I would love to buy a place, my rent is well above what I could expect to pay for a mortgage in the same area (for likely a nicer place). But rent around here

I would love to buy a place, my rent is well above what I could expect to pay for a mortgage in the same area (for likely a nicer place). But rent around here being so high stands in the way of saving enough for a decent downpayment. I do know some people who prefer to rent for the flexibility, but I don't think its enough for this.