As for hangars, yes, they're in short supply everywhere. Often, you have to be on a waiting list for a long time, unless you have money to buy/build your own, or luck out with an opening. If you manage to get a plane, it's not the end of the world to tie it down outside. A good cover will prevent quite a bit of interior damage. My plane spent over 20 years tied down outside and it didn't hurt the exterior much.
You don't HAVE to buy an airplane in order to proceed with getting your PPL. Most of us got our license and rented for quite a few years before buying a plane. Sure, it'd be nice to train in your own airplane and not "wasting" money on rents. But there's a plus side to renting: you don't have to worry about maintenance & repairs, and fixed costs (hangar, taxes, insurance, loan payments). At the end of the flight, toss the key to the FBO and drive home carefree. Not all that bad.
Hung, they don't have long time tie downs for rent here. They also don't have covered parking. There is one large hanger, but it houses the Mercy Heli and I've noticed the ground crew is always pushing planes in/out of the hanger.
I don't really want people moving my plane twice a day.
I need to purchase the plane, because there is nothing to rent. Also, if I don't find a CFI locally, my drive time to a flight school will be 1.25 hours each way.
-corey
