Rent-boys and rent-girls

There has been so much speculation in the news recently about house prices, mortgages and property. Whilst I agree that it’s important to invest for the future, I still rent and believe there are a few advantages.

Of course I want my own house, but I also don’t want to be tied down by property too quickly. I graduated around three years ago and have endured three relocations in job moves. It’s not that I’m footloose and fancy free, just that I believe I have a few more years of exploration left before friends and family become less forgiving.

Renting has introduced to me to a wide range of flatmates, some older, younger – in different fields – from different countries. I have learnt different dishes, different ways of cooking, a few “bad words” in Spanish – all because of the people with whom I have shared accommodation. I don’t worry about the heating breaking down, or buying furniture. If I lose my key, there’s always someone I can phone and there’s usually always someone about when I’ve had a crap day at work.

Of course, not all house-shares are great. I’ve lived with some odd characters over the years, but even these experiences provide me with cracking stories that I can laugh about later. I’ve met my flatmates’ families and have been invited to parties, dinners, birthdays and more as a result. Some of my best friends are ex-flatmates.

I have read so much about graduates returning home because they don’t want to “waste” money on renting. However, I also have two friends who bought property really quickly and are now in difficult situations – one friend because he has since split up with his partner and they now have to live separately under one roof and the other –because she bought a very run-down property and a year into the project, is still having difficulty finding the resources to do it up.

Renting should be like buying – you shop around for a good deal. Whilst investment for the future is important, there’s little point in saving for old age if it means missing out on your youth.

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