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Here in Australia, the importance of owning your own home has been drilled into us over generations. And many of us, dare I say, most of us, grew up hoping and trusting that we would buy a house and raise a family within the security of its walls. Today, home ownership is one of the most important issues affecting families across our capital cities. And now our younger generations are coming to the realisation that owning your own home is becoming an unaffordable and unattainable goal.
I’m here to say that we mustn’t look at that as necessarily a bad thing. There are many among us who live in million dollar houses in Sydney , who have mortgages that they will never pay off in their lifetimes. In effect, the banks own their houses. This is madness, yes? Home ownership is not the fountain of happiness that it’s made out to be. And I believe we have to re-examine certain ideals that we have held dear for a long time now.
Many Europeans rent apartments all their lives. Their rental rates are considerably lower than our mortgage repayments and this allows them a good standard of living. They do tend to live pay packet to pay packet, week to week, but this also means that they live comfortable and rewarding lives; they eat well, they go out to cafes and restaurants, and they spend time with friends and family. These are the more important priorities in their lives.They are not constantly stressing about how they will meet the next loan repayment.
I suppose the point I am making is, is that a house does not make a home. While we may dream of owning a big beautiful house, the real achievement in life is to create a home where you and your family find love, relationship, hospitality, warmth and security. Kids don’t need a million dollar mansion to live in , but they do need a place where they feel love and security and that can be in a small rental apartment in the ‘burbs.
When thinking about home interiors, like me, you might cringe at the memory of your childhood home. The best version of our family home was new green carpet and a black high-backed vinyl lounge with orange nylon-cushioned seating. My mother was proud of her modern choices and teamed up the “mod look” with a teak extender dining table and a sliding-door settee.The bright green kitchen cupboards and red laminex kitchen table and chairs were all part of the ‘70’s look.
