Is it better for bachelors to rent or buy a house?

[RickyBobby83]

Just wondering what you guys think. What are the pros and cons?


- Renting seems to be cheaper, there is less maintenance, and it is easier to move.

- Buying is more expensive but at least you are your own landlord.


What do women think is better?

I recently had a break up with my live in girlfriend (she left me). We dated for 2 years and she lived in my house for the last year. I'm 31 and she is 28. At first she was impressed that I owned my house but over time she became resentful because she didn't like the area (suburbs), the house was too small (2 bedroom/1 bathroom), she felt it wasn't her house because she couldn't decorate, and there was no room for her bed (she kept that at her fathers).

My mortgage/property tax/heat/internet is $1650/month. She paid me $250/month. I felt I was giving her a good deal because she would pay more if she was renting somewhere else. I started to get resentful because she wasn't interested in getting married or buying a house together and I bought most of the groceries. She makes slightly more money than me but often said she didn't want to "pay my mortgage". Her parents are divorced and her mother kept telling her she should buy her own condo.

Anyone have any advice?

 

[MOTU]

Dude why the double post? This is being discussed in the mature man forum. You have several good answers there.

Vulpine, another?

 

[Syrio]

Buying, by a ridiculously huge margin.

Real estate is one of the most solid investments you can make. The value *almost always goes up. From a financial perspective it's obviously better to own than to rent. It's more expensive but you'll end up much better off in the long run. It's like an adult version of the classic psychology test they do on kids where they give them a candy and tell them that if they don't eat it for 10 minutes, they'll get a second candy. Renting is like eating the candy immediately, and buying is like waiting that extra 10 minutes.

I haven't earned enough money yet to buy a place, so I don't know how much difference it will make with women but I imagine it would help.

 

[mangotot]

I don't know about buying or renting a house but the ex girlfriend of his got a great deal. $250 rent a month with food thrown in for good measure. And she earned more money as well. Women are so lucky there are guys out there willing to do this s***.

 

[GS750]

I rented for about 8 years, moved 3 times. What's nice about it is that if something breaks (water heater, wash machine, etc) you're not going to have to cover the cost to fix/replace. Plus, you can just end your lease or let it expire and move, nothing holding you down. Now I own my townhouse. My mortgage is way lower than my rent payments were. But if I want to move I have to go through the hassle of selling, dealing with real estate agents, etc. I'd say if you're in your 20's, rent. Once you're firmly in a career and plan on putting some roots down, buy.