I'm 81 and still living in my own (paid for) home. I can do what I want to it, move furniture around where I want and living on 2 acres plus, have very little neighbor problem. I can let the dogs out, garden and I have two of four son living ten minutes away. One is and electrical engineer and the other has been in the building business for years. They are excellent auto mechanics also.
Since we have lived in the same area for 50 years, they also know loads of people who can fix anything from plumbing to roofs.
Rent? Bite your tongue!