I've rented apartments a couple of times, owned a condo, and now the bank and I own a small house on a quarter acre. Hated apartments because the walls were thin and there was always some jerk who's stereo was too loud, etc.. I also hated using a communal laundry room.

Loved my condo for most of the 15 yrs I was there. The walls were a bit thicker so not much of a problem until a multi-generational family with upteen children moved in; just getting around the kids sitting on our common stoop to get in my front door was a daily problem. Sold shortly after.

My house is in a neighborhood built about sixty years ago. When I bought, I asked the previous owners who they used for a plumber, electrician, etc., which worked out really well! If I needed something else done, I either asked my neighbors who they used or, I'd look thru the yellow pages until I found someone (then watched over them like a hawk!).

I should add that I'm pretty handy when it comes to small repairs and woodworking. I also try to buy the best quality stuff (snowblower, lawn mower, ...) that I can afford, based on Consumer Reports ratings. That helps tremendously because things tend to last a long time.

Finally, to end this narrative :-) I met a wonderful man four years ago who now lives with me. He's a master electrician by trade and, I swear, he can fix anything! Having already lived alone for most of my adult life, I know I can handle things but its such a pleasure to have a back-up!

I don't really qualify for this thread as I am married, but I think I would sell if anything happened to my husband. I HATE yard work and I know very little about repairs. Taxes and insurance on our house run $375 a month, so in our tiny town I could rent a small house without upping the budget much. It would be a downsize, but if I were alone a downsize would be good.

I guess you just have to decide if the hassle of home ownership outweighs the positives. There are positives.

I am single and in the second home I bought as a single woman. The first one was 30 years old and had new roof, heating and air so the "bones" were good. I did all the interior upgrades by myself from laying Pergo wood floors in the kitchen, living room, dining room, entryway and hallway. I re-tiled the bathroom floor, sanded and painted the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, installed wainscot, chair rail, crown moulding and baseboards. Painted the entire inside too. I had new carpet installed in the living room and 3 bedrooms. It was a learning experience but I was married to a general contractor for 20 years so I knew a little about a lot of things. I just bought myself the power tools I needed and went for it. It came out great and in 3 years I sold it for a clear profit of over $100k.

The next house, where I live now, I bought before it was built so I haven't had to do much to it except paint, some moulding, replacing builder grade light fixtures, etc. I landscaped the back yard by myself including building a 8' x 20' deck BY MYSELF using a floating deck system. I take care of everything inside and out and if I don't know how to, I sure know how to search the net for advice.

I'm at the point now where I am not thrilled about doing those things a whole lot and I am looking forward to downsizing someday. Maybe a nice condo or townhome with a small garden area and a LARGE greatroom that I can make a sewing room.

I am a widow, and live in my own house with my two cats. I LOVE not having neighbors upstairs, downstairs, or on the other side of the wall. I think that's one reason for staying in my house.

I am also at the point where rent at an apartment would not be much less than my monthly mortgage, and there's always the hope that my house will appreciate in value so I can sell it to pay for that old folks' home someday.

But the biggest reason I stay here is that I lived here with my husband the last several years of his life. We had the house built, and put alot of our selves into the choices we made when building. I still feel like there's a lot of him here.

I own my home on 40 acres. Widowed recemtly but think I will stay. I am currently having some upgrades done, new windows, doors, appliances so hope not too much will go wrong for awhile. Had a plumbing break two months ago that was really expensive but maybe that won't happen often. We had no rain for two years now nothing but rain. I don't want an apartment and like to lock my gate and not be bothered. I built the inside of this house some years ago so know how but at 70 not physically able to do many things. I still don't want to rent.

Ours is almost paid for. Moving is a nightmare from Hell. If you are happy there, then stay. Try to find somebody to fix things. Renting can be as expense or more than owning your own house. Besides nobody can give you trouble if you paint the den purple.

Hey, you're the one I want to grow my hair out like! I have been thinking a lot lately about selling and moving to an apartment, mainly to avoid upkeep,repairs,yard work,snow in my drive etc. But then I think, close neighbors, I live in the country and actually I have lovely neighbors, they mow my lawn, plow my snow and are on my door step if they see anything they think is out of place (or anybody). But the thought of having strangers for neighbors or being in an apt with people on all sides, possibly under and over!! Also I live in a large farmhouse and am a collector of crap, mainly fabric, so a lot of stuff would have to go. Then there is the cost, with apts being at least $600 plus and my mortgage being $180.00 a month (which has been paid off several times).I have 10 acres so I can have a garden if I want and have my privacy. I also have lived here since I was 12 (in and out after graduation and a brief go at marriage) I gave my daughter some adjoining land so there is another tie. But it sometimes crosses my mind to chuck it all.

I'm not interested in renting. I love my kitchen and sewing room. I wouldn't trade them in for anything.

I just thought about this. I don't know about the laws where you live but in Texas, the landlord can give you 30 days notice & your out on your b-hind no matter if you are current on rent or not. If your place is paid for or payments are low, just stay there. There is no privacy in apts.

I have owned my own home for 23 years. Paint; fix toilets, had to learn how - have 4; have even replaced a light fixture. Just can't do anything that requires muscle; rats don't have any muscles; oh well in the next life. Am getting ready to sell this house and move south to be with DD; so much painting, cleaning out etc. Dont' move just because. Stay as long as you like being there. My aunt is 85 and is still in her house. Been there since the end of WWII.