Reader Case Study - Should I stick a pin in the map and buy a house?

[mubington]

Considering whether to buy a house in the UK. I am moving back and feel pressure to buy, but enjoy the mobility - I worry it is not the sensible path.

I understand that buying a house for the short term is usually more expensive than renting, which has been one justification for not buying yet.

To buy or not to buy?

[shadowmoss]

My vote as a middle aged single female looking back on my life is that you should stay mobile as that sounds like what you want to do.  A house is an anchor, which is good if you want to be anchored, bad if you want to be able to move around.  I wish I hadn't felt the need to buy houses.  YMMV.

[dadof4]

There are many good reasons to buy a house, some rational (financial sense), some irrational (security, sense of ownership, etc). But buying it in the hopes that it will "settle you down" is not a good one IMO. Solve your itch before you buy. Otherwise your next itch will be a costly one.

[MsSindy]

There are many good reasons to buy a house, some rational (financial sense), some irrational (security, sense of ownership, etc). But buying it in the hopes that it will "settle you down" is not a good one IMO. Solve your itch before you buy. Otherwise your next itch will be a costly one.

Exactly this!!  Nothing more to add.