I put out a similar question on another site and one person suggested asking yourself if you really enjoy the quilting part of the process and others suggested renting one someplace. I found a place near me to take a class and then rent their machines for me this is the solution. I don't have to give up space and lots of money and still have a way to use a long arm occasionally without the pressure of having a machine and feeling guilty for not using it.. And I do not want to have a business. The part of the quilting process I enjoy the most is the designing and piecing so that influenced the decision as well.