> In a lot of new homes where I live the kitchens are one of the places the builders spend money.

Regular people generally can't afford new homes. Working class professionals usually get shoved into apartments (usually small ones) with small kitchens in 5+1 buildings or renovated industrial buildings.

Stuff like this is pretty common - https://images1.apartments.com/i2/5Wguguo1YZBzaUo30bfX2jUIY6... or this one https://images1.apartments.com/i2/PuDTEuad8QYuGVJfUJAbGHCZIS...

It's not impossible to cook here, of course. But it's designed around the idea that most of your big meals will be "out" somewhere else.