There's no need for snarkasm. You don't have to be a Chinese investor to buy an apartment. I simply have no sympathy for people who rent long term:
1) They can take off any time. A new job? A market crash? No problem, just pack your stuff and leave.
2) Someone else is doing all the maintenance and dealing with building codes and paying all the taxes, etc.
Because of the inherent risk in owning a home and the effort required to maintain it, it will always be cheaper to buy than rent. If someone likes their neighborhood, but isn't willing to commit and put in the work, they deserve what's coming for them.
1) They can take off any time. A new job? A market crash? No problem, just pack your stuff and leave. 2) Someone else is doing all the maintenance and dealing with building codes and paying all the taxes, etc.
Because of the inherent risk in owning a home and the effort required to maintain it, it will always be cheaper to buy than rent. If someone likes their neighborhood, but isn't willing to commit and put in the work, they deserve what's coming for them.