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When most of us start looking for our first home, a bungalow probably isn’t the first thing to spring to mind. We generally consider apartments as starter homes: they’re small, simple to maintain and have just enough room for a single person or couple with few belongings. When we outgrow this first home, we tend to look at larger properties. Houses with two floors, townhouses with three floors. However, the humble bungalow is a great alternative you should consider. Living in a bungalow has a host of benefits that may surprise you and fit you just perfectly. Keep reading to find out whether a bungalow is the new home of your dreams.
What is a Bungalow?
In short, a bungalow is a low house that has only one story. The style, design, and appearance of individual bungalows can vary dramatically, but they all have low profiles and one-floor living. Some bungalows are tiny, with just a couple of rooms. Others are expansive, sprawling out with large, open plan rooms and plenty of space. Some are rustic, taking on the style of old, traditional cottages, while others have an overall more modern aesthetic. Whatever style of home you want, you can probably get it relatively easily with a bungalow.
Availability
Due to the lower general demand for bungalows, there’s greater availability on the market. You can generally find a bungalow for sale much more easily than other types of property, and you will experience less competition when it comes to bidding or putting in an offer.
Say Goodbye to Stairs
One of the main advantages of a bungalow? No stairs! This is a benefit that isn’t just for the elderly or the disabled. If you have young children, you are less likely to experience accidents involved when toys are left on the stairs or at the top or bottom of stairs. Also, the kids are less likely to trip or fall dangerously in general. The same goes for you!
Quiet, Amiable Neighbours
Considering many inhabitants of bungalows tend to be elderly or looking for quieter living, you’re less likely to find yourself with troublesome or disruptive neighbors. Instead, you have a greater chance of quiet, amiable, calm neighbors who are unlikely to start throwing house parties or playing loud music through all hours of the night. This is especially ideal if you work from home and need peace and quiet for your concentration and enhanced productivity.
You Can Always Extend
If your family grows, you want to rent, or you generally need more space in your bungalow, it’s good to remember that you can always extend a bungalow. There are a couple of ways to do this. Either you can convert the loft space into an extra room, or you can expand on the ground floor, adding extra rooms to the edges of your property. The option best for you depends on your personal taste, budget, as well as the extent and availability of land surrounding your property.
Don’t Worry About Security!
Many people avoid living in a bungalow or single-story home because they think that intruders can get in more easily, considering the whole layout is on the ground floor. When you consider that all properties have a ground floor, living in a bungalow doesn’t expose you to the risk of burglary any more than any other type of property. However, it’s still good to have basic security for any home. Protect your bungalow the same way you would any other building: install security systems, have cameras installed outside, and opt for motion sensor lighting in your front and back yards. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, regardless of how many floors your home may have.
These are just a few benefits that come with living in a bungalow. So, the next time you’re searching for a new home, give the humble bungalow a shot. Who knows, you may find that a bungalow is that perfect home you’ve been searching for!
I’ve always admired the architecture of bungalows.