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Owning a home is not the only way to establish roots.
I have never owned a property. I doubt I ever will. But I have been living in the same village for about 15 years, 7 of them in my current house. I am as much a part of this community as my neighbour.
In some parts of Europe, renting and leasing are the norm. very few people are able to own a home outright, and mortgages are seen in many parts as a debt too far. That used to be the case here too. It was only really after the 80s that home ownership began to be seen as the norm. Now, in the wake of the property bubble bursting it is becoming more common again to rent, and the stigma which had grown up over the past few decades is starting to die off. The average age of a first time buyer now is mid 30s.
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