Right. This would make it possible and reasonable if you could find a house that is enough, such that you can live in it, expect a reasonably good experience in

Right. This would make it possible and reasonable if you could find a house that is enough, such that you can live in it, expect a reasonably good experience in it for the life of your time in it, and that that mortgage payment, plus all maintenance, insurance, tax, etc. is reasonably comparable to an equivalent rental. Depending on where you are, this is not always the case. Or you need to buy a small place at current rates and prices to make it at all comparable. You have to decide what "enough" is, and that's variable depending on your expected standard of living, etc. I am personally currently lucky enough to be in a good rental situation, which colors my view. Having a landlord that will fix problems and eat incidental appliance/roof/major expenses is a form of insurance paid as rental.