It is an interesting question - better or worse 50 years ago? I think the answer is just 'different'. You are obviously right that housing (for rent or sale) was more affordable, the welfare state was more complete in a lot of ways, there was more of a shared culture (which is both a good and bad thing - with 2/3 TV channels that everyone watched) and a stronger sense of community in many places. Against that I think a lot of change in social attitudes is for the good, overall wealth has increased (not evenly), there is now much more cultural diversity, and access to information (and misinformation). Technology, gadgets and baubles is just a part of it.