Pretty much every generation looks back at the past and sees things they wish they had.
While Gen Z has grown up with technology, social media, and instant access to everything, that doesn’t mean they don’t envy certain aspects of life that boomers had. Whether it was cheaper house prices or the ability to switch off and disconnect sometimes, there are plenty of things that seemed easier back then. While they wouldn’t change their current world, they do wish these things still existed.
1. Buying a home wasn’t a financial nightmare.
Back when boomers were buying houses, property prices were actually realistic. Sure, wages weren’t sky-high, but the idea of owning a home wasn’t some far-off fantasy. Fast-forward to today, and having your own place feels more like a luxury than a standard life milestone. For Gen Z, even saving for a deposit can feel impossible, let alone affording mortgage payments. Housing costs have skyrocketed while wages haven’t kept up, making renting the only option for many. The dream of buying a house without lifelong debt is something that seems to belong to a different era.
2. Jobs actually paid enough to live on.
There was a time when working a normal 9-to-5 job could comfortably cover rent, bills, and even leave room for savings. Boomers weren’t living in constant fear of rising costs or struggling just to make ends meet. Today, wages don’t stretch nearly as far, making financial security feel unreachable for many young workers. For Gen Z, side hustles, gig work, and living pay cheque to pay cheque are the norm. The idea of working one steady job and being able to afford a decent life sounds almost too good to be true. A world where jobs paid enough to survive without needing three of them sounds pretty appealing.
3. People actually disconnected from work.
Back in the day, once you clocked out, work stayed at work. No emails at midnight, no expectation to be constantly available — when the workday ended, it really ended. Now, thanks to technology, the line between work and personal life is so blurred that it barely exists. Gen Z often feels pressured to be ‘always on,’ checking messages and responding to work requests even during personal time. The idea of shutting down and having actual work-life balance is something many wish they could experience. Boomers may not have had remote work, but at least they had real time off.
4. College didn’t leave you drowning in debt.
Higher education used to be an affordable way to secure a better future. Tuition fees were manageable, and many students could pay their way through college with a part-time job. Now, getting a degree often means taking on crushing debt that follows you for decades. For Gen Z, the cost of university has become so high that many of them question whether it’s even worth it. Seeing how boomers were able to graduate without financial ruin makes it clear that something has changed. Education should be an investment, not a lifelong financial burden.
5. Social media didn’t control everything.
Before social media, people actually lived in the moment without worrying about likes, comments, or filters. There was no pressure to curate a perfect online life or constantly keep up with trends. People had conversations face-to-face instead of through a screen. Gen Z grew up in a world where social media is unavoidable, shaping everything from friendships to careers. While it has its benefits, the pressure to always be online can be exhausting. The simplicity of life before constant digital validation is something many wish they could experience.
6. Dating was more straightforward.
Boomers didn’t have to deal with ghosting, breadcrumbing, or endlessly swiping through dating apps. Meeting someone was as simple as talking in person, asking for a date, and seeing where things went. Now, dating has turned into a confusing mix of unspoken rules and mind games. For Gen Z, the world of modern dating feels more like a puzzle than a natural process. With so many options and so little accountability, building real connections can be frustrating. The idea of meeting someone in a normal, organic way without all the digital complications sounds like a dream.
7. Privacy actually existed.
There was a time when personal lives were actually private. No constant tracking, no data collection, and no fear that every conversation was being recorded somewhere. People could make mistakes without worrying that they’d go viral the next day. For this younger generation, privacy is almost non-existent. Social media, targeted ads, and smartphones have made it impossible to truly be off the grid. The ability to exist without being constantly monitored is something that feels more and more like a luxury.
8. The news wasn’t an overwhelming 24/7 cycle.
Boomers got their news from newspapers, evening broadcasts, and actual journalism. There wasn’t an endless flood of bad news popping up on their phones at all hours. They had time to process information instead of being bombarded with it nonstop. Today, the never-ending news cycle is mentally exhausting. Social media means news, often negative, is unavoidable, making it harder to switch off. A world where news came in digestible, manageable doses sounds a lot healthier.
9. People actually made phone calls.
Texting is convenient, but sometimes, nothing beats an actual phone call. Back in the day, if you wanted to talk to someone, you just picked up the phone and called them — no endless waiting for replies or decoding vague text messages. Conversations were quicker, clearer, and more personal. Gen Z often struggles with modern communication that feels indirect and detached. Texting leaves too much room for misinterpretation, and waiting for replies can be frustrating. Sometimes, the old way — just calling someone — would make things a lot easier.
10. Hobbies weren’t turned into side hustles.
People used to do things just for fun — painting, writing, playing music — without feeling the pressure to monetise it. Now, there’s an expectation that every hobby should be turned into a business or a ‘side hustle.’ The idea of simply enjoying something without worrying about making money from it feels rare. For this generation of young people, there’s constant pressure to be productive and turn passions into income. While it’s great to have opportunities, not everything needs to be profitable. Hobbies used to be about joy, not financial gain, and many wish it could go back to that.
11. Customer service was actually helpful.
Back in the day, if you had a problem with a product or service, you could call a real person who actually cared. Now, getting help means dealing with endless automated menus, frustrating chatbots, or long hold times. The personal touch of good customer service feels like a thing of the past. For Gen Z, the struggle of getting decent support is real. Companies seem more focused on cutting costs than actually helping customers. A time when customer service was actually, well, service? That would be nice.
12. People actually focused on the moment.
Before smartphones, people weren’t constantly distracted by notifications and scrolling through their feeds. When they went out with friends, they actually paid attention to each other instead of their screens. Life felt more present, and people weren’t glued to their devices. Gen Z often wishes for that kind of simplicity. While technology has its perks, constantly being connected can be overwhelming. A world where people lived in the moment instead of through their phones sounds pretty refreshing.
