially more cost-effective, as well.

Recent research, carried out by McCarthy & Stone, found that these kinds of properties are proving increasingly attractive options to those over the age of 65, with 60 per cent saying that they would consider moving to a bungalow in the future.

Perceived benefits of doing so were given as ease of maintenance, space for a garden and the fact that these properties appear to be more appropriate for older people.

McCarthy & Stone chief executive John Tonkiss was quoted by Housing Today as saying: “Bungalows are increasingly popular amongst older generations and should be a consideration for any drive to build more suitable housing. They are easier to maintain, are built with older people in mind and help maintain independence for longer.”

Another key point to bear in mind is that bungalows are easier to navigate for a wide range of different people, not just older demographics. So if you have friends and family with mobility issues, or young grandchildren who may find it hard to go up and down stairs, you can make it easier for them to come and spend time with you, as well.

Of course, relocating can be an emotional decision and it’s often easier to do so before your hand is forced through a change in circumstances. As such, perhaps it’s time to take stock and see if now’s the right time to consider a downsize.