My Russian Apartment Tour: GREY SOVIET BUILDINGS EXPLAINED!

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  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 11 тис.

  • @ElifromRussia
    @ElifromRussia  6 місяців тому +834

    Could you live in a Soviet apartment? :) are they very different from apartments in your country?
    More videos of mine about life in Russia and culture 👉🏻 ua-cam.com/play/PLeQTCVW4juG8wDADr0OqmPLnv1mfnoYkr.html

    • @MarcusAgricola
      @MarcusAgricola 6 місяців тому +61

      I lived in Kyiv for some time in a end-Brezhnievska and my wife's parents own a Krushovka. It always depends on what you make out of your apartment. (Of course a rented apartment is different as you are limited in changing something). But you can make everything your home.

    • @bjorntorlarsson
      @bjorntorlarsson 6 місяців тому +30

      I do already! I'm a batchelor so I don't really care much how I live. But I'm very grateful that I grew up as a child in the countryside, in the wilderness. Now I need little more than a corner for my computer screen. Don't underestimate the VIEW you get from the 12th floor! I love it.

    • @mheanreyes19
      @mheanreyes19 6 місяців тому +13

      I live in Aeroport before when I was working in Moscow and that was very similar to our old apartment❤ greetings from Philippines 🇵🇭

    • @NKHV123
      @NKHV123 6 місяців тому

      Hallo eli I want to be your refugee I'm in Moscow right now what is your whatshup number

    • @tailsorange2872
      @tailsorange2872 6 місяців тому +13

      Hi, Hope all is well with you - Greetings from Singapore. Your apartment looks similar in shape and size of my own government subsidized Apartment (HDB)
      (In before someone goes "THIS PERSON IS A FSB AGENT OF INFLUENCE")
      Except that mine's an executive sized one (bigger than a typical 5 room flat)
      Here are some of the typical sizes of each apartment type:
      "Studio Apartment - 35 / 45 sq m (2001-present)
      2-Room Model A - 45 sq m (2008-present)
      2-Room Flexi - 45 sq m (introduced 2015)
      3-Room Model A - 60 sq m (2002-2008), 65 sq m (2008-present)
      4-Room Model A - 100 sq m (1998-2000), 90 sq m (2000-present)
      4-Room Model A2 - 90 sq m (1998-2000), 85 sq m, some 80 sq m (2000-present), only in SERS blocks
      5-Room Improved - 120 sq m (1998-2000), 110 sq m (2000- present)
      Executive Apartment - 140 sq m (1998-2000), 125 / 130 sq m (2000-2005)
      Executive Maisonette - 140 sq m (1998-2000)
      3gen flat - 115 sqm (introduced in 2013 BTO, completed 2017), 4 bedrooms, 3 toilets, home ownership restricted for couples + 1 additional family relative"

  • @nicholasthebest9993
    @nicholasthebest9993 6 місяців тому +7155

    Maybe people laugh at these old soviet buildings, but most of them were designed after the worst war of mankind where everything was destroyed, millions of people were left homeless. These buildings fulfilled their mission; they provided housing for millions of people. People should appreciate and respect this, not laugh at it.
    Addition... of course these buildings are outdated, a renovation program is now in effect, people have the choice to improve their living conditions if they have money, of course, capitalism. After World War II there was another war "Cold War". After this war, the country's economy is actually controlled by the US Federal Reserve, so there were economic problems, but everything is changing. Russia is regaining its sovereignty.

    • @ElifromRussia
      @ElifromRussia  6 місяців тому +727

      True, I agree!

    • @Harry_PP030
      @Harry_PP030 6 місяців тому

      And now the russians are building these ugly things in the occupied parts of Ukraine after they destroyed the old ones and killed the people who lived there, to replace them with russians .

    • @mondfahrer6428
      @mondfahrer6428 6 місяців тому +246

      @@ElifromRussia i dont understand why you can glorify the russian regime.

    • @mondfahrer6428
      @mondfahrer6428 6 місяців тому

      @@ElifromRussia They cause massive war crimes in ukraine

    • @BAROTIKI
      @BAROTIKI 6 місяців тому +513

      @@mondfahrer6428 It is better than the usnatostan dictatorship 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @FAFOActual
    @FAFOActual 6 місяців тому +3418

    As someone who has been homeless and had to live outside for months at a time, anyone who says those buildings are depressing should try sleeping outside through a he winter, with no possessions other than the clothes on you back and a sleeping bag. People are spoiled. We need to be thankful for what we have.

    • @sunnyboy4553
      @sunnyboy4553 6 місяців тому +84

      Yes, we need to count our Blessings.

    • @kacperslaczka6290
      @kacperslaczka6290 5 місяців тому +71

      Or maybe try not living in a country that has issues feeding it's people and building place for live to them but has enough money to wage a war for years on another country that used to be it's ally.

    • @Vasily_dont_be_silly
      @Vasily_dont_be_silly 5 місяців тому +61

      @@kacperslaczka6290 I wouldn't say Russia at the moment has any problem with feeding its citizens or any sort of housing crisis. Which is honestly surprising

    • @kacperslaczka6290
      @kacperslaczka6290 5 місяців тому +17

      @@Vasily_dont_be_silly They're not hungry, of course, but it doesn't mean that they're perfectly nutritioned.
      Look at Philippines: there's no issue with hunger, but there's significant problem with malnutrition, especially vitamin A. And it does have it's effects on general health of citizens:
      average life expectancy in Russia is 69 years (2021), in Germany it's 80 years and in Poland it's 75 years.
      how tall are people: Czechia 181cm, Germany and Poland 180cm, 176cm
      List goes on. Of course malnutrition isn't the only reason, and for some of these issues it's not even the main reason - e.g. life expectancy - but it does contribute a lot to each of these. Especially if malnutrition happens in people of young age. Best example of how awful difference malnutrition can cause is comparing South and North Korea.

    • @drag2734
      @drag2734 5 місяців тому +74

      @@kacperslaczka6290 There are no problems with housing in Russia. All apartments are owned by the tenants, unlike in your country. If you washed your eyes in the morning, you should have read that all the old houses are now being demolished under the renovation program. As for food, believe me - in Russia it is better than yours, cheaper than yours and there is more choice than yours. About the war with the neighbor....This is just Russia's response. Ukraine is not an independent country - NATO decides everything there. So, Russia responded to NATO. And if you don't understand there, he will answer in such a way that you simply won't have anyone to have some kind of dialogue with you) And yes, the average life expectancy in Russia is 70 years, and it's all the fault of the legacy from the liberals who plunged the country into chaos. She's growing, believe me. And you will have a decline, judging by the growth of GDP in the West as a whole. I'm not talking about your migrants who don't want to assimilate. Life is getting better for Russia, but it will only get worse for you. Believe me.

  • @ritualj0int
    @ritualj0int 13 днів тому +22

    We have a lot similar in Hungary. Not they are not beautiful to look at but they are homes for many and I think most of us grateful for it. You can actually make it quite cozy and good looking inside. 😊

  • @ollygaetheirnandez
    @ollygaetheirnandez 8 днів тому +11

    I love how you edited this video. also appreciated learning more from an actual russian!

  • @jaleach123
    @jaleach123 2 місяці тому +279

    Sitting here smack dab in the middle of the USA watching two Russian women talking while sitting their apartment in Moscow is actually incredible. If you'd told me back in the 1980s when I was a kid/teen that this would happen in the future I would've never believed it. Just the political climate back then would've made me laugh at such a preposterous thing. Internet has caused a lot of problems but it's also opened up things no one imagined just a few decades ago.
    I like your place. It's cozy.

    • @evad7933
      @evad7933 2 місяці тому

      You were the victim of your government's indoctrination. I recently watched chef some footage of the 1956 Olympics showing US and Soviet athletes engaging in mutual respect, in spite of said indoctrination. People are manipulated into warring with each other by socio cum psychopaths in leadership roles.

    • @gregdamario5808
      @gregdamario5808 Місяць тому

      I want to point out THIS IS THE CURRENT RUSSIA!!!! In the current USA and modern western civilizations, WE CALL THESE SLUMS. WELCOME TO SOCIALISM CHILDREN.

  • @bfgivmfith
    @bfgivmfith 2 місяці тому +203

    Thank you young lady! That was a very open, honest, and incredible look into your life and Country!

    • @SukhdevSingh-ge5rj
      @SukhdevSingh-ge5rj 2 місяці тому +2

      🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺💚💚💚💚👍👍👍✌️✌️✌️💪💪 from Malaysia 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

    • @metaglypto
      @metaglypto 13 днів тому

      Same. Started watching with that 'Whatever' type attitude. By the end of the video I was not only crushing on her, I was ready to propose. It would never work out though. I am 71, and I wouldn't want people accusing her of robbing the cradle. 😁 Besides, my wife would get mad.🤔Great video! I enjoy traveling the world through the eyes of others. Thank you.

    • @gayle7447
      @gayle7447 7 днів тому

      🤔😯 good God where do you live this is awful depressing

  • @northerngirl4666
    @northerngirl4666 2 місяці тому +226

    I lived in Kazakhstan for a year in such a building - a giant grey slab. The entrance wasn’t as nice as yours: it was grey, grey and greyer concert. But my flat, paid for by the company, was one bedroom and very spacious and filled with sunshine. Eli, your video was so well done. Not sure what you do for a living, but what a great history lesson all packed into a short space, just like your flat!

    • @mattgeiger9988
      @mattgeiger9988 2 місяці тому +11

      I feel bad for people who live in authoritarianism / communism. No individualism, very little ingenuity. I'm so sorry my my country's sanctions, and we know they hurt the average citizen lives. The majority of Americans don't wish any harm to you

    • @evad7933
      @evad7933 2 місяці тому +3

      She UA-cam's for a living. This video has had more than 2 million views ...10 000 US dollars?

    • @mattgeiger9988
      @mattgeiger9988 2 місяці тому

      @evad7933 She can't get US dollars because of sanctions

    • @communism-is-tits
      @communism-is-tits 2 місяці тому

      ​@JohnSmith-t4f5fget some help, you're delusions are showing

    • @shahidsecret
      @shahidsecret 2 місяці тому

      @@evad7933 no, she can't "youtube for living" because UA-cam does not pay anything to Russians anymore since 2022. no more monetization...

  • @عبداللهاحمد-س6ب6ط
    @عبداللهاحمد-س6ب6ط 16 днів тому +8

    المدينه جميله والشرح كان واضح ومفهوم وطريقت الاسلوب جميله

  • @jimbond7992
    @jimbond7992 4 місяці тому +919

    It's a trap. I'm 61 and I have come to the realization that all a person needs is an area to sit, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. Always be thankful for what you do have. There are people with less.

    • @richardhoutwed2730
      @richardhoutwed2730 4 місяці тому

      @@jimbond7992 way less

    • @moniqueengleman873
      @moniqueengleman873 4 місяці тому +29

      I learned that quickly.
      I lived "rough" for 6 months while building a tiny house.
      200 Sq. Feet. I easily live off my SS in California in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The beach is 12 miles away.
      Best place to live

    • @rukus9585
      @rukus9585 4 місяці тому +11

      @@moniqueengleman873 Wow. Sounds like you got it figured out and accomplished it. Well done and congrats. Worked hard and now you relax and enjoy. Sounds so great.

    • @moniqueengleman873
      @moniqueengleman873 4 місяці тому +12

      @rukus9585 Well I have had five different cancers due to a genetic issue. No T-cells. I raised five daughters who are all educated and doing very well.
      I never expected to live this long, but I am sure glad I got to see most of my grandchildren.
      So yes, I always flew by the seat of my pants, and luckily it all worked out.
      Now I don't know what to do with myself, so I went and got a part time job. I guess I need to set more goals.

    • @rukus9585
      @rukus9585 4 місяці тому +5

      @@moniqueengleman873 Well, if I were as good at accomplishing them as you, I'd set goals more often, lolz. But seriously, overcoming all that to raise that many great kids is both inspirational, and also reminds me that I've done nothing compared to many others, such as yourself. You're amazing.

  • @standupandbecounted972
    @standupandbecounted972 5 місяців тому +191

    I travelled to Russia in 1979 when supermarkets were empty and many labels on tinned food, colourless so it was difficult to work out what the item was. People were queuing around the block if there was any fresh food or something worth buying. A hard, deprived life then BUT the people often were kind and willing to share what little they had. I discovered they were just like us; trying to get by and loving their family and wanting to live in peace. God bless them one and all.

    • @FilipinaInRussiaVlog
      @FilipinaInRussiaVlog 18 днів тому

      ua-cam.com/video/Og2mLnniOnk/v-deo.htmlsi=H6DZFCbt9QVlQb72

    • @zianser
      @zianser 16 днів тому +4

      Markets wasn't empty in 1979, 1989-1995 was the worst.

    • @Quintus_Sertorius
      @Quintus_Sertorius 15 днів тому +1

      You are a liar. In the 70s in Russia all the shelves were full of food, and there were no queues. Food shortages and queues appeared for the first time after 1986, thanks to Gorbachev, who consistently discredited the Soviet system in the eyes of Soviet citizens.

    • @JD-jc8gp
      @JD-jc8gp 8 днів тому

      @@Quintus_Sertorius Yes, this person is lying; they even say "Russia," which is a tell. They either visited around 1990 or later (when economic shock therapy was being implemented), or never visited in the first place.

  • @tomjames5374
    @tomjames5374 3 місяці тому +148

    Your videos are very entertaining. You even made this simple apartment tour interesting. I appreciated the background on each style of building. You created a warm feeling about life and the people of Russia. Job well done!

    • @ivankhilchuk5374
      @ivankhilchuk5374 2 місяці тому +2

      Нет никакого хорошего отношения к жителям страны терроста

    • @daydays12
      @daydays12 2 місяці тому

      @@ivankhilchuk5374 I so agree with you!!

    • @daydays12
      @daydays12 2 місяці тому

      What? Thes people are supporters of war criminal Putin. They are happy to have Russia destroy Ukrainian children

    • @jluk2945
      @jluk2945 2 місяці тому

      ​@@ivankhilchuk5374 do you mean the USA, Israel or what? There are many Terrorist countries out there... I am totally against the invasion of Ucraine, but the Russian people are not the ones to be blamed as many are against the war. On the other hand zionists in israel ( and the USA, Germany, France, Argentina etc etc, manipulating politicians accross the globe for their own sake...)

    • @Forest_Singer_Humphrey
      @Forest_Singer_Humphrey 2 місяці тому

      @@ivankhilchuk5374 А вы все террористы!!! А кстати, на украине тоже полно "хрущевок", построенных в те годы...и в них, во всех есть унитазы? А значит в российских "хрущёвках нет??? Дома с унитазами, строили только НА украине??? вы дебилы???!!!!

  • @barbaragood7844
    @barbaragood7844 12 днів тому +6

    Thank you Eli 🌼 for inviting me to a nice insight of your Moscow home. Greetings from Zurich Switzerland.

  • @Louddi303
    @Louddi303 2 місяці тому +20

    Wow! Thank you so much for opening up your home and sharing us! It's really cool to see how homes in Moscow were generally built in the history behind their construction!

  • @jhardy133
    @jhardy133 5 місяців тому +194

    Thank you for allowing me into your home. I once lived in a small apartment in a building that was over 200 years old. What I learned from that is that happiness comes from within you not from your circumstances. You seem to be a lovely person who is a wonderful friend to others.

    • @jonasthornander
      @jonasthornander 2 місяці тому +2

      True, but if people and buildings around you are in misery then staying happy is harder. Your environment needs to be uplifting too.

  • @appalachiantexan2729
    @appalachiantexan2729 6 місяців тому +992

    Thank you for this video! I am an American who has stayed in a Stalinka in Moscow but lived in a Khrushchevka in the Samara Oblast. Once you experience a winter in Russia, you will understand the cozy appeal of an apartment like yours. It is so easy to stay warm! Also, when you visit people who live in the old-style Russian wooden houses in villages with no indoor plumbing, you will appreciate how wonderful it is to have your own bathroom! I was very content and made many fond memories in a Khushchevka! It’s all about perspective and being grateful for what you have and the people you share life with.❤️🏢

    • @xon191
      @xon191 6 місяців тому +5

      А где вы живете в Самарской области? в Тольятти?

    • @KirkHermary
      @KirkHermary 6 місяців тому +16

      My city in Canada has winter for 7 months straight. Apartments are not common. Up north of the arctic circle there are next to zero apartments.
      Use insulation in your exterior floor, roof, and walls. Then you can keep any building of any shape and size warm.

    • @yastyman
      @yastyman 6 місяців тому +16

      @@KirkHermary However, central heating is preferable for people and is inexpensive

    • @AlexanderGorbunov-k7c
      @AlexanderGorbunov-k7c 6 місяців тому +3

      That's a great American way to look at chrushevka)). Don't confuse with stalinka

    • @wa1ufo
      @wa1ufo 6 місяців тому +1

      Thank you! 🌝🌈🌼🇺🇸

  • @lockedfn
    @lockedfn 12 днів тому +6

    Thank you for sharing, its amazing to see what life in Russia is like. Lots of good wishes from 🇮🇪

  • @markmondoro4557
    @markmondoro4557 2 місяці тому +108

    Eli
    My Grandmother and family is from Russia. I was born in the US. I just found your channel. Love your videos. I miss her very much. She spoke Russian all the time. I miss not hearing it. I also miss the food. I think I saw you make potato pancakes. Please please, how do you do it. Please send me your recipie. I loved your video where you introduced your family. That is exactly how my family is, eat, work. Very cool. Thank you so much for inviting us into your life.

    • @dreamthedream8929
      @dreamthedream8929 2 місяці тому +6

      potato pancakes are also a very classic latvian food, my colombian girlfriend loves them. she is a vegetarian so its one of the classic latvian foods that she can eat. you see, colombia is another potato country like latvia but there are no potato pancakes there, people in each country make different things from the same ingredient

    • @Екатерина-м4й6х
      @Екатерина-м4й6х 2 місяці тому +1

      Я живу в России, в сибири ( это 4500 километров от Москвы). На моем канале я на 21 этаже.

    • @markmondoro4557
      @markmondoro4557 2 місяці тому

      @@dreamthedream8929 thank you

    • @moXnoX1
      @moXnoX1 2 місяці тому +2

      @@dreamthedream8929 the most potato country I know is Belorussia, in post Soviet countries people even often do jokes about how potato it is. But even in England I found similar dish - it's called Tater Tots here. And in Scotland I found their national sweet is Tablet, made of milk and we had the same since Soviet Union, or probably even earlier - candies called Korovka(Cowie if translated). People are very similar everywhere I guess)

    • @dreamthedream8929
      @dreamthedream8929 Місяць тому

      @@moXnoX1 colombia latvia belarus and probably others they are all potatoes countries

  • @CarsandCats
    @CarsandCats 6 місяців тому +2637

    Eli: The window into the bathroom is not for Soviet surveillance; it's to allow light in! Hahahaha but your reason is much funnier.

    • @bjorntorlarsson
      @bjorntorlarsson 6 місяців тому

      I bet Communist party spies climbed facades to have a look into certain bathrooms. At least in their spare time.

    • @lJuyl3eo
      @lJuyl3eo 6 місяців тому +75

      I don't think Big Brother would use it, but George Orwell could make use of this window.

    • @gangrenesmith9999
      @gangrenesmith9999 6 місяців тому +118

      Ventilation as well. This is a usual feature for old small apartments. Common around the world.

    • @timmy-wj2hc
      @timmy-wj2hc 6 місяців тому +48

      Insulting to the Great CCCP🚩💪
      But great for western views. 🙄

    • @SrinivasaReddy-m7b
      @SrinivasaReddy-m7b 6 місяців тому +10

      Even in the quarters of indian army, there will be entrance and exit separately, for safety and to counter emergencies. 😊

  • @vietnamesebeauties
    @vietnamesebeauties 6 місяців тому +120

    We, Vietnamese 🇻🇳students, appreciate the Soviet-style apartment complexes in our Capital, Hanoi. It is an intellectual exchange in architecture ❤ Thank you to Eli for showing us these beautiful apartments in Russia 🇷🇺

    • @DENCSER
      @DENCSER 2 місяці тому +1

      Эли не Совсем советская. Не та кем кажется.

    • @vietnamesebeauties
      @vietnamesebeauties 2 місяці тому

      ​@@DENCSER really? This is quite surprising 😮

    • @talkwithsunil07
      @talkwithsunil07 2 місяці тому

      Hello how are you. I am from India . I am influencer I am speaking with world people on my UA-cam channel. I want to invite you on my UA-cam channel do you want to talk with me

  • @thecregs4665
    @thecregs4665 Місяць тому +26

    When you are not grateful, things can be depressing. You are happy and grateful for many of the advantages you have. Thank you for showing us how you live and the different buildings in Russia.

  • @goranstajic1326
    @goranstajic1326 6 місяців тому +131

    Dear Eli,
    My whole family is watching your podcasts and we love your work.
    This one is special to us because you have shown to be so unbelievably normal and modest! Please carry on with your work! Respect!

  • @dreamchristo
    @dreamchristo 6 місяців тому +40

    I LOVE THE WHOLE content AND the SO SPECIAL "ATMOSPHERE" of these public buildings and of course of the private house!!!
    Congratulations and warmest Greetings from Crete in Greece Eli)))
    Much love to you and Russian People)))

  • @cheryldaltonchandler8431
    @cheryldaltonchandler8431 6 місяців тому +33

    Eli, first, your English is wonderful!! I am from the states and adopted my children from Novokutnetsk…we stayed in an apartment much like the one you live in but it had an elevator and trash shoot. My children were born there in 1991 and 1994. I made three trips there to complete the adoption process and to bring my kids home. I have very fond memories of very hospitable people who treated us with such kindness. I really loved my trips to Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo and Moscow….by the way, we stayed in the Roseo Hotel there and it was really something to see!!
    Your videos brought back a lot of special memories of a place where I left a piece of my heart❤…

  • @jseasterman
    @jseasterman Місяць тому +5

    Miss, you are remarkably intelligent, thoughtful, and articulate.
    Your presentations are lucid and numerous. I thoroughly enjoy your videos.

  • @flankerpraha
    @flankerpraha 6 місяців тому +48

    I still live in a block that could be compared to Brezhnevka in Prague, Czech Republic. And honestly I would not change it for the "modern" housing the developers are building here now.

  • @mrbhasin
    @mrbhasin 6 місяців тому +326

    If you have working limbs, a roof over your head, food to eat, friends to talk and work to support you then you are doing great. Everything else is luxury. Thank you for sharing your experience about your country, home and life with us. Would love to come to Russia someday.

    • @andreamck4521
      @andreamck4521 6 місяців тому +7

      @mrbhasin Not want to live in a sort of sardine can, and under more safety (not willing to crash in a almost 89 year old building) is luxury....? 😅
      I don't think so.....
      Greetings from Germany.....🙋🏻‍♀️

    • @LittleLadyDalia
      @LittleLadyDalia 6 місяців тому +2

      Very true and most people in USA don’t know this.

    • @KimC657
      @KimC657 6 місяців тому +17

      @@LittleLadyDalia I’m sorry, but that’s just not true. There are people in America who I’m sure this apply to, but that could be said most anywhere. There are an enormous amount of people who struggle financially in the US. This includes a sickening amount of people who are college graduates. I guess all I’m saying is, we struggle everywhere.

    • @mrbhasin
      @mrbhasin 6 місяців тому +9

      Firstly, I thank you for your replies and for sharing your thoughts. I would love to share more but I don't want to make this about me, just wanted to say The Sun hasn't been shining on me lately and yes, I am struggling but I am happy that I am still able to help others in whatever way I can. "My life lessons have taught me that luxury or wants are awesome to have but all of that is worth nothing without happiness". So treasure every moment & what you have, be kind and respectful to yourself and others and love yourself.

    • @TheFirstGroover
      @TheFirstGroover 6 місяців тому +1

      Same

  • @paulwestwood4417
    @paulwestwood4417 6 місяців тому +65

    I own a shop and live above it. It was built in 1876 and is Victorian, after Queen Victoria. Many of our old buildings are known after the period they were built in, after King’s or Queens.

    • @ЛАЛИТА-ж8т
      @ЛАЛИТА-ж8т Місяць тому +1

      Мои поздравления.. Привет из Самары.. А я живу в "Сталинке" с потолками три с половиной метра и просторными комнатами - они - больше чем в "хрущевках".. Дом построен в 57 году, а Сталин умер в 1953..пока..

  • @jerryk3697
    @jerryk3697 26 днів тому +6

    Dear, it is very interesting to hear about such everyday things in your country. When we see things about Russia in our news media here in the US, it's usually something negative or fatalistic. My wife and I had several exchange students (from Croatia, Slovakia, Italy, and Sweden) and I thoroughly enjoyed them staying with us. We learned a lot about the rest of the world. It seems like the rest of the world hears mostly about what goes on in the US in the big cities on the east and west coast and a lot of it is not good. Life here in the midwest (Missouri) is much more calm and relaxed. From listening to your roommate, it sounds like it is similar there. Moscow has much more to offer in the way of cultural things to do, but is much more expensive. I would hope that somehow, someday you could visit the US. If you do, try to get out of the big cities and see the rest of my country.

  • @Alan-hh6ci
    @Alan-hh6ci 5 місяців тому +349

    She speaks very good english. I like her accent. Thank you for sharing and letting us into your world.

    • @nigeldunkley2986
      @nigeldunkley2986 4 місяці тому +10

      Tak tochno! Her English is svobodno i beglano - so as a Scotsman who had to learn Russian German and few other things in the military I love her Eeeengleesh and would love to know where she learne it. Vsevo horoshevo Eli!

    • @MsDani899
      @MsDani899 4 місяці тому +6

      Depressing way of life. I can't watch all this video, two minutes was enough for me. I bet Putin doesn't live in a huge crowded apartment building.

    • @alexeios
      @alexeios 3 місяці тому

      @@MsDani899no but he’s also not as stupid as you who clearly does not understand the way the Russian government works

    • @alexanderpo185
      @alexanderpo185 3 місяці тому +4

      I​@@MsDani899you live in Mar- la-lago?😮

    • @rose191991
      @rose191991 3 місяці тому +8

      @@MsDani899what are you talking about? ppl live like these in other countries too 😂 search new york apartments etc. -> so small not even with proper bathroom... of course it it outdated but it is rental she can not do anything about it... all capital cities has small apartments like this in korea or china of course in usa too

  • @milenaatanassova4888
    @milenaatanassova4888 5 місяців тому +119

    Здраствуй Ели! Я из Болгарии, живу в квартире в Софии, которая досталась мне в наследство от отца. Мой квартал - Брежневка. Сделала ремонт и все отлично - современно, уютно и чисто.

    • @javar888
      @javar888 5 місяців тому +4

      Pride of ownership is crucial. You have it . That was taken away under previous rules. Glad to see it come back.🙏

    • @milenaatanassova4888
      @milenaatanassova4888 5 місяців тому +3

      @@javar888 No, that's not true - my family (middle class) was not under confiscation of property.

    • @khalidmehmood-ho5qz
      @khalidmehmood-ho5qz 3 місяці тому +1

      السلام❤

    • @voltydequa845
      @voltydequa845 Місяць тому

      @@milenaatanassova4888
      @milenaatanassova4888 « @javar888 No, that's not true - my family (middle class) was not under confiscation of property. »
      --
      Let me waste a bit of time by advising you to not waste time on this kind of people. They do not care about truth. They are going to say the same nonsense all over again. You could ask why? - Because it would require too much effort by them to adjust their parroting minds. Or in other words - It's not that they say it the way they say it because they didn't know, but simply because they are used to parrot it so. Sve najubavo!

  • @mariahelenaparon2349
    @mariahelenaparon2349 6 місяців тому +94

    Greetings from Estonia🇪🇪 This video is so comforting and nostalgic to me. Due to our shared past, much of your culture has mixed into ours and these vibes remind me of my childhood. I love the down to earth, humble vibe and your humor. Glad that I found your channel!

  • @MaiAnhNgoNguyen12
    @MaiAnhNgoNguyen12 4 дні тому +3

    Before retiring, my dad worked for a joined russian oil company in my country, the company provides him a small apartment next to the main office to stay while working. Trust me, my dad small apartment looks like this but without the wallpaper, 3-4 floors without elevator too...the apartment stays the same until now n sometime we still visit it . He speaks perfectly fine russian n in love with russian foods, country , lifestyle, everything since 1970s cause that was when he first learned Russian as a second lang.

  • @toqa6735
    @toqa6735 3 місяці тому +122

    As an Iraqi 23yrs woman I would love to live in such Apartment away from my family .

    • @Joshua-e1c
      @Joshua-e1c 2 місяці тому

      Slide in my Dm's girl. I live in Canada in a five bedroom house lots of room for cute wife. ❤

    • @Axolotl_olive
      @Axolotl_olive 2 місяці тому

      America is still free, for now. You would change one master (your family I assume) with another. Putin. A qar criminal. There are better places to grant your citizenship and alleigiance to.

    • @nikimccrossan9497
      @nikimccrossan9497 2 місяці тому

      Why would you wish to be away from your family?

    • @ArtieArtie
      @ArtieArtie 2 місяці тому

      Come live with me in Southern California. I want multiple wives lol

    • @Axolotl_olive
      @Axolotl_olive 2 місяці тому +1

      My comment about your war and your crazy dictator got deleted. Russia trying to promote tourism is hilarious though. I feel for you and your world.

  • @revolter7094
    @revolter7094 6 місяців тому +683

    I basically live in a Khruchevka, but that Khruchevka is not located in Russia but in east Germany, during the early 2000s it went under renovation and doesn't look grey at all, it has colour and thick walls. Renovating Khruchevkas properly actually makes really nice looking apartment houses.

    • @PaulV.
      @PaulV. 6 місяців тому +90

      In Russia the government mostly demolishes those buildings now and resettles people in the large modern buildings. I think thats a pity, Khruschevkas given some proper facade and hallway renovation can turn into the really great housing option especially in comparison to those modern 30 story anthills.

    • @WoronzoffPawel
      @WoronzoffPawel 6 місяців тому +14

      ​@PaulV. That happens mostly in Moscow and maybe st.petersburg due to incredible cost of the land for construction. The outskirts in 70s became fancy districts now.

    • @DMDM-dc9ep
      @DMDM-dc9ep 6 місяців тому +27

      Khruschevkas, if properly renovated, are great for single people, young, middle age or elderly, of course the elderly will need an elevator installed though (there're actual working solutions already in place in some Khruschevkas that can't be demolished due to some reasons), young couples, students... it's very economical ...

    • @lucyfromsiberia
      @lucyfromsiberia 6 місяців тому +22

      Khrushchev buildings were built not only in Russia and eastern Germany. Khrushchev's buildings were designed by a French architect. There was a housing shortage in France after the Second World War. And the USSR appropriated this idea.

    • @tomoflapland_48
      @tomoflapland_48 6 місяців тому +15

      Советский Союз был не единственной страной в Европе, чей строительный фонд был разрушен во время войны. Но другие страны сумели построить комфортабельные дома для своих жителей, потому что правительства разумно использовали национальный доход. В Европе деньги не уходили за границу к семьям олигархов и коррумпированной элиты, не было войн в Афганистане, Чечне, Грузии. А война в Украине обходится настолько дорого, что у людей здесь тоже нет надежды на более комфортную жизнь в будущем. Наоборот, как показала уже прошлая зима, старые трубы отопления надо обновлять, а деньги идут на войны. Если наступит холодная зима, люди снова замерзнут насмерть.

  • @Ranger1985.
    @Ranger1985. 2 місяці тому +273

    I'm an American. Thank you for reminding me that other people in the world still have functioning brains. There's still hope.

    • @talkwithsunil07
      @talkwithsunil07 2 місяці тому

      Hello ❤

    • @poolhalljunkie9
      @poolhalljunkie9 Місяць тому

      Blame US propaganda that most Americans are to blind or dumb to believe exists for thinking that anyone outside of the US are inferior, especially in enemy of the state countries.

    • @mortenchristiansen4331
      @mortenchristiansen4331 Місяць тому

      Bob Woodward: ‘Putin is the Adolf Hitler of our century’

    • @FuggYoutoob
      @FuggYoutoob Місяць тому

      Yes thank you! Brain function in America has almost damn near become obsolete. It is totally ridiculous and UA-cam doesn't help. I have no idea why I'm here right now

    • @adrianfiorillo2259
      @adrianfiorillo2259 23 дні тому +7

      you are an American from USA AND i m an American from Argentina, América Is a continent bro

  • @gubupog
    @gubupog 2 дні тому +1

    I'm watching this from India and am absolutely delighted to get a glimpse of these amazing places and buildings

  • @nickcooper3412
    @nickcooper3412 6 місяців тому +94

    Eli, we too in America have our grey buildings. We called them “The Projects”.. We were poor living in Northern California.. Thank you for your tours, they are so informative and educational!

    • @AlbertoGomez-oi5ou
      @AlbertoGomez-oi5ou 6 місяців тому +9

      I live in New York so here there's a buch of them lol specially in queens, bronx, brooklyn and manhattan, oh and also in New jersey :v

    • @IncredibleStan
      @IncredibleStan 5 місяців тому +7

      @@AlbertoGomez-oi5ou Yeah I'm was thinking "Damn, she from the hood.."

    • @loriqua6134
      @loriqua6134 4 місяці тому +2

      Istanbul Turkey has the same as well. Think it is like this in many places. I am just thankful and grateful that I have a roof over my head, food to eat and a bed to sleep in.

  • @Xbusk
    @Xbusk 3 місяці тому +41

    Not only was the entertaining, this was very informative and fun to watch! Thank you for your videos! We love them. Your English vocabulary is deep and complex. You speak very well!❤

  • @ShelleyVaughnHulsey
    @ShelleyVaughnHulsey 6 місяців тому +51

    Hello from Kentucky, USA. I enjoyed your very informative video on housing so much. I especially love seeing kitchen’s and how people use them. Mine is very small, but I try to use the space as efficiently as possible. Excited to see more of your videos.

  • @MarthaR.Durán
    @MarthaR.Durán Місяць тому +3

    I enjoyed watching this video. It is always good to learn about life in other parts of the world. I was born in La Paz, Bolivia in South America but I’ve been living in the US for 53 years. Through hard work (and I wouldn’t have it any other way,) my husband and I, were able to raised about three children, living within our means, were able to put them through college and now, all three of them are a very responsible adult citizens. I love this beautiful country, my home for the past 53 years, and I am truly and deeply grateful for the chance that has given me, and like me, to millions of others to have a better future. Sure that here, like everywhere else, life is not completely perfect but, if you are willing to work really hard for the goal that you set for yourself and your family, you will make your dreams come through; it might take a longer time, but you will make it. But I do realize that this is not always possible in other parts of the world for different reasons, but everyone does what needs to be done to keep moving forward.

  • @OINKARL
    @OINKARL 6 місяців тому +276

    My name is Karl because in the 70's my dad was a Marxist. He is a huge fan of Russia and your videos give me a way to enjoy watching UA-cam with my dad. We hang out and enjoy your content in Bombay, India. Thank you for what you do.

    • @nightyonetwothree
      @nightyonetwothree 6 місяців тому +3

      haha, nice name story :D

    • @rusmoscow1971
      @rusmoscow1971 6 місяців тому +2

      10:08 - By the way, this is where the Marxistskaya metro station is located.

    • @Schmetterlinger
      @Schmetterlinger 6 місяців тому +19

      Karl from India. I think I've seen everything in this world.

    • @rusmoscow1971
      @rusmoscow1971 6 місяців тому +2

      @@Schmetterlinger Even Friedrich from Bhutan?!

    • @Schmetterlinger
      @Schmetterlinger 6 місяців тому +2

      Братан, ты меня убил. Но это одно и тоже.

  • @MickeFoppa65
    @MickeFoppa65 6 місяців тому +474

    Thanks for showing Russia in a special way that makes sense and shows Russia from the eyes of a citizen in a daily life in Russia that you will never see otherwise. Tack Eli

    • @DanReiki
      @DanReiki 6 місяців тому +15

      Propaganda

    • @paolodenis5898
      @paolodenis5898 6 місяців тому

      HAPPY EASTER !
      Meanwhile, the Russians destroy the towns of their neighbouring Ukrainian brothers, striking homes and civilian infrastructure on Orthodox Easter Day, causing deaths and injuries with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill and more than 87% of the Putin-supporting population.
      Eli from Russia included...
      Happy bloody Sunday to the survivors!
      Lovely trolls...
      What a F A K E channel !
      (In memory of А́нна Степа́новна Политко́вская)

    • @МарияЮрьева-в1ъ
      @МарияЮрьева-в1ъ 6 місяців тому

      @@DanReiki of your stupidity 🤦🏻‍♂️

    • @roxaskinghearts
      @roxaskinghearts 6 місяців тому

      Remember multiple nato sources their baby fer body part harvesters

    • @roxaskinghearts
      @roxaskinghearts 6 місяців тому

      Russia dubai and india are everything wrong with the world today

  • @jesuscastrejon2287
    @jesuscastrejon2287 6 місяців тому +114

    Hello !
    Thanks for sharing with us your apartment.
    It’s like you said , housing went skyrocket everywhere in the world and we must appreciate to have a roof on top of our heads .
    I watched videos of rural Rusia , from other UA-camrs sharing how people live in little towns and it’s surprisingly beautiful, I’m pretty sure it’s got complications here and there but people are uso to it and seems to enjoy , enjoy the peaceful leaving , cooking , gardening of your own food, collecting mushrooms from the woods , fishing ,etc.
    God bless Russia and Russias free people and hopefully continue for many centuries to come with that lifestyle and culture.
    Prayers for better times to come to Russian citizens .
    I’m from Mexico living in the USA. But always admire the big Nation and now that you’re traveling your big country and sharing with us how beautiful it is , my admiration grows hoping that one day I’ll travel there .
    Greetings !

  • @markwilliamson2795
    @markwilliamson2795 Місяць тому +11

    Thank you for the tour....I live on the Central coast of Calif , San Luis Obispo area...I liked your philosophy about life at the end of this video..so true...

  • @alcoyne3333333333333
    @alcoyne3333333333333 6 місяців тому +159

    Two lovely people. Respect from Ireland 🇮🇪 your English is brilliant 👏

    • @petersomthing9508
      @petersomthing9508 6 місяців тому

      Russians are nice , dont worry about them killing babies / children /women / rapping in Ukraine

  • @tonylong525
    @tonylong525 6 місяців тому +315

    I live in a studio apartment in San Francisco (I won't tell you about the rent I pay; the shock might kill you). My place appears to be about the same size as your Khrushevka. The kitchen space is comparable and the quality of the utilities is similar: functional, nothing fancy. It's perfectly livable, so the difference really comes down to aesthetics, which in the end comes down to the post-war histories of our two countries. The U.S. was not only untouched by World War II, the war super-charged our economy in the bargain. We were drunk on money, with plenty to burn. The USSR was invaded, lost upwards of 30 million people, and most of European Russia was destroyed, along with Belorussia and the Ukraine. If the Khrushevkas are unattractive, they were necessary and served their purpose. As for aesthetics, I'll take the Stalinkas in Moscow and Art Deco in San Francisco. Can't afford either one, though.

    • @tadhgcronin175
      @tadhgcronin175 6 місяців тому +25

      Nice comment.

    • @СергейТурутин-ч6г
      @СергейТурутин-ч6г 6 місяців тому +41

      Да, вы правы, моя мать, в детстве, в 1960 -70 жила в бараке, маленькой комнате в 18 метров квадратныхпроживало 5 человек, печное отопление, рядом стояли дома "Сталинки" они воспринимались как дворцы, когда ей дали квартиру в "Хрущевке" это просто было благословение, иностранцы часто не понимают что для русского человека значат эти дома, это был великий гуманитарный проект, который после войны дал относительно нормальное и современное жилье, с центральной отоплением, водопроводом, канализацией миллионам людей

    • @НадеждаКосачева-ш2ь
      @НадеждаКосачева-ш2ь 6 місяців тому +6

      Верно мыслите!

    • @ledeyabaklykova
      @ledeyabaklykova 6 місяців тому

      Heartfelt, but sit down. But at least your building has communal gym and community room that are not used most of the time.

    • @charlotteburns7143
      @charlotteburns7143 6 місяців тому +15

      I bet you pay $5000/mo in Frisco for a dump. With a little imagination you could make a Khrushevka look cute. My friends with the $800/mo rented room made it look adorable. He was very artistic and drew pictures all over the walls, and she was brilliant at finding great stuff left out on the streets. You'd be surprised what people leave out for the trash man.

  • @arnodrygala965
    @arnodrygala965 6 місяців тому +55

    A fascinating description of Soviet housing, as we saw similar buildings in East Germany 🇩🇪 in the 80s. Here in Australia, where there is a rental housing shortage, you would be envied. Of course, you have all you need, with much less housework and gardening. Keep up these informative cultural films. 🌏👏

    • @fbridge
      @fbridge 2 місяці тому +1

      Place looked dingy and needed a lick of paint.

  • @janetcraft
    @janetcraft Місяць тому +1

    Thank you Eli for this video.
    I am from Canada.
    There is so much history and music that I love from Russia.
    Ha! I learn from them.
    Please keep going.
    Take care and my Blessings to you :)

  • @peachyjjarred
    @peachyjjarred 6 місяців тому +115

    This honestly blows my mind I had no clue or idea of how much history and culture were in Russian apartment buildings. I always thought like “oh in America we just build apartments and stuff like that”;and I thought everyone else was similar. And I was wrong. I’m so happy that I clicked on this video and got to learn about something new,and so interesting and cool. Also thank you for sharing your history and culture as well knowledge about Russia. I hope you find a space that feels like home for you;wherever you see fit. This was also such a fun watch too; keep creating friend☺️🙇🏻‍♂️🩵

    • @iwonalasak-hughes5814
      @iwonalasak-hughes5814 6 місяців тому

      You forget to say how many people stalin killed .

    • @lenovo7999
      @lenovo7999 6 місяців тому

      Lmao ruzzia has no culture. They stole it from other cultures and gave it their Mongolic Slavic twist.

    • @ls-l1518
      @ls-l1518 2 місяці тому

      You are very ignorant of the world. I find your comment weird.

  • @theuralictribes5689
    @theuralictribes5689 6 місяців тому +113

    I was growing up in Slovakia and we lived in the Soviet Style apartments that had lifts in them with roughly 8 floors. These apartments were either creamy coloured covered with a bit of wine and orange colour lines. There were some tall grey rectangular shaped apartments that were higher but few in number. Also everything was built in a specific way so that absolutely everything was close and nearby just a few minutes of walk from the apartments:
    Pre-Schools, Primary Schools, Hockey Station, Football Station, Tennis Court, Swimming Pool, Local Grocery Store, Bakery, Pharmacy, Small Booth Stores selling Newspapers etc.

    • @janeinkaob
      @janeinkaob 6 місяців тому +6

      Nowadays most of them are insulated and painted bright colours from outside. The original grey panel block houses are now quite rare in Slovak towns

    • @esvedra2419
      @esvedra2419 6 місяців тому +14

      Same in Lithuania. And the area is covered with beautiful trees, so it feels like buildings are hidden inside nature. I can literally walk to the nearest forest and lake after work in 10 minutes. I prefer it to the modern architecture in UK cities where buildings are so cramped and no one even bothers to plant a single tree, litter everywhere. God forbid if there will be a small pond in the area with 11 trees - it will be instantly regulated into a national park lol.

    • @justxisotatik
      @justxisotatik 6 місяців тому

      May I ask which city in Slovakia were you:)

    • @theuralictribes5689
      @theuralictribes5689 6 місяців тому +1

      @@janeinkaob Yea true like some of them have been changed up a bit like the roofs and the paint but generally they are the same.
      Yea true but at least we're lucky to have some of the grey panel block houses in some towns.

    • @theuralictribes5689
      @theuralictribes5689 6 місяців тому +1

      @@esvedra2419 Yea we used to have many tall trees in the areas that came in handy to provide shade from very hot sunny days but now they were cut down so it's unfortunate. In the distance they have also started to build more modern houses.
      Yea it's unfortunate that such a thing happened to the UK and in some areas even here it happened so I hope eventually more trees can be planted near the buildings etc.

  • @ErikFreaknRogue
    @ErikFreaknRogue 2 місяці тому +27

    It’s humbling to learn about another country like this and I thank you because it’s way more beautiful than people realize I think.

  • @immortalnow
    @immortalnow 11 днів тому

    Eli, You are a gem. I found your channel by accident, but it is so nice to be given a tour of your country this way. You are smart, reasonable and appealing -- my hopes that your career continues its successful path. You deserve it!

  • @NamzGalaxy
    @NamzGalaxy 6 місяців тому +46

    маленький, но полный счастья и жизни в таких квартирах и окрестностях. Однажды я жил в квартирах, будучи иностранным студентом, а затем несколько лет с семьей. Подсчитывая свои лучшие годы жизни. ❤😊

    • @theitgal100
      @theitgal100 6 місяців тому

      and that's why you russians will never live comfortably.. cause you will either pretend it was good living in conditions like this (which makes you sad deniers) or you really liked it (which makes you evens sadder, cause you have been deprived of basic comfort all of your life and never eaten anything sweeter than a turnip).

  • @alverofd6874
    @alverofd6874 6 місяців тому +27

    Hello im from indonesia. What a fascinating journey through Soviet-era living in Russia! This insightful tour of a "khruschevka" apartment provides a glimpse into the unique housing solutions born out of historical circumstances.Truly an eye-opening experience!

    • @pokranas
      @pokranas 6 місяців тому +1

      Да, ещё Эли забыла сказать, что в Советском Союзе жилье выдавалось совершенно бесплатно.

  • @binbingebadgecomeon
    @binbingebadgecomeon 6 місяців тому +363

    The most important part of your video was the statement "don't fall into this trap." So true. It's not about stuff. It's about your state of mind. And, your mind is lovely and very well adjusted. You are a grateful person and that is a gift. Bless you.

    • @lenovo7999
      @lenovo7999 6 місяців тому +5

      -simp

    • @jennyjolivet9430
      @jennyjolivet9430 6 місяців тому +16

      That building is not only grim but has extensive water damage on the ceiling in her apartment… Must be full of mold. It’s not a “trap“ to want to have healthy and attractive living conditions.

    • @richardtibbetts574
      @richardtibbetts574 5 місяців тому +1

      @@lenovo7999
      😂😂😂

    • @mariafinn1082
      @mariafinn1082 5 місяців тому +9

      ​@@jennyjolivet9430Agreed, but Russia continues to have remnants of socialism in their government. The schools continue to teach the "evils" of capitalism so I am not surprised that this young girl made that comment.

    • @vodmolod6515
      @vodmolod6515 5 місяців тому

      @@mariafinn1082 "evils" of capitalism at schools? You yahtzee bots are stuck in 195x or what? No wonder everyone laughs at your propaganda.

  • @pianorama
    @pianorama 17 днів тому +2

    I live in a one bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara. Ihave a baby grand piano in my living room and love my home where I've lived for 17 years. I'm glad you are happy where you are and I think your home is lovely. Thank you.

  • @Ig86
    @Ig86 2 місяці тому +10

    Эли, спасибо за видео. Хоть я и родился на закате СССР, но никогда не задавался вопросом разницы зданий. Мне было интересно узнать. Если раньше думал о хрущевках с неким пренебрежением, то теперь наоборот с восторгом, учитывая что их строили для того, чтобы дать достойную крышу над головой миллионам жителей. И у тогдашней СССР это получилось. Просто невероятно!

  • @BSnell-y5o
    @BSnell-y5o 2 місяці тому +14

    I love the old style inside - it's retro stylish . Your an excellent presenter and this was very informative and interesting..

  • @eswaribalan164
    @eswaribalan164 6 місяців тому +92

    Am so glad l am actually getting to see inside your country. It does not matter if its beautiful or otherwise, as long as we have an idea of how people live in your country. Thank you.

    • @RusGirlVlog
      @RusGirlVlog 6 місяців тому +5

      All people live differently here 😊

  • @355wb
    @355wb 4 дні тому +1

    I'm in America, housing costs are so absurd here! There isn't really any large number of cheap apartments available, a shortage actually.
    If I had a cheap apartment with everything I needed and had money left over I'd be FAR happier than a big apartment with less extra cash. Location is usually the most important! Close to groceries and work, and hospitals should you need one! Not needing a car is also a HUGE bonus! I like your little Soviet Cubby!

  • @thestoicsteve
    @thestoicsteve 6 місяців тому +202

    I did not know about the types of Soviet buildings so thanks for sharing.

  • @kzsuzsa9243
    @kzsuzsa9243 6 місяців тому +373

    Hi Eli, thank you for this video! I am Hungarian and in Hungary we have very similar buildings. The ones you live in we call "panel" houses because of the gray coloured blocks they built from. Many people lives in them and they always remind me of my grandparents and my sweet childhood. Around these flats in Hungary you always have a school, a kindergarten, a pharmacy, little post office and corner shops around with fruits and vegetable, and a big playground in the middle of more blocks. 😊

    • @tadhgcronin175
      @tadhgcronin175 6 місяців тому +30

      Nice comment. It gives perspective. Look at the community and not just the building. I'm sure many people had beautiful lives in such homes.

    • @PaulV.
      @PaulV. 6 місяців тому +21

      ​@tadhgcronin175 exactly. The Soviet apartments are often much better inside than the outside appearance of those buildings. In the times of the USSR people really didnt have many opportunities to spend their money so a lot of them were making some great renovations of their places.

    • @peterschmidt7109
      @peterschmidt7109 6 місяців тому +29

      Hi Eli, I am from Hungry as well, and have been living in Australia for 35 years. Living standards have dropped here a lot; homelessness, rubbish health care system and everything is very expensive. Many who buy houses these days, are buying it for such a long period, that it will be their children who'll finish the mortgage.
      We're actually planning to sell up, leave one house and move back to Hungary for retirement.
      Amugy sok szerencset, a hugom Szombathelyen is panel hazban lakik.

    • @peterschmidt7109
      @peterschmidt7109 6 місяців тому +1

      Sorry wrongly called you Eli, now recognised you're name is Zuzsza.

    • @altbinhax
      @altbinhax 6 місяців тому +6

      "Panel" is interesting because my understanding is that much of the building was prefabricated for assembly on site. Their design like most buildings has a lifespan and these types of buildings were meant to be replaced. Without a lift (elevator) the building has a more human scale.

  • @kathrynsmith5197
    @kathrynsmith5197 6 місяців тому +39

    Thank you Eli!!! Lots of love from Merritt Island,Florida.. I love watching the world through your eyes.❤️👍

  • @jitendrakulkarni69
    @jitendrakulkarni69 2 місяці тому +4

    I couldn't live there but your balanced critique is on point. The details like the window between bathroom and kitchen are very interesting and your story telling skills made it feel I was actually there.

  • @mahmoudghoneim8004
    @mahmoudghoneim8004 6 місяців тому +84

    Love from Egypt, that's real natural lifestyle, hope all is well for Russians and all common ordinary people in the world.

    • @Axolotl_olive
      @Axolotl_olive 2 місяці тому

      Why would Egypt support Russia?

    • @mahmoudghoneim8004
      @mahmoudghoneim8004 2 місяці тому +1

      @@Axolotl_olive why not , Russia's relations with Egypt goes back to early 50's of the last century.

  • @JimmyJr630
    @JimmyJr630 5 місяців тому +63

    We have somthing similar in the UK. During the urbanisation of the industrial revolution, a specific style of terraced houses were built everywhere. They have people homes and a break from the horrific conditions of factories at the time. Today, these terraced houses have not been maintained well so people often say they are ugly but they had a purpose and were necessary at the time.

    • @neslind1
      @neslind1 5 місяців тому

      Uk is dirty af nothing is maintained

    • @Dave01611
      @Dave01611 4 місяці тому +2

      tbh I'd say a much more close comparison is our own tower blocks. Most Victorian terraces in formerly deprived parts of London or big cities are actually quite desirable now because they were built far better than our newbuilds. The council tower block estates on the other hand were left to rot

    • @JimmyJr630
      @JimmyJr630 4 місяці тому +2

      @@Dave01611 That’s mostly a London thing, most terraced houses are not as well built and are not as nice as the london ones. There are definately still nice terraces outside of london but most are not that nice. Ugly flat blocks do exist in the uk but not to the same extent as terraced houses and terraced houses are in every town whilst the flat blocks are just in places like London, glasgow and birmingham

    • @deanosaur808
      @deanosaur808 4 місяці тому

      @Dave01611 many tower blocks had big spacious rooms, kitchen and bathroom etc, and central heating, separate toilet. The old prewar houses had no bathrooms, and the toilet and entrance to the kitchen outside 😅 obviously they have been modernized now.
      It was cheaper to replace the old home with tower blocks. It's irrelevant what they are worth now, they was worth nothing when they needed new roofs, floors, plumbing, brickwork repairs and plastering etc.. nightmare 😱

    • @Dave01611
      @Dave01611 4 місяці тому

      @@deanosaur808 yeah it's mental just how recent indoor plumbing came in, my grandad was a teenager before he had a working toilet!!!

  • @fritaim
    @fritaim 6 місяців тому +35

    I understand that this is a rofl about the window to the bathroom. :)
    It is unique that you have a khrushchev apartment in such oriingal vintage state. :) It's comparably cheaper by 100-150 USD per month than renovated appartment. Nowadays most apartments even in khrushchevka look modern basically.
    The window to the bathroom is needed to get sunlight. Sunlight kills some bacteria and Koch's bacillus is the causative agent of tuberculosis and other diseases. You can also ventilate the bathroom with a window if it opens. This prevents and kills mold in a wet bathroom. It is fine to get fresh and clean air in this bathroom.
    Also khrushchev kitchens have gas stoves and gas water boilers. They were imperfect and there was often a gas leak until the 60s. The gas could quickly accumulate in a small room and an accidental spark could ignite the gas and cause an big explosion. To prevent the explosion from damaging the load-bearing walls, soviet builders made glass doors to the kitchen and a glass window from the bathroom. So the explosive mass went through them and broken glass but not damaging walls, ceiling and floor of the room. It was also recommended to open constantly a small transom window in the kitchen.
    But those days are gone. Gas technologies has become very advanced. There is prevention from gas leakage in gas boilers and ovens. And there is no need for all this anymore.

  • @tracieoliver2307
    @tracieoliver2307 2 місяці тому +2

    Hi Eli I just subscribed as I. find your videos very informative on how the Russian people live and go about their daily lives! Im in the UK and to see how other people live their lives is so fascinating and I thank you for sharing! Take care x

  • @juweknows5377
    @juweknows5377 2 місяці тому +85

    "Moscow is a city for money but Siberia is a city for my soul." ❤

    • @Evelyn_Noname
      @Evelyn_Noname 2 місяці тому +19

      Siberia is not a city🤦‍♀️

  • @tribe99990
    @tribe99990 2 місяці тому +26

    Your english is perfect. Thank for this tour and history lesson. Russia seems like a very beautiful country with many different influences. Not unlike most countries.

    • @Seifu_
      @Seifu_ 23 дні тому

      Yeah, the most "beautiful" is their aggression towards Ukraine. Definitely "not unlike most countries". What a bots you are. Give you a woman, and you lose your head.

  • @catherinewink8433
    @catherinewink8433 6 місяців тому +37

    First - you are just adorable! Thank you for sharing your home! I really enjoyed the information. I was so lucky to spend some time in Moscow and Kirov back in the early 2000's as we adopted my daughter. I really appreciate this sort of insight into my daughter's birth country.

    • @mygoldenthread
      @mygoldenthread 6 місяців тому +2

      Such a lovely comment ❤

    • @fbridge
      @fbridge 2 місяці тому

      No kids need adopting in the US? Maybe it was cheaper and less regulation.

  • @jolanda3692
    @jolanda3692 2 дні тому +1

    Hi Eli, your hair is very beautiful🙂, I wish I could visit Vitas in Moscow😄

  • @ledeyabaklykova
    @ledeyabaklykova 6 місяців тому +11

    This subject I know already. But your presentation of it shines with such confidence, understanding, and humor that I and my friends from other FSRs totally enjoyed it. Two of them cried a little when you showed bookcase in glass with the volumes of our country's classic novels.

    • @voltydequa845
      @voltydequa845 Місяць тому

      The only shiny thing were the two small dogs that wanted to devour her. As for the humour it can go for Russians.
      If you need some tears out of history you should write to your tv to show you some past in the present.
      I understand nostalgia, but I would suggest to sunder it when it comes to judging the overall quality.

  • @tminusnyc2915
    @tminusnyc2915 2 місяці тому +5

    Super informative. I have always wondered about these buildings. Thank you for posting this.
    Much respect and support from NYC!!

  • @henrymerritt6703
    @henrymerritt6703 6 місяців тому +69

    I lived in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 1993 to 2000. The Soviet influence in architecture is prevalent, especially in the massive suburb called Petrzalka. The buildings there were in those days uniformly gray and built of tarred together concrete panels, leading to their name: panelaky. In the old town, the original and more beautiful buildings dominate. The panelaky in Petrzalka were built for the same reason as in Moscow-- to provide quick and cheap housing for all the villagers coming to the city for work. From my travels around Central and Eastern Europe, this domination of Soviet-style architecture is everywhere. My wife and I lived in one of these buildings, in a tiny 1 bedroom flat, while we worked at an American university. I rather liked it. But maybe that was because I really liked living in Bratislava.

    • @ruximuzicuta4320
      @ruximuzicuta4320 6 місяців тому +1

      I live in Bucharest Romania in a block house appartment made by Rusia after the 1977 earthquake as a help to reconstruct Bucharest. Now are all isolated outside and painted in color but we are afraid that are already too old for the next earthquake and inside everybody made modifications that are destroing the resistence of the building.

    • @junglesuperstar9270
      @junglesuperstar9270 6 місяців тому

      @@ruximuzicuta4320you don’t have laws to prevent modifications ????? P.s. I did not know Romania can experience earthquakes . Sounds dangerous

    • @ruximuzicuta4320
      @ruximuzicuta4320 6 місяців тому +1

      @@junglesuperstar9270 we have laws but nobody respect them and in Romania even you call authorities they do not respond.

    • @junglesuperstar9270
      @junglesuperstar9270 6 місяців тому

      @@ruximuzicuta4320 very weird

    • @IvanLapshin_tmn
      @IvanLapshin_tmn 6 місяців тому

      There was no city's real-estate market and housing was distributed for free under the strict control of the state. Of course nobody tried to attract customers.

  • @xyzabc12342
    @xyzabc12342 Місяць тому +2

    Greetings from Greece! I really like your neighborhood and your appartment, you seem like an easygoing person ❤

  • @ericsolnitzky795
    @ericsolnitzky795 6 місяців тому +14

    that was a very interesting and informative video. I did not know the different eras and building styles for housing. super interesting. thank you for sharing. Nice to meet your roommate also. that is a small apartment for two. I guess it's a good thing that you are always on the go traveling somewhere. great channel Eli!! Hugs and kisses from Minnesota

  • @louispaine5307
    @louispaine5307 6 місяців тому +20

    Thank you Anna.
    I love your pride but also your healthy outlook on life,I see this through your comments and language you use.
    Very refreshing.
    Keep the good content coming please .

  • @JackieMK63
    @JackieMK63 6 місяців тому +29

    Greetings from Sydney Australia Eli! I enjoyed the tour very much. I find all your videos fascinating and always interesting!

    • @ElifromRussia
      @ElifromRussia  6 місяців тому +4

      Thanks for watching!

    • @goldmaple5290
      @goldmaple5290 6 місяців тому +1

      ​@@ElifromRussia your so sweet Eli .

  • @barrywoods9519
    @barrywoods9519 6 місяців тому +15

    Eli is always so positive. When things seem gloomy, this is my go to channel. Thank you Eli from Australia ❤❤😊😊😊

  • @nicolebond3992
    @nicolebond3992 6 місяців тому +19

    The housing solutions presented here were practical for the times in which they were built, and for the purpose they were meant to serve. Thank you for giving us a chance to see up close, an every day perspective of Russian life.

  • @zosim
    @zosim 6 місяців тому +46

    One point missed in the formed USSR all that apartments were divided between people free of charge but they have to wait for couple of years or so. Families with 4 or more kids got apartments immediatly. Size of apartments was different - bigger family got bigger appartment

    • @EA-ck4so
      @EA-ck4so 6 місяців тому +2

      Couple of years? More like a couple of decades.

    • @utkur765
      @utkur765 6 місяців тому +2

      @@EA-ck4so no, people with families were given apartments on average 5 years but it was free.

    • @fdtnightingale9161
      @fdtnightingale9161 6 місяців тому +2

      ​@EA-ck4so I earn decent salary for my city and Im not a kind of guy who wastes money for useless staff but I can accumulate like 1/12 of an appartment cost in a year. Yea I can rent it but never will get my own home this way. So to get an appartment right now I need to sign for a 20-25 years of slavery basically.
      So I consider waiting 5-10 years of waiting to get your appartment for free a better option. Sadly I dont have such this days.

    • @EA-ck4so
      @EA-ck4so 6 місяців тому

      @@utkur765 5 years was very very fast. In reality many families, even those with kids, had to wait for 10-15 years. Some people had to wait for 20 years. Only priviliged communists could have received a flat "fast". Also, the area per 1 person was only 6-8 sq.m. which means that a single person would only be entitled for a room, not an apartment. Imagine having a family with 2 kids and waiting for 10 years to receive a tiny 32 sq.m. apartment!

    • @Наталья-б6ч8ш
      @Наталья-б6ч8ш 6 місяців тому +1

      @@EA-ck4so the families with 2 children had 2-bedroom apartments, when children were 1 boy and 1 girl, they had 3-bedroom apartments. Much more than 32 square metres.

  • @KyleBarns-b4g
    @KyleBarns-b4g 16 днів тому +2

    I was homeless for many years, I would have welcomed a place like that with open arms. Thank you for sharing video. Look forward to visiting your country one day in the future.

  • @emjay_blng
    @emjay_blng 6 місяців тому +136

    Hello :) I am from Germany and we also have many grey cities wich were destroyed in WWII and had to be rebuilt as fast as possible. That’s why they don’t look nice. Today we have the housing problem again because of private house owners and private companies that rent apartments for enormous prices. And our government is doing absolutely nothing about it. I know so many people that can’t find a place to live. I wish our government would built more buildings like in your country and that they would provide them for normal prices.
    This was the first video from you that I watched. It was very informative and interesting to watch. I love it! I‘m going to watch more of your videos.

    • @RusGirlVlog
      @RusGirlVlog 6 місяців тому +2

      That's sad to hear about modern housing problems.

    • @untubus
      @untubus 6 місяців тому +4

      What you expect from the government is not possible. The Soviets tried - where are they now? I've rented, renovated, paid mortgage, owned, tenanted and sold in Germany, and learned a lot about the way the social idealism backing the legislature in conjunction with natural market behaviour works against poorer individuals. Tenant's rights are protected in a way that makes it more and more impossible for owners of only one or two rental properties to have a reliable return on their investment. What's meant to protect the poor is actually working in favour of the rich, who can make their risks statistical, where landlords with few assets can go bankrupt if they happen to rent to the wrong person. A friend of mine did, and the Finanzamt still collected tax from him, leaving him completely broke.
      Unless a government radically changes the way land and property can be owned into it only being rented FROM the public, with every citizen having a birthright to their minimum share, there'll be no solution.
      Regarding Russia, what you see in this video in Moscow is top notch. You don't want to see an apartment of truly average russian standard. I can't understand how the people can accept their leader spending money to destroy their neighbours houses, investing in ever more destruction, instead of improving their living situation.
      It may be not too bad now, but it will get ugly, very, very ugly.

    • @RusGirlVlog
      @RusGirlVlog 6 місяців тому +2

      @@untubus the apartment in the video is top notch???? You really think like that? 😱😱😱

    • @johnross2924
      @johnross2924 6 місяців тому +6

      I'm English, sorry for my country bombing yours during ww2 😩

    • @Phantraas
      @Phantraas 6 місяців тому +7

      Here in America, we have the same issue. Private companies are renting out houses for insane prices, or selling houses for 3x what they're worth or what they paid for. To get a nice house, you have to make around $100k annually.

  • @amandadroskie9794
    @amandadroskie9794 2 місяці тому +8

    I am but from South Africa, but lived in Moscow for nearly five years. My apartment was typical Soviet Style apartment. I miss it.

  • @jiekabu
    @jiekabu 6 місяців тому +10

    Reminds me of the appartments I lived in when in Beijing. They also have different eras of buildings with different levels of midrises. Its very livable actually.

  • @ateeqahmad
    @ateeqahmad 16 днів тому +2

    I am so impressed by just the first 3 minutes of this video. I just subscribed. You are an amazing presenter.

  • @kitty123yw
    @kitty123yw 2 місяці тому +4

    Well made video, including the humor. I am American and I lived in Sankt Peterburg from 1990-93, then Volgograd ( friendly, southern people ) from 93-95, then Kalmykia 95-96. Even though the apartments look depressing from the outside, the people living on the inside are hard-working sincere folks with many beautiful traditions. BTW another translation for podyezd can be stairwell. I also rented kvartiras from several babushkas, and have good memories. They treated me like their own grandson. Keep your videos coming. Also, if you get tired of Moscow, Volgograd has a little more of a relaxed pace. Good people there.

  • @pangpek5645
    @pangpek5645 5 місяців тому +4

    Subscribed a second ago .. thank you for inviting to see your apartment! Love and greetings from Pang and my cats, Shiro and Calla from Singapore (have not been to Russia .. Will plan to visit .. when am well .. on medical treatments now ...) cheers, ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @keithlawson7487
    @keithlawson7487 6 місяців тому +15

    As with all of Eli’s presentations, accomplished with a smiling direct honesty and abounding in great information. She has a way of shining a bright light into many corners of the planet. All non judgmental without politics. Keep up the great work Eli.

  • @americansoldier7776
    @americansoldier7776 25 днів тому +2

    The most important thing is if you’re happy or not. Don’t worry about luxury items or a bigger place. I’ve lived in brand new houses and I’ve lived in little tiny apartments and I was happier in little tiny apartments during those times of my life. Great video.Sending love from the USA.

  • @bergenpines1
    @bergenpines1 6 місяців тому +63

    Took a subway ride in 1972, got off in different stations. They all looked the same! I imagined what someone who had too much to drink would be totally lost!! Thank you for video!

    • @mariaromanova4547
      @mariaromanova4547 6 місяців тому +30

      This is exactly the plot of one of the popular russian movies "Ирония судьбы". It's about the man who mistakenly ends up in someone else's apartment. Because the house looks the same, the apartment looks really similar, and even the key matched to the door. The locks were standard, and there were a limited number of locks versions.

    • @newguardian5725
      @newguardian5725 6 місяців тому +1

      So since you’ve taken us home how does one court Eli and start a family? You don’t stay home for long 🤔

    • @fitzpatrickgf
      @fitzpatrickgf 6 місяців тому +1

      That makes it more fun! 😄

    • @НаталияПетрова-ф4п
      @НаталияПетрова-ф4п 6 місяців тому +5

      В России все станции метро разные и красивые

    • @cipisekmanka3111
      @cipisekmanka3111 6 місяців тому

      I was sober and got lost. I coud not even read that Azbuka signs.

  • @jerryhollywood1
    @jerryhollywood1 6 місяців тому +34

    Thankyou Eli for the beautiful and interesting tour of your surroundings and your Khrushchevska Aparment. It is always a pleasure watching your videos. Wishing you a wonderful day.

  • @patman1505
    @patman1505 6 місяців тому +22

    I like your humor, good insight and yes with a smile!

  • @tanyathewildflower5331
    @tanyathewildflower5331 Місяць тому +1

    Hello apartment tour was interesting. I’m from Washington, D.C. and I had to rewind the video twice when I noticed your roommate wearing a Georgetown University T Shirt. Let’s Go Hoyas from Moscow 🎉

  • @sirfairplay9153
    @sirfairplay9153 6 місяців тому +90

    I am unaffected by my surroundings, a roof is a roof, and a wall is a wall, I would happily live there

    • @mariuxxxx1
      @mariuxxxx1 6 місяців тому +10

      I would be effected by suroundings not pariculary appartment it's very depressing to me honestly

    • @jaceq9
      @jaceq9 6 місяців тому +9

      There's tons of research being done the impact of surroundings to one's mental health. Quite a close connection.

    • @kimberlyhampton5332
      @kimberlyhampton5332 6 місяців тому

      Ditto

    • @bob-g3e3x
      @bob-g3e3x 6 місяців тому +10

      @@jaceq9 depends on someone's state of mind, some people are weak

    • @pickles9440
      @pickles9440 6 місяців тому +4

      I’m a Leo, i need to be surrounded with beauty, whether it be natural or man made. Aesthetics are very important to me.

  • @wwlyman
    @wwlyman 6 місяців тому +8

    Very interesting and, as always, edifying. I can't get enough of your videos!

  • @goldmaple5290
    @goldmaple5290 6 місяців тому +20

    Eli, Russian apartments (Khruschevkas in particular) are sort of like Indian apartments I lived in as a boy. I have forgotten how small my apartment in India was, as I left India almost 30 years ago. I moved to Canada in the early 1990s.

  • @ronrussell5676
    @ronrussell5676 10 днів тому +1

    Thank you. I have never been to Russia, but I have some friends who used to live there. I thought this was a very informative video. The buildings do not look any more depressing than some of the 1960s apartment buildings which I saw when I lived in Chicago, which were also built to solve a shortage of affordable housing at the time.