My Russian Apartment Tour: GREY SOVIET BUILDINGS EXPLAINED!

Have you ever wondered why there are so many grey buildings in Russia? Let's have a look inside my Khrushchevka apartment!

All these Soviet buildings have their own story, from when they were built to their unique features. Almost every Soviet leader tried to solve the housing issue, that’s why these building are named after the leaders that built them: Stalinka, Khrushevka, Brezhnevka. I'll explain how they are different and the story behind each of them.

#lifeinrussia #russia #moscowrussia #moscowlife #moscow #sovietbuildings #sovietunion #ussr #sovietheritage #easterneurope #easterneuropean #realrussia

Time codes:
00:00 A walk around my neighborhood in Moscow
00:43 Why our residential buildings are named like this?
01:33 Stalinka buildings
02:36 Khrushchevka buildings
03:01 Let's go inside my Khrushchevka
03:55 From Siberia to Moscow: a sincere kitchen talk
04:49 Let's make a tour of my apartment
08:09 Brezhnevka buildings
09:07 Novostroika buildings (modern)
10:15 Could you live in these buildings?

🔸What can you find on my channel?
👉🏻visiting different republics and regions of Russia
👉🏻learning about ethnic groups of Russia (we have 195 ethnicities!)

📍 More videos:

___
____

[ElifromRussia]

Could you live in a Soviet apartment? :) are they very different from apartments in your country?

[salfa]

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.

[nicholasthebest]

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 of course these buildings are outdated, a renovation program is now in effect, people have the choice to improve their living conditions if they have money, of course, capitalism.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.

[jimbond]

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.

[BSharp]

I grew up in Bulgaria where the same apartment buildings were built in the 60s through the 80s and honestly, I had an awesome childhood. The apartment was comfortable, warm, and there were many children to play with and the parents all had awesome professions such as engineers, architects, artists, musicians, chemists. All of us children had an awesome education. The building we lived in also had a grocery store, textile store, coffee shop, restaurant and other services located in the ground level below the residential area. I loved it and still do! Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood memories ❤. Awesome video

[beautifullove]

The older I get, the more I realize how little I need. Your apartment is cozy and your favorite people are there- that’s what matters! Don’t buy into the hype- more doesn’t always = happiness!

[appalachiantexan]

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.❤️🏢

[heycash]

I like that, "Moscow is a city for money, but Siberia is for my soul" smart.

[Alan-hhci]

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

[CarsandCats]

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

[revolter]

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.

[jhardy]

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.

[LBrown]

What you live in isn't as important as how you live. Literally every single Russian I have met has been a wonderful and kind person. Thank you.

[truthbsaid]

Eli: just found your videos. I am impressed by your fluency in English as well as that of your Siberian roommate. I finally have a window into a Russia that few of us know much about. No propaganda. No political messaging. Just informational and very very entertaining.

[redink]

For a Russian living in Europe, I've seen my share of old appartments all over, so whoever says these are bad, there is plenty of badly maintained housing here as well. Well yes, it's old and needs to be replaced, but considering the history, it's what it is - cheap fast solution to the post WWII housing crisis. Thank you Eli for sharing, I watch these videos more for the nostalgia than for the information, but it's nice to see a Russian sharing their everyday live with the rest of the world, and your English is so perfect, it's so nice to listen to you speak it.

[NeverlandSystemSunflower]

I love how she contrasted Siberia and Moscow... Moscow is for money, Siberia is for my soul.
I feel that way in Alaska about Anchorage (for money), and the more isolated natural land is for my soul.

My birth parents were from eastern Russia (fled just before the USSR collapse) and I was born in AK... got to see their hometown when I was 16... I get that "city is for the money, rural Russia is for the soul" feeling. Communities in rural places like that are something special and different.

[susanpeterson]

Eli, your long red hair is beautiful!! Thank you for your tour! Cute and cozy apartment!

[thestoicsteve]

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

[matthewgolden]

Greetings from Minnesota, USA! I married a Russian woman here in 2000. It was one of the best things to ever happen to me. For the most part, the Russian people are much more realistic and genuine in their approach to life and living. For me, it was a breath of fresh air, as you are Eli. What I gained from watching your video presentations is a better understanding of Russian life and culture. My wife, on the other hand, they have a lot of nostalgic value, which brings back mostly fond, and some not so fond memories of her life during the Soviet Union. Thank you for sharing your life and your culture with us during these turbulent times .

[Brocambro]

This young woman has such a beautiful soul, to a point that I suspect those very mean, resentful, uncalled for comments that are posted here emanate from sad, don't have a life, despicable human beings who are jealous of her beautifulness, heapyness, cause those are the hardest thing to get in life, and no amount of money can get them miserable those, and they chose to hate and say bad things to a person that provide free service to them, moreover they even never met her in person; people are just weird.