[terio]

In some markets, e.g. San Francisco, it does not make financial sense to buy and renting is a better option.

[jjav]

In the very short term, that can be true. If you intend to move in a year or two, sure.

Rents only ever go up, whereas a mortgage can only go down (in a refinance). A mortgage ends and so do the payments, but a renter will pay ever increasing rents forever. It gets particularly painful after retirement on a fixed income.

Things to consider!