A survey from the HomeOwners Alliance shows many over-55s would like to move to a bungalow. Herald columnist Rosemary Goring cannot agree.

Some years ago, we moved to a rambling old house in the country.

On hearing of its quirky layout, a friend expressed surprise that we had opted for a place that was not on one level. Even the garden had slopes steep enough for sledging.

Was this wise? he asked, conjuring a vision of a time when the prospect of descending a conventional flight of stairs in our non-slip slippers, let alone the spiral staircase we later built into the attic, would have us calling out mountain rescue.

Almost a decade on, I’m glad to report that thus far we have managed to reach our upstairs rooms without incident. Indeed, part of the house’s charm is the view from the upper floors.

Rosemary Goring moved to a 'rambling' country house much like this one.(Image: Stonefield)

Even on sodden November days the upstairs rooms feel bright and outward-looking, rising above the dreariness of rain-lashed vegetation and catching whatever glimmer of light the sky has to offer.

A recent report, however, suggests that my stair-phobic friend is by no means alone in his dread of anything that requires leg work.

Research by the HomeOwners Alliance reveals that 38% of over-55s say that for their next move their residence of choice would be a bungalow.

Despite this, painfully few manage to make that switch. Various factors are cited for staying put, among them the effort and stress involved, and the regret of leaving a community they feel part of.

A significant additional hurdle, however, is the dearth of bungalows on the market.

It’s not just that their owners cling on like barnacles. It’s that the bungalow has become an endangered species. Compared to 1990, when 11% of newly registered buildings fell into this category, by last year it had........

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