[bombcar]

The main thing is to look at it BOTH from a financial standpoint AND from a lifestyle choice, etc.

Too many people are too quick to dismiss renting because of the “conventional wisdom” - or think that only small apartments can be rented.

On the other hand, owning comes with comforts that can be hard to put dollar amounts on, for some.

[michaelrpeskin]

yes - I often think about what I would do if I "won the lottery" or similarly got a significant amount of cash. Even though I have a low mortgage rate (refied in the middle of COVID), I'd probably still pay off my house. I know it makes absolutely no rational economic sense, but not having a mortgage payment and knowing that I own my house would give me a piece of mind that as you say is hard to put a dollar amount on.

I know there are people out there that like maximize returns with leverage and all of that - and the math all makes sense! - but I'd prefer the simplicity of not dealing with it.