What one generation treasures as rare luxuries, another may see as ordinary—and that gap says more about us than we think.

There’s a funny thing about perspective. What feels like “just part of life” to you might feel like winning the lottery to someone from another generation.

Boomers—those born roughly between 1946 and 1964—grew up in a very different economic and cultural landscape. Many of the conveniences and freedoms younger generations see as baseline expectations were either rare, expensive, or downright unthinkable back then.

And while technology, wages, and lifestyles have evolved, that gap in perspective hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it’s widened.

Let’s talk about seven of those “everyday” things that, to boomers, still carry the shine of luxury.

1. Eating out regularly

For many boomers, eating in a restaurant was an event—birthdays, anniversaries, maybe the occasional Friday night if money allowed.

Fast food chains were around, yes, but a sit-down meal with a server was a treat you dressed up for. Families would plan for it, budget for it, and sometimes drive to the “nice” place in the next town over.

I still remember my mom telling me how, as a kid, she’d get so excited to go to the one Chinese restaurant in her small town. She’d order the same dish every time, partly because it was her favorite and partly because she didn’t want to “waste” the experience on something she might not like.

Compare that to now: grabbing takeout for lunch, ordering sushi on a Wednesday night, or having your favorite meal delivered in under 30 minutes feels normal to many younger adults.

Here’s the thing—boomers still see a dinner out as a small indulgence, even if they can afford it. It’s not just about the cost; it’s about the mindset that dining out is a break from the ordinary, not the ordinary itself.

2. Owning a home before 30

Let’s be honest—today, owning a home at any age feels like climbing Everest without oxygen.

But in the boomer years, even with more modest salaries, many could buy their first home in their twenties. It wasn’t “easy”—mortgage rates could be high—but prices were more aligned with incomes.

One of my uncles bought his first house at 24 while working a job that didn’t require a college degree. He still shakes his head at how much harder it’s become for young people, even those with advanced education, to afford a place of their own.

That’s why homeownership, to them, still feels like a major milestone and a symbol of stability.

For younger generations, the idea of saving up a down payment while juggling rent, student loans, and a higher cost of living feels unrealistic. Renting for years (or decades) is normal now. But for boomers, finally turning that key in the door was—and still is—something to cherish.

And maybe that’s why they look at their homes with a kind of long-term loyalty. They weren’t just buying property; they were building their future.

3. Flying anywhere

Picture this: you’re a kid in the ’70s, and you find out you’re going on a plane. You tell everyone. You wear your best clothes. You feel like a movie star.

Air travel was expensive, less frequent, and far less casual. People packed as if they were going on a luxury cruise, and they often were treated like they were. Meals, even in economy, came on real plates. Flight attendants were seen as glamorous, and kids got wings pinned to their shirts.

These days? You can book a budget flight to another country in a few clicks, fly for a weekend trip, or hop on a plane for a work meeting.

Sure, airline travel has its headaches now—delays, cramped seating, endless security lines—but it’s become accessible enough that many people see it as a basic travel option, not a once-in-a-decade event.

Boomers haven’t lost that little jolt of awe when the plane lifts off. Younger travelers might just be wondering when the Wi-Fi will connect.

It’s a reminder that access doesn’t always erase the wonder—unless we let it.

4. Having new clothes for every season

This one’s easy to miss.

Fast fashion has made it normal to refresh your wardrobe constantly. A quick trip online or to the mall and you can have a new outfit in days—sometimes hours.

Boomers grew up in a time when clothes were more expensive relative to income, and quality mattered. You often had a small number of outfits you wore on rotation. New clothes were for special occasions, back-to-school, or when something wore out beyond repair.

My dad once told me he had one pair of sneakers each year growing up. If they wore out before the year was over, his mom patched them until they were practically held together by determination alone.

They remember wearing the same winter coat for years. Younger generations might buy a new one just because it’s a different style or color.

It’s not that one mindset is better than the other—it’s just that boomers often feel more appreciation for a really good, new piece of clothing. They remember when it was less about trend and more about longevity.

5. Job stability

Do you know what was once considered a luxury? Working in the same company for decades and retiring with a pension.

In the boomer era, the idea of staying in one place long enough to get a gold watch at retirement wasn’t unusual—it was the dream. There was a sense of security in knowing your company had your back for the long haul.

Now? Career paths are less linear, benefits are leaner, and “job hopping” is often necessary to increase income or gain experience. Younger workers might see changing jobs every two to three years as normal.

One friend’s father worked at the same manufacturing company for 42 years. His coworkers became like extended family. When the plant shut down in the late 2000s, he said the hardest part wasn’t losing the job—it was losing that daily connection to people he’d grown up with professionally.

Boomers see a steady, supportive job as a gift—not just financially, but for the peace of mind it brings.

6. Privacy at home

This one might sound strange until you think about it.

Boomers often bought homes that gave them space—yards, garages, sometimes even a spare room or two. Even apartments tended to be larger for the price.

For younger adults today, especially in cities, having a space where you can close the door and not hear your neighbors sneeze feels like a luxury. Many share homes or apartments to cut costs, and private outdoor space is a rare bonus.

I had a twenty-something friend tell me she once burst into tears when she moved into an apartment where she couldn’t hear her neighbors through the walls. That’s how rare it was for her.

To boomers, privacy isn’t just a perk—it’s tied to a sense of independence and personal dignity. They grew up with more of it, so they notice when it’s missing.

7. Time away from work without guilt

Paid vacation time, sick days you could actually use, and work that didn’t follow you home—these were once considered normal for many boomer workers.

Yes, there were high-pressure jobs back then too. But the expectation that you’d always be reachable? That your email inbox follows you to dinner? That’s newer.

One former boss of mine, a boomer herself, once told me that in her early career, taking vacation meant you were gone. There was no checking in. Someone else handled your work, and you came back to a clean slate. She said it was “the mental equivalent of getting a full night’s sleep after months of insomnia.”

Younger generations are told to “unplug,” but often can’t without risking falling behind or missing opportunities. For boomers, real time off meant something sacred: you weren’t at work, and no one expected you to be.

That sense of mental and emotional space is something they still value deeply—and perhaps envy for those who’ve never experienced it.

Final thoughts

When I talk with boomer friends or relatives about these differences, I notice something: they’re not judging younger generations for what they have.

Instead, they’re often in awe of the conveniences and access we live with—and sometimes a little worried we might forget how special they are.

The truth is, luxuries aren’t always about price tags. They’re about how we see them. What feels routine to one person might feel precious to another, depending on what they’ve lived through.

Maybe the real takeaway isn’t to compare, but to remember that appreciation is a skill worth practicing—no matter what year you were born.

And if you really want to understand someone else’s perspective, ask them what they considered a luxury growing up. The answers might surprise you—and maybe even make you see your own life a little differently.