I've included you in this group, Old Man:Well, you have people saying a mortgage most likely will be less than their current rent. I guess I am dumb if I'd rather buy a house for the same amount as it is to rent and have something to show for it. That's just me though.
I rather be giving my money to the bank instead of the landlord giving it to the bank.
"...you're a stodgy stick-in-the-mud that wants nothing more than to tie himself down to a piece of land with a hut built on it for the next 20 years."
My advice stands - rent in your 20's and LIVE IT UP. Travel... move... try 15 different places to live in your "area"...