A salary of £180k put you in the 98th percentile of UK salaries in 2024 (99th percentile was only a little higher at £207k) [1]. With a household income approximately doubling that, i'd suggest your friend is in an even smaller minority.
The average house price in London in July 2025 was £565k [pp33 - 2].
There is not being able to afford something and then there is not being able to afford exactly what you want.