I recently just turned 30, and the last several years have been very weird due to grad school during the pandemic, changing careers, almost doing both PT school and a PhD but deciding not to. I feel like I blinked and went from 23 to 30.

I’ve been living with my folks since finishing grad school, and trying to decide my long term plan (going back to school or not). Im now at a place where I’m looking to move out, and become financially independent, since I own my own successful small business as a personal trainer.

My question is: what are everyone’s thoughts on getting a year or two (maybe more) of renting under my belt before looking to buy a home? I have a fair amount saved up, but living in Seattle is expensive unfortunately. Would renting be a bit of a waste since I wouldn’t be building equity in a home?