“Opting to live” is debatable.
More like being given no choice, and being brainwashed into believing they’re happy little slaves while packed into a slave ship that’s rapidly sinking.
Actually, they do have a choice.
They can move to better locales, since renters’ jobs aren’t tied to mortgages.
Why weren't these places around when I was 20-something?
Back in those pre-marriage days, I rented a flat above some (nice) old woman whose husband died and kids moved away. The rent was cheap but part of the deal was I had to do the yard work and shovel the snow. Everytime I saw her to pay the rent, she would ask me if I had read the Bible that day. I always answered in the affirmative and my rent was never raised even once. She was sad to see me go.
That is smaller than Bruce Willis’ efficiency in “The Fifth Element”, and he was the STAR! (Tongue strictly and firmly planted in cheek!)
As for these pod denizens, hope they wipe their shoes, thoroughly!