Living abroad: 'I've lived in Germany for 12 years, bought a house, and wonder if I was happier as a renter'

A man who has lived in Germany for 12 years is questioning his happiness after purchasing a home two years ago, expressing a sentiment that he was perhaps happier as a renter. His reflections, shared in a Facebook group for expatriates, highlight the unexpected burdens of homeownership.

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I've been living in Germany for 12 years. Two years ago we bought a house. I was overjoyed then. Today it worries me more than it makes me happy.

"Every month the payment. Then insurance. Then heating. Then the costs that nobody mentions when buying a house," he wrote. While acknowledging that he and his family can afford the expenses, he feels "tied to one decision for the next 25 years." He noted that people often look at him strangely when he voices these feelings, as they focus on the fact that he owns a home.

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Every month the payment. Then insurance. Then heating. Then the costs that nobody mentions when buying a house.

His post sparked a lively discussion among other users. Some sympathized with his feelings, with one commenter advising him to sell the house and return to renting if it causes such distress. Another shared a similar sentiment, stating they would never buy a house in Germany, preferring the flexibility of renting and the ability to move cities or countries without the financial commitment of a mortgage.

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I have the feeling that I am tied to one decision for the next 25 years.

However, many commenters offered a different perspective, emphasizing the long-term security and asset building that comes with homeownership. "At least you live nicely while you pay off your house," one user remarked, sharing her own experience of working hard to pay off her apartment and now enjoying a secure life. Others pointed out that rent prices will continue to rise, while mortgage payments remain fixed, and that the house will eventually be owned outright, providing a valuable asset for the future.

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Sometimes I wonder if I was happier when I was a renter. Does anyone else think like this?