If I was an homeowning instead of renting, I would have bought a much better refrigerator at trice the cost. But I won’t pay that much for an appliance I’m not going to own, and my landlord won’t pay it for one he wouldn’t use, so I’m stuck with a cheap and noisy refrigerator.

Right, I’ve been on both sides of your example. I’ve both bought a refrigerator while owning a home (and picked a more expensive model), and I’ve also had a fridge replaced by a landlord with a cheap model.

Again, for me the renting side of this is a “pro”. I will second guess not splurging if I know it is an option while owning. If I rent, I just don’t care because its not an option in the first place, and I love that.