Yeah owning your own home is the way to go (bloody expensive though). Hopefully It'll still be a buyer's market when the time comes for you. We're in our own place now and loving the freedom!
I find this site has it's issues (politics mainly), but it is really, really active which is great. And the vast majority of nice people make up for the couple of dicks.
Well seeing as I'm a stingy bastard, and am not about to start sending you cheques, I'd be happy to hook you up with a pair no charge (PM me size, colour pref and address and I'll send it off to you). Just keep telling everyone what an awesome dude I am, hehe!