Downsizing - but where to go??

Okay, fancy moving, not really downsizing but fancy a bungalow. All the areas we thought we would love to live seem to have a lot of negatives when you actually think it through. We have been exploring different areas and have now found that if its not flood risk, its fracking or HS2 hanging over it. where have you moved to and loved, or where are you planning, any recommendations please.

What kind of house do you live in at the moment? What is your budget? You say that you don't really want to downsize but for the equivalent price, bungalows are usually smaller than houses. This tends to be more noticeable in the size of bedrooms. If you have children, particularly teenagers they may not be the best choice due to noise, space and privacy. Some people dislike bungalows - maybe it is because they are often associated with being elderly. Have lived in a bungalow for many years and always loved it; we are now old and it is nice not to have to move as it meets our needs. Problem is that there are not that many to choose from and when they do come onto the market they are often snapped up quite quickly. Very few bungalows are built these days due to the amount of land they take up. You probably need to think carefully about your lifestyle and needs.

Yes Jomie, you are correct, there are no many being built and they do seem to get snapped up quickly. We are also getting 'elderly' so thinking a bungalow would suit us, but as we are moving from a large 3 bed det house in a pretty village, we want a large detached bungalow 2/3/4 bedrooms so that we can configure the layout for us, add a conservatory etc., and in a lovely area. Glad you are happy in your place, thanks for your response.

Move to the coast?

It's a difficult situation.

There's a real lack of suitable properties to downsize to. Per sq foot, bungalows are expensive, so at a time when people probably want to free up equity, they'd be hard pushed to find a bungalow cheap enough, especially in towns, where land is scarce. Where my parents live, out in the sticks, it's like bungalow-central (reams of cookie-cutter, nasty, soulless boxes). But who wants to live miles away from amenities when they might not have a driving licence/car to rely on?

Also, from what I've seen, properties suitable to retire to, on the whole, leave a lot to be desired. Pokey rooms, poxy kitchens, little or no access to outside space. What people probably don't need is a lot of bedrooms and a huge garden, but that doesn't mean they've given up on style and comfort altogether!

Maybe the answer is more apartments, with lift access and balcony space, aimed at more than just the young renter?

Unstone: a couple of bungalows for sale, one new build... one 1950's/60's. Nice village.

No shops in walking distance, situated on a main (busy) road and 1 pub at it's disposal. I'd also not class Unstone as a 'village' either.

The OP would be much better moving up the road to Dronfield/Dronfield Woodhouse if they were looking in and around S18.

Olive makes a good point re location. In the senior years it is possibly as important as the property itself. Being close to facilities is really useful.

Kk - in view of the fact that you don't want to downsize, it sounds as if you might not release equity from your current property. Would it be worth considering leaving it until you feel that a smaller home would suffice? The move might then not be so expensive. Depending on area, a 3 bed detached house sometimes equates to a smallish 2 bed bungalow.

There was a survey about the best age to downsize and the result was 64 years - link. Money Box on Radio 4 discussed this a few weeks ago - link. It was about the government's white paper on housing policy. They are considering incentives to encourage older people to downsize e.g. exemptions from stamp duty and help with moving costs.

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Todwick, South Anston, North Anston, other similar villages. A lot depends on budget though.

It depends on your budget! Somewhere near fullwood perhaps? (if you can afford it)

Have a look at Handsworth S13 8NN back of peugot garage a brilliant little estate . Few mins 52 bus asda some bungalows on there you have to be patient and wait till one comes up . You want to know someone who lives on estate so they can let you know when one is for sale as they sell fast Looking at £180.000 to £200. 000 price range