Renting in the US also means you are not responsible for: * leaky roofs * broken appliances: clotheswashers, water heaters, etc * maintenance of a/c, heat, e

Renting in the US also means you are not responsible for: * leaky roofs * broken appliances: clotheswashers, water heaters, etc * maintenance of a/c, heat, etc. * maintenance of water pipes, electricity, etc., etc. * upkeep of lawn, sidewalks, driveways (except in rare cases) * building safety compliance * fixing damage from floods, storms, earthquakes, etc. * worry about termites, the foundation, the well, property line disputes from faulty surveys (the latter occur ALL THE TIME in the US) * building insurance (renter's insurance always a good idea tho) * personal liability for visitors hurting themselves on the lawn, sidewalks, driveway, inside stairs (anywhere outside your actual unit) I could go on and on... if you own a condo, you are subject to surprise "assessments" to care for the building/property amenities, but there's insurance for it. If you own a house, it comes out of your pocket. And if you make claims against accidents (tree falling, storm ripping off siding, etc.) on your homeowners insurance policy for damages, their habit of late is that they will drop you. (Lots of scandals about this.) Renting means very little exposure to this kind of risk, or surprise housing costs, in addition to flexibility to leave. Homeownership pr0n is really out of control.