1. Shows and sitcoms don't portray mundane life, they portray what people want to see, not perfect, but not reality either. Similarly to how "backdrop" style in mall buildings and such isn't normal life. It's glossier, even if not palace-like.

2. USA. The country that is known elsewhere as having been filthy rich relatively to the rest of the world those years.

3. The "normal" good life was, yes, more common. But that life was also more labor, it required you to know how to fix your shoes and clocks and wiring and plumbing, even if you'd be able to call plumbers and electricians, - because calling someone to do a job wasn't what it is now, you didn't have the Internet and aggregators and contact centers.

4. There were no Google. You'd do more work on decisions and relationships, and every action would be more unique. Cost you more and give you more. You still can find such life for yourself. You will be happier, but it will be harder. Of course, you won't change the economy in general.

5. Stolen ... Well, what are you going to do about it? Your life is approaching what's normal elsewhere (still bigger living spaces, bigger food portions and more pretentious communication are normal in the USA as compared to Europe). I agree that things becoming worse are, ahem, not good. So what will you do?

I'm reading Saint-Exupery's "Citadel" now, and he's right about one thing, just sharing everything equally is not the way to improve your life or anyone else's. Happiness will follow work leading to something. You feel happier when participating in building a railway bridge, not so much when making a restaurant's website. Level of life, I think, follows happiness. It's not about what the society as a whole has, it's about bravery and ability to dream of all people in it.

When I was a whipper snapper you could go to the two screen movie theater that got the movies once they left the new theater and watch a double feature matinee for a dollar. But not if you had an onion in your belt.

You know a sitcom that could realistically contrast the two lifestyles could be interesting

Growing up, it was very possible for ONE minimum wage worker to be able to afford a mortgage on a modest home in my city.

For white people in the imperial core

Keep downvoting, sorry the truth hurts that your parents only had those privileges from raping the rest of the world

*for some demographics

That's the supply side story. Nobody tells the demand side story. If every family could do it, they wouldn't be able to. Prices were low because not everyone could do it. You live in a capitalist society. Learn economics, don't be a sucker.

And the people who didn’t have kids got Ferraris! Where the fuck is my Ferrari?

Comparing then to now is hard. I don't doubt workers were compensated better when unions were stronger but it's an apples to oranges thing. Off the top of my head: Multiple generations lived in a single house that was much smaller. Households shared a single car. Most had a single television set that picked up 6 channels. One phone per household. Calling a couple towns over was expensive. Family vacations were within driving distance. Photographs were expensive. Video nonexistent. Eating out was a rare treat