My boyfriend has a nicer house, and says I should live with him. My mortgage is paid off. He believes I should pay...

Dear Quentin,

My boyfriend owns a house with a 30-year mortgage balance of $150,000 on a 4% interest rate. He has $275,000 in cash and retirement accounts. He is retired.

My house is paid off. I have $50,000 in cash and retirement accounts. I would like to retire within one to two years.

We wish to cohabitate but have not been able to agree on a fair rent to pay. He is not willing to live in my house because it has fewer amenities.

He believes I should pay half of his monthly cost at his nicer, more expensive house. He could pay off his mortgage and save $600 a month, but he likes to have cash.

I have forgone that luxury and paid off my mortgage. I am now working on building my savings. I dont feel it is fair for me to pay half of the mortgage interest expense.

I dont know what repair and maintenance costs should be expected from me, if I have no equity in his house. There are many points of view, none of which feels fair.

These are the options he set forth: