I have rented my entire life. I just bought my first 'home' which is a condo (with a reasonable HOA). I bought it with savings and no debt. I feel lucky.

I can't tell you how nice it is to not have to worry about rent. How nice it is to feel like if I want to change something about my home, I can and I'm not just improving someone else's capex. How nice it feels to know that I can travel and leave the place empty for a year without worrying about subletting it.

You seem jaded.