Yeah well back then we were struggling to make rent but 5 adults paying each $100 for a $500 house rent made it possible. There were a couple of babies too, we were just so poor back then. Nowadays I imagine you'd have to multiply that cost by 5 or 10, depending on the house but a 3 bedroom can hold 3 couples no problem.

I've never lived alone - these were people I'd lived with or near before, just friends. You need a tolerant private landlord, ours lived next door. I still see houses full of working people here in my neighborhood, sure it's still possible.