eating out was more expensive. but it was real food. hell, you can barely buy real food in the supermarket today, unlike in the 50s.

houses were smaller, but they were built with far, far better materials. The wood was better. everyone had oak hardwoods. the entire house wasn't filled with plastic synthetics that would immediately burst into flames. have you seen 1950s vs. 2000s burn-rate test videos? not to mention the outgassing and microplastic residues in your air.

families had 1 car but you could take the bus or subway and not get stabbed by a nog or meximutt. hell, kids used the public buses, used their bikes all over town, and they weren't getting their heads football kicked into curbs.