[chills]

This has also been the case for hundreds of years though.

[mumblemumble]

Not to the same extent. It wasn't until cars became a thing that it became practical for most rich people to live more than a (healthy) walking distance away from working class people. If they lived too far away, then you wouldn't be able to have them work for you.

[lotsofpulp]

They might not have had the means to do it though. Cheap fuel, cheap cars, 30 year fixed rate mortgages, widening income/wealth bands, etc.