Living in North Queensland,I have deliberately chosen a Low Set home,which though not two storey is set up about 3 feet off the ground to allow for Wet Season Flooding. I cannot manage any more steps than the few I have due to severe arthritis which I have suffered with since my early teens.
We are experiencing the hottest and driest year since records were started!! It does not seem that we shall get a wet season this summer, which means two failed ones in a row!! We are now on severe water restrictions and only allowed to use sprinklers for 2 hours in the very early morning and then in the evening,2 days a week!! This is quite unbelievable when we consider that Townsville is in the TROPICS!!! Dry tropics,indeed,but STILL the tropics!
I must admit though,that the warmth is definitely far better for my health than the cold of Melbourne where I grew up!!
For anyone who does not think there is such a thing as Climate Change,I certainly Beg To Differ after 35 years here!!!
But back to the question about houses.... I love my Low-set Queenslander,as it catches any small amount of breeze,thanks to both the casement windows and the fact that it is up off the ground just that small amount! They are called 'Queenslanders' as they were originally built to make the most of the climate in this state. Mine has withstood,floods,cyclones,and anything else which Mother Nature has thrown at it since it was built back in the late 50's!