Soviet Apartment Tour. 🇺🇦

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
  • Here's a tour of a typical modern day soviet apartment in the sleeping district outside of the city center in Kyiv (Kiev). This one is at the very last metro station outside of town where I stayed for 2 weeks. Here's what I love about living outside of the center, in the Ukrainian Suburbs and what I hated about it.
    Follow Me:
    Instagram: instragram.com/...
    Facebook: / johnnyfdk
    Twitter: / johnnyfdk
    Read More:
    Blog: johnnyfd.com
    My 1st Book: 12 Weeks in Thailand: The Good Life on the Cheap
    My 2nd Book: Life Changes Quick by Johnny FD
    My Podcasts:
    Travel Like a Boss: travellikeaboss...
    Invest Like a Boss: investlikeaboss...
    Ask anything in the comments below!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 546

  • @MYKOLA_SS
    @MYKOLA_SS 3 роки тому +78

    ahahahahah 0:39 babushka asks Johnny: "which floor are you on?", and Johnny says "dosvidaniya" (goodbye)

  • @counterdebate
    @counterdebate 3 роки тому +109

    Bald first walks into your flat and says... "it's soviet! " 🤣

    • @anishgupta4312
      @anishgupta4312 3 роки тому +9

      The first rule of Bald and Bankrupt...

    • @maureenalder8905
      @maureenalder8905 3 роки тому +1

      Was thinking the same laugh 😅🤣

    • @Asptuber
      @Asptuber 3 роки тому

      No. Bald knows Soviet when he sees it. This isn't soviet in any sense of the word.

    • @counterdebate
      @counterdebate 3 роки тому

      @@Asptuber then they will have a fight and throw seeds at each other after Johnny tells him its soviet like he did us 🤣 @0:0:07

    • @davewalker8630
      @davewalker8630 3 роки тому +1

      What no Mosaics

  • @Countess1975
    @Countess1975 3 роки тому +57

    This brings back a lot of memories when I was in Kharkiv back in 2013. In particular, the stairwell of the block style apartment building. I remember the girl I was seeing at the time, Yulia, making a comment of acknowledgment that it didn't look very nice. I wouldn't go so far as to say she was embarrassed, but I think she could tell as an American that I probably thought it looked pretty run-down.
    I remember the smell in the common area hallways/stairwell was not good. I'll leave it that. Once inside her parents apartment, it was like a different world. Bright and homey, as opposed to the dark musty outside hallway.
    Her parents also were proud of the little indoor enclosed balcony too. They were explaining what they intended to do with that area, while her dad kept encouraging me to have more cognac shots. I didn't want to be impolite, but I was like I can't keep up. I'm gonna be drunk soon. Lol
    Great video. I miss Ukraine a lot. I found the people to be overall very down to earth and decent. I remember being able to walk to the grocery store after dark in Kharkiv and not the least bit worried about my safety either.

    • @martinbaldie3122
      @martinbaldie3122 3 роки тому +1

      It was the cheapest soviet communal apartment (shared housing as I know) This apartment in the video looks better 100%

  • @steve-wu7jp
    @steve-wu7jp 3 роки тому +23

    Hey Johnny, thanks for all the content lately. You are fast becoming one of my fav channels.

  • @Alex-rr7qc
    @Alex-rr7qc 3 роки тому +47

    Haha, by Ukrainian standards this apartment is fully renovated, there is like zero Soviet left in that place. Johnny needs to show to subscribers some real babushka Soviet places to compare

    • @technoch1ef
      @technoch1ef 3 роки тому +11

      yes, as Ukrainian I saw nothing soviet in this appartment! Looks pretty modern to me

    • @xxxXAstarothXxxx
      @xxxXAstarothXxxx 3 роки тому +1

      As Ukrainian as well I can’t agree. I used to live in rental apts and I can tell that you can easily find a $400-600 apartment with no Soviet stuff at all. I’d say a vast majority of Kiev’s young people I personally know (21+ y.o) are living in comfortable and modern looking apts, me either

    • @esuil
      @esuil 3 роки тому +1

      @@xxxXAstarothXxxx Who are you disagreeing with?

    • @gopro369
      @gopro369 3 роки тому

      @Василий Мародёров you are spot on! was looking to buy flat in Kyiv and what pissed me off the most is the layouts, like 99% of all apartments have terrible terrible layouts to begin with that you can not do anything about. Comfort and practicality - no, they haven't heard about it, even though some have very good money now.

    • @martinbaldie3122
      @martinbaldie3122 3 роки тому

      I agree with you. There are many ugly looking soviet blocks in rural areas. This one is located in the capital of Ukraine, looks kinda "modern"

  • @keciaharris7408
    @keciaharris7408 3 роки тому +4

    Have you ever visited NYC??? There are many housing developments with the same family values, walking distances to supermarkets-and yes food prices vary depending upon location, ie downtown Manhattan verses uptown. I felt the need to mention since you said this doesn't exist in the USA.

  • @Michuj-x1d
    @Michuj-x1d 3 роки тому +7

    Awesome apartment, reminds me of my childhood and living in similar building for few years (I'm from Poland, and it really gives me this 90's and early 00's vibes we've had)

  • @chuckvanderbildt
    @chuckvanderbildt 3 роки тому +19

    That 'magnetic' door key is actually a Dallas i-button (or some cloned version). The reader makes contact with the outside rim of the key and the front face, applies power and simultaneously reads out a microchip inside that provides the lock with a unique identifier and unlocks the door. It is keyed to you personally, and so the building manager can easily disable/block your key in the event that you lose it. Cheap, reliable (no batteries needed in the key) and very common access control system around the world.

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому +2

      Wow interesting! Thanks for the info!

    • @ZZizitt
      @ZZizitt 3 роки тому

      Doesn't really protects anything. You can easily buy a "master-key" for a few dollars and get in. Local administration slowly replaces it with RFID-locks. They are quite better in this way. At least, I haven't seen any divices to hack it on a local market.

    • @chuckvanderbildt
      @chuckvanderbildt 3 роки тому +1

      @@ZZizitt If they would just use actual secure i-buttons with SHA-1 encryption then circumventing them electronically would be unfeasible. They really are pretty good when properly implemented.

    • @pianokeyjoe
      @pianokeyjoe 3 роки тому

      Just before the pandemic I bought a nice large kit of electrical access control devices for my house, and in the lot was the i-button reader and key fobs(20). I see these are solid and robust so they do make sense for this COLD Pennsylvania weather! I am actually amazed it is used so much since RF cards have taken over and in China they love biometric readers more.

    • @АлександрКудренко-ф4й
      @АлександрКудренко-ф4й 3 роки тому

      @@JohnnyFD Hello Johnny.
      Next to your apartment on Heroiv Dnipra Street there is also a large shopping and entertainment complex "Dream town", I think it will be interesting for you to visit there. I was there with guests from different countries, they really liked it. Also in Obolon there is a large well-groomed park "Natalka", on the embankment of the Dnieper. I think this is a very good place for relaxation and privacy.

  • @artemmus
    @artemmus 3 роки тому +44

    I’m laughing :) the only Soviet thing in the apartment is the separate bathroom with the toilet, everything else is quite modern interior

    • @davechapman2585
      @davechapman2585 3 роки тому +4

      yes I agree. I would say that the kitchen was renovated but earlier than the rest of the apartment.

    • @FLKRM
      @FLKRM 3 роки тому +12

      like 15-20 years old modern.But agree definitely not soviet.

    • @lordclancharlie1325
      @lordclancharlie1325 3 роки тому

      @@FLKRM Yes, but the spirit is still there, many colors that don't combine etc... 😂

    • @dinlok8145
      @dinlok8145 3 роки тому +1

      When it comes to knowledge about things Johnny is not the one you should rely on lol.

  • @anishgupta4312
    @anishgupta4312 3 роки тому +52

    Came here from Bald and Bankrupt. It's great to see such immersive journeys of Ukraine, your videos are awesome!

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому +8

      Awesome! Thank you!

  • @Tycini1
    @Tycini1 2 роки тому +2

    10:20 This old soviet couch **points at a 2000's armchair**
    The only visible thing that remained from soviet times in that interior was the single green pipe at 15:08.
    The entire thing was fully renovated in the early 2000's or late 90's, judging by the tiles and furniture.

  • @rogerjackson484
    @rogerjackson484 3 роки тому +10

    My wife is from Ukraine, we enjoy watching your videos Johnny, it was interesting for me to see how her life was in the former Soviet Union, life was not bad and actually very good there as we were brain washed here in America to believe it was bad. You have good character Johnny keep up the good work

  • @ONickolay1
    @ONickolay1 3 роки тому +4

    Funny to hear "old soviet" on things which were renovated at the end of 90s-beginning of 00s. You should find out real soviet apartments, there are still plenty of them.

  • @RandomDudeOne
    @RandomDudeOne 3 роки тому +1

    The plumbing in the bathroom is brilliant.

  • @Danygotaworldtosee
    @Danygotaworldtosee 3 роки тому +31

    Stayed at an Airbnb in the same street haha. Awesome vid

    • @dingdong2103
      @dingdong2103 3 роки тому +3

      I was dating a Latvian woman who lived in a building pretty much like that. Corridor looked like post apocalypse but then inside it was nice and comfy.

    • @martinbaldie3122
      @martinbaldie3122 3 роки тому

      @@dingdong2103 The Baltic states were occupied by USSR for 50 years. They built many ugly looking soviet blocks there. You can find these ugly blocks in eastern Germany as well.

    • @dingdong2103
      @dingdong2103 3 роки тому

      @@martinbaldie3122 I know, I even visited Russia and Estonia during Soviet Union.

  • @svitlana2651
    @svitlana2651 3 роки тому +7

    Спасибо,Джони. Мне сейчас предстоит жить на съёмной квартире и это меня вводило в депрессию.Но ты со своим позитивом помог мне взглянуть на жизнь проще))

    • @Lana20041
      @Lana20041 3 роки тому +1

      В Киеве намного безопаснее, чем в Америке видала я Детройт, Нью Йорк, Чикаго, Кливленд, Толедо. Вот где самая настоящая жуть.

    • @mattorban
      @mattorban 3 роки тому +3

      @@Lana20041
      Америка прекрасна и в сотни раз лучше Украины.
      Но вынужден признать, в Украине и России намного безопаснее чем в крупных городах в США и Канады.
      И количество бездомных и зависимых очень мало.
      В Ванкувере с этим просто жесть 🤦‍♂️

  • @nickgkekw
    @nickgkekw 3 роки тому +9

    That kind of setup is really common in soviet apartments for the bathroom/toilet and kitchen. The bathroom actually looks pretty good, looks like they actually renovated about 6-8 or so years ago. Kitchen is pretty nice. You need to go see a really janky soviet building :D

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому +3

      That's a recent renovation? 😬

    • @oleksiydolynnyi103
      @oleksiydolynnyi103 3 роки тому +8

      @@JohnnyFD Bathroom (incl tiles) is the oldest part in the apartment, but even it is definitely not soviet. Looks like it was renovated about 15-20 years ago. The rest of the place, including kitchen is a lot more recent. This general style is post-soviet and is called "evroremont" - "european renovation", lol. It only got out of fashion about 5-7 years ago. You def need to see a real unrenovated soviet apartment with original furnishing. There are still some to be found for rent on olx website.

    • @ligametis
      @ligametis 3 роки тому +1

      @@JohnnyFD Kitchen is probably like 2005-2010 renovation. I have seen soviet at grandparents, this is definitely way newer and a few levels better, mid income younger families reddit them like this around that period. Bathroom tiles are probably something from 2000-2005 (not soviet design), sink is pretty new, maybe 2012-2018, oldest things that really look like soviet are bath and tap. Overall this apartment has an usual mix of older 2000-2010 and newer 2010-2020 soviet apartment renovation style stages, but not much soviet period left.

    • @oleksiydolynnyi103
      @oleksiydolynnyi103 3 роки тому +2

      @@ДмитроСагайдак-р3х You're right. Outside of his narrow field of interest Johnny has very limited understanding of Ukraine, much less so about the history. He also doesn't seem very interested to learn. Maybe his local friends tell him a fact or two and that's the extent of it. But Bald is no professor either, just a guy with tons of charisma and confidence in what he says (which is nonsense at least half the time)

  • @kltpep
    @kltpep 3 роки тому +1

    Johnny, The U.S. has tons of places just like this one. Go to Miami, Detroit, etc....I see building like this in all the main older cities.

  • @wrightvcx2249
    @wrightvcx2249 3 роки тому +8

    $750 a month is pretty expensive for Ukraine. I was expecting somewhere around $300.

    • @Lana20041
      @Lana20041 3 роки тому +1

      It,s exclusively for Johnny.

  • @lynnthomas5795
    @lynnthomas5795 9 місяців тому +1

    I really like the apartment and would live there! Negatives are the bathroom fawcet and I want to be able to use that awesome balcony!

  • @angeldetierra3855
    @angeldetierra3855 3 роки тому +7

    10:52 *You're holding a copy in russian of the novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez"*

  • @dlite7845
    @dlite7845 3 роки тому +4

    I love it! I’m headed back to Kyiv in a few weeks.

  • @kevinsantana481
    @kevinsantana481 3 роки тому +5

    I've learned a lot from your videos about Ukraine and I really like this country. Although I live in Georgia, almost neighbouring country, unluckily I have never been there

  • @lqqk3r
    @lqqk3r 3 роки тому +3

    Another great video and always love the drone footage as well.

  • @Attay7
    @Attay7 3 роки тому +1

    I have lived in worse , a 5 floors building called (хрущевский дом) it was ugly but the friendship with the local neighbours was awesome , we were as one family

  • @Alexus095
    @Alexus095 2 роки тому +1

    Outdoor sport yards like these are great, however as a workout enthusiast I think it's a stretch of truth that you can get an actual full body workout there. You can do pull ups for upper back and biceps, dips and push ups for chest and triceps, bench sit ups for abs and you can simply squat without weights for legs. But what's left out are shoulders and lower back. In theory these grounds do have low parallel bars, which you can use for shoulders by climbing upside down on them and doing push ups with your head down. I once saw a guy do that, but only once. Aside from requiring considerable strength, such an excercise may have safety issues and you will have blood going to your head. Personally I wouldn't do it. For lower back there's no much substitute for deadlift. In theory you can make a bench for lower back (with bar holding the legs near the bottom), but I'm not sure I ever saw one. Then again you can grab rubber and do both shoulders and a rubber deadlift. However if you're even mildly serious about strengthening all major muscles - even in summer you will have to either visit gym or invest in weights, pair of adjustable dumbbells for shoulders and a barbell for deadlifts and squats. Personally I learned the hard way of the wonderful benefits of a trap bar for deadlifts, so my home gym are weights, dumbbells, straight barbell and a trap bar (thing wasn't easy to find and wasn't cheap). These days luckily I live in my private house and I have a luxury of an outdoor pull-up bar with a heavy bag setup. I consider heavy bag workout to be the most important one and even though I saw a tire setup couple of times in these sport grounds, the majority don't have such. My 2 grivnas )

  • @shimonsieskel4482
    @shimonsieskel4482 3 роки тому +6

    I like the old touches. The tile in the bathroom might be hard to replace. Where else are you going to find a lime green bathtub? The big grocery and those little shops are great. The area reminds me of an outer borough in NYC. Maybe in Queens.

    • @disgustedvet9528
      @disgustedvet9528 3 роки тому +2

      Hopefully without the crime and high prices .

    • @Ksyusha1
      @Ksyusha1 3 роки тому

      Yess, it reminds me of NYC boroughs too ! Queens, Brooklyn, Harlem ….and even some parts of Manhattan

    • @CallieMasters5000
      @CallieMasters5000 3 роки тому

      Something tells me you can find lime green bathtubs in that area very very easily, but they're probably not new.

  • @billb7033
    @billb7033 3 роки тому +3

    We have places like that in the US, they are called "The Projects", granted they are a bit more dangerous, but they are essentially the same.

  • @westernwanderer8397
    @westernwanderer8397 3 роки тому +1

    I like it, Johnny. I like that it has an office space. The quirky bathroom and small kitchen are something you can get used to. Great video for my future references.

  • @eeemaster
    @eeemaster 3 роки тому +2

    Dude there is nothing better than being 5 mins away from a grocery store. I'd totally live there. Beats paying $1700 bucks for a bed bug ridden apartment in Toronto that's the size of a walk-in closet.

    • @nn-dj2nu
      @nn-dj2nu 3 роки тому

      I was looking for apartments in northern California about three years ago, the cheapest ones I could find were "one bedroom" apartments where they took a studio apartment and put a wall in it to make a tiny room a "bedroom", the bedroom would have no closet and you couldn't fit a twin sized bed in it, they were usually located about an hour away from any city, some you would have to truck in your own propane, no washer/dryer, probably no or crappy cell or internet service, all for the measly price of no less than 1800$/month. I moved to the south, other than the humidity, it was the best decision I have ever made.

  • @ZZizitt
    @ZZizitt 3 роки тому +6

    I was waiting for this moment since your arrival to Ukraine, actually. Johnny finally understood that the best place for long-time residing in Kiev are goddamn outskirts. Of course all the prices are much lower there, out of the tourists routes.

  • @ИннаШерифа
    @ИннаШерифа 3 роки тому +4

    They probably take time renovating it , since it costs a lot and renting it on Airbnb probably allows them to renovate it

  • @NibrocNod
    @NibrocNod 3 роки тому +1

    I actually like the bathroom and kitchen. Retro can be pretty cool.

  • @evergrowing23
    @evergrowing23 3 роки тому +3

    Love that homey feel I get from rentals, especially after living somewhere for a while and getting into a daily rhythm. Makes me miss traveling to new countries and seeing how others live.
    I would choose a sweet little spot like that any day. It has lots of nice convenient features, slow living, and generally safe.

  • @martinzaitsev5487
    @martinzaitsev5487 3 роки тому +4

    You even have this legendary Soviet red metal cans for sugar and other stuff in the kitchen.

  • @Tota111
    @Tota111 3 роки тому +26

    Actually the interior of the apartment is far from soviet times. Looks like Kitchen was renovated somewhere around 2005-2010. That was the cheap stuff that you can get around that time for a kitchen. And as a whole, the interior of the apartment itself is couple of decades after the soviet times. You should have known this by now. So, Johhny, you are cool and all, but now you've been spending lots of time in Ukraine so I think that by now you had to be way more into the setting. Get familiar with it. It is quite easy to know what is soviet and what is not. That way you will not mislead your western viewers and will gain more eastern fans. Leave the american attitude and submerge into Eastern Europe. It will not disintegrate you

    • @laakssim
      @laakssim 3 роки тому +3

      Spot on! It was so unpleasant to watch the video with all this nonsense.

    • @dinlok8145
      @dinlok8145 3 роки тому +2

      Johnny is not known to do his research much. He is not even close to Bald or Harold on their knowledge about what they actually show in their videos

    • @Thinksamuel
      @Thinksamuel 3 роки тому +1

      @@dinlok8145 Uf, I'm happy I'm not the only one who is slightly annoyed by this Soviet baiting. I guess it's an easy way to attract viewers. I don't understand whyhe can'+t move into his newbought apartment. It does not take that long to get your furniture. It's not that he is having it handmade. Something is off with Johny, it's just not as authentic as Bald & bankrupt.

    • @jackimiller8511
      @jackimiller8511 2 роки тому

      Totally agree with all of you. It seemed like he liked the things that most resembled Western amenities. I'm new here and I'm curious why he travels.

    • @mountainmoments
      @mountainmoments 2 роки тому

      in western EU we had more or less the same/similar stuff when bought from the cheaper stores in the 90s and early 00s. sovjet definitely looks different. the leftovers from that time was the shower/sink combo.

  • @ettoredipugnar6990
    @ettoredipugnar6990 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks Johnny another great video !

  • @ingope
    @ingope 3 роки тому +3

    Great to see this old style soviet funiture in the flats. Love it.

    • @gieko19811
      @gieko19811 3 роки тому +1

      Mostly no Soviet furniture in this flat some older ones, but not Soviet at all...

  • @living-wellon-less5669
    @living-wellon-less5669 2 роки тому +1

    Have you shopped at Novus? The one I went to even had a bar in the back, a good selection of meat, excellent cheeses, almost everything I would want in America but better quality! And the selection of good quality beer is outstanding in Ukraine!

  • @rasmusnomadic2338
    @rasmusnomadic2338 3 роки тому +2

    I could live there happily. Being so close to good value supermarket and the little stalls and shops. And as someone who used to commute for 1.5 hours each way, 30 min subway ride not too bad. But centre of town cool too. Maybe once you're in your central flat again you can take a weekly trip to that cheap supermarket for supplies.

  • @kymnprayer
    @kymnprayer 3 роки тому +6

    Johnny, sometimes things break down and you have to replace items in the kitchen and the bathroom-but you don't have money for the entire apartment.

  • @dazza2024
    @dazza2024 3 роки тому +1

    Great tour Budd yes it's Old School but the rooms are huge very homely & comfy it's a good choice well done Johnny.

  • @hentlerob7565
    @hentlerob7565 2 роки тому +1

    Your friend Benjamin (Bald & Bankrupt) living not far from your place ? Or he far away ? ..thank you visiting tour your place ….great day !

  • @gregorylewis8471
    @gregorylewis8471 3 роки тому +3

    Honestly Johnny I don't know why you are whinging about being away from the city centre. That place looks like you have everything you need! I wouldn't have any problem living there! All the best, thanks for sharing!

    • @LUK77ACH
      @LUK77ACH 3 роки тому +6

      He’s whining pretty much about everything, no wonder he is still single.

  • @badgerpa9
    @badgerpa9 3 роки тому +4

    Johnny they have apartment buildings like that in many USA cities, some are called slums.

    • @johndorian3685
      @johndorian3685 3 роки тому +2

      Yeah right, go ahead and find any flowers around buildings in the USA slums.

    • @badgerpa9
      @badgerpa9 3 роки тому +1

      @@johndorian3685 he said the buildings are not in US and the buildings are. The people in the buildings destroy and burn down their local stores but USA has buildings like he showed.

  • @ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник

    Adding to my first comment. We chose to live away from the centre because the air is cleaner and in the summer it is cooler than in the centre. We have a beautiful park almost next to where we live called Park Natalka and nice walks along the waterfront with great views across the Dnipro. Our apartment is newer and much bigger so we have a lot of space with 2 balconies one at the front and one at the back with concierge at the entrance. My daughters school is only a short walk. I travel a lot around the city and for me it is no problem using the metro which is better and quicker than driving because of the congestion. I also use a bicycle a lot instead of a car. We like living away from the centre but this is perhaps because we are Ukrainians and mainly foreigners like to be close to the centre.

    • @nn-dj2nu
      @nn-dj2nu 3 роки тому

      Hello, thank you for sharing. Do you think there are fun things for a single man to do in the outskirts? I like a simple life but like to go out on the weekends, watching some of Johnnie's videos about scams in the city centet makes me not want to live there.

    • @ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник
      @ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник 3 роки тому

      @@nn-dj2nu Hi. The biggest problem I see with many UA-cam VLOGS and so on is a misunderstanding of a country and situations in a country. First I notice many UA-camrs from different channels complain that things are not the same as their home country. Obviously this is true but is this not the reason why people visit or relocate to another country because it is different. If all countries were the same then you may as well stay at home and there would not be any reason for a travel industry. My English friend came to visit Ukraine 6 years back and has come every year with the dream of retiring here. He said "Ukraine is like a different planet that is only 3 1/2 hours away from the UK and this is why I love being here". We have corruption but so does the USA and UK but the difference is there the corruption is hidden better. Scams well yes we have scammers, pick pockets and thieves but no more than the west and looking at statistics we have less than say the USA. I think that foreigners visiting different countries feel themselves out of their comfort zone and therefore imagine that there is more danger than there really is. I am a photographer. My job is to photograph models, make and update portfolios and shoot portraits. I also do my own photography of many genres and sometimes you will see me walking the streets or riding my bike in Kyiv or in nature at night or 2am or even at 5 am to shoot photos. I am carrying from $6000 to $12000 of gear with me and I do not have a problem. When I am in the UK I would never do this because there is not safe. We have gypsies from Romania and Hungary that pick pockets, scam and rob people but as with any country or city in the world you just need to be careful and keep your eyes open. No disrespect but I would never go to the USA because crime is many times higher. Kyiv is generally safe. Johnny and Bald recently made a video about a district of Kyiv called Troieshchyna and said that they were told it was a dangerous place but this is not so. Another UA-camr from USA called Peter Santenello has made many videos on his channel about Ukraine and he goes with facts. I suggest you watch his videos to get the real picture of my city and country. To answer your question I would say yes live away from the centre because it is more comfortable. I live in Obolon. From my apartment there are many supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and so on all within a few minutes walk to 1 mile. The Dnipro river and beaches are 3 minutes from my home. Park Natalka is 10 minutes. Metro Obolon is 10 minutes walk and so is the huge 3 floor shopping centre called Dream Town. There are buses and taxis too. I do not suggest using Uber as with the pressures placed on drivers there seems to be many accidents so better to use the Ukrainian version called Uklon and there is a better app from this company. If I want to go to the centre of Kyiv by metro including the walk to station Obolon this will take you around 25 minutes maximum. Everything here is convenient and works well. People need to embrace the differences and not complain about them. Traditions and cultures are different in every country and this is why the EU never agree on anything. I live here with my wife and daughter and I also live in England with work as my parents and grandparents went there from Ukraine many years back. Adapting, accepting and integrating is the important thing piece of advice I can give anyone who wants to live in another country.

    • @nn-dj2nu
      @nn-dj2nu 3 роки тому

      @@ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник wow, thank you for the detailed response. The area were you live sounds exactly what I would like. Are there any bars or clubs or some kind of night life in the outskirt were you live? Also is having a car not easy, being from the USA I am used to driving my own car, or is this not practical? Thanks!

    • @nn-dj2nu
      @nn-dj2nu 3 роки тому

      @@ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник sorry, one more question, you mentioned Gypsies, I have been told by eastern European folks that I look like a gypsy, in not, it is something I feel insecure about. Do you think people will have negative feelings to me based on the way I look? I just want to get along and be a part of a community, but I am aware that there may be some nepotism in regards to how I look, do you think I will have issues, or do most people not care? Thanks agian.

    • @ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник
      @ПітерАндрійХенфілдКолісник 3 роки тому

      @@nn-dj2nu As you are from the USA I do not think looking like a gypsy would be a problem. We can see Americans and English from 10 km away so you will not have a problem and not need to feel insecure. These things do not bother us. You will find Ukraine welcoming and friendly but remember we are straight to the point direct speaking people so do not be offended by this it is just how we are. We just use fewer words than western people.

  • @randolfo1265
    @randolfo1265 3 роки тому

    Great video Johnny. I like your description and your realistic expectations about the old Soviet amenities. Looks like a pretty good place to live
    Greetings from Canada!

  • @americanexploring7440
    @americanexploring7440 3 роки тому

    The little stores inside the Subway and elsewhere are priceless and very enjoyable.

  • @VagabondAnne
    @VagabondAnne 3 роки тому +1

    I’m glad to hear that the supermarkets get better further out.
    I am near Beresteiska right now, moving to Lukianivska for a moth, then a month on the eastern side of the Dnipro.

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому +1

      The best supermarket near you is Mega Market. I would walk there, do your shopping, and take a taxi back home.

    • @VagabondAnne
      @VagabondAnne 3 роки тому

      @@JohnnyFD will do!

  • @seanmann863
    @seanmann863 3 роки тому +1

    We have those apartments in the USA they are called the Projects.

  • @Lyzzzander
    @Lyzzzander 3 роки тому +1

    That's actually pretty thougtfull for owners to store some extra building materials. You always by some extra, cause if you're floor tile or wallpaper broke off for some reasons, you never gonna find exact same replacements for it. They are most likely made for some collection for about a year, and gone forever from shelves.

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому

      Agreed. But there are better places to store it than in the middle of the balcony. Even under a bed would be better. =)

  • @gomiftw
    @gomiftw 3 роки тому

    Loved the tour. Thanks for the video!

  • @jumpda5
    @jumpda5 3 роки тому +1

    The peculiarity of these houses for foreigners is that they look old and ugly from the outside, and foreigners often have the impression that these are some kind of miserable abandoned ruins. but the bottom line is that almost all people have modern renovations and furnishings inside their apartments the same as in European houses. in fact, these houses made in the Soviet era are quite high quality and reliable, although they look bad. they are very warm, it is so warm in them that in winter at a temperature of -30 outside in the house it is so hot that you have to ventilate the room

    • @CallieMasters5000
      @CallieMasters5000 3 роки тому +1

      Those buildings are made to last. They're not crumbling or being knocked down, as they can still house a lot of people.

  • @stjut
    @stjut 3 роки тому

    Comfortable and functional apartment, well situated with everything on the doorstep. Not really that far from the city centre but for your needs you'll be happier downtown. Thx for yr time.

  • @edm9704
    @edm9704 3 роки тому +1

    You make that place sound very inviting. The map shows that it is about 7 miles (11.2 km) from the center of Kiev. 40 minute travel time on the subway is more than I would expect, but you must be right.

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому

      40 minutes is point to point, factoring the time it takes to go up and down the station escalators, etc.

  • @pcguy13x
    @pcguy13x 2 роки тому +1

    i would prefer that place, personally. thanks for the tour. seeing the unrenovated part makes me wish they did no renovating, unless it was really bad. they should have tried to keep the older look at least. i prefer the look of the older parts, myself. now the water situation in the bathroom is janky, but doable, lol.

  • @kayjonsson8228
    @kayjonsson8228 3 роки тому

    Oh I hope we get to se the renovation of your apartment!

  • @jamoon469
    @jamoon469 3 роки тому +1

    Nice neighborhood and apartment...I would enjoy it.

  • @tarbyonlineful
    @tarbyonlineful 2 роки тому

    Looks great

  • @shaneresuggan4548
    @shaneresuggan4548 3 роки тому +1

    The tap is genius.

  • @enki4589
    @enki4589 3 роки тому +1

    You could stop going to the center as often. I love where you are right now!!!

  • @pianokeyjoe
    @pianokeyjoe 3 роки тому

    I am ALWAYS for Country or suburban living for long term stays/life, but for short term stays I prefer the city for the reason you stated. It is real nice to go to the busy cities and towns and do the shopping, and what not, and then escape to the country,suburbs or small town at the end of the day. I live that life NOW! Highly recommend!

  • @yuriythebest
    @yuriythebest 3 роки тому +1

    It's amazing, and somewhat jarring, to see you describe basically 'where I live' and all the kiosks and vegetable stores I walk past every day 16:20 - Yess, this poppy seed bread from Welmart is amazing, goes well with coffee! You wouldn't believe how many times I bought it - their bread section is just wow... It will give france a run for it's money

  • @OGGOAT23
    @OGGOAT23 3 роки тому

    I used to live in a Chushchiovka 1 bedroom appartment..good old days

  • @micktaylor5520
    @micktaylor5520 3 роки тому

    I like the kitchen and the bathroom

  • @johnparrish9215
    @johnparrish9215 3 роки тому +4

    Where you have your Soviet apartment offers everything that is positive about living in the city with few of the negatives. If I were to ever move to the city I hope to find one as good as that one.
    I'm not young so my idea of a social life is much different than most but I'm pretty sure that my usual method of taking my neighbor a fresh pie (I love making pies don't judge me) and a smile can make friends over there too.

    • @Ksyusha1
      @Ksyusha1 3 роки тому +2

      I love your comment and your attitude !)))) but bringing a pie to a neighbor in this kind of building , plus smiling, plus being a foreigner ……. may lead u to a disappointment or even trouble . (Usually people keep to themselves , a short exchange between the neighbors is common , but people won’t understand if u start knocking on their doors with a pies . They ll become suspicious and ll decide on one of the following : u want something from them or u simply insane or, finally, u can be taken advantage of . So, a simple conversation about the weather will be a better and safer gateway into a new friendships. Ukrainians of a certain age don’t understand smiles from a strangers . It takes them a while to lower their guard and accept someone.

    • @johnparrish9215
      @johnparrish9215 3 роки тому +2

      @@Ksyusha1 Damn, I'm sorry to hear they were beaten down that hard.

    • @yaroslavromanyuk5669
      @yaroslavromanyuk5669 3 роки тому +1

      @@johnparrish9215 Well, -people are different. I would probably laugh and invite you for a coffee if you appeared at my door with a pie and a heavy foreign accent. But I'm only 31, and usually friendly with people unless they give me a solid reason to not be.

    • @Ksyusha1
      @Ksyusha1 3 роки тому +1

      @@yaroslavromanyuk5669 I’m the same 😀🤝

    • @Ksyusha1
      @Ksyusha1 3 роки тому

      @@johnparrish9215 🙌🤝

  • @snitao
    @snitao 3 роки тому +3

    We do have these, they’re called the projects

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 3 роки тому

    Typical apartment, small kitchen, balcony, multiple keys for entry. Huge apartment complexes and very few single story homes, except is exclusive neighborhoods or in rural areas - and no garage for a car. If you do own a vehicle, it is necessary to rent a parking booth or leave it on the street wherever a spot is available. Winter changes everything.

  • @ivanmischyuk9813
    @ivanmischyuk9813 3 роки тому +1

    I'd most likely would rent an apartmnent somewhere near Livoberezhna or Lisova train station [red line]. I consider left coast to be the ultimate budget living area. Obolon is kinda budget but not really: novostroikas/new apartment buildings kinda gentrified the budget part out of Obolon.

  • @kellysmith4350
    @kellysmith4350 2 роки тому +1

    I would live there

  • @zaxarispetixos8728
    @zaxarispetixos8728 3 роки тому

    The only thing that is old in the house is the piping and the tub. The tub is made out of cast iron and you need 4 people to lift it. If you remove it you have to break it in pieces.

  • @maureenalder8905
    @maureenalder8905 3 роки тому

    Love watching your vids thank you Mr.Bald for introducing me to Johnny ❤

  • @percyroy5886
    @percyroy5886 2 роки тому +1

    Yup...me to, cannot forget about the bacon...can't start my day until I get my bacon n eggs n coffee...

  • @jonnywaselectric
    @jonnywaselectric 3 роки тому +3

    I can imagine Bald doing a review of the apartment, he would have thought it was wonderful, the best of both worlds old soviet and modern

    • @MP-zv6fm
      @MP-zv6fm 3 роки тому

      Not old enough for Bald. He would prefer it be Runned down.

  • @craigfinno551
    @craigfinno551 2 роки тому

    You seem like a great person I just subscribed keep up the good work

  • @pw4780
    @pw4780 3 роки тому

    I had a chicken wrap at the KFC in that metro mall a couple years ago. Very nice. Took the metros to the last station on each line to see the boonies.
    What you are calling Soviet are just cheap furnishings available maybe a few years ago and today.
    I stayed in possibly the most central AirBnb in the town center. I liked to have a place to take a leak within walking distance!

  • @micqyy
    @micqyy 3 роки тому +2

    you're such a talented musician 😁

  • @mikemuniz1845
    @mikemuniz1845 3 роки тому +1

    Too funny the old lady with the tomatoes just gives you the piss off look

  • @vladchetvertak3394
    @vladchetvertak3394 3 роки тому +1

    Love your videos. The only thing missing in it is a bigger communication with a local people like Bald and bankrupt does (I came here from his channel). You must find a good local girl to teach you some Ukrainian or Russian)

  • @Resoluteofficial
    @Resoluteofficial 3 роки тому +1

    you have some serious talent on the piano

  • @mortarboss
    @mortarboss 3 роки тому +1

    I did a class in Russian, and in out text book was a drawing of the typical Soviet apartment. I knew it straight away from my visits to my girlfriend 15 years prior in Kyiv. Excatly the same. And I saw it again in this video. Only difference was where the entrance was. Alle the rest, identical.

    • @anatolyex
      @anatolyex 3 роки тому +2

      Guess what...It suppose to be identical . Why would not it be. Those buildings were manufactured at a few factories, with a few standard plans available . If you were some kind of "apparatchik" , the "servant of the people" with connections, you could get something fancier. Otherwise to own an apartment like this, was a real commodity .A ton of people could only dream to have their own place .

  • @nickpapagiorgio5056
    @nickpapagiorgio5056 2 роки тому

    Nice Johnny I get where you’re coming from but me personally I would rather live in a nice suburb outside of the city like that with a more relaxed setting and go to the city for fun and stuff when I feel like it. And have best of both worlds but Ik Obviously the main disadvantage is the 40 min train ride into downtown which if you do go into the city everyday like yourself then maybe not ideal situation but I’m sure living expenses are way cheaper and much quieter! Love that little outdoor market near by man I think the pros def outweigh the cons imo.

  • @CATMANROG
    @CATMANROG 3 роки тому

    Most entertaining Johnny ! As an old displaced Hawaii guy, your simple and comfortable in Kiev is good. I settled in hills opposite San Francisco, giving me life in forest park with multi-bridge / Alcatraz view. Weather about the same as Kiev, except our fog summer “air conditioning”. To me, home is where close friends and happiness are. So, Kiev is too far to live, too complicated to invest in, but great to visit… as are so many places and people you and Bald have shared with us. Mahalo, Rog 🐾

  • @writerbill1
    @writerbill1 3 роки тому +4

    I love it, pretty much everything except for the price (I know, Airbnb pricing, etc) and the bathroom. I'm not too picky, but that bathroom would be hard to get used to! I totally agree with your comment about having the toilet in a different room makes it easier for multiple people.

  • @Iukaz
    @Iukaz 3 роки тому +3

    Who knew Johnny was so good at piano!

    • @CallieMasters5000
      @CallieMasters5000 3 роки тому

      Who knew you could play a piano without pressing the keys?! 🤔

  • @angeldetierra3855
    @angeldetierra3855 3 роки тому +2

    8:35 That's a key fob. The HOA will program it. Depending on the type of building. It will give you access to the building, amenities and your private unit. Way better than using the conventional keys. In less than a minute you can disable it. These key fobs and the CCTV help you investigate unwanted situations that may happen in your buildings.

    • @otzi1
      @otzi1 3 роки тому

      That system is called 1-Wire. We used to use them for paying for the public transport in Istanbul, Turkey. They were replaced by a contactless card afterwards.

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  3 роки тому

      It's convient, I like it. But how does it actually work?

    • @angeldetierra3855
      @angeldetierra3855 3 роки тому

      @@otzi1 ► We have other brands here in the US. I'm not familiar with the one you're mentioning. All those systems basically do the same. Very easy to program, reliable and need very little maintenance.

    • @angeldetierra3855
      @angeldetierra3855 3 роки тому

      @@JohnnyFD ► In a nutshell: There's a computer dedicated to handle the access in your building (doors / gates / elevators). The fob has a unique id number. You input that number in the system, assign it to a particular unit, and give the access to that particular fob. For instance: Main Entrance + Common Areas + Garage + South Tower Elevator + Beach Gate.
      Main Entrance will give you access to the North, South, East & West doors.
      Common Areas will give you access to the Card room, Library, Pool Room, Fitness Center, Media Center, Playroom.
      Whenever access is granted or denied the information is recorded in the system. We can see & print the location / date / time where the fob is used.
      If you go to another building that has the same system. The fob won't be recognized -- In the system I can see that somebody tried to access the building and that the access was denied.
      We're very careful with the system. If we notice something suspicious. We contact immediately the unit owner and disable the fobs.
      Hope this help you understand the keyless access control system.

  • @АртурВолошин-ц8д
    @АртурВолошин-ц8д 3 роки тому +1

    Good

  • @definitelynotadam
    @definitelynotadam 3 роки тому

    One thing to consider with these apartment blocks. They weren't designed to last longer than 50+ years.

  • @living-wellon-less5669
    @living-wellon-less5669 2 роки тому

    I actually like that bathroom and that tap is actually ingenious, you don't have all the buildup around the faucets that makes it more difficult to clean! And the separate toilet is actually more sanitary but they do need a sink!

  • @ИгорьЦыганенко-ж4г
    @ИгорьЦыганенко-ж4г 2 роки тому +1

    People are full of stereotypes. Although the house shown in the video was built during the Soviet era, the apartment itself is not at all Soviet. In the days of the USSR, ordinary people did not have many things that were in the apartment. Rather, the apartment can be called a post-Soviet style - in the 90s in Ukraine they tried to deviate from Soviet standards and as a result, many hybrid architectural styles appeared. You can take any post-colonial country and you will also see the influence of the old and the new in one place.

  • @rickybobby1055
    @rickybobby1055 3 роки тому +1

    Nice to know Colonels fried chicken is close to dnipro. Gotta keep home close. Great video once again. You are killing it dude.

  • @OrdinaryBean
    @OrdinaryBean 3 роки тому +2

    You're quite the pianist, Johnny! 👏👏👏👏👏
    🤣

  • @guushuwaaadiga3367
    @guushuwaaadiga3367 2 роки тому

    Waaw is my our place , i like this region.i was live their

  • @pedrozatravel
    @pedrozatravel 3 роки тому

    In New York there are buildings like those apartments, mostly in the projects.

  • @tonioarceamorrortu9223
    @tonioarceamorrortu9223 10 місяців тому +1

    Ukraine looks pretty cool to live. Affordable

  • @Maldives2025
    @Maldives2025 3 роки тому

    i barely ever go to my own city center so i happily live in the suburbs

  • @living-wellon-less5669
    @living-wellon-less5669 2 роки тому +1

    I do like the concept they developed that made it more of a community where you got to know your neighbors! And honestly the buildings aren't that bad, they size and layouts maybe but the construction I like, look how old it is and they haven't done anything to the exterior since it was built! Just think how nice it could look if the outside was kept up and maybe a few Soviet Mosaics, LOL!

  • @ameliawolfe4616
    @ameliawolfe4616 2 роки тому +1

    I'm not from one of the big cities in the US, but even so a 40 minute commute is nothing! Like, it's common here in my state to drive 30 minutes to an hour for work every day. My brain is just breaking a little bit about how amazing this town looks and yet he's thinking of leaving over a 40 minute commute!

    • @JohnnyFD
      @JohnnyFD  2 роки тому +1

      "40 minute commute is nothing!" - This is why I left the USA. =)

    • @ameliawolfe4616
      @ameliawolfe4616 2 роки тому

      @@JohnnyFD oh no oh God you saw this PLEASE don't think I was being rude! That wasn't my intention, I'm just baffled at our differences; taking a shorter trip into work/town world be awesome but it's not my reality.

  • @museumholictv
    @museumholictv 3 роки тому +2

    Those buildings are still in good shape in comparison to newer building now! Funny thing is NO elavatot!!! love European bread & deli &. more....🌍👍

  • @9eylulklimaahmetdonmez237
    @9eylulklimaahmetdonmez237 3 роки тому +1

    beautifull