Home Ownership: American Dream or American Headache?

I read Megan McArdle's post about how much house one should buy and some commenters were congratulating her on buying "the American Dream." I guess I just don't see a house that way. After a while, it feels more like the American headache.

Don't get me wrong. I love having a house. I just don't like all the maintenance, bills, and the worry about how to sell it when the time comes. Realtors and others in the housing market will tell you what a great deal a house is and it has always left me shaking my head. Add in the down payment, monthly payment, Home owner's association fees, updates, taxes and insurance, and all the other expenses of the house and subtract it from what you get for it spread across the years lived there and sometimes it might be a better deal to rent. I suppose if you get a kick out of "owning" something, it might be worth it, but try not paying your taxes or HOA fees and see how long you "own" the house that you worked so hard to pay for.

I realize there have been many people (especially those who bought many years ago) that do very well with their houses, but like a stock, you must buy low and sell high and thus far, I have not had that luck.

What do you think? Is home ownership a dream, a headache, or maybe both?