A viral social media post has Malaysians debating the long-term wisdom of lifelong renting versus home ownership, especially for financial security in old age.
WHILE many people often say it is better not to buy a house and it better to simply rent instead, a Malaysian netizen recently sparked a heated online discussion by questioning whether that advice truly holds up in the long run — especially after retirement.
In a post that quickly gained attention on social media, the user wrote, “Since many people say it’s better not to buy a house and just rent instead, I want to ask those who are already retired but still living in rented homes — is it actually okay or not?”
The simple but thought-provoking question resonated with many Malaysians, particularly younger adults who are increasingly choosing to rent due to rising property prices and financial pressures.
While some believe renting offers flexibility and fewer long-term commitments, others worry about stability in old age — especially when income becomes limited after retirement.
The post quickly drew a flood of responses, with netizens sharing their experiences, financial tips, and regrets about owning — or never owning — a home.
One user called october_linda shared: “Buy a house when your income is already stable enough to afford a long-term loan. Even if it’s not a new house — whether it’s a cheap house or a flat — it doesn’t matter.
“Because I’ve seen relatives who kept renting until they retired. In the end, they had to live in their children’s or in-laws’ homes. And then they were also tested with illnesses that came with old age.”
“It’s better to buy. Even when you rent, you’re still paying every month — but it ends up becoming someone else’s property. If you buy, you also pay monthly, but eventually it becomes yours. In fact, the monthly rent and home loan payments aren’t that different,” sh4hrul_ashr4f opined.
“Just buy a house as long as it’s within your means. The problem is when someone earns RM3,000 but buys a RM500,000 house — of course they’ll struggle,” hernieza_hashim commented.
