I'm not sure of your circumstances Babs, are you talking about renting going forward as a way of downsizing or just in the interim until you find another home? Because we may soon be in that scenario. We have pretty much sold our house and will be moving out around the end of June so we really need to have a place to move into by then and can't find a suitable place just now.
i feel there are pros and cons for renting - someone else has the responsibility for the building, but the downside is yes it is a bigger monthly outgoing than a mortgage ( assuming you still pay one) and you are at the mercy of the landlord. Perhaps writing a list of pros and cons would help to see the way forward?