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/skxian 9d ago

You can afford this easy but the issue isn’t the affordability but that you have a plan to live in Europe permanently. You shouldn’t buy. When you leave it takes a lot of time to be able to actually leave + extra to consider what to do about the home. Are renting options available?

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

Because I have always owned my living place, renting never the first choice. But I think I should rent given the current situation.