Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
Something should be done. People who have to live in buildings like that may end up being depressed or becoming alcoholics. It's disgusting. It's anti-social behaviour. I am all in favour for really hard punishments for people who vandalize public property.
Majority(at least half) of Russian population lives in places like that. It is really favorable for philosophical thoughts, maybe that's what's called "Russian soul"

You hit bullseye about depression and alcoholism. I just remembered a joke from Soviet time about alcoholism

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Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
As for me, if I ever lived in Russia, it probably wouldn't be in Moscow -- it just doesn't really attract me.
Moscow is the only place in Russia where you can get somewhat acceptable living conditions
In other places people survive, not live: buying new clothes is considered a big deal, a car is a luxury object, you need to retrench everything for a year to afford somewhat decent vacation, most people cannot afford to buy a house, to buy a flat you need two persons working full time (salary of one person is not enough to cover mortgage), etc.


If I'm not mistaken average salary of a well educated person working in Moscow is around $2000 per month(after taxes), however if you go away from Moscow to other regions, the salary will drop to $300-$1200, depending on the place. Food and clothes cost about the same as in Moscow, the only difference is real estate prices
Marriage is often a way to survive (because both people work)
You can do the math

Most Russians don't give a damn about "free will", "human rights", "spying government" and other stuff like that, their minds occupied by more down-to-earth problems like what to eat today, how to pay your bills, how to make lives of your kids a little easier and brighter
I don't think you'll like to live there, Hanna, you are from another planet called "European civilization". China would probably understand Russia better than Europe.

PS:
In other thread I said that you should move to Russia because they don't care about your fingerprints and I see you considering it. That was a joke, Hanna.
To give you a straight answer on this: Hell no f-ing way you should move to Russia or even consider it. Count your blessings and thank Christ, Buddha, Allah and Ganesha that you don't live in Russia this time.

PPS:
I really hope that Russia will be better in time, because I really miss Russian culture, language and my friends but that probably won't happen in my lifetime, sorry for the sorrow post