Bungalows in need of modernising

Joseann

Callistemon21

A bungalow is a great place to live in - I have no idea why they are treated with derision
Me neither. I'd like to move to one but there are few in this locality and they're either crammed in or on a main road.

In New Zealand the term 'bungalow' is offensive apparently. Who knew, I didn't until I admired our host's home and she retorted "it's not a bungalow, it's a house!"
There are a lot of well-planned, spacious single storey homes in New Zealand and Australia, but perhaps lack of space prevents them being built here now where land is at a premium.

That's so strange you say that. My niece in NZ has just sent me the particulars of the "home" she has bought. It's definitely a bungalow, very contemporary, with decking and a pool, but it's just called a "property" or "house" in the blurb.

I was quite astonished to have upset our lovely hostess when I admired her 'bungalow'. "It's a house!" she said.
Bungalows are, apparently, tiny, shoddily built cottages in NZ.

I would have no hesitation in buying a property needing renovation. Did that a couple of times. I did live in a bungalow 26 years ago but found the transfer of noise awful, just couldn't seem to "get away" from it even though only two of us.
On last move 15 years ago landed up looking at bungalows again but just couldn't get away from the feeling of feeling ancient (63 and 64 years then). Bought an up/downstairs, glad I did as stairs provide exercise. When I can't walk, probably a bungalow again.

Grammaretto

I agree corner! Why do people buy one thing just to turn it into something else?

Phil and Kirsty tv programmes encourage this trend by adding extensions in all directions.

Just move if you grow out of your house!

Moving does cost a lot, sometimes it's more cost-effective to spend that money on improvements.

Primrose53

There are a lot of really big, spacious bungalows around here and mostly self built in the 70s and 80s.

I have never lived in a bungalow and what would put me off is not being able to leave bedroom windows wide open in case somebody climbed in! 😱 in really hot weather I love the windows open at night in our house.

What you need, Primrose, is a chalet bungalow - another much-maligned species of home, with one or more rooms upstairs in the loft, which can accommodate the ncessary headroom because the extra footprint of the house gives a larger area of roof and thus at 45 degrees extra height too.

You could have a summer bedroom upstairs where the windows could stay wide open at night, and a winter one downstairs where open hopper windows are too small for anyone to sneak in.

The windows in our bedroom have two closing mechanism – you can close the windows completely or close them with a small gap to let the air in.

The gap is so small, you cannot put a finger through it but it let the air in. Much safer than the open hopper windows if you live in a bungalow.

I can’t call my property a true bungalow as it’s split level, with rooms downstairs. From the front it looks like a bungalow.

Contrary to the small and pokey assumptions, it’s misleadingly large, with what I call “the field” (my garden) at the back. I like it now, but not newly married, when I christened it Hitler’s Bunker as it was pebble dashed😨 It is very convenient, needs updating and I could and maybe should, downsize. I’m in a prime location with a large Victorian house next door and have a five minute walk to the beach. I cannot image living in a terrace or semi with neighbours now.

Have you heard of “bungalow swallowing” where the character is changed it no longer resembles a bungalow? Mine now, painted white, green shutters, window boxes, arched trellis etc etc is now called ‘The Lodge”😁

I haven't moved in 44 years so I can see it's going to be a nasty shock when I find out about the costs involved.

At the monent I am seriously considering building a low maintenance "bungalow" in the garden, subject to laws and logistics.

I love the location I have so would be loath to move further from buses and shops. But I live on 3 floors in a house meant for more people.