I spent some years in a trailer park. Came from a poor family. Until you're 18, you can't really control where you live. And even as an adult, I had a chance to stay in one for a year - while working 2 jobs, 1 band, and full time masters degree program - and I did it. I put away a ton of $ without bills, bought a new truck, paid off school, etc. It was 2003, and everyone with a brain knew real estate here was overvalued so buying would have left me upside down in 08 like everyone else is. and renting for $1000 a month plus utilities didn't make sense either when I was never home to enjoy it.