I turn 45 next week bearing the distinction of being a ''no home buyer'' i.e. I don't own property, never have and wonder if I ever will.

It's largely been a lifestyle decision because to buy property where I choose to live you need to be a hedge-fund manager, Rinehart, or arms dealer, so I pay a boatload of rent instead of buying in more ''affordable'' suburbs.

Locked out: Who will acknowledge the "total disenfranchisement of a generation from home ownership?" Credit:Simon Dawson

In my street, a two-bedroom flat with no view, no balcony, no car space and a burgeoning case of concrete cancer will set you back between $600,000-$800,000 - but I like my street, especially trying to work out who is the hedge-fund manager, Rinehart or arms dealer.

I've lived in the neighbourhood since 1986, know a lot of people around here and it's the constant friendly chats with familiar faces that makes up about 32.5 per cent of my happiness; it's nice to feel you belong somewhere.