AIBU to think old bangers and student dumps were character building?

[Renamedefault]

My first car was a total shitheap. Clapped out. But I loved it, it gave me lots of anecdotes (like not being able to use the radio if the lights were on), and I genuinely appreciated working up to what I currently have.

Similarly, my first experience of living independently was at University, when me and three friends trawled the student area to rent a four bedroom dump, with a hole in one ceiling, a damp bathroom, and dubious furnishings, from someone who can only be described as a slum-lord.

We had some great times.

Nowadays new drivers tend to get something far more serviceable, even new, and a lot of students have modern, clean, well maintained accommodation.

Objectively I know nowadays is better but AIBU to think there was something about having a shitheap of a car and living in a dump that was sort of a rite of passage, something character building. Or am I just a nostalgic old git?

We live in weird times. On one hand, yes, CoL is crazy and especially house prices relative to salaries.

But on the other hand, people can be very entitled and expecting. So many people are broke but drive high end cars on credit. Or people buy a new house and get in debt to furnish it immediately.

A lot of people have lost the ability to be patient and want instant gratification. Social media is a likely driver of this. Keeping up with the Jones’ on a global scale.

Lots of people do live their whole lives like it though