My wife and I would probably be considered lower middle class as well. I also think there is a huge difference between owning a house and paying on a mortgage for a house. If I live in a $300,000 house (I don't) but I owe $280,000 on the mortgage, then I really don't own anything. I remember those years of renting and I wish I had that money back now. I can appreciate not wanting to feel locked into anything, but I just really wish I had done things differently.
Yes, it isn't owning anything really, which is why I would rather the house over an apartment of the same value. My friend will probably look to have a family one day, so will have to move again anyway :)
I didn't end up renting for "too long" but long enough. I came to Finland with nothing though, so had to build from scratch and it has taken a lot of time and effort to even get this far.
Doing things differently... A few small tweaks ad everything changes to a extreme. Wouldn't be bad to try.