We have become a society where everything can be temporary. I was reading an article in last Sunday's paper about a woman who rented her apartment, her furniture, and her clothes! She was happy not to be making a commitment to her belongings long term, but it seems to fly in the face of another trend--the Danish hygge (nesting, cozy).
When people want to nest, to feel comfortable and at home, do they want to rent? Even the also-trendy "tidying up" movement, where you only keep what gives you joy, seems to imply that what gives you joy you want to own.
Although millennials are said to be firm renters in central cities, even they appear to head for homes, often in the suburbs, when they marry and have children. There seems to have arisen a happy medium: Now there is no stigma about renting. People may choose to rent in order to try out a new area, vacation or temporarily relocate, split their time between two locations, or save money while they look for the perfect home. Those same people who get dress clothes from Rent the Runway can decide to rent a driveway, and sometimes not even spend more.
There is also no stigma in owning, and others may choose that route. In the way that most of us have favorite lounging clothes, old and treasured jeans, and maybe even some childhood stuffed animals, many will choose to luxuriate in a space all their own. They may want to feel settled, even as others want no ties. They may want the enforced savings that paying a mortgage can provide.
Although we both sell and rent property, we tend to come down on the side of owning, at least in some periods of life. Building or buying a homestead, where a family can gather and make memories, is still the American dream. But the great thing is, you can choose for yourself. And there's something for everyone.
