My block is made up of seven houses. Three of the houses (including mine) are owned by single women. Two of us are in our mid-to-late twenties and one woman is in her late thirties or early forties.
Homeownership is something that I take pride in. It gives me something to be responsible to, it allows me to make aesthetic changes without having to okay any of my choices with a landlord, it requires some attention and care, and it is helping me build a more financially secure life.
While moving into my first just-me apartment (i.e. no roommates) was extremely valuable and allowed me to learn a lot about myself, purchasing my first home gave me a whole new perspective on life. It felt like I had suddenly earned the badge of adulthood. (FYI: I expect that becoming a mother will leave homeownership in the dust on the “becoming an adult” front, but for now, this will do.)
Since buying my house, I have learned to enjoy yard work and gardening, acquired a canine companion, made lasting friendships with several of my neighbors, and generally made a true home for myself. I have lived in many (seventeen!) houses and apartments in my twenty-some years. This one already holds a special place in my heart and I know that it will remain fondly in my memories whenever it is time to move on to number eighteen.
I would strongly encourage any singleton who has found a place that they want to live for the next several years, and who is financially able, to take the leap to homeownership. It has done wonders for this single girl.
