You would then find this Nihilistic attitude acceptable in a non-capitalistic country?

No because it still doesn't serve you. Some people still strived for better lives, just with much lower return on investment. And then get the fuck out to the West when you can.

And how did you measure who had the best life in such a system?

Easy comparison:

Level 1: dead from alcoholism before 40. Level 2: share a "communal apartment" with 3 other families. Level 3: work your way into being able to bribe someone to expedite your own apartment to only a 20 year wait. Still suffer shortages of food and basics, no hot water. Level 4: emigrate to the West and exceed all that within 5 years, even though you started from zero

Very easily measurement

I'm inclined to wonder why they needed communal apartments. I assume because there weren't enough to go around to supply everyone with one. Interestingly, it would seem that we also lack supply in the modern US, but our solution is just to kick people out on the street.

It sounds like lifespan and ability to obtain independent living arrangements factor heavily into your KPIs, and it's interesting then that both seem to be in decline in the US.