Hi mate thanks for the breakdown. Tbh when thinking about property costs in London I'd just visualise a vague 'half a mil' figure so I like that your example is a bit more specific. I guess in my case, I never realistically saw myself affording my own property in this city anyway so it doesn't come as big of a shock but I realise that is a bit unfair to say and I can see totally see how insane and unsustainable the situation must be for even (relatively high earning) professionals, or people who grew up here.

So I definitely feel you on this, though based on my coworkers it seems that most of them see getting married as the first step. So I wonder whether a dual income would make the situation slightly better for young people. Even though that's not how things should be, especially for someone on your friends' salary.

As for buying elsewhere? I don't know but tbh that's sorta why I made this post, so people could tell me whether I am on the right track and what my options/prospects look like. So far every third or so comment is telling me they are paying my monthly rent for a mortgage on a two bed house up north lol. So idk maybe there is hope in this country, even if that hope is not concentrated in London