Tim-you are only young once. Enjoy your youth and think about investing in 5 years. I am a pallative care nurse and have patients who are 30 with cancer dying, never had a chance to travel went straight from school to uni to work. Dont assume you will have 80yrs of life. Buying a property is huge and can really tie you down if you want to travel. My Dad didn't buy til he was 30 but invested in shares, travelled, enjoyed himself then bought at 32 when he married. He is now very sucessful and an inspiration to me.
If you want to invest consider shares for now.
Good luck in whatever you do though.