Paolo, you often express your views against buying a house—could you explain why?

Ah, yes, my thoughts on buying a house—this is a big one, and I get why it rubs people the wrong way sometimes. It’s because we’ve been taught for generations that owning a home is the ultimate goal, the pinnacle of success and security. But here’s why I often push back against that idea: I think the traditional notion of homeownership, especially in today's world, can actually trap people rather than free them.

Let’s break it down.

First, buying a house is often sold as the ultimate form of stability. But in reality, what it often does is lock people into debt and financial commitments that can last decades. You’re not just buying a house—you’re buying a mortgage, a massive financial obligation that can tie you down. It creates a false sense of security because you think, “Well, I have my home, I’m stable now.” But what happens when the market crashes, when you lose your job, or when life takes a different turn? Your so-called "asset" becomes a burden.

Secondly, the idea that owning a home is always a good investment? That’s not as solid as it used to be. Markets fluctuate, and we’ve seen housing bubbles burst multiple times. People end up pouring money into mortgage payments, maintenance, and taxes, all under the assumption that the house will increase in value. But what if it doesn’t? What if you’re left holding onto something that no longer serves you? The reality is, a home can become a financial trap, eating away at your resources and limiting your ability to be fluid and adaptable in a world that demands more flexibility than ever.

And this is where my main point comes in: buying a house ties you to a location, to a fixed existence. In a world that’s rapidly changing, with opportunities popping up globally and industries shifting fast, locking yourself into one spot can limit your freedom to move, to pivot, to explore new possibilities. Renting or maintaining a lighter footprint gives you the ability to adapt quickly—to move for a new job, to experience life in different places, or to avoid being stuck in a market that’s no longer working in your favor. Freedom, for me, is more valuable than the illusion of security that comes with homeownership.

Plus, the idea of homeownership has been romanticized in a way that doesn’t fit the realities of today’s world. Millennials, Gen Z, even some Gen Y are seeing the cracks in this narrative. They’re asking, “Do I really need to be tied down by a house when I could be using that money to invest in experiences, start a business, travel, or focus on things that make me feel alive?” The idea that you’re only truly successful when you own a home is outdated—it’s a convention that doesn’t take into account the new realities of work, life, and global mobility.

To be clear, I’m not saying owning a house is always a bad idea. For some people, it works, especially if their lifestyle is about rooting themselves in one community, building long-term stability in a specific place. But for many, especially in this era of digital nomadism, remote work, and the growing emphasis on experiences over possessions, buying a house can feel like a cage—a beautiful cage, but a cage nonetheless.

So, when I speak against buying a house, it’s not because I think homeownership is inherently wrong. It’s because I think people should question whether that decision really aligns with their values, their goals, and the world they want to live in. Too often, people buy a house because they’ve been told it’s the “right” thing to do, without asking themselves whether it actually fits their vision of a free, adaptable, and fulfilling life. That’s where I’m coming from. I’m challenging the idea that a house is always the best path to security or success, because, for many, it’s a distraction from the kind of freedom that could lead to a far richer and more dynamic life.