One of the must-haves when starting out in life is to have your own space and place. However in today's world getting on the property ladder is becoming the equivalent of winning the lottery.I bought my first property in 1971 for the grand total of £800 with a fifteen year mortgage of £10 2 shillings and sixpence per month.I wondered if I had done the right thing as my wages then were £20 per week.The alternative was to rent a council property which would have been cheaper but in the long run ,never mine!The point I am making is that I had a choice and an alternative which younger generations today are often not afforded.Starting out on your own or with a partner in your own place should be an option but rising house prices and lack of affordable rented properties,not least the existence of enough council properties is a failure of progress in society.Statistics suggest young people are living with parents often into their thirties.So the 'promise' by the Government that council houses are to be extensively built again to fill the need is not before time.This does not solve those wishing to purchase and if they do the prospect of both partners having to work and retirement becoming not a financial option is still a sad reflection of life in the real world today.