The moral of your story (if there is one) is “never rent a house that you wouldn’t buy”. I’m very happy with my rental, and I would buy the house I live in if I felt that the price was right. Anyone who intends to live in a cookie-cutter tract home (like me) should easily find an equivalent rental. But if your preferences are very specific, then renting is probably a bad idea. OK, it may save you money, but you give up quality of life for that. I’ll say it again: never rent something you wouldn’t buy.
PS: of course, the comment above applies to those who rent by choice (like you). Those who rent because they can’t possibly afford to buy don’t have this luxury.
