I had this "cultural shock" when my country went out of communism. Now after almost 30 years, half of the people I know also "has" (quotation marks are very important!) houses, cars and so on, but they are debt slaves.
Actually I am too. And I find it a good way to dodge inflation. Of course, I hope that, among other benefits, Bitcoin could also save me from debt someday.

It's interesting that as opposed to Germans, for example, in my country everybody tries to buy his own flat (or house if affords it). Of course, the result is that everybody will pay for it about all his life. And of course it's counterproductive, since it obstructs relocation based on better job or school for kids.

So I don't know if this is really by choice or social pressure (!).