Where should I live?

I've been thinking seriously for quite a while now about trying to buy a place of my own again. There is one major thing standing in my way. NO MONEY SAVED for down payment and closing costs.

That's a major issue. However, recently I've come to realize that I may be better off renting. The reason I say this, is because I have no one to depend on for repairs and such should the need arise. My Dad is getting older. He can still do a lot, but he's 70 years old and his body just doesn't take the beatings anymore. If I had to have something physically demanding done I wouldn't want to put that on him.

I had a friend that, at one time, I would have depended on to help me out, but I'm trying very hard to sever ties as much as possible. It's a complicated relationship and I just need to remove myself from it as much as possible. I can't do it completely because I got myself in a financial mess and he helped bail me out. I am paying him back slowly, but I'd have to clean out an retirement account to pay him off. So, I continue to make bi-weekly payments and slowly but surely am paying back the money I owe him.

As I said, I think I would be better off to continue to rent so that someone else would be responsible for maintenance and repairs of my dwelling. I don't know... I'll keep shooting for my personal goal (50 years old) and see what happens by then.

As for now... I'm going to move in a few months. I need a change of scenery and a new home. We'll see where I end up. Maybe that will help me clear my head and heart.