Returning to the concerns raised by the OP, when the location of one's home is highly incompatible with the workplace, it inevitably results in additional daily expenses for the individual. This is quite understandable, as urban housing prices are significantly higher compared to rural areas.
If you work in the city while residing in a village, there will be extra costs incurred every day for commuting to work. This leads to an inflated budget for housing. Taking into account the nature of one's occupation and the extent of their needs greatly influences the decision-making process in determining whether to rent a home or pursue a mortgage.
Well, this is also happening to me right now. Incidentally, I am not married and have no inheritance from my parents. My job is far from my parents' house, so I automatically have to rent in the city and work assignments also change every year, so I haven't prioritized buying a house. Because there are concerns as you convey.
But even if I have the chance, I still choose to rent while saving. I will buy land first, build the house gradually (literally). The important thing is that the house is safe from the heat and rain first, the electricity is on, and there is plenty of clean water. Why wake up alone? Have surveyed public housing that is affordable, but the specifications of the building are very far from expectations. If we build our own house, we know our building materials, it takes more effort, but it's so worth it. If there is more fortune, you can continue to make what is still lacking, if you don't have money, stop first. Because if we build our own house without credit, we wake up without worrying about the bank confiscating the house.
So renting as a waste really all depends on each individual person, because only we can analyze our own finances and use them wisely. because listening to other people's opinions is not necessarily what we can apply too.