Princeton Happenings

Dear Abby on Choosing to Rent

Dear Abby has an answer for why it makes sense to rent in her December 9, 2011 column:

DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced, childless, independent and financially secure woman. I live happily in my upscale apartment.
How do I respond to family members, co-workers and friends who constantly ask, “Why don’t you buy a house and quit throwing your money away paying rent?”

I don’t want to buy a house and be tied to a 30-year mortgage. I’m perfectly happy the way things are. What is a proper response to those questions? Saying, “I don’t want to” hasn’t been enough. — HAPPY RENTER IN HOUSTON

DEAR HAPPY RENTER: The responsibilities of home ownership aren’t for everyone, and many individuals have realized it as bills for plumbers, electricians, roofers, insurance and property taxes mounted up. You might mention that to the inquirers, although your response to your well-meaning friends, relatives and co-workers should have been sufficient. A way to change the subject would be to say, “Now, let’s talk about something else.”