The idea that you need to buy a house, or that buying a house is always a wise financial move if you have the means to do it, is misguided. The question of whether it's a financially smarter decision to own a house vs rent (and invest the savings) is not easily answered, which alternative ends up better over the long term is different in different scenarios.

One thing that is true in most conditions, though, is that in comparing alternatives where a young person buys more house than they need (which used to be quite common) against renting a modest and reasonable "young adult" apartment, renting is likely to come out ahead.