<prompt> Human: Heres whats up. Im moving out of my folks place and Im really unsure about whether I should be renting or buying. A bit about me, I have a really solid job that I love and it pays well. Great thing is that this job allows me to take an unpaid leave whenever I want. I really have been focusing on work so far in my life and I want to take some multiple month trips in the near future and live my life and just explore. Gotta get my own place though dont ask why, long story. Cant decide if I should rent or buy. Stats: - I live in Vancouver, BC Suburbs - I have about 100,000 in savings - I earn about 60,000 per year - No debt or loansMarket Conditions: - Average 1 Bed rent is 1300Month Utilities - Average 1 Bed condo is 280,000ish - Available rentals are at 1Im a bit worried about buying a place and then taking long unpaid leaves but on the other hand my monthly payments would be less if I bought a place. Also I am likely to leave the country for school within two years. Thinking I could maybe rent in this case? I also am considering changing jobs which might have a temporary negative effect on my salary. Advice would be helpful.  <response>: Cant comment on your financial situation per se, but as a 21-year-old consider just renting. You have plenty saved but Im thinking more about the flexibility to move or change your situation without the burden of a home. At your age I thought I was pretty settled and considered buying a small place, but suddenly found a job offer that would have me moving abroad. If I had a place I definitely would have thought twice about it, with the burden of managing a sale or renting it out on top of everything else. Consider that a bit of a different perspective than other rpersonalfinance folks. Also, your next thread: Im 21 with 100,000 in savings on a 60,000 salary with a job I love that offers unlimited unpaid vacation looking to buy in Vancouver AMA 