Forgetting about the collection for a second, you would be far better off saving for a house rather than renting for the rest of your life. The people against buying must live in ridiculously expensive area's so no wonder they don't recommend it. Having your own house means you can do whatever you like to it, you'll never have the fear of being booted out and in 25 years (a lot less if you, and hopefully a partner too at some point, get payrises/higher paying jobs along the way) you'll have it all paid off. Just as house prices go up, so does the cost of renting. I hate to think what the rent prices will be like in another 25 years from now...
My advice is to keep saving for a deposit on a house until such time as you find your perfect partner, then at some point BLAMMO buy an awesome house together (the amount the banks will loan you will obviously go up on dual-income so you can afford something nicer). If you can't afford to buy your ideal house then you'll either have to move/look at some more affordable area's or get a higher paying job.Good luck with whatever you do!