It depends on your needs. I’m in the same boat, and for now, I’m investing because I ran the numbers and decided my combination of factors (local real estate market, level of commitment to this location, job security) means I’m better off with market risk than renting.

I can totally be wrong. The future is uncertain. I decided that’s the risk I prefer over the risk of stagnant home values.

Still this is a very personal decision. I’d choose between a basic but solid flat vs. investing in other ways, but don’t buy real estate to invest IMHO you do it because it suits your lifestyle first, and only after that, as an investment.