Imagine two things being able to be true at the same time

That sometimes under the right circumstances a home is both a great place to live, the best deal you can get in your area, and also an investment

You sort of alluded to it in your post, but it’s different for everyone, but then you go on ahead and speak as if there were one answer

Good for you you chose to rent - you don’t have to deny homes potentially being good investments to validate your decision