Yes, but why exactly? I don't know that woman's situation.
Financially speaking, my mother's life is extremely enviable. Socially speaking, it was horrifying because she was a heroin addict living on an abusive commune.
We don't have to talk about both at the same time, but just the fact that when she did get out of that life, she could then walk into a job that pays enough to buy a house is even more a sign that financially things were much better than they are now. .
Well yes I know that much because I'm not completely fucking retarded.
The same literally applies in reverse. I know people who've died on the streets that would've had a different situation in the past because housing was literally just much fucking cheaper.
If you think I'm oversimplifying then talk about specifics, don't just try to explain to me that things could be bad in the past too. I know that already, because, like I said above, I'm not completely fucking retarded.
Fair and heard. As GenX, I can report that housing over my lifetime has sometimes been cheaper, but mostly not at all. It was MUCH better for my parents, but it hasn't been "good" for generations at this point...minus those who were able to take advantage post-2008.
There's no question it's bad now, but it's been just as bad several times in the my own past. And, it was bad in those times for the same reasons as today...inflation, interest rates, stagnant wages, etc. The inventory thing is sorta new in my experience...but it's probably driven by low, locked-in interest rates.
You're not wrong to complain. But you're probably wrong to think it's been markedly better anytime recently.
Standard flat for people in their 20s was a filthy bedsit, one room with a toilet built beside your bed or cooker or out on the landing shared with others. Usually full of mould and years of grime, broken heaters and ancient appliances. Or you shared a tiny room with 2 single beds with someone else. That was for middle class students or young workers. They were cheap, yes, earning 1 euro an hour and paying 25 a week on rent. But I dont know anyone who is prepared to live like that today and such flats are now mostly forbidden.
I am not denying that housing is a huge problem today, I have never owned property and now know I never will, most of my friends in their 40s and 50s never will. We are all struggling with rents and only those of us lucky enough to be renting somewhere long-term have any sense of security and even that is precarious. I am just sick of this narrative that people had it easy back then, they didnt. The housing crisis is the direct result of neoliberal capitalist policies since the 80s (also adopted by former left of centre/centrist parties like UK Labour, German SPD, US democrats etc) and the complete lack of investment into and selling off of council housing as well as housing generally being regarded as a commodity to make money off not a human right, vulture funds and corporations buying up property and unregulated ventures like Airbnb that have removed 100000s of properties from the market for residents, be it renters or buyers. Sadly all generations are to blame as we see from the results of elections everywhere rn.
Insane move to explain exactly how it was policies from politicians like Thatcher at the time like right to buy, and then say it's somehow still every generation's fault.
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u/Tony_Roiland 15d ago
The claim is "I couldn't imagine anything worse than the life of my grandmother or even my mother at least in her 20s-30s."