12 TV Families from the ’70s That Everyone Wanted to Live With

1. The Bradys from The Brady Bunch

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Growing up in the ’70s meant knowing at least one kid who wished they lived in the Brady house. With six siblings, a built-in best friend was always just a room away, and someone was constantly rehearsing a song or solving a goofy misunderstanding. Mike and Carol kept everything calm even when chaos was knocking at the door. And of course, Alice was the glue who made the home feel warm no matter what.

Their house seemed impossibly tidy even with nine people inside. The backyard always looked sunny, and someone was usually planning a talent show or a family adventure. The Bradys made everyday life feel like a team effort. It was the kind of place where no one raised their voice for long because in the end, love solved everything.

2. The Cunninghams from Happy Days

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The Cunninghams embodied that all-American warmth that felt safe and steady. Howard and Marion were the kind of parents who actually listened, even when Richie or Joanie stumbled through some awkward teenage mess. Their house was where friends came to hang out without needing an invitation. And with the Fonz just upstairs, it never lacked cool points.

Dinner at their table looked comforting, like roast beef and real conversation. Richie always seemed to have someone to confide in, even when life pushed him out of his comfort zone. The Cunninghams balanced discipline and kindness better than most families on TV at the time. They were the family that made you believe everything would work out in the end.

3. The Evans Family from Good Times

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The Evans family didn’t have much, but they had more love than most. James and Florida held the household together with discipline, loyalty and a shared belief that things would get better. J.J., Thelma and Michael kept the apartment buzzing with energy, jokes and dreams for their futures. Even when life was difficult, laughter somehow found its way into every episode.

What made them so lovable was how they supported each other through everything. Florida always managed to deliver tough love wrapped in warmth, and James was the foundation everybody leaned on. Their home wasn’t fancy, but it felt full. They made viewers feel like family wasn’t about where you lived, but how you treated each other.

4. The Partridges from The Partridge Family

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Who didn’t dream of traveling the country in a colorful tour bus with their family? Shirley Partridge raised her kids with patience, humor and a whole lot of musical talent. Laurie, Danny, Keith, Chris and Tracy weren’t just siblings, they were bandmates learning to navigate fame together. And Reuben Kincaid kept things lively in his own bumbling way.

Their home life felt light, musical and full of creative energy. Even their disagreements usually ended with a heartfelt lesson or a song. The Partridges showed that family could be fun and unconventional. They felt like the kind of group that would welcome you right onto the bus.

5. The Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie

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The Ingalls family lived simply, but their loyalty made them unforgettable. Pa’s calm strength balanced Ma’s gentle guidance, and the girls learned right from wrong through real experiences on the frontier. The family stuck together through storms, hardships and moments that tested their faith. Yet they always found a way back to hugs at the dinner table.

Laura’s adventures made the prairie look like a place where imagination thrived. Mary added a thoughtful steadiness, while Carrie brought innocence to the home. Life wasn’t easy for them, but their bond made everything feel warm. They were the family that showed the beauty of sticking together, even miles from town.

6. The Jeffersons from The Jeffersons

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The Jeffersons moved on up, but they never stopped being themselves. George’s loud personality and Louise’s calm presence created a perfect balance inside their high-rise apartment. Lionel brought charm and youthful optimism, while Mother Jefferson kept the laughs coming. Their home felt like a place where strong opinions and love lived side by side.

Even their arguments had an undercurrent of affection. Louise kept the family grounded, reminding everyone where they came from. George pushed boundaries, dreamed big and made sure his family enjoyed the success he worked for. They showed that a big personality and a big heart often go hand in hand.

7. The Andersons from Father Knows Best Reruns

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Even though the show aired earlier, the Andersons were still household favorites in ’70s reruns. Jim and Margaret lived with a kind of patience that made family life feel gentle and steady. Betty, Bud and Kathy navigated growing up with guidance that was firm but respectful. The Anderson home seemed like a place where every problem had a reasonable solution.

Watching them felt like slipping into a calmer world. Their living room always looked inviting, and someone was always ready with good advice. The Andersons weren’t flashy, but they were dependable. They were the classic portrait of a family many hoped to have.

8. The Bunkers from All in the Family

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The Bunker home might not have been peaceful, but it was never boring. Archie’s strong opinions clashed with Mike’s ideals daily, giving viewers a front-row seat to real generational conflict. Edith’s gentle spirit held everything together even when voices got loud. And Gloria added her own spark to the mix.

Despite the arguments, you could feel the love underneath. Edith was the heart, reminding everyone of what mattered. Archie’s bluster hid a man who cared deeply, even if he didn’t always show it well. Their home felt real, messy and full of heart, which made it strangely appealing.

9. The Waltons from The Waltons

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The Waltons lived in a house where someone was always baking bread or offering advice. John and Olivia kept their large family rooted in values and hard work, and Grandma and Grandpa added both humor and wisdom. Each child had a distinct personality that made the household lively. John-Boy helped bring the family stories to life.

What made their home so inviting was its sense of peace despite the busy household. Their routines offered comfort, and their nightly “goodnights” felt iconic. They leaned on each other through hardship and change. They showed viewers the beauty of a big, loving family.

10. The Sanfords from Sanford and Son

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Fred Sanford’s humor and Lamont’s patience made the Sanford home unforgettable. The father-son dynamic created constant banter, but beneath it was a bond stronger than anything they pretended to argue about. Their junkyard home had its own charm, filled with personality and character. And Grady’s visits only added to the laughs.

Lamont’s exasperation was matched by Fred’s schemes, giving their home a lively rhythm. They might not have been glamorous, but they were genuine. Their relationship showed how family can frustrate you and still be your closest ally. They made viewers feel like part of the chaos.

11. The Douglases from My Three Sons

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Steve Douglas balanced career and family with quiet confidence. Raising three boys wasn’t easy, but he handled their teenage antics with patience and humor. Mike, Robbie and Chip each brought a different energy to the home. Uncle Charley kept the household running with his gruff affection.

What made them appealing was how grounded they felt. Their challenges were relatable, from school troubles to growing pains. The Douglas home ran on teamwork and respect. They demonstrated how family could thrive even without a traditional setup.

12. The Drummonds from Diff’rent Strokes Reruns

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Though the show kicked off in the late ’70s, reruns quickly made the Drummonds feel like a household staple. Philip Drummond took in Arnold and Willis with compassion that reshaped their lives. Kimberly added warmth and sisterly energy to the home. Together, they became a blended family rooted in love rather than biology.

Viewers loved how the Drummonds faced new challenges together. Philip’s patience made tough moments feel solvable. Arnold’s jokes and iconic catchphrases brought lightness to the home. They showed audiences how real family bonds can grow from unexpected places.

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