sleeper said:
The best audio component that I ever bought was my own, unattached house.
Of course there is one downside: mortgage payments.
My ex and I waited far too long to get our first house. Sure, mortgage payments aren't fun, but they build equity. I now live near a big university and I'm in my second house, and many friends who are here doing grad work or postdoc work or who are professors on sabbatical rent. The way I look at it, it's OK to rent if you plan on being in the area temporarily, say about two years, maybe three max. Longer than that? Buy something--a house or a condo or a duplex. You get tax breaks and build equity. I know a couple people who bought houses for 0% down. I'm not used to that, and it'll take them a long time to start building real equity, but at least they own and get some tax benefits.
Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I learned my renting-is-often-throwing-money-down-the-drain lesson a few years too late and am happy to send the message on.
And I agree--having an unattached house is the
best way to be able to play loud music or movies without offending neighbors.
Chris