The New Russia is expanding

Last week I showed some pictures of some rather large houses in an expensive part of the city. On the whole Russians still live in tall apartment buildings. This is largely based upon a Soviet ideology of having everyone living close together to form community. But in reality it never really worked very well, as a lot people don't even know their own neighbours who live on the same floor.
Buying a house is never a cheap thing. In fact in many ways I feel as if we will never be able to afford a house in life. I will just trust in God, he knows what is best for us. Things are beyond reach of most Australian young families now, but much further beyond our reach.



There is a new trend in Russia. People are selling up their apartments and moving out of the city to build their own house. This is possible because apartment prices are so high now and continue to climb. A four room apartment now costs about $250 000. A piece of land outside the city costs about $60 000, and the house from $50 000 to $100 000, depending on how big or simple a house people choose. This would leave plenty of money left over for a car.
How is this possible for people? Well, in Soviet times anyone who had a decent job was given a big apartment from the government. People with less prestigious jobs were given smaller apartments. This means that in a post-communist Russia, anyone who owns their own property is probably doing ok. A family may have a 4 room place (does not count kitchen and bathroom- we live in a 4 room apartment) and then sell it, and buy two 2 room apartments, giving one to a child.
In reality this means, that if someone owns their own place and has a decent job, then they are placed in the "middle class". Another person may have a decent job, but not own their own place, and then really be struggling, as rental prices are astronomically high compared to wages.
I would define the Russian middle class as someone who owns their own place and has a car. According to this criteria about 25% of Russia's population is now middle class. The new president Dmitry Medvedev predicts that the middle class will be 60-70% of the population by 2020. This definition of "middle class" does not necessarily mean the same standard as in the west. By those criteria the middle class would be around 7% of the population.



This house below is a little amusing though. Most houses are made from either wood or brick. In fact we met some people who are building their house from a Canadian wood technology called "ekopan". They were quite proud of how they had searched on the internet and found out about the technology, and told us they were the first to use it. (First is a big claim- but one of the trendsetters I am sure.) Now others are starting to copy them. The house below is made from concrete slabs from a demolished apartment building, which other people are not doing! (Very creative, I must say.)


We met some of the potential neighbours where a friend is building his house. These young families seemed so happy and relaxed building their houses. Their demeanour was so different from the average Russian. I am convinced that they were happier to have their own space to breathe. It makes me wonder how much of the cold Russian exterior is the result of soviet ideology. One of the families we met, sold up in Akademgorodok, where we live. We enjoy where we live but of course would enjoy a house and land all the more. It is my guess that within a generation 50% of urban Russians will no longer live in an apartment but a house.



These trees above are growing naturally on a plot of land where someone will build in the near future. It makes a bit of a mockery of the tree planting business in Canada. My brother in law would be interested to see this picture.



The birch trees grow very quickly. These young trees have grown just this Spring and Summer alone.