"I remember trying to buy a flat in Edinburgh at 20, even then, before the crazy inflation of the past 30 years it was out of reach."
I've no idea how you were earning a living at that point, but the notion of buying a flat at 20 years old seemed fanciful to me even back in the mid-1980s. I was a full-time student, even working part-time at evenings weekends wasn't going to cut it.
I bought relatively late, at age 33, because by then I had reasonably stable employment and little remaining debt. Deposit requirements less onerous than post-2007 of course. Relatively affordable but small 2 bed flat, reasonably central, where I still live. If I'd been able to buy four years earlier, it would have been a fifth cheaper. On the top floor so was able to extend into the loft to create additional rooms when kids got a bit bigger.
Okay,, not everyone had or has those options. Edinburgh prices have now gone silly, a neighbouring one bed flat is asking three times what I paid for a small two bed 18 years ago. There are still options and choices, especially for dual income "young couples" as per the article above. Yes, if folk want 3+ bedrooms, a garden, garage, etc. then realistically it's Fife or Midlothian, or a less glamorous former social housing property in Edinburgh somewhere.
"struggle to finance a 2 bed flat in a decent area"
Depends on the definition of "decent" I suppose. Newington, Marchmont, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge, etc. were already out of reach on a single modest salary 20 years ago. Less "decent" areas are still relatively affordable in comparison, assuming deposit, finance, etc. are available.
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