It is not a fact, that Soviet Union was bad but many can argue and use their arguments in favor or against the quality of life in the Soviet Socialist Republics. One thing I know is that people lived in imaginary world. USSR can be compared to North Korea. During soviet era (Before 1990) the world didn't have internet and it was impossible for a regular citizen to track the world news. People were under a serious influence of Soviet officials and would see and hear only what the communist party wanted them to know. There was a standard of living. Salaries were capped, prices fixed, supplies limited. If a citizen wanted to buy a car, he or she must register and stand in a queue for several years. Depending on a make and model one could wait for 2 or even 5 years.
I just watched this video on youtube and want to share.
I lived in the USSR in my childhood and I do confirm the fundamental idea of this anecdote is right. Of course it is exaggerated but the story about the car was a real practice in the Soviet Union.