one of you is tlaking about interest rates on a mortgage and one on savings? no? totally different things.
nope we're both talking about mortgages
though its fair to conclude that whether buying or renting is a good option is fairly dependent on your particular circumstances
a lot of people have the idea that buying is *always* a good option "property always goes up innit" etc.. and as a nation we do have this obsession with owning our own homes
if you're only planning on being in a place for a year or two, if you've got a bearish view on the property market, if a mortgage would present a significant cost due to a small deposit or if you're self employed and so have to pay a higher rate then with any of these factors renting might well be the optimal choice
I actually know of one contractor who has recently taken up a full time job with the intention of not remaining there for more than a year for rather beneficial reasons - she wants a mortgage and she wants to have a kid & claim maternity pay...