If you live in London and surrounding areas, how many people in your circle own their home

[MixedFamily]

Between 30 and 40 yo? Inspired by another post I have read a few days ago where the OP was asking whether it was uncommon for people in their 30s to still be renting in London and commuter towns.
I would say that about 70% of people in our circle of friends and colleagues own, and these can mainly be divided in two groups:

• have bought cheap properties (“cheap” by London standards) after saving hard for years and some have then upgraded to bigger houses, mainly fixer uppers
• have had significant help from parents or married a rich partner (or both)

The remaining 30% who rent are all professionals with decent jobs but with no help, paying so much on rent and childcare and commute, it’s hard to save for a deposit whilst paying all of the above. We were in this group up to a few months ago, managed to buy a small home in a commuter town after a decade of savings.

Ex councils flat for cheaper and larger size
Nice blocks 50 and above sq m - 250 to 340 thousands - from Sutton and outwards

Some people I know secured life tenancies and pay rent but call this their house. Some did partially owned and live their lives come what may - these are people who just work and not on massive salaries and also parental help if any - around 1000 to 5000 maximum as one off

I'm don't know anyone that rents but I'm in the Early 40s bracket as are friends.

Yes this is similar to me. Mid 30s-40 and 90% own but we’re all childfree, good careers and own one- or two-bed flats. The only person I know in a huge detached house has millionaire in-laws. I know two couples with two-bed terraces and again they had significant help. I think I’m the only one who had literally zero help (poor parents with no money to help even if they wanted to). My flat is considerably smaller and shitter than anyone else’s! All in SE London in a “cheap” bit

I think Generation Rent is younger, poorly paid, and crucially, single - most responders to the thread have said “we” which implies couples. Buying in London isn’t that difficult as part of a couple. My cousin is just 30 and earns a below average for London salary. He rented through his twenties but in house shares, and managed to save about £25k over 7 or 8 years. When he met his now partner, she was in a similar position. Unable to buy independently, but between them, a joint income of around £75,000 and a joint deposit of around £50k enabled them to buy their first flat this year.

You've got some very niche responses here. I live somewhere a lot cheaper than London and most people (including families not just young singletons) rent