While I've "tossed my money down the drain", I've been able to live on the coast, in a mountain town (wanted to learn snowboarding) and in Amsterdam, to name 3 places.
Is having the unique experiences worth it? To me, they were.
Biggest advantage of home ownership? Freedom to do what you like with it; I can hack my own home.
But - I'm outside the US and I pay far less (half) in mortgage payments than I would in rent.
While I've "tossed my money down the drain", I've been able to live on the coast, in a mountain town (wanted to learn snowboarding) and in Amsterdam, to name 3 places.
Is having the unique experiences worth it? To me, they were.