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The Daily Insight

Why does everyone in Russia live in apartments?

Author

James Craig

Published May 14, 2026

Russia has cold winters, and big apartment buildings are more efficient to heat and cool than separate buildings. Public transportation is more efficient in densely populated areas. Apartments are smaller, so they use less land, and are MUCH cheaper per unit to build.

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Russia?

Generally, any individual, regardless of his or her citizenship, can acquire residential property in Russia. There is no direct ban on foreigners owning residential property anywhere in the country. This means that they can buy a house, but not the land beneath it.

Do people still live in communal apartments in Russia?

For residents of Russia’s communal apartments — a relic of the Soviet Union but still home to hundreds of thousands of people, most of them in St. Petersburg, about 500,000 people live in communal apartments, constituting 10 percent of the city’s population.

Does everyone in Russia live in apartments?

Most Russians live in apartment buildings. The stairwell is considered public space, and is cleaned by communal services. Nevertheless, because of the small size of apartments, items such as bicycles and strollers are sometimes kept there.

How much is a one bedroom apartment in Russia?

The average cost of one bedroom apartment outside the centre is $470.68 and generally range between $250.71 and $903.46.

Did people pay rent in Soviet Union?

Most people rented apartments from the state, at a moderate price (the main problem was availability, not the cost). The price of a 3-room apartment grew from about 10 roubles in 1970s to 20 roubles per month in 1980s. It was possible to rent privately but this was expensive and few people could afford this.

What are Russian apartments called?

Hruščoby, lit. ‘Khrushchev slums’) is an unofficial name for a type of low-cost, concrete-paneled or brick three- to five-storied apartment building which was developed in the Soviet Union during the early 1960s, during the time its namesake Nikita Khrushchev directed the Soviet government.

What are Russian slums called?

The panel buildings called ‘Khrushchyovka’ are found in great numbers all over the former Soviet Union. They were originally considered to be temporary housing until the housing shortage could be alleviated by mature Communism, which would not have any shortages.

What’s the highest paying job in Russia?

  1. Surgeons / Doctors. Salary Range: from 181,000 RUB to 610,000 RUB.
  2. Judges. Salary Range: from 152,000 RUB to 512,000 RUB.
  3. Lawyers. Salary Range: from 123,000 RUB to 415,000 RUB.
  4. Bank Managers. Salary Range: from 116,000 RUB to 390,000 RUB.
  5. Chief Executive Officers.
  6. Chief Financial Officers.
  7. Orthodontists.
  8. College Professors.