I rent where I live and rent out what I own. Like what
@FlexpertHamilton said. That way I’m not tied down. The issue with that of course is that rents go up over time.
If I buy I buy in an affluent area in a midsize (for the area) house, where the values are most stable due to demand for the area.
Frankly before my daughters came to live with me a couple of years ago I did a roomshare situation. I liked that a lot. I had a bedroom with en suite and a garage for my car, big walk-in closet and private entrance from the pool. This in a 2M house in a prestigious area (for a fraction of the cost to own), and it was all bills paid.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I didn’t have a high schooler or all my stuff out here now.
I could leave for weeks without consequence, something you cannot do easily with a house & yard.