Living Conditions

Living conditions were modest and frugal, and budgets were tight. But nobody felt poor because expectations were limited. People often lived in old tenement flats, with outside toilets shared with other households. With no central heating, they were freezing in winter and often crowded as many families were large. Children shared not just bedrooms but also beds. Bath time would be in a tin bath on the floor. No fridges, washing machines, vacuum cleaners – but some were lucky enough to have a television!

The coming of council housing meant better conditions and people were pleased to move into their newly built homes with modern facilities. Read about living conditions in our cohort members’ essays - outside toilets, bath time, ice on the inside of the single glazed windows, wash days, and more.

Living Conditions - Aileen                   Living Conditions - Penny                 Bathtime - Yvonne

Childhood Photograph

"Here's mum sitting in front of the little coal fire and cooking range in our attic tenement flat." - Aileen

Photographs

"My brother and I in our little bedroom showing the cot I slept in, and the two of us out in the back yard where the wash house and air raid shelter was." - Aileen

Bon-Accord Baths Flyer

"It was a treat to go for a public bath at the Bon Accord swimming pool." - Yvonne