Bungalow vs. Condo: Which Is Right for Your Downsize in Waterloo Region?

Nicole Schell, Broker and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) with the Schell Real Estate Team in Waterloo Region, hears this question from almost every downsizer she works with: bungalow or condo?

Adapted from a social post Nicole originally shared in April 2026.

It Isn't Really About the Property

Most people think the hardest part of downsizing is deciding to move. It isn't. The harder decision usually comes after that, once the options are actually in front of you: a condo apartment, or a house like a bungalow. Both can make sense, which is exactly what makes the choice difficult. The real question isn't which property is better. It's how you want to live, now and in the years ahead.

What a Condo Can Offer

A condo can feel simple. There's less upkeep, no lawn to mow or snow to shovel, and you can lock the door and travel without worrying about the house. For anyone who spends part of the year away, or who wants fewer responsibilities day to day, that peace of mind matters.

What a Bungalow Can Offer

A bungalow tends to offer more space and more privacy, with no one living above or below you. It often still feels like a home in the way people expect, close to the life they've known. The tradeoff is more of it to look after.

Don't Overlook Condo Fees

A condo typically comes with a monthly fee that a stand-alone bungalow doesn't. There are exceptions. Some bungalows are set up as condominiums themselves, often called bungalow condos, or sit within a community that carries its own maintenance fee, so it's worth confirming how a specific property is structured rather than assuming. Where there's no fee, the bungalow still carries its own ongoing costs, lawn care, snow removal, and repairs, they just arrive as separate bills instead of one. A fair comparison weighs any recurring fee against what you'd actually spend keeping the home in good shape, not only the purchase price. Fees also vary by building or community, depending on what they cover and how well the reserve fund is managed, so it's worth asking about that directly for any property you're considering.

Questions Worth Asking Yourself

A few questions tend to make the decision clearer:

• What does an average weekday look like for you now, and what would you want it to look like?
• How much maintenance are you willing to take on?
• Do you picture yourself traveling more, or spending part of the winter somewhere warmer?
• How long are you likely to be away from home at a time?

There's No Single Right Answer

Some people feel settled the moment they walk into a condo. Others feel that way stepping into a bungalow. Neither choice is wrong, and there's no need to decide right away. Look at both. Spend time in each and pay attention to how it actually feels to be there, not just what it looks like on paper. That's usually when the decision becomes clear.

If you're weighing a bungalow against a condo for your own downsize in Waterloo Region, I'd be glad to talk through what fits your situation. You can read more about how the process works on the Downsizing in Waterloo Region hub page, or reach out directly to talk about your own timeline.