Afford Anything · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Virginia, a federal employee who unexpectedly took early retirement at 58, is debating whether to rent a new home for $2,700 a month or take out a $200,000 to $250,000 mortgage. She currently owns a small condo with no mortgage that could generate about $550 a month if rented out.
“Well, life threw me another curveball in August, and I was unexpectedly offered early retirement from my federal job, and I took it. And that's at 58 years old.”
“The problem is if I move to get the neighborhood and the amenities that I would like, I will have to either rent at about $2,700 a month or take out a mortgage between $200,000 to $250,000.”