"You had elite status around the neighbourhood if your family had this."

I’m an award-winning writer and editor living in New York City, where I currently work at BuzzFeed as the Senior Lifestyle Editor.

"As they say, there is always a good side and a bummer side to everything. The good thing about no AC was the neighborhood's sense of community. When AC became commonplace, that close feeling faded, because everyone stayed in their homes; no more visiting in the front yards anymore."