To think it is weird this person doesn’t own a property?

[greytday]

This person is 55 years old from America, born in a upper class family, good education, good career from the start of their working life, never married, no kids.

They never had problems with addiction, the law or anything else that makes life more difficult than usual and has a very supportive family.

They have been in the UK for about 13 years, same jobs but with promotions, earning 80-100K a year - but they say that if they were in America they would be earning more and paying less tax so they would be financially better off.

This person don’t own a property either here or in America.

I always heard people saying that buying a home in America is a lot easier, even young people do it at the beggining of their careers.

AIBU to think this is weird?
Or am I to delusional about the American dream?

Are you being unreasonable to think it's weird? Yes.
For whatever reason, that you don't know about, he has decided not to. Nothing weird about it. As previous posters have said, there could be multiple reasons for it including that lots of people just dont feel the need to own property.
What is weird is that you haven't just asked him why he decided not to buy if you're that curious about it.

America is one of only 2 countries in the world that requires its non-resident citizens to file a tax return and pay tax on foreign "Income" . They also have VERY different rules than the UK over what's taxable income, and what's an allowable deduction.
Boris Johnson hadn't lived in the US since he was 5, but because he was an American citizen, they hit him for £50,000 tax on the "profit" on his home in Islington when he moved house in 2014. He gave up his citizenship 2 years later.
Perhaps your friend is trying to keep their finances simple.

So yes
Then…
Assuming I can’t trust 100% this person is telling the truth - there might be things I was lied to or just omissed info

They been in the same rental since arriving and have zero plans to move as I was told

As others have said, not everyone wants the hassle of owning a property. If they’re wealthy they might not ‘need’ the security of owning a property.

Why does it matter so much to you?

Not everyone wants to buy!!
Could have a shit credit rating?!

Not weird at all. Mind your own business.

Yank here. People who live in cities with strong rent controls often have very inexpensive flats that they don't want to give up. It's also possible that he did own a property but sold it when he moved to the UK.

It might just be a deposit issue and stamp duty. Their income may enable a mortgage but they haven’t built up the 10% due to outgoings and high taxes.

Ok if blunt is good - then ask them not a bunch of anonymous strangers who have no clue.

Could his company be paying accommodation costs?

The only bizarre thing here is why you are so interested in this?

Why are you so invested? None of your business.

Not everyone is keen to be an absentee landlord.
The cost of being a landlord in the US is high. You'd have to employ a full agent to handle the tenants and be there to address tenant issues. The cost of that on top of state taxes, property taxes, sometimes city taxes, and the federal taxes on the rental income make it extremely unprofitable AND a logistics nightmare.

It's so hard to say, given there's absolutely no background info. I only bought in my early 40s, and had no issues with happily renting. As others have said, you have far less hassle if you don't own the house. That said, it's nice to have the security.

Why are you so keen to know, OP? It feels Ike you're suspecting that something is untoward?

It's very obvious that their values, beliefs, circumstances or preferences don't align with yours.

But why is that such a problem for you? That seems to be the real issue here.

why do you care? Who is this person to you?

Right, so he comes from a wealthy family and I presume has a decent salary here. If he is happy to pay rent in exchange for not having the hassle of ownership, what’s wrong with that? He’s obviously not needing to worry about future financial security, so he’s made different life choices. What’s so hard to understand?

If he works for, or is on contract to, the US govt, they often get a generous housing allowance to cover rent. I don't think that covers a mortgage.

And?

Some people like renting. It gives them freedom.

Perhaps he feels a home would tie him down.

The US is a very large & diverse place. Trying to make any blanket statement about how easy or hard it is to buy a home there is utterly pointless.

But unless you're considering marrying this person I don't understand why you care or have any opinion whatsoever. Some people don't find the responsibilities of home ownership appealing or preferable - it does have some tradeoffs to renting.

It's got nothing to do with you. There are lots of reasons why people don't want to own property, and there is nothing "weird" about it.

Is his employer paying his rent ?

Our next door neighbours don't own their house. They appear that they should be able to, but they don't. In the husband's words "if I don't own it, no one can take it off me".

OP you do know that there’s families in central London who have been renting for almost two decades? Not everyone wants to own a place

Lots of people don't value owning a house the way British people do. It effects you how?