Editor's Note: Average home prices in Beijing's secondary market have hit about 42,000yuan ($6,800) per square meter. In places where housing prices are consistently high, the barriers to entry for owning a home are steep. Is it OK to rent forever? Share you views on our website.

Crystal (China)

When you rent, you can move almost whenever you want, with very little penalty; when you own, selling a home can take a very long time. You lose a lot of flexibility when you "put down roots" and this is one the biggest reasons why you shouldn't buy.

A man visits a house agent. [Photo/IC]