If you’ve ever vented about rising rent or unstable housing only to hear, “Just buy a house,” you’re not alone—and you’re probably a Millennial. That sentence, often tossed around by older generations, can feel like a slap in the face. It ignores inflation, stagnant wages, crippling student loans, and a housing market that’s anything but affordable. For many of us, buying a home isn’t just a dream deferred—it feels impossible. Here’s why that advice doesn’t help, and what we actually need instead.
1. The Math Just Doesn’t Add Up
In the 1980s, the average home price was roughly three times the average household income. Today? In some cities, it’s closer to eight or ten times. Meanwhile, salaries haven’t kept pace with inflation or cost of living. When you’re paying $2,000 in rent, $800 in loans, and still trying to save, where’s the down payment coming from? We’re not bad with money—we’re living in a rigged system.
2. Student Loan Debt Changes Everything
The average Millennial carries tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. That affects your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and ability to qualify for a mortgage. Even with good jobs, many of us are drowning in monthly payments just to stay afloat. It’s not about lattes or avocado toast—it’s about debt we had to take on just to compete. Older generations didn’t have to make this tradeoff.
3. We’re Facing a Different Housing Market
It’s not just about saving—it’s about availability. In many urban areas, starter homes have vanished or been snatched up by investors and rental corporations. We’re competing with cash buyers, bidding wars, and homes selling well over asking price. This isn’t the same real estate world our parents grew up in. Telling us to “just buy” is like telling someone to “just climb Everest without gear.”
4. The Pressure Adds to the Shame
Many Millennials feel ashamed for not owning by their 30s, even if they’ve done everything “right.” We’ve gone to college, worked multiple jobs, started side hustles—and still get blamed for not being “financially responsible.” This kind of toxic positivity minimizes real economic barriers. Instead of encouragement, it feels like judgment wrapped in outdated advice. We need empathy, not assumptions.
5. What We Really Need Is Structural Change
Yes, personal finance matters. But we also need policy changes—student loan forgiveness, affordable housing initiatives, and better wages. We need financial literacy taught early and access to low-barrier savings programs. We need people in power to stop romanticizing homeownership while doing nothing to make it possible. Real solutions require collective effort—not shaming a generation already stretched thin.
This Isn’t Just Complaining—It’s a Call to Reality
Millennials aren’t lazy, entitled, or addicted to brunch. We’re navigating a financial landscape filled with landmines our parents never faced. We’re not asking for handouts—we’re asking for understanding, for updated advice that reflects today’s economy, and for real pathways to stability. Owning a home isn’t just a milestone—it’s a symbol of security. And right now, it’s one that’s been unfairly gatekept.
Have you been told to “just buy a house”? What would you say to someone giving that advice today? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s talk about what real solutions should look like.
Read More:
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10 Signs You Were Raised by Gen Z Parents (and Survived)
Latrice is a dedicated professional with a rich background in social work, complemented by an Associate Degree in the field. Her journey has been uniquely shaped by the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home mom to her two children, aged 13 and 5. This role has not only been a testament to her commitment to family but has also provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights.
As a mother, Latrice has embraced the opportunity to educate her children on essential life skills, with a special focus on financial literacy, the nuances of life, and the importance of inner peace.