The only 'downside' to owning a home is maintenance, lawn care, and taxes but I'll take that any day of the week having more privacy and space. Apartments suck b/c you're bound to get that one stupid loud neighbor who has "heavy heel"...sounds like whenever they are walking that are trying to stomp the sand off their shoes.
I'd take a condo over an apartment any day because you can write off the interest and it will likley rise in value. Stay two years and you have capital gains with no tax if you use those gains to buy the next house. That said, I'd rather own a home.