# Extension or buy a bungalow **URL:** \ **Category:** Everyday living\ **Created:** [14 February 2013 21:17 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179 "2013-02-14T21:17:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ROSE117](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@ROSE117](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/ROSE117)\ **Post date:** [14 February 2013 21:17 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/1 "2013-02-14T21:17:37Z")
Hi, I am at stage where I can still go up stairs using handrail and can unsteadily walk about 50 yards.Presently I live in a two story house in a nice area, have room for an extension(which I would have to finance myself,woes of still working!),close to preschool which my daughter will hopefully attend next year but do wonder should I be looking for a bungalow. When did anyone decide it was time for first floor living? ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [14 February 2013 21:44 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/2 "2013-02-14T21:44:02Z")
If I was you I would think long term. If you built an extension… Your house would work really well for you when your daughters older? I suppose it depends on the set up of your house. I’ve always lived in house with stairs but my hubby has always lived in a bungalow. Maybe if you moved to a bungalow that you like now it would be better than moving to one when you felt like you really had to. I’m not helping am I! Lol ---
**Author:** ![Bambi19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@Bambi19](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Bambi19)\ **Post date:** [14 February 2013 21:58 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/3 "2013-02-14T21:58:30Z")
Hi Rose Bit of a dillema really isn’t it. Here’s my slant on it we live in a four bed sem 2 floors, it was originally 3 bed but we had an extension built to enable us to have a wetroom (far easier for me to use) I have two handrails on the staircase to help pull me up it. The only thing I desire now is a downstairs loo and I do have somewhere in mind for that. Hehe We live in a picturesque location and I always said the only way I’m leaving here is in a box lol If stick comes to lift I’d have a stairlift fitted to get me up & down if needed. Think long & hard sometimes it’s better the devil you know & all that, do you have good neighbours, is the school good enough for your daughter etc etc. Good luck with whatever you decide. Sue x ---
**Author:** ![Sewingchick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Sewingchick](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Sewingchick)\ **Post date:** [14 February 2013 22:28 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/4 "2013-02-14T22:28:08Z")
I think stairs are an asset - you want to keep going up them as long as you can … However, don’t be too sure you will be able to have a stair-lift put in if you can’t get up the stairs any more. Two MSers I know have been told they can’t have them because of the danger of muscle spasms making them fall off the seat ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [15 February 2013 11:34 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/5 "2013-02-15T11:34:30Z")
Hi Rose, I lived in a house that I liked in an area that I loved but was forced to get a bungalow so that I could use a wheelchair indoors. I miss my house but I have to say that bungalow living is fabulous. It’s only a couple of steps from here to anywhere. Much easier. My situation is very different though, I only had to choose for myself – I don’t have a young family to consider. Sewingchick is right about the chair lift in that OTs don’t like to recommend/fund them for people with MS but I know lots of MSers use them. (I suppose it depends on your symptoms) If you have a husband or friends and family to help you move in the future I would probably go down the adaption route because who knows that might be enough to sort you out forever. It wasn’t possible to extend my house so I didn’t have that option but I think I would have done if I could. Jane ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [15 February 2013 15:53 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/6 "2013-02-15T15:53:50Z")
I moved out of my house to a bungalow because the stairs were becoming too much. Now I struggle with steps anywhere and wish I had persevered for longer. I also found out (after selling) that there is a “through-floor lift” which allows a wheelchair user to get upstairs. I am also having to fund a wet-room and extension myself, so know where you are coming from with your working comment. If you are happy where you are, my vote would be to stay put. ---
**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\ **Post date:** [15 February 2013 16:10 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/7 "2013-02-15T16:10:22Z")
Hi, it is a dilemma, but particularly right now, with a slump in the housing market. Bungalows have always been a bit more expensive than houses and are rarer to find. I live in one, but when we came here we had 2 daughters, so we added a loft conversion. Back then I had no health issues. When they left home, we moved upstairs, but we had no loo up there then and it was a pain going down to the only loo. So we moved back downstairs again. I love having our bedroom downstairs, opposite the wet room. If i have a day in bed, I dont feel `shoved away` upstairs. I have heard that some councils wont put stair lifts in and make people have a thru the floor lift installed. it takes up a lot of valuable floor space. Financially, it may be more viable to add the extension and of course, there`s no hassle with trying to sell/buy. Have I helped you make your decision? luv Pollx ---
**Author:** ![AnnieB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@AnnieB](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/AnnieB)\ **Post date:** [15 February 2013 16:46 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/extension-or-buy-a-bungalow/3179/8 "2013-02-15T16:46:20Z")
**Hi** **There are a lot of things to weigh up, some of which may be:** **neighbours/friends** **schooling for your daughter** **ease/practicality/cost of an extension/alteration** **finding a suitable new property** **cost/hassle of moving** **There are no easy answers. I am currently facing the same dilemma, let us know what you decide.**