Decide Whether to Rent or Buy Property in the Next Two Years

Everyone says buying is better than renting. This is not always true and the calculation depends on several things people do not include. This structures the decision: the break-even horizon, the risks on both sides, the non-financial factors that are usually ignored, the conditions where renting is clearly right despite what people say, and a recommendation based on the stated situation.

<context>
Someone is deciding whether to buy property or continue renting. Their situation: {FINANCIAL_SITUATION} (e.g. enough deposit for the area, limited savings, dual income), location market: {MARKET_CONTEXT} (e.g. prices are high and stable, prices are falling, rental market is competitive), life situation: {LIFE_SITUATION} (e.g. stable job and relationship, uncertain about location in five years, planning to start a family).
</context>

<task>
Structure the decision:
1. The break-even point: how long they need to stay in the property for buying to be cheaper than renting (including transaction costs and opportunity cost of deposit)
2. The financial risks of buying in the current context versus the financial risks of renting
3. The non-financial factors that tend to be underweighted in this decision
4. The conditions under which renting is clearly the right answer, however socially unpopular
5. A recommendation based on the stated situation, with the key assumption it depends on
</task>

<output_format>
- Five numbered items
- Length: under 350 words
- Tone: financially honest; no position that renting is wasted money
</output_format>