Despondent

No, it's ok I'm not a troll. I would like to say thank you to the posters who have shown some support. These days, being young doesn't exempt you from being concerned about financial matters. Ask around my peers and they will tell you the same thing. Significant education debts, cost of living, and in particular, astronomical house prices present an enourmous financial obstacle to my generation. It's one that we have to consider early on in our careers. To be honest I feel mostly for the postmen, nurses etc. How on earth they will manage, I have no idea. To those people who say things like "Why do you assume you are entitled to your own property at your age?" I simply say that I never once claimed that I am. But rather I would at some time over the next few years like to have my own place, be it in 3, 5 or 10 years. But at the rate house prices have increased versus salary increases that would actually work out impossible. Forgive me if I am at all stupid but when I typed in "www.housepricecrash.co.uk" I assumed it was a discussion on the current house price situation. But then again, I suppose your answer would be "Go back to playing your nintendo". And for the people who suggested doing some travelling, thanks, I already did that. The year or so between graduating and starting my job I went abroad. It was wonderful, I had a great time but unfortunately that kind of thing can't last forever.

So, as I casually flick through the pages of the local newspaper I happen across the property pages. I make a mental note of the general asking prices of single bedroom appartments. Though not in any position to buy now, I like to at the very least stay within earshot of the market in the increasingly vain hope that one day I may be able to afford a place of my own. Not a big place, I've never been into grandeur. Just enough that I can shut the door and call it my home. Maybe, one day.... ...but it's unlikely. I'm 23. I graduated university a year ago with a master's degree in engineering (first class honors too). I have £20,000 worth of student loans (well, £19,570 to be precise) and I earn £21,000 a year. As I reach the end of the property section it's the same familiar feeling of disappointment that no, they don't hide the cheapy properties at the back. The smallest appartments really are priced between £120,000 and £170,000. It's just ludicrous. I read that on average prices increase by 15-20% per year. Salaries increase by what? 3-5% Maybe 10% at the absolute most. So...er...if my salary increases by 10% and prices by 20% then I will be able to afford somewhere by er...*click*..*click*...*click*...*chur-ching*...never! I hear of people that own a dozen houses like it's one big race to see who can die the greediest. This country sucks, it's full of people driven solely by the thought of money. Despondent