We must run in a different circle of friends because I barely know any lucky twenty/thirty-somethings born with a golden spoon. Renters like us don’t have to be bitter. If I were a parent able to help my children off to a better & easier start, I would too. My parents weren’t able to give me one of these “optional repayment loans” but they did give me a wonderful home to grow up in and for that, I will forever be grateful.

It sounds like you have your head on straight and I’m sure your parents are proud of you regardless if you rent or own. Your patience will reward you soon enough. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Part of what I find interesting is, like you, I know your muse very well – just about every curve of her. I grew up in Arcadia and now that I’ve reached the age where my parents wish I’d own a property just like their friends’ children, I can read their wishes as they’re written so clearly on their faces especially during the many housewarming parties held by these home-owning children of my parents’ circle of friends. They’ve been, thus far, sensible enough to have voiced their concerns rarely and always outside of my hearing range. Now before anyone credits them for being such considerate parents (which they can be, sometimes), I know it’s because they’re aware of the truth. The truth being that their friends have processed private transactions (the best kind of loan since repayment may be optional and a spawn or two will reduce the outstanding balance to zero) enabling these grown children to become a full-fledged homeowners. This is not to say all of them have received the benefit of a private transaction, but I’m drowning in my bitter renting self so allow me to continue. Some of these grown children purchased their home from their Grandparents at a family discount. Some others have become house poor and deep in debt, the legal kind of debt, to up keep their homes. A few, and I wouldn’t be fair to exclude them as they’re the most heroic of all, were legitimately successful and owned within their own rights. I mean, we graduated from the excellent, albeit run down, Arcadia High School after all. I don’t know most of them but one former HS friend dropped out of law school and spent over 2 years flipping houses and is/was residing in a brand new Arcadia McMansion. His housewarming party was festively gauche and last I heard he’s looking to move into San Marino so his 3 year old can get into the SM school system – take that law school!

I’m rambling so suffice to say I find your blog amusing and childishly, for me, a measure of comfort as I resist the urge to smack my upstair neighbor, also a renter, for having elephant feet as walking device.