Some of us poor saps could never afford the down payment for a house of our own right now, nor do we have the credit to do so....so renting is a good option. One just has to make adjustments to our expectations when renting. My current rent is $375 a month for a nice little ol' farmhouse on 1+ acre. The drawback? Very rural area that has little employment opportunities and is far from places of commerce.
[/img]
There are several aspects of renting that I enjoy: I don't pay the taxes, the repairs, or the interest on the home. If I wish to move, I don't have to wait until I sell my home to purchase another. Its unusual while renting, but my landlord gives me amazing freedom to paint or remodel~within reason, I'm sure~and also lowers my rent by $25 each year I stay here, as an incentive to stay.
Some I don't enjoy: I may have to find a new home at any moment(deaths, divorce, sale of property, who knows?), any improvements I may make are for someone else's property, and I am obliged to ask to make any changes that I want to make, just to avoid any misunderstandings.
If you are paying more than a quarter of your monthly income for rent, you are losing the battle and you need to move to somewhere you can afford to live. I pay less~I make less~but I pay less, so it all evens out!
