Half of young people don’t think they will ever get on the property ladder - because it’s so far out of their reach.<br /><br />Which may be why 91 per cent of the 1,000 18 - 30-year-olds polled said home ownership is no longer the top priority.<br /><br />Nearly half (45 per cent) have put their dream on the backburner while they live life to the full.<br /><br />While 63 per cent would prefer to enjoy the money they earn and not put it all into savings or a mortgage.<br /><br />As many as 22 per cent would prioritise advancing in their careers and one in 10 would rather pay off their student loan.<br /><br />It also emerged 73 per cent want to take advantage of travelling and enjoying their life while they can - treating themselves as often as three times a month to things like a meal out or a new item of clothing.<br /><br />A spokesperson for new mobile network, Slice, which commissioned the research and rewards customers with cashback and the chance to have a say in its product features, said: “We understand that it’s hard out there for young people to buy their first home.<br /><br />“We’re equally tired of hearing older generations tell us to cut back on takeaways to be able to afford a deposit.<br /><br />“Times have changed in the last 20 years - becoming a property owner then was far easier and not as overwhelming financially.<br /><br />“It’s no wonder so many have given up and would rather spend their hard-earned money on life experiences.”<br /><br />The research also found 58 per cent don’t think they will ever be able to buy a property by themselves.<br /><br />And 23 per cent feel they don't have a high enough salary to afford a mortgage for anything decent.<br /><br />But 49 per cent are still trying to save for a deposit, regardless - leaving 45 per cent of those who don’t think they will ever be able to buy feeling sad or overwhelmed.<br /><br />That said, 40 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, would cut down on takeaways if it could help them to afford a house deposit in the long run,<br /><br />While 36 per cent would reduce the amount of clothes shopping they do and 33 per cent wouldn’t go out for dinner so much.<br /><br />The spokesperson for Slice, which is giving away a house deposit worth £30,000 to one founding member, added: "It's overwhelming when the things that are important to so many people feel completely out of reach.<br /><br />“And we know, first hand, how hard it is for the next generation to get themselves on the property ladder."
