<prompt> Human: I am a single 31 year old male. I make about 65,000 a year. My rent expenses currently are 900 a month rent has been increasing 30month every year. Add 100 for electricityinternet. I pay about 700mo in entertainmentfoodtravel. I have 800 credit score.I have 55,000 in the bank account that I can spend. I am leaving around 20,000 for unknown scenarios I am not that happy with my current place I rent. Its kind of a sub-par apartment building and I just feel like I need an upgrade. I recently learned about gaining equity when you buy a condominium. Instead of throwing money away on rent you are building equity, which can be seen as a type of savingsinvestment.I have been wondering if buying a condo or house is better for me. Some things to consider is that my only concrete plans is that I will stay where I am now for 5 years. There is a 5050 chance Ill move in 5 years.I do not like maintaining a homeyard so my gut reaction is that a Condo would be good for me. However, in my area most HOAs run about 400-500 and the Condos are not to my taste, and normally run about the same price as a decent house 200-250k.I figure if I could get a house with perhaps a small lawn, there are only 5 mowing months where I live. I could spend 600 or so a year in lawn care and avoid the HOA. I will get a house that I actually like and I will actually have something that will be easier to sell in 5 years if I decide to move.The next issue is all the houses for-sale in my area that are like 3-4 bedroom houses with 3 baths - but still in my budget 200-250k. I am a single guy, no pets or anything. That is way too much house for me, and the heating for those houses 2000 sqft or so could run me 1000 a month, completely eliminating my goal of not throwing money away. However, these family houses are super nice, and I think I would have no issue selling it in 5 years because they are in nice neighborhoods, etc.Finally, there are some brand new new manufactured homes that I like for about 65,000. Sounds perfect but the lot rent or HOA for these communities is about 500mo. I see a manufactured home as something hard to sell and depreciates in value, unlike a home which if the market is healthy appreciates in value.The end goal is instead of wasting 900 in rent, I would be wasting money on just property taxes, heating, andor HOA. I end up selling the house to get back a majority of what I put into the loan minus interests and whatever fees the realtor takes.Because I may be potentially selling the condohouse in 5 years, I understand for the 5-year plan to work I need to pay a lot. Say 1500 or 2000 a month just on the loan. I expect to do a 5-year fixed or a 15-year fixed, just so I get a lot on the equity.Should I just continue to rent and upgrade to a better apartment 1250 or so a month. Should I buy a condo that is a bit ugly and maybe harder to sell in 5 years?Should I buy an over sized house that will run me in heating costs?Should I buy a manufactured home and pay crazy lot rent?  <response>: In my opinion, youre not wasting money renting. It sounds like the apartment situation is right for you, and it doesnt sound like a purchase would be a good fit.Not owning property gives you an advantage in terms of flexibility. If you get an interesting job offer in a distant area, or want to take a year off and do something interesting, it would be a lot easier to do so without owning a house. Just something to consider! 