Same here. I'm not American, but i also mention a drastic lack of desire of my generation (late X or early Y depending on who you ask) to own a house or a car vc. earlier ones. I bought an apartment only when i could save of one in one year and buy in cash, and only recently bought a car (also within a couple months of income) only because of moving to a place with little public transport.

This has nothing to do with economy, this is behavioral change. Freedom in all forms is the thing we value most of all and ready to spend a lot of money for, and houses and cars have negative value in this respect, they bind you.