Kommunalka, a Soviet type of housing that still exists

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
  • Kommunalka, shared apartment, an epoch in the Soviet life. A not very comfortable housing which provided a place to live for millions of Soviet families. If you think this epoch was gone together with the Soviet Union, you are mistaken. Kommunalkas are more then alive. People buy them with mortgage.
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ความคิดเห็น • 306

  • @StPetersburgme
    @StPetersburgme  2 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    What do you think of a kommunalka?

    • @patriarca91
      @patriarca91 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      In Colombia we call ( Comuna ). Guess is modus operandi around the world from some “ class “ of losers.

    • @houndlover870
      @houndlover870 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I don't think I could live that way. Americans are accustomed to an average space of 500+ Sq foot per person. An average home for 4 people will be between 1500 and 2000 Sq ft depending on what part of the country as well as whether they live inside city limits or in the country. 3 people live in my home along with 2 dogs and 2 cats and we have just under 3000 Sq ft which doesn't include a 2 car garage. It's a ton of space and I have too much junk. Lol I'm so glad you have the asset of a Communalka because ownership of property is key to gaining wealth and possibly survival depending on where you live in the world.

    • @CG-sx3no
      @CG-sx3no 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      I think Russians are very unspoiled...you make the best of every living situation...very few comforts....but do the best you can...it amazes me.

    • @MrCaronhalt
      @MrCaronhalt 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      It sounds dismal

    • @ronniem3592
      @ronniem3592 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      It's better than being homeless

  • @rn87mom94
    @rn87mom94 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    All I can say is WOW! $50,000 in 2013 for ONE room and access to a dilapidated and moldy bathroom?!
    That makes one a slave to their shelter forever.

    • @gabesimmonds8421
      @gabesimmonds8421 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      It's like Manhattan rentals .$5k for a 150 sqft cubby hole.

    • @carlmorgan8452
      @carlmorgan8452 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Homeless is the best way to go now days in USA. Or nomadic life with good weather. Seems to be catching on.

    • @rn87mom94
      @rn87mom94 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@carlmorgan8452 mini houses.

    • @lochamb1234
      @lochamb1234 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@carlmorgan8452 yes tented living is the way to go in California especially. The newest and fasted growing accommodation in LA in particular!!!! The governor there should be so proud of the amount of homeless people, homeless families that they have helped create. Some achievement....but hey as long as people have their woke nonsense that compensates for all the homeless veterans whose bravery, dedication and patriotism mean absolutely

    • @KalujaFlizck
      @KalujaFlizck 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@lochamb1234 you can thank local zoning overseers for allowing investment homes turned into AirB&Bs. Even condos & townhouses are used for income. The "housing shortag" is a myth.

  • @donohobrd
    @donohobrd 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My mouth dropped when I saw the price of that room - so expensive for what you get!

  • @kathyclark1449
    @kathyclark1449 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That is expensive. The condition of the rooms is very bad. Your apartment is so much better. I hope you able to do something with your other place.

  • @thefarmerswifeknits6190
    @thefarmerswifeknits6190 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very interesting. You’ve got a great head on your shoulders! Since my brother is an electrician, the wiring in the kommunalka gives me a fright! I can’t imagine how you organize/schedule the use of the communal kitchen.

  • @coloradomountain
    @coloradomountain 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    At a mortgage rate of 14.25%, the majority of the people in the US would not be able to own a home.

    • @RomanBaranovic
      @RomanBaranovic 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      exactly, that is insane interest rate

  • @kkkerry2
    @kkkerry2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I can't imagine wanting to buy one of these rooms

    • @crystalbluepersuasion1027
      @crystalbluepersuasion1027 ปีที่แล้ว

      Or paying 58k and then not even living in it….when you’re unemployed. Scratching my head here.

  • @Sachzilla
    @Sachzilla 2 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    These are somewhat similar to student housing cooperatives in the US and Canada. I lived in one during grad school. I had 30 housemates. We had shared dinners five nights a week and were expected to put in a few hours of labor every week. For the most part it was nice and I saved a lot of money, but there were definitely times I just wanted to be alone and not see ten people when I went to the kitchen.

    • @lightwork11
      @lightwork11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      As an introvert, shared housing sounds nightmarish!

    • @ANNEWHETSTONE
      @ANNEWHETSTONE 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank goodness i only had 4 roomies !!
      Western Canada 🇨🇦

  • @Kathy428
    @Kathy428 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Honestly, this was a an eye opener! The squalor and disgusting condition of the entire living quarters was shocking, to say the least. I am confused as to why you took out a mortgage for this place but then never lived there, how could you afford the monthly expenses and is this really considered an investment??

    • @melissahouse3488
      @melissahouse3488 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Good question & the way you put it definitely makes me realize the situation doesn't quite add up. Not surprised you got no answer.
      How about the fact that she bought a much more expensive place rather than move into this room property she already had & was more within her means? Obviously Russians are not so poor, this is the second video I seen of people showing off their multiple or secondary properties while Ukrainian's lose theirs altogether & Americans go broke funding wars while our people live in tents on the damn side walks or out in the woods. To afford that kind of down payment means her family is smart, worked hard but were definitely not poor because I don't know of anyone who put that much down on one property and I was actually told when offering high down payments that most buyer's put down a few grand, not even ten percent of the cost of a home. They're wheeler dealers and I don't believe the "I'm poor" routine with foreigners anymore. Now it's Americans they can fund!!!

  • @anthonynichols5158
    @anthonynichols5158 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Very interesting 🤔, housing is very expensive there compared with income even at the lower level housing situations. Kseniya you are a strong woman and I see you succeeding no matter what you go after. Keep up the positive attitude and you will always come out ahead. Great video 😁😁

  • @borjavalero8511
    @borjavalero8511 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Very interesting, thank you. Didn't expect that the komunalka is so expensive.

  • @JollyPeanut
    @JollyPeanut 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Seems very expensive for what you get & high interest rates i thought it would be much cheaper. Very interesting to see it . Thank you for showing it.

  • @mirandamom1346
    @mirandamom1346 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Shared accommodation is pretty common around the world, but I think that owning the room rather than renting it is pretty unusual.

  • @darkbrother8516
    @darkbrother8516 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is such a good video. No other Russian vloggers that I usually watch have ever exposed this part of life in Russia. First time I have ever had kommunalka explains to me in a way I can understand it. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

  • @bobdenk6944
    @bobdenk6944 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Enjoyed learning about Kommunalka very much. Look forward to your future videos on Russian culture whatever the topic.

  • @chucktannehill1921
    @chucktannehill1921 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks and nice to see you are still publishing videos!

  • @personincognito3989
    @personincognito3989 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is fascinating. In Canada we would consider that apartment that the komunalka is in to be living in squalor. I guess I have been blessed so far to have never lived in such a place. You must feel so blessed to have your new apartment now.
    Edit. ***I didn't mean this as a put down. I just find it sad that this is what the government initially provided for it's people and that hardly anyone makes a living wage in order to make the apartment safe and livable.

  • @lightwork11
    @lightwork11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    When I was younger, my idea of Russian living quarters was a kommunalka. That's what I saw in movies. My introverted soul could not fathom living with so many people around me. But people do what is necessary to live. Thank you, this was very interesting.

    • @houndlover870
      @houndlover870 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same. I am very introverted.

  • @annam4313
    @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hello, it is admirable that with your parents help you purchased a kommunalka and now an apartment. Taking the income in Russia in consideration, it is a high achievement.

  • @paulforget383
    @paulforget383 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I have seen a kommunalka depicted in the movie Doctor Zhivago. I have also seen an example of this type of apartment in a school residence in the University of Toronto.

    • @tj5032
      @tj5032 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      👍... We have similar student housing. Here they are usually referred to as suites. The main attraction being that a satellite of rooms around the kitchen and/or common area allows for personal meal prep and entertaining.

  • @christihiatt3459
    @christihiatt3459 2 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Really illuminating for me, and a reminder that there's always something to learn about Russia, and you're certainly a good teacher, Kcenya!

  • @berhorst59
    @berhorst59 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Always a pleasure to see you, Ksenia. Hope you are well

  • @saastohaaste
    @saastohaaste 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Very interesting video. I love hearing ”history lessons” from the Soviet Union era!

  • @SteveBene
    @SteveBene 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Blessings from Montreal Canada

  • @dianebaker5243
    @dianebaker5243 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for sharing this. 🥰

  • @raycanuck7541
    @raycanuck7541 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Thanks, in Canada there are tens of thousands of Kommunalkas too. We call them Shared Accommodate, where each room or part of the home is rented to a person or a family but we don't have shared accommodate for sale as far as I know.

    • @freddesmoines9317
      @freddesmoines9317 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thats interesting. You must be a new Canadian, because I have lived here for 61 years and I have never heard that word. I guess we just call it a 'room mate' or having a room for rent.

    • @blucantrell2
      @blucantrell2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@freddesmoines9317 they don't call them komunalka in Canada. That's a Russian word.

    • @ANNEWHETSTONE
      @ANNEWHETSTONE 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I live in Canada. Other than college dormitories i have never heard of this. Unless you are renting out a room in your house.

  • @ronniem3592
    @ronniem3592 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I watch your videos all the time . Bless you. You are so young , yet you are very wise and serious for your age.

  • @lynetteray2146
    @lynetteray2146 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "East West' is another good film that has people living in a Kommunalka. You can rent that on Amazon. It's a European production.

  • @dancourt4792
    @dancourt4792 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for this very informative vlog.......I look forward to your next one,

  • @sunshinegalkw9675
    @sunshinegalkw9675 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for the very honest video! You explain things so eloquently! I am wishing you all the best! 🌻❤️🙏🌻

  • @PAUL-uk1le
    @PAUL-uk1le 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ksenia you always wear so nice outfits. It was really neat seeing Kommunalka. They should put in elevator to reach those shelves.Always learn so much much love my friend.

  • @berylmadison2363
    @berylmadison2363 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    No I don't think your room was so cheap...I thought for a room without private bathroom or kitchen was very expensive!!..I hope you sell your shared apartment soon..Many Blessings and good wishes ..safety and health👩‍🦳🌿🕊️😄🇺🇸

  • @jsikes4435
    @jsikes4435 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    First thing I have to say is wow. I don’t think that sounds cheap at all! Besides all that, your interest is near theft. How do people workout bathing, and cooking times? I can only imagine the frustration of someone taking a long bath and using all the hot water, and what can you do about it other than give them the evil eye.

  • @ianmaonaigh7215
    @ianmaonaigh7215 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks

  • @thelongs5698
    @thelongs5698 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for the details on everything. Your open and honest approach is much appreciated.

  • @aerospace8329
    @aerospace8329 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just imagine all the wacky sitcoms that could be made in kommunalkas.

  • @SheilaConvery
    @SheilaConvery 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I have to say I am so surprised how expensive a room in a shared apartment cost (even being in a city such as St. Petersburg). Otherwise the overall conditions seem nice, I suppose it all comes down to how well you like the people who you are sharing it with.

    • @dovoso5685
      @dovoso5685 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I agree, it is expensive and its all about the neighbours.

    • @gingersmith2888
      @gingersmith2888 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I agree that the purchase price is pretty expensive, but the monthly rent of $150 would be a bargain for someone with low income.

    • @dovoso5685
      @dovoso5685 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@gingersmith2888 True , 55K is too much and 150 $ probably too little. Maybe she wants to rent it out fast and then sell it as a passive income apartment.

  • @ElizabethSmith-kd4du
    @ElizabethSmith-kd4du 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you so much for sharing your life and culture with us!
    You seem to be a very smart and hard working young lady. I think you probably appreciate your new apartment because you earned it yourself. You have accomplished a lot and have much to be proud of!!! I’m sure your mother is proud of you as well.
    I’m very happy for you to now be living in your very own apartment. Congratulations!!

  • @gingersmith2888
    @gingersmith2888 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Hi Ksenia! Interesting and informative video. Thanks for showing us your kommunalka. I am curious what you have done with your kommunalka since 2013 if you never lived in it? Did you ever rent it out?

  • @connielimon90
    @connielimon90 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this does not sound CHEAP to me. It sounds terribly expensive.

  • @aaron7t3
    @aaron7t3 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    another great video, keep up the good work. reminds me of when i used to share a house with 3 other flatmates or roommates you might call them here in New Zealand, but they were all people i knew and we each had our own room so it was ok, luckily i now have my own house but with a mortgage also, take care Aaron

  • @expatexpat6531
    @expatexpat6531 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for being so open. Quite honestly, that place looked like a slum. In western Europe you would only find very, very poor people living like that or poor students. And no one would buy a room there. You wouldn't get it onto Airbnb. But, hopefully the value of the room increased over the years that you had it and you made a net profit.

  • @mariahsmom9457
    @mariahsmom9457 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for this wonderful history and culture video! Love your red jacket too. Looks great on you. Hugs from Kansas USA 🌻👠

  • @icare6076
    @icare6076 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So fascinating, Ksenia. Thank you for sharing about this.

  • @aanttz4803
    @aanttz4803 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    In every city in the UK are apartments in which people rent one room because it is all they can afford. Me, I run my own business and sleep in an empty office. It's great living in such a rich country.

    • @StPetersburgme
      @StPetersburgme  2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I also rented apartments with friends to make my rent expenses smaller. And there are many other people who do the same.

  • @Hannoi
    @Hannoi 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much! Very interesting!

  • @aturnerw
    @aturnerw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Isn’t it scary to live with people you don’t know?? It seems dangerous.

    • @StPetersburgme
      @StPetersburgme  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      it of course depends on the neighbors.

    • @yvonnesheehan9079
      @yvonnesheehan9079 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I would not like locking into a ten year agreement with neighbours that rent next door. You never know who will be living with you.

  • @cisium1184
    @cisium1184 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It is not dissimilar from some places I have lived. The people you are living with are more important than the facilities. One gross, loud, or irresponsible person can make everyone else's life miserable.
    The building at 1:56 is utterly gorgeous. I would love to live in a building that beautiful.

  • @saandersons
    @saandersons 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This was absolutely fascinating. I am learning so much by watching your videos. I don't think I would like to live in a kommunalka. I hope you are very successful in what you are trying to do, and I'm looking forward to your course!

  • @sallylambert7552
    @sallylambert7552 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ksenia this was so interesting. I meant to goggle it after you first mentioned this but i forgot. I dont think anyone thought you were lying. I dont imagine you would ever lie about anything. Also these prices are very high by American standards i think. I will tell you more later but at the moment i am not feeling well. Thank you for the video. Have a nice day. 😘

  • @arthurtrevino9844
    @arthurtrevino9844 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Glad to see that you are well. This was a very interesting video. Stay safe and I look forward to seeing you again. Best wishes from Texas, USA

  • @RUTHSHAWable
    @RUTHSHAWable 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Dear Ksenia,
    Thank you for such an information filled video. You are an excellent teacher and Historian!
    I have a question totally off the subject you were talking about. You talking about Kommunalka's made me think of the following questions, and I was wondering if you would do a video on them?
    How do disabled people live in Russia that have no family to care for them?
    Poeple in wheelchairs that could still live by themselves wouldn't be able to climb stairs in most of the Kommunalka's, and apartments there that I have seen on TH-cam. Do you see very many people in wheelchairs living by themselves in Russia? How do they get around during the snowy Winter and Spring months? Does the Russian government give them a small income if they are not able to work? Are employers friendly to hire such qualified disabled people? What happens to people with long term chronic, progressive, physical or emotional health issues that just get worse?
    Is there a place for them to go once they cannot care for themselves anymore?
    Here in the USA there is what they call Social Security income for those with disabilities and the elderly. It is not much money, maybe $725 up to $1900 US depending on if you were ever able to work, and for how many years you worked and contributed to the Social Security fund. It can be very difficult for most people to live on this amount depending on where they live. What happens to children born with birth defects that their parents care for their entire life, and then the parents die, leaving their now disabled adult child unable to care for themselves?
    In the USA the State and Federal government subsidizes payments to nursing homes and State run hospitals to care for those who cannot care for themselves anymore. Although the care they receive most of the time is terrible. There are also what they call Assisted Living Centers for the elderly and disabled. They are kind of like Kommunalks's are like. But where each person has their own room, bathroom, half kitchen with a microwave oven. But all meals are served in a dining room where everyone eats together.
    Thank you for considering my questions...
    Have a beautiful day!🌷

    • @kathyclover7960
      @kathyclover7960 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Great questions it would be interesting to see how those life issues are addressed there~thanks for asking!

    • @lindaetheridge-stroud1502
      @lindaetheridge-stroud1502 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Assisted living in the US is very expensive.Many elderly people cannot afford it.

    • @lindaetheridge-stroud1502
      @lindaetheridge-stroud1502 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Many people sell their homes to enter assisted living. When the money from the sale is used up, if they are not
      disabled enough ( bed ridden) for a government assisted program they may have to find a family member to take them.

    • @dianedenham5259
      @dianedenham5259 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lindaetheridge-stroud1502 : also, there is a large population of elderly nomads, living in vans or cars, following the good weather. They have no other property, just their vehicle. They live in the Arizona desert during the winter, visit Mexico for dental work, eyeglasses, medicines, etc.

  • @gabriellagirardi4741
    @gabriellagirardi4741 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you Ksenia for this informative video. I am so happy that you own this shared apartment room, so that you'll be able to pay part of the montly cost of the mortage and from what I could see it looks very nice and bright, even if some bathroom repairs have to be done, but this can be easily resolved. Anyway you own shared apartment room is in a magnificent city like Saint Petersburg and I suppose that this makes a great difference in the value of properties, as I think that they are higher than in other parts of Russia. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video and I wish you and family all the best.

  • @hilsbeasley539
    @hilsbeasley539 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So interesting as always. I hope you manage to sell up soon. xx

  • @darellnewsome4459
    @darellnewsome4459 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for showing us this and explaining it in detail so well. I can understand why you are selling the room. Take care and stay well.

  • @albin2232
    @albin2232 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thanks Ksenia. Great video 👍It's not unusual for students and young people to share flats in the UK, but not really families. Best wishes from Colin 🇬🇧

    • @annam4313
      @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I watched a documentary about a state of some of the sardines accommodations in London. People have mattress on the floor next to each other. Electrical wires hanging, the kitchen looked like a hazard zone, mould grown everywhere. Even in some higher end apartments in London several couple live together each of them have their own room. They are professional working couples.

    • @albin2232
      @albin2232 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@annam4313 True, but other places aren't like London. I pay a reasonable rent for my nice modern flat in Edinburgh. I've never lived in any kind of shared accommodation.

    • @annam4313
      @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@albin2232 I agree with you. Even in London not everybody live in shared accommodation. In Russia not everybody live in Kommunalka. I respect anybody who try their best. When we were in high school My husband and I both lived in boarding schools sharing a room My husband lived in a boarding school sharing a room with two other boys and I lived in a boarding school sharing a room with one other girl.

    • @TT-zd6nr
      @TT-zd6nr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@annam4313 in UK boarding schools, back when I was young, sharing was not uncommon for the first two years. Mind you, nowadays, the cost is over £30k per year per child. For that I hope they get their own room!

    • @annam4313
      @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@TT-zd6nr In Australia the girls from our family attended Lauriston Girls School. Not a boarding school. You can look up the fees. The boarding rooms in my husbands and my ex boarding school remained the same. In 2019 when we last visited we found junk food and sugary drink machines has been installed which we could not believe. They are large rooms. In my husband's ex-room the 3 boys, were in the room. My husband told them what a room called in his time, the pet name remained the same. The boys demonstrated the same politeness, happy, helpful and considered behaviour as expected. Not much changed. In my the room looked the same, it was empty when we visited.

  • @TheBeeLadyApiary9992
    @TheBeeLadyApiary9992 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hello Ksenia! What an informative video. Thank you so much for explaining everything so well for us. I am so happy you had something to sell to help you pay for your mortgage. It is always good seeing you ❤

  • @gijsvandenberg9140
    @gijsvandenberg9140 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hallo Ksenia! Adjacent rooms is the idea and if communicating even better.

  • @wendywilson4527
    @wendywilson4527 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    When I was a student nurse I lived in a room with shared bathroom and kitchen in a tower block. It was modern and our kitchen and bathroom was shared between six nurses. Each room had built in wardrobes and a sink with illuminated mirror, single bed and a desk with chair. You could add bits of your own furniture and make it more homely. This was all in the hospital grounds and was very cheap to rent. We had cleaners and our bedlinen was charged weekly, all standard issue hospital linen like the patients. No washer but a launderette quite close to the hospital. It was very safe with fire detectors etc. Sorry but your apartment room looks like a huge fire risk. All those loose wires and looks in need of proper modernisation works. The thought of children living there is quite shocking. Sorry, don't mean to offend. Suppose cultural difference from the UK.

  • @alibali193
    @alibali193 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    In UK these are rare and need special planning permissions. They're known as HMO's. House of multiple occupancy. There are extra rules eg fire regulations but the whole apartment is usually owned by one person or business. Then the rooms are rested

  • @chelseanordby6835
    @chelseanordby6835 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I really liked learning about the history of the housing…and to see how these are still being used now. Wow! I had no idea.

  • @gabesimmonds8421
    @gabesimmonds8421 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    There is a video on TH-cam titled people and cats about this type of facility. It's hilarious and sad in the same way. The main character comes back from the war finds his wife cheating on him. It's musical style but really gives a good picture of the communalkas.

  • @lynetteray2146
    @lynetteray2146 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Definitely designed for students and young people starting out in a career. Those are the people who would want to purchase that properly.

  • @aured1310
    @aured1310 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Many poor people in Canada live like this.

  • @donnaprice3148
    @donnaprice3148 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good to see you!

  • @heatherwhittaker6169
    @heatherwhittaker6169 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you...it's amazing the hardship...and having to pay so much for so little..it keeps people too poor to escape,or improve their lot..I'm so sorry.. bless you..You have to share the bathroom?

    • @ianmaonaigh7215
      @ianmaonaigh7215 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@mateandcheck I agree with you that you that you likely the cost per Square metre in St.P will be expensive , but on her getting a ' real job ' , this is an educated woman to University standard , already doing a skilled job . Best regards

    • @ianmaonaigh7215
      @ianmaonaigh7215 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@mateandcheck Hi and thanks for the reply . I think really it's subjective how you would view the impression Ksenia gives of St Petersburg , your opinion is as valid as mine , tho obviously you'll have vastly more knowledge of the city than I ever will , but I think on the whole she gives a good impression of the city and is proud of it and proud of her heritage and country . Being a native of the city I guess it's possible you may find her ' lacking ' but to me here in the Scotland I find her videos informative and honest . I'm not very familiar of her job but I believe she at least has secretarial skills and as you had mentioned her English skills , but I guess like anyone if she is finding it hard to make ends meet , then she's only human and would have times when feeling low , I always found it's a lot easier to feel low or depressed with money in my bank than feeling low and depressed with no money , so I sent a small donation for the entertainment value of her videos , but regardless , I wish you well and as I do to Ksenia , I send you best wishes from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @evelinholmes6401
      @evelinholmes6401 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@mateandcheck hope Karma will be with you😤

    • @ElizabethSmith-kd4du
      @ElizabethSmith-kd4du 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m grateful that Ksenia is a smart woman and knows there are some people she will just have to ignore in life. I look forward to all of her future videos. I’ve learned a great deal for her and appreciate her time.

  • @kyledewdney6625
    @kyledewdney6625 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I truly love ❤️ the people of Russia 🇷🇺 (Россия)
    You are all very beautiful and very strong .
    One day your country will be the best in the world 🌍.
    Imperialism , seems to get in the way of the prosperity of the people.
    My heart goes out to all Slaves

  • @kajenslv
    @kajenslv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really surprised by the turn in the story that you bought it and had great parents that helped with the down payment…..but you never lived there 😄

  • @missmerrily4830
    @missmerrily4830 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I can see that, after the revolution, it was quite a satisfying remedy to confiscate large properties in favour of housing the people. But it's not now (and probably never was) a very satisfactory arrangement, for all the reasons you've given, and, it's led to people settling for this type of housing still today, instead of better solutions being looked for.

    • @blucantrell2
      @blucantrell2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It was a lazy compromise on housing the poor rural people. It was a deviation from the initial plan to house every family probably due to corruption or incompetence.

  • @susanhoughton1104
    @susanhoughton1104 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very interesting to learn. Thanks and good luck to you!

  • @amicahomi4359
    @amicahomi4359 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    An Intourist guide told me about these in a 1983 visit to the, then, Leningrad. Surprised to see they are still around today. In my city this room would be a code enforcer's nightmare. Rather than sell, the owners would get a demolition order. Still, there is a demand among young single people for living quarters with private bedroom and bath, with communal space for all other activities.

    • @annam4313
      @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      In Australia the poor would be very happy to be able to buy a room in a kommunalka that would give them somewhere permanent to live. Regretfully the income is very low in Russia and once that is taken into consideration buying an apartment or kommunalka is admirable. My husband and I born, studied and worked in one of the Easter European countries. We were highly successful in our birth country, than we started a new life in a foreign language speaking country. It took sheer determination to financially join the top 1% in Australia. I respect and admire any achievement people have.

  • @zanizone3617
    @zanizone3617 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This was very, very interesting. I was under the impression that kommunalkas were a relic of the past also during the Ussr. Older tzarist era apartments divided like that out of necessity, but destined to be replaced by kruschovska style apartment blocks. I didn't realize they actually kept building new ones, up until the very end. Yours being from 1985 was very surprising to me. I thought the goal of the state was to eventually get rid of that kind of accommodation.
    Were kommunalkas and kruschovskas mixed together in the same building or each block was either all kommunalkas or all kruschovskas?
    There were other kinds of accommodations?
    Edit to add: I'm looking forward to your course!

  • @JDRTMann
    @JDRTMann 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks!

  • @sonofeloah
    @sonofeloah 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There is a similar situation here in the usa as many folks would buy old hotels where everyone had their room, a common kitchen and common 1 or 2 bathrooms. Some would have a small back yard and are innercity communal housing. I lived at one in berkeley, california usa for a short time. A friend of mine who lived there, he and I took over the back yard as no one else was interested and we also took over the flat roof for same reasons. We raised food on the roof and some in the back yard as well as chickens.

  • @dricklorenz9340
    @dricklorenz9340 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video

  • @maryforce2957
    @maryforce2957 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting..I liked the tour of apt..m

  • @Terenia531
    @Terenia531 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you Ksenia, for your informative videos.

  • @brett8680
    @brett8680 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The kommunalka doesn’t offer enough privacy for me. No thank you.

  • @chasglasser4568
    @chasglasser4568 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As always your video was interesting. I knew nothing about the Kommunalka before today. Best of luck to you!

    • @billredding2000
      @billredding2000 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Watch the movie (American) Doctor Zhivago (1965) -- see what happens when the good doctor finally, after all he's been through during the revolution, he comes back to what "used to be" his house. Pretty sad/brutal but that's how it was, as already touched on (but lightly) in this video. There are some clips of that movie -- when he arrives back home -- here on TH-cam...one of them is a 2-minute clip titled "Dr Zhivago comes home." Except, it's not HIS house anymore.
      -- BR

  • @fall22123
    @fall22123 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    We have apartments similar to that in the US. I think they're called sleeping rooms. I had a friend that rented one in a building that used to be a hospital. In US hospitals, you either have a private room, or maybe one other person in there. The room just had a sink. A rental room, male living there, sink in the room. I'll let you guess what he used it for.

  • @sumphrey1977
    @sumphrey1977 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very interesting!

  • @lgindia4322
    @lgindia4322 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Interesting to know. Communalka room is expensive, what's the reason? Wonder how did people live with no privacy?
    Also why are bathrooms so compact?
    The idea of ex Soviet govt to provide housing to all was good but could had been handled differently. Russia has vast land mass, then why is housing is so expensive?

  • @kathleenscholten8592
    @kathleenscholten8592 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It doesn't seem very safe. Especially with a government owned room with people you don't know. Thank you for explaining this type of apartment. It was hard to understand what is was like in your previous video.

  • @dovoso5685
    @dovoso5685 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very nice video. Just that you know - 900 USD salary a month after tax in 2013 was not bad, and 55'000 USD for such Komunalka room is not cheap at all. If you check wages and prices in Poland, Ukraine , Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and similar places , you will realize that they are lower. What interests me are 2 things ; What is the cost of your new 1 bedroom apartment, and do you think that a western girl watching your video in English will buy your Komunalka ? I wish you the best of luck.

  • @danielrutschman4618
    @danielrutschman4618 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was an interesting and well-presented cultural and historical lesson. You are a good teacher.
    The cost of mortgage for your kommunalka seems surprisingly expensive, in comparison to here where I live in a town in California, USA. I have a private, 3 bedroom / 1 bathroom house with living room, dining room, kitchen, front and back yards and a garage for less than $1000 per month mortgage. It's not a big house ( about 650 square meters) but it's fairly modern construction and well-maintained. I share the house with my nephew, so it's okay for just the two of us, but I couldn't stand the thought of living with a bunch of other people in a kommunalka.

  • @melissahouse3488
    @melissahouse3488 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    What's crazy is that you shared your mother's place with us in Belarus and I think I recall you stating her lovely apt with balcony cost only 13 grand, versus that room with a dumpy bathroom that's falling apart with mold! My questions are: Why didn't you move to this room you already had that was more affordable at least, than this *new* place? I understand the bathroom is bad but you said it was going to be remodeled soon. Yes it's only one room but it was more affordable. Is it not located where you need to be? I am just wondering if I missing some facts here as to why because it doesn't seem like the most economically responsible decision and I also gotta wonder how come you don't get an adorable place in Belarus as apparently they have much nicer to offer for far less!!! Maybe less employment opportunities but it's not as though Russia is gonna be in a great position now as you've experienced. Apparently Russians are not as poor as made out, I don't know anyone with two properties and capable of paying that kind of down payment on even one place and I reside in America. Maybe it's us that should creating video's crying we're poor & the world needs to help pay us back for all our aid!!! Over forty billion to Ukraine, well over in a matter of a month, and an additional 13-14 billion, that's Billion with a B. No wonder America has become the poor & broken nation!!! Russians are making out quite well!!! You aren't even employed with much salary and you clearly have parents who were smart and generous & cared to help you. For as much as your current place is nice, I think it would have been less stressful financially to move into the room you already owned or buy a place in Belarus near your family or closer anyways. Cute places there for much cheaper! Big cities are nice to visit but not necessarily live $$$
    I can just imagine people watching this who don't even have one place to live and wondering how a Russian has two properties and this seems to be a trend of prosperity or greed, depending on how one views it, Russians buying secondary or extra properties while Ukrainian's lose limbs & everything, and supposedly Russians are struggling, poor and oh yeah feel "sad" about the war or rather conveniently don't acknowledge it. The history is interesting but not very tasteful or appropriate considering how bad off most are economically and famine is taking hold globally. You are so bright & explain things so articulately in English Ksenia. You should be a teacher! I really do love your research & cultural or historical lessons of sorts! It's a shame the Russian body allowed your dictator to continue as you are all paying his price and your channel would be far, FAR MORE along by now as I used to watch all the time & you'd have many more viewers. When a people don't do anything, it will do you. Your Buffalo farm was my favorite video and it's just extremely hurtful. We watch video's and feel it personally, as if we know you in real life when you are not perfect, you have your share of problems like we do and faults same as we do. I send love, positivity & prayer's for your Mother's health 🙏🏻❤️🌹

  • @wendysherbert3257
    @wendysherbert3257 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I filled out your form! Good luck to you!

  • @whitb003
    @whitb003 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have seen rooms like this in New York City, they call them micro studios. Usually young single people live there. They are all rentals.

  • @teresahild
    @teresahild 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Love this. Love learning Russian history and culture.

  • @californiaglo9666
    @californiaglo9666 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The interest rate was so high.

  • @patrickdunn9894
    @patrickdunn9894 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks! For being you!😁

  • @carriemoench3545
    @carriemoench3545 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh my, that's a lot of money to purchase just one room! What is the current value of the 1 room you own now? How expensive was a decent apartment with livingroom, bathroom and kitchen at the time of your purchase? Wages being low together with high house prices makes it hardly possible to secure decent housing. Hoping you are able to sell your property soon for your asking price. Take care Xenia.

  • @paulgutiereziii4792
    @paulgutiereziii4792 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good luck with the sale and your future investment. Very informational video, funny but not so funny thing to share during the TH-cam advertisement they played a McDonalds commercial (really?) the TH-cam algorithm has a dark sense of humor.

  • @gkennedy6319
    @gkennedy6319 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm not going to lie, the shared apartment, kommunalka, is a little depressing 😕 I'm really starting to understand how poor the average Russian is.

  • @marcosluciosilva2433
    @marcosluciosilva2433 ปีที่แล้ว

    20:32 it's the first time I stay
    worried about this situation
    it's very worrying

  • @suzanned7472
    @suzanned7472 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you! This was so interesting! 😊

  • @patrickdunn9894
    @patrickdunn9894 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    👍

  • @craigconenna3399
    @craigconenna3399 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I actually lived in something similar in a nice town near New York City. It was a 2nd floor of a private house with 3 rooms each rented out seperately. A common bathroom and kitchen. The kitchen had no gas lines and a small bathroom sink so as not to get taxed as a two family house. The problem was who was going to clean the bathroom which usually turned out to be me because I was not going to shower in a dirty bath.

    • @StPetersburgme
      @StPetersburgme  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      In Russia in such apartments they set up a cleaning schedule.

  • @HerculeseBaby
    @HerculeseBaby 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was sooooo interesting! Perhaps you can rent it out now? To make a little bit of money until it sells?

  • @annam4313
    @annam4313 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    In Australia we have over 3 million poor people. Years ago it was in the news that in Sydney the people who leased one of the apartment divided the rooms with cardboards and packed it with people. It was a fire and some of the people lost their lives. It is a new law in effect now which makes the owners of the properties responsible for how many people live in their rental properties. Since this new law in effect my husband and I cancelled our contracts with the agents and we sign the leases with tenants personally and we inspect the properties twice yearly. Luckily in the area where our rental houses are the house prices starting from over $1,500,000 and the people wish to live in them are usually responsible. In 2020 in one of the house the tenants lost they job. We sat down and worked out how much can they afford to pay and we reduced their weekly rent from $650 to $200 until they get a new job we did not ask them to make up the difference.