The author in particular was talking about renting an apartment vs. buying a house. That's not really apples for apples, particularly if you have a family and/or want some land. It's much harder to find a house for rent, excepting some very small ones.

He says: "I prefer an apartment for now. I like not having to fill it with stuff. I like using a fifth of the energy of the average American. I like being 20 minutes from work and not having owned a car in 10 years. I like not stressing over whether to get the marble countertops or the imported tiles or the 52-inch flat screen."

As an owner, making those decisions is a pleasure-- you can choose to re-make your house however you like, or you can choose to not do them. A renter generally can't change any of those things, excepting the TV.

As for HOAs and how much you really "own" your home, it's not hard to find places where the HOA is non-existent or contractually relatively powerless. They can't do anything to you that you don't sign away. And if you're renting, your landlord is going to have a lot more control over your living space than any HOA. (And the landlord can also just tell you to move, or change your rent.)

valguarnera@carrionfields.com