Michal Migurski drops knowledge on how to get OpenStreetMap data into PostgreSQL/PostGIS:
At first glance, OSM data and Postgres (specifically PostGIS) seem like a natural, easy fit for one another: OSM is vector data, PostGIS stores vector data. OSM has usernames and dates-modified, PostGIS has columns for storing those things in tables. OSM is a worldwide dataset, PostGIS has fast spatial indexes to get to the part you want. When you get to OSM’s free-form tags, though, the row/column model of Postgres stops making sense and you start to reach for linking tables or advanced features like hstore.