This article in the New York Times is the most useful piece I've ever seen on buying vs. renting a home. It also has specific facts and figures for both New York and San Francisco, which makes this piece especially relevant to a majority of our bloggers (and regular readers). I'd been debating whether to get my first mortgage next year, but this article has made up my mind for me: the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of renting, especially if, like me, you aren't sure where you're going to be in four or five years. So I guess I'll be staying put for now.