UK house prices are terrible. For the last few years it has been impossible for younger people to buy. It would require two good wages and the ability to borrow three, four or five times your joint income. As as Pip indicated the mortgage repayments for most people are crippling.
When home, I'm in Holland Park, West London - in a Borough (area) called Hammersmith & Fulham. I inherited my home, a two bedroom flat - and not very big. For central Londoners, it is typical to pay an annual 'service charge' if you live in an apartment block. In theory it covers the cost of maintaining communal areas. My charge is £3500 per year. On top of that we all pay annual 'council tax' which is a local tax to pay for refuse collection, schools etc. Mine isn't too bad at £1500 per year. So people in my apartment block have to find £5,000/$10,000 each year even before they make their mortgage payments and pay their bills.
Of course the house price increases have driven up the cost of renting so it's a pretty dire situation. I just don't know how people manage, and as Bretonbanquet said, it isn't that UK wages are twice yours.
..............and don't get me onto the cost of jeans and cds....
