I keep seeing this comment/concept.
Meanwhile I also see rent vs own discussed here, from a top 10% economic stratum POV.
Let me drag the POV down… To the median.
She accepted the “buy a house, it’ll be good for your retirement” conventional wisdom, 15 years ago.
Bought a small place, she could easily afford the mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.
Retired 5 yrs ago, still ok with the “costs”.
Today, mortgage n utilities are “ok”.
For her, it’s not the mortgage. Or lack of…
Taxes have doubled in the last 3 years.
INSURANCE has tripled.
Taxes n insurance are exceeding her income.
Taxes n insurance are the problem.
She’s considering selling.
I asked her what she expects will change.
A Rental means she will not have maintenance costs.
But the “rent” payment will still overwhelm her income.
SS alone ain’t enough.
…
I “could” pay off her mortgage.
Let her go nekkid on the insurance.
$0 outgo for mortgage n insurance would kick the can down the road.
But that opens cans n cans n cans of worms.
And doesn’t “fix” the underlying issue.
She’s between a 
… and a .
So far, I’m watching. And wondering what CAN I do, that’ll actually help.
ralph