Babushka’s Typical Soviet Apartment: 58 Years in the Same Flat

Welcome to our channel, Soviet-Born! I'm Julie, and along with my husband Hakim, we offer a glimpse into everyday life in the USSR. Our stories are personal and subjective, and we encourage you to join the conversation, whether you agree or not.

Step inside the life of a Soviet pensioner —a story that’s all too familiar for many who grew up during World War II and spent decades rebuilding the country. In this video, we take you on a tour of an typical soviet apartment that hasn't changed much since Soviet times, revealing how people who helped build the USSR are living today.
Key points covered:
- 58 Years in the Same apartment
- The realities of surviving on a $200 monthly pension
- How pensioners manage to afford basic repairs, like replacing outdated sewage pipes
- The Soviet-era details that remain in their homes, from gas cylinders to cast-iron radiators
- A look into the daily challenges faced by seniors, and why they continue to live in these conditions

Through this tour, you’ll see how Soviet pensioners who once earned "good" pensions are now struggling with modest means, while still holding onto the values they learned in the USSR.

#SovietUnion #Pensioners #Babushka #SocialIssues #USSR #historicaldocumentary
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#SovietHistory #USSR #historicaldocumentary

[Soviet-Born]

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[victoriaharvey]

Once upon a time North America would say this is deplorable. Today many seniors would be happy to have a roof over their heads.
The is always greener over the septic tank ❤

[sandevieira]

Senior homelessness is a growing problem here in the US. Since the amount you receive from our government retirement program (social security) is based on your salary when working, many who spent their working years in low wage jobs can't afford housing after they retire. Those low wages also made it impossible to save.

Had I not been lucky enough to buy a very modest small house while working, I would struggle to afford current rents.

I loved seeing Babushka's apartment. My kitchen and bathroom aren't modern either but I see no reason to change what's still working.

Thanks so much for the interesting video and please let Babushka know she has a beautiful apartment.❤

[jennil]

We live in a stone cottage in Wales that is over 400 years old. My husband is 83 and I am 72 and we just stopped working out tiny farm.
We brought my mother to live with us 25 years ago, she died this year, aged 102.
Before she moved here, she lived in a small home, rather like the one you showed us, but in London. Though higher than this lady's, her pension was not enough for her to make it comfortable and her friends had all died, so it was safer for her to be with us. She was not always able to eat well because the heating cost, local tax and paying water bills that are very high in London took most of her money.
My husband and I can manage better because we each have a pension, though we have not travelled anywhere in the years since we had other jobs and we rarely buy new clothes. The exterior of our cottage is fully repaired now and we are putting a wood stove back in to help with warmth and cooking costs.

I would like to know what older people do to pass the time in retirement in Russia? Many here seem to just watch television all day. We prefer to read and have other at home hobbies. We also look after our 8 year old grandson, sometimes for weeks at a time, because our son has to work far away and his mother has left the family. The little boy is great company. I never feel bored of lonely. I like being a pensioner.

[bjklein]

It seems like you have documented a very sensitive and important issue.

Thank you for posting this very interesting video.

Graceful people are the ones who are thankful for what they have... 🙏💐

[lindaltsteele]

You’re a very Sweet Lady … People were proud back then Hard workers . I do hope her living conditions will improve.

[GRHall-trjm]

Very good a very interesting. Love to see more. Thank you

[gretabrown]

Thanks for honest content, appreciate the difficulties for pensioners everywhere.
This woman lives alone I suspect so moving would disrupt her social life and at this time in her life not a good idea to risk that.

[taramaclaird]

This is an interesting and well made video. I will be watching for more of them. Thank you for sharing them.

[monicastoddart]

Thanks for sharing. All the best to everyone.

[mapleext]

Send my greetings to the Babushka of the apartment. I hope she is well. I am a Baba also with two grandsons and live in the USA. They have two other grandparents who left the Soviet Union when it fell. I must say that we are not as poor as the ones you are showing. I study Russian history and enjoy your channel. Keep going-all peoples are important. ❤

[miriam]

I’m not surprised they don’t want to leave. This is their home. I’m a widow pensioner and lived in my old house for 23 years. It’s home, it’s our security. I receive a better pension and still struggle to survive but there are many worse off these days. Australia. Enjoyed your video ty

[shirleygriffin]

Thanks for sharing. the Ozarks USA 🇺🇸

[sarahstrong]

Lifestyles vary a lot in the U.K. My parents who were children at the end of WW2 were lucky to have good working lives. They had good pensions. Very good pensions & were able to afford very nice holidays but the U.K. now is a much harder place to live. Many people now, even some couples, who are both working full-time, cannot afford to buy a home of their own but must continue renting accommodation, which is expensive and sometimes in poor condition. Some people get sick because of mould, damp & the stress of the insecurity of renting. Some people move many times trying to find a place which is O.K. or because their landlords keep putting the rent up & they cannot afford to stay.
So some people do have nice homes but some are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Many people still live in their parents home although they are in their 40s or 50s. Sadly there are an increasing number of people who have no home at all but must sleep on the streets, they die much younger than others.

[lesliemorrison]

Thank you for this showing us this. It is very interesting to see apartments from that era. However I too feel for pensioners everywhere who are left to struggle with so little.

[cwynn]

I like that old building, it has a solid character, which says safety to a pensioner. I am a pensioner in the US. My home is 100 years old, and old homes always need work. But this work is also beyond my reach. Many modern building materials are not healthy to live with compared to wood and plaster. One owner cannot do everything a house needs, unless they are rich, so we pick one or two important things like the plumbing or a new roof. Then the next person to own the house will do more upgrades.

[nancyklaske]

I appreciate the video and I appreciate the home owner letting us into her/his world. Greetings from the great State of Georgia, USA…God bless you ❤️

[wendypickford]

Thank you for sharing this video, I found it so interesting. I found Babushka's apartment has a charm all of it's own and would like to see her bathroom when it's finished.

I'm from the UK and not retired yet.

We retire at 67yrs old. I know that Russian pensioners would be surprised at the mod cons most pensioners have over here. All pensioners get the state pension, £221.20 per week, free prescriptions and bus travel and attendance allow, if needed: Higher rate: £108.55 a week Lower rate: £72.65 a week and a £10.00 bonus at Christmas. Those on a low income could also receive Pension credit which is a gateway to free dental care, free hearing aids and prescription glasses. winter fuel allowance £300 per year, free council tax (saving £1250 approx on a 2 bed residence) and a free TV licence. There are also grants available (free of charge) to update old heating systems and provide property insulation and solar power.

Needless to say everyone receives free medical care .

Having said that, it's true that some of pensioners have to live very modestly as well in terms of disposable income. I hope you find this interesting and would love to see more of your videos. Wendy x

[constancenovysedlak]

Somebody commented Lovely and Clean, BY WHOS STANDARDS, Even tho the apt.is old, it’s dirty, It’s NOT kept clean AT ALL., its pitiful tho how some have to live.

[demijour]

The rising cost of homes and rents is really high in Toronto, Ontario Canada. There are people who live on the streets and there is a growing trend of people living in their car converted into their home. You can see videos on that. Even though the pensioner lives a very modest and low means, I am glad that the government provided housing, as they should so deserve. It is too bad they do not do more. You did a great job in doing this video and that was very sweet for you to offer to take her to see the sea. I know she declined, you should ask again and maybe show a video of what it is like. It would be so nice to see the video of her reaction. Good Luck with your channel. I subscribed. I know there is the tension with the war with Ukraine. However, life still continues in other parts of Russia away from the war zone. All the Best.