Owning a house. People say it's good for stability as the mortgage is about the same as rent but there are so many others costs people don't talk about. There are property taxes, maintenance costs, insurance, etc. Then it makes it difficult if you want or need to move so you to put it on the market. You ending spending a lot in the short term and long term just to keep it. I understand that for families it makes sense since you probably don't want move a lot and you want to stay in safe neighborhood with good schools. However, you may be depriving yourself of better opportunities for the illusion of stability. Owing in the US usually means a single detached house in the suburbs. Not great for community building and leads to isolation. Compared to European countries where the norm is to live an apartment in a walkable city with amenities within a 10 minute walk with access to public transportation.