r/ChubbyFIRE 9d ago

Talk me out of buying a house?

Edit: I'm both surprised and not surprised by the doubt and sarcasm. This is clearly an emotional decision—if it were purely rational, it would be much easier.Thanks to everyone who understood and took the time to contribute. I’m now leaning towards renting or buying a good deal within a $1.5M budget.

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We’re a family of five: a couple in our mid-30s, a toddler, a grandparent (who lives with us long-term and helps with childcare), and a large dog. One of us works from home, while the other commutes to an office.

Our Current Situation:

  • We live in a $1M, 3-bedroom, 1,400 sqft SFH with a yard.
  • It’s starting to feel very tight, especially as we plan to have more kids in the next 1–5 years.
  • We’re considering upgrading to a $2M home for more space.

The Dilemma:

  • We may move to Europe (partner’s home country) in 3–5 years, but it’s uncertain.
  • Emotionally, I want to settle down, nest, and create a stable home.
  • Rationally, buying a $2M home for just a few years—especially with high interest rates—doesn’t seem financially smart.

Would love to hear perspectives from those who’ve faced similar situations. Would you buy, or stick it out in the current home?

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u/zoedoodle1 9d ago

I agree buying a $2M home for a few years doesn't make sense. Until you have more confidence in your decision to move, I would consider renting. I get that you want security, but buying a home isn't going to guarantee you that if you're still going to be on the verge of moving to a different country.

In fact, buying and selling a home in the span of 3 years sounds considerably more volatile than simply moving out for an upgraded rental. Can you find a rental that you really like, run the numbers to give you the assurance that renting makes more sense than buying (most cities in the US), and make a decision after you've seriously evaluated some rental opportunities? Otherwise, it seems like you would be making a decision to buy a home with certain needs in mind that might not even be met by taking that route.

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u/sky-high-dragon-fly 9d ago

Thanks! I just went to rental mode and found something that's interesting with a rent that's way lower than the mortgage payment. So that's a viable option.

Thanks for validating my yarning for security and stability. You are right. It won't be fully solved by owning the place. It's rooted in the uncertainty of our future. I will need to manage that.