If you stuck $10k into investments instead of house maintenance, you would have at least $1 million after 30 years, not $400k. That's what I mean about looking at the true cost of owning a home. If someone wants to reinvest equity and move up and have a really valuable house to sell, that's great if it works and they have run the true numbers, but my son couldn't make the numbers work.
Also, I said that my son and DIL moved into a new property with all of the amenities. The neighbors are awesome, the property manager is cool and responsive, etc. I'm not talking about renting from slumlords.
Again, all I meant in my post is to consider all the options. Don't buy a house just because it's expected of you, or for some investment. If it's something that someone really wants, go for it. But renting doesn't have to be a drag, and it's great if you want mobility and flexibility.