Renting vs Buying... Can't find reason to buy!

[neatdesign]

Originally Posted by Seeker

Jenney, your "shame" is because you allowed circumstances to make you feel "shame." There's no shame in choosing to rent. Not in any realistic view of any personal situation. People make a choice to feel whatever. Nobody controls what any other person feels. We each control our own feelings.

You say that as if I'm the only person in the whole world who has felt as if renters are considered less-thans to their homeowner counterparts. I'm not. This is not some weird psychological obstacle that I created in my own mind.

For generations, owning one's own home has been considered a goal of most Americans. When people buy homes, there is celebration -- not just by the new owners, but by their families and friends. A milestone has been achieved, and certain benefits that were previously unavailable are suddenly at hand. It's part of the American Dream, and that equals success. Renting means that you have not attained that part of the American Dream, which many people -- whether they realise it or not -- equate with lacking success. That's where the stigma comes in. I don't like it, and I think it sucks and is based on materialistic suppositions, but it's there all the same.

If you have never heard of this concept, then maybe it's because you are from a different part of the country and/or an older generation. But just because you're unfamiliar with it doesn't mean I am suffering from deliberate self-loathing!

~ Jenney

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Why wouldn't you rent a bigger place OP?

Do you feel keeping the baby in a 1 bd appropriate until what age?

[yellow heel]

lal, yes I am considering a bigger place renting or buying. I wanted to explore all my options before leaping into anything. I this was the whole reason I crunched all the numbers to see what the best choice would be for me. I will probably end up renting a 2br for around 2000 in a nice location.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by neatdesign

You say that as if I'm the only person in the whole world who has felt as if renters are considered less-thans to their homeowner counterparts. I'm not. This is not some weird psychological obstacle that I created in my own mind.

Most homeowners have indeed been renters at one point or another.

I do not deny that that feeling exists out there... but I know that people have reasons for what they do. Those reasons are really none of my business.

I tend to judge people on people bahavior (feelings and emotions) and not the materialistic basis. If someone were "snobish" toward me because I was a "renter" and they an "owner" and that feeling were the overriding feeling, then I'd very simply not continue to associate with that person. My choice; and I'd feel no "shame" in it.

Reasons for renting do NOT "equate" to a lack of success...

Renting can very well equate to other sorts of problems that people contend with (for instance, spending monies on: medical problems, accidents, theft, natural disasters out of anyone's control, or even giving money to parents or family or friends in need).

Renting can also be a choice for mobility and freedom.... a choice not to tie yourself down and thus, not "equate" to anything financial whatsoever. Some "rich" and very successful people rent, and some people even "rent" the furniture in their rental, and rent the services of a maid, etc.

IMO, in today's economy, it's even more harsh to judge our fellow man over financial choices.

At any point in time, any one of us, could very well need to start over so to speak. One never knows.

No, I'm 1st generation American... I don't "think" like many people.

If the "American Dream" is to own a home... is not American "success" thereby defined as having money? Many cultures do not place materialism before people; my own included.

Frankly, I get the sense that Americans are changing in their priorities. Family IS becoming more important than materialism as time goes on. It's a change for the better.

All I'm saying is that each and every one of us makes our own choices; all we can do is the best we can, at each moment in time.

I'm sorry if you think I was personally criticising you Jenney... I certainly did not have that intention.

[whitestripe]

it is funny, i often think that renters are treated horribly by real estates (in australia anyway). i think it is quite odd when really, aren't a lot of people making money by 'investing' in property to rent? renters should be treated NICELY.
i have just bought my first house with my fiance, but had to rent for four years before buying. i consider that LONG ENOUGH for myself, personally, and i know people rent for MUCH more than that normally.

for me, i wanted to buy a house, yes, to hopefully set myself up in life so that later on, we may sell and buy another, or keep the current one and rent. another reason i wanted to buy is so that i do not have to deal with being 'a renter'. so i am 100% happy for anyone who does not feel, or are not made to feel, like less of a person for renting. where ever and who ever you are renting from, stay there! that's all i have to say!