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No, I’m Not Embarrassed to Be ‘Still Renting’
Let’s be honest: popcorn ceilings are the absolute worst. That lumpy, grimy texture is like a time capsule from 1983, and I’ve had to endure it in every rental I can afford in the neighborhoods I actually want to live in. As I lay in bed at night gazing up at the unfortunate ceiling of our current place, I often daydream about the day I’ll own a home again—one with smooth ceilings, no less. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.
Until then, my husband and I find ourselves among the 37% of Americans who rent. What we thought would be a short stint has turned into a long saga. After our first home purchase coincided with the housing market crash, our credit took a hit that felt like a collective punch to the gut. Now, if one more person utters, “But buying is so much cheaper!” I might just lose it. Sure, I know buying a home is more financially sound than shelling out cash for a space that will never truly be mine, but the reality is, no one is willing to lend us the money to make that dream a reality.
I don’t relish the idea of tossing away $18,000 each year on rent. Prices are sky-high in our area, largely thanks to the excellent public school my kids attend. Sure, I could find cheaper rent elsewhere, but the school quality would likely be a gamble. I’d much rather invest that money in something more fun—like zapping away spider veins or sending the kids to summer camp. Just imagine the fabulous things we could do with that $18,000! I could even treat myself to permanent eyelash extensions or plan a dreamy vacation to Hawaii. Or, OMG, we could finally tackle my husband’s unwanted hair situation! Instead, we pay to keep a roof over our heads.
Our rental has its quirks. The interior doors are all scratched up, courtesy of the previous tenants’ dog, and I fear guests think we’re the ones who did it. Our oven is too small for a standard cookie sheet, but honestly, I don’t have the time to bake anyway—last time I tried, I almost set the house on fire. And let’s not even get started on the boring beige walls. Rentals love to stick with beige, along with mauve, forest green, and too much wallpaper. Every time I mention that we’re renting, a little part of me feels like I’ve failed. Shouldn’t homeownership be the goal? Isn’t that the American dream—having the freedom to scrape away the horror of 1983 whenever we please without worrying about losing our deposit?
Despite the occasional pang of inadequacy, I’ve learned that renting doesn’t equal failure. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. Years of living under popcorn ceilings have changed my perspective. I used to feel embarrassed about our living situation, but now I’m simply grateful to have a place to call home. Maybe it’s a sign of maturity—or perhaps I’ve just stopped caring so much. Either way, the American dream is evolving, and what once mattered doesn’t hold the same weight anymore, which is liberating.
Pros and Cons of Renting
Renting comes with its own set of pros and cons. For example, my husband and I are notoriously bad at home maintenance, so it’s a relief that we don’t have to fix the gutters when a branch knocks them down. We’ve also been lucky to have fantastic landlords who appreciate us as tenants. Since we hardly ever call for repairs, they respond promptly when we do. Honestly, our kitchen light got fixed way faster by our landlord than it ever would have if my husband was in charge. And every time the air conditioning breaks down, I’m grateful we don’t have to pay for it. When our boys discovered termites in the fence post, it wasn’t on us to cover that expense, and when our neighbor asked if we wanted to chip in for a new backyard fence, I simply pointed him to the property owner. As a mom juggling the needs of three kids, it’s nice to say, “That’s not my problem.”
Renting isn’t a life sentence. It gives us time to consider what we truly want in our next home, should we decide to buy again. I believe that living in less-than-ideal places—and sometimes struggling to pay the rent—builds character. More importantly, I recognize how fortunate we are to have shelter.
In the grand scheme of things, popcorn ceilings really aren’t so bad.
In summary, renting may come with its challenges, but it also offers flexibility and freedom. While the dream of homeownership remains, I’ve come to appreciate the perks of renting and the stability it provides for my family.