• After years of being a homeowner, I've decided to downsize and rent an apartment.
• I like knowing exactly what I'll owe each month, and I never have to worry about pricey repairs.
• Now, I have more time and money to focus on things that make me happy, like traveling.

When I was a homeowner, I spent many mornings tending to my chickens in the yard and evenings playing Monopoly with my kids by the fireplace.

Owning a home felt like the quintessential American dream, and I bought my first property at 22. By the time I was 33, my then-husband and I sold our first home and bought another.

Over the years, however, I learned that owning a house came with a lot of stress and financial pressure.

Now, I'm 47 and divorced, with a steady corporate job and a higher salary than I've ever had. My kids are grown and have moved out, and I have great credit.

Yet, despite the cultural expectations for people at my stage of life and with my income, I've chosen to rent for the last five years.

When my marriage first ended, I thought about buying again. I even asked a friend in real estate to keep an eye out for a home that fit my needs. But as time went on, I realized that renting better fits my lifestyle and makes me feel more secure than buying ever did.

These days, my partner and I live in a downtown apartment, a choice that sets me apart from many of my friends my age, but has come with lots of perks.

Renting has given me a sense of freedom

It's no secret that owning a home comes with a lot of expenses and maintenance.

Over the years, we spent money on everything from cosmetic updates, like redoing bathrooms and ripping up carpets, to unexpected repairs when our water heater blew out and our roof needed work.

A lot of time and money went into maintaining our home, which made it difficult for me to consistently save money for the future.

As a renter, however, I know exactly what I'll owe each month, and I never have to worry about leaky roofs, broken windows, or a sagging porch. This predictability has made it a lot easier for me to build up my savings.

It's also allowed me to invest my time and money in things I love, like traveling. Instead of spending weekends cleaning gutters and pulling weeds, I can go away for a mini vacation.

And, when I do head out of town, I don't have to arrange for anyone to mow the lawn or shovel the driveway when it snows. My partner and I simply make sure the burners are off, close the door, and head out.

That freedom matters even more to me now that I'm an empty nester. Although I love the town I live in, I also know I have years of possibilities ahead of me.

It's nice to know that if an opportunity presented itself somewhere else, I could take it without first having to worry about selling a home.

Plus, I've found a great sense of community

One of the things that surprised me most about renting is the community I've found in my lively downtown apartment complex. It's been a great change of pace from the isolated bubble I sometimes felt like I lived in as a homeowner — where I could walk from the car to my front door without seeing anyone else.

These days, however, I regularly run into my neighbors and even plan gatherings with the folks on our floor.

And when I look out the window, I often see kids playing on the playground or the local college kids laughing as they walk home from the bars. It makes me feel like I'm part of the community.

At this stage in my life, renting feels like the best choice

At the end of the day, I acknowledge that many renters don't have a choice in the matter, and I'm in a place of privilege as someone whose salary and credit would make it easy for me to own a home. But as the price of home ownership continues to rise, I feel more secure spending less on rent.

Even though I once thought owning a home was the ultimate goal, I've found I'm most at peace as a renter.

And although buying another home still crosses my mind from time to time, I think apartment living is the most obvious — and serene — choice for me.