Brian Page discovers that single-storey living, while handy for those with dodgy knees, is not just for old folk… as highlighted by this round-up of bungalows to rent.

GETTING older, one of my drinking pals opined this week, has not got a lot to recommend it. It may not be an original thought, but it certainly struck a chord.

Because this week the old knees have been playing up something rotten, as my grandfather used to say.

And when you live in a threestorey house that is not a lot of fun… my kneecaps have been crackling like a bag of ball bearings on a roundabout (another of my grandad’s favourite sayings).

So, the idea of living on a single floor has suddenly started to appeal.

A bungalow in short...

And, especially when you can get a bungalow as big, spacious and as impressive as our opening property to let, Ridgefield, a super-smart property in Escrick Road, Stillingfleet.

This is the sort of property that reminds you, despite the opening preamble, that bungalows should definitely not be confined to older folk… It is a handsome-looking home by any standard; tucked away by iron gates and surrounded by countryside in a popular village location, it certainly has plenty of space to play with.

There is a 23ft through lounge, for starters, with a separate dining room, a delightful oak-fitted breakfast kitchen (with oven, hob, dishwasher and fridge) and a utility room and cloakroom. All three of the bedrooms are good doubles and there is a smart bathroom. It’s wrapped up in large gardens (with the lawns and hedges maintained by the landlord, so there’s a plus) and a garage.

A very decent letting offered by Stephensons at £950pcm.

The same agents also have a really pleasant, well-presented detached bungalow on offer in another village location, in this instance in Main Street, Full Sutton. Again, there is a good deal of space, including a hallway, 19ft lounge, separate dining room and fitted kitchen and utility room. There are double bedrooms and a bathroom. With gardens to front and rear and a garage, it is offered at £850pcm.

Staying out in the sticks, here’s another offering in a delightful rural location. It is a “deceptively spacious”

two/three bedroomed detached bungalow in Skirpenbeck, just beyond Stamford Bridge.

Highlights here include a smart sitting room, dining room (or third bedroom), an impressive kitchen and utility room and a shower room.

There are two bedrooms and a bathroom. It’s nicely edged by attractive lawned gardens and there is a driveway and garage. Reeds Rains are looking for £650pcm.

Back to York and out the other side, we have a flurry of properties in Copmanthorpe, a good spot handy for the city centre and commuting routes while having plenty of local amenities in its own right.

Here, Hudson Moody can offer a detached bungalow in Flaxman Court. Again, a good size, this one boasts a light and spacious living room with attractive feature fireplace, a kitchen with a range of fitted units and appliances, two bedrooms and a house bathroom.

Outside, there is a drive leading to a single garage and there are gardens to front and back. The rental is £650pcm.

Not to be outdone, Arena Letting can offer another cutie, this one in Rutland Close, Copmanthorpe. This one has a living room, fitted kitchen, two bedrooms and the bonus of a newly-fitted family bathroom.

Gardens to front and rear, driveway and garage complete a tidy package for which the rental is £675pcm.

We’ve had two in ‘Cop’, now here are two in ‘Bish’ – Bishopthorpe, that is. They are both on the books of the good folk at Quantum.

The first, in School Lane, is a detached dormer bungalow, again with lots of room including a goodsized lounge with the added attraction of a conservatory, a kitchen and modern bathroom, three bedrooms (one to the ground floor, two to the dormer bit) and big paved driveway leading to a garage and enclosed garden to the rear. It’s in a quiet culde- sac spot for those who like their P and Q. The rental is £695pcm.

A short stroll away in Montague Road, we find the second Quantum offering. The property has been refurbished to a high standard including a new kitchen (and new boiler and heating system) and new carpets and fresh decor throughout.

There’s a large lounge, two bedrooms and gardens to front and back. Those looking for a fresh type should definitely take a look at this one. The rental is £700pcm.

Here’s another newly-renovated property, this one closer to York, in Yearsley Crescent, off Huntington Road. Offered unfurnished after its refurb, it is a detached home with an entrance hall, lounge with patio doors to the rear garden, a kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

There is the added bonus of a double garage and gardens to side and back. Linley and Simpson are looking for £650pcm.

Our next pick is in Worcester Drive, Appletree Village, a good spot with good access to the university, Monks Cross and the inner ring road (as well as the A64).

Here we have a lounge, dining room with patio doors to the garden, kitchen with cooker, fridge/freezer and washing machine and a rear lobby area.

There are two double bedrooms – one with fitted wardrobes.

Mature gardens to front and back (maintained by a gardener at no extra cost – how good is that?) and a garage complete the picture. Linley and Simpson are the agents on this one and the rental is £725pcm.

Next we have a trim and tidy pair from Martin and Co.

The first is a newly-decorated bungalow in Barley View, Wigginton – we really like the look of this one, it has a nice modern feel to the interior with a particularly light and airy sitting room and there is nicely-fitted furniture to the main bedroom and the bathroom is also very contemporary.

Overall there is a living room with dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom. An enclosed garden brings up the rear. The rental is £675pcm.

Also from Martin and Co is another smart bungalow, this one in Deveron Way, Woodthorpe. What do we like here? Well, there is a pretty-looking garden to the back and the benefit of a garage.

The interior, too, looks good, particularly the modern, wellfitted kitchen. There’s a good lounge, two double bedrooms and a single and a bathroom. The rental is £775pcm.

And finally, in our last but definitely not least spot, comes the brilliantlynamed Viking Cottage in Bolton Lane, Bolton, near Wilberfoss. We think this is a little gem.

A converted farm building, set all on one level, it has a top-of-therange fitted kitchen complete with white goods.

here is an open-plan lounge area, two double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a very attractive walk-in shower.

Its location is a smart one, too, set as it is in open countryside but close to Pocklington and within 20 minutes of York. It’s offered, unfurnished, by Quantum at a rental of £750pcm.