Why do Germans prefer to rent housing? Apartment as an impermissible luxury and restriction of freedom

With the birth of my daughter, my husband and I began to dream of our own living space as a corner of stability, comfort and home coziness. Then, with knightly courage, we took out a mortgage at a fabulous interest rate, and for the tenth year now we have been paying off the hated loan. How else? After all, the thought of your apartment warms your soul and makes you close your eyes to all the hardships and hardships. A typical approach of our compatriots.

However, for some countries, this state of affairs is wild. For example, the Germans do not strive to acquire real estate by all means. On the contrary, it is much easier and more convenient for them to rent housing. Let's look at the reasons for this phenomenon.

According to statistics, over 52% of residential buildings and apartments in Germany are rented. Whereas in Europe this figure does not exceed 30%. And it's not about the high mortgage rate. On the contrary, every year in Germany it becomes more and more accessible and today it is only 1-2%. I'm shocked! The overpayment is minimal, not like ours. Unheard of numbers for Russia.

A survey of German residents showed that 44% of young people under 40 perceive property as a restriction of freedom. With the purchase of an apartment, they become tied to one place. Whereas tenants can easily change their place of residence depending on the location of work or study. As statistics show, during their life the Germans make about 5-6 crossings. And often they are associated with a change in the city. What to say? Easy-going people, open to everything new.

Personally, since my student days, I have dreamed of moving from a closed Siberian town behind barbed wire to Novosibirsk. A millionaire city that opens up a sea of ​​possibilities. I tried to persuade my husband to take a mortgage there, but he remained adamant. Parents, friends nearby - it's so calmer. So I cherish the dream of one day moving to the capital of Siberia. Whether it was the Germans - they left things in their bags and onward to new perspectives. There is a lot to learn!

But still, this reason can hardly be called the main one. The problem is that with a minimum mortgage rate, real estate prices in Germany are sky-high. Over the past decade, the cost of housing has doubled.

At the same time, the minimum amount of the initial payment when applying for a loan is 15-20%. And if you add taxes, broker's fees and commission costs to this figure, then the transaction costs tens, or even hundreds of thousands of euros. For an average German resident with an income of fifty thousand euros a year, this amount becomes unaffordable. For our country, this is also a rather pressing problem. Often, relatives and friends contribute to its solution, as in my case. Financial assistance from relatives is a very good help.

As for the rent, it has remained relatively stable in Germany over the past years. The Germans prefer to invest the saved money in the education of their children, retirement savings and travel around the world. It's very rational for me. What do you think?