My personal opinion is that renting vs. buying is a lifestyle choice with financial implications. Owning and renting each have risks and rewards. When I was y

My personal opinion is that renting vs. buying is a lifestyle choice with financial implications. Owning and renting each have risks and rewards. When I was younger and wanted to live in a city and have that lifestyle, renting was the only way that was possible. I enjoyed that life, but also made sure to save for retirement. Now that I'm older and want massive TVs and audio systems w/out annoying neighbors, a house in a suburb allows that. A big problem, though, is that for many people, appreciation of their home was the primary means to build a nest egg for retirement. Sell the expensive home, buy a cheaper home somewhere warm, and let the different fund your retirement along with your pension and social security. My big worry for people who are getting priced out of markets, is that rents are also increasing dramatically, and that people are going to be left without home appreciation AND without savings.