For a long time, buying a home wasn’t something I planned to do. I liked having options. The idea of being tied to one place felt heavy, especially during a period when my life and career were still evolving.
I assumed renting was the smarter choice. Less commitment, fewer decisions that felt permanent.
What I didn’t expect was how much mental space it would free up once I owned a home.
When I bought my house, it wasn’t because everything lined up perfectly. It was a practical decision made during a stretch when a lot felt uncertain, work, finances, and even timing.
Having one constant mattered. I didn’t think about moving every year. I didn’t worry about rent increases or whether a lease would be renewed. I knew where I was going to land at the end of the day.
That kind of stability showed up in small ways. I planned further ahead. I took professional risks I might have delayed otherwise. I felt more settled, even though the rest of life was still moving.
I’m also realistic about the bigger picture. I’m part of a generation where long-term financial security looks different from it did for our parents. Social Security isn’t something I assume will be there in the same way. Pensions aren’t common. Stability has to be built intentionally.
For me, that’s meant being thoughtful about investing, with real estate as one part of that picture. Owning a home wasn’t just about where I lived. It was one piece of a longer-term plan to create financial stability over time. Not overnight, and not without tradeoffs, but in a way that felt tangible and within my control.
Looking back, buying a home didn’t change my need for flexibility. It just gave me a steadier place to operate from.
