Chirie sau rată? Când merită să cumperi apartament și când e mai bine să stai în chirie

The choice between renting and buying an apartment is a pressing issue for students and young people, especially given the current high prices and the need for a down payment. Renting often proves to be cheaper and offers flexibility, allowing tenants to move easily based on job opportunities. For instance, a two-bedroom apartment in Bucharest costs 650 euros to rent compared to a 750 euro mortgage payment. Despite a 9% drop in transactions for apartments, prices in the capital have risen by 9% compared to last year. While renting provides lower monthly costs, buying offers long-term stability and ownership, which can be beneficial in retirement. The demand for reasonably priced housing remains, with banks offering fixed interest rates below 5%.