The housing market in my city has become a lottery where only cash buyers or those with generational wealth can compete, and I think it's time we seriously ask whether owning a home should still be the ultimate goal for everyone. I've seen friends stretch into 40-year mortgages just to afford a starter condo, and honestly, the emotional and financial toll isn't always worth it. Renting can offer flexibility and lower stress, but it also means no equity and rising rents. Is the traditional dream of homeownership still realistic, or should we normalize renting as a long-term choice?