Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It looks like American siding. When a cluster of contemporary cottages was built outside Yakutsk in the 90's, everything had to be shipped in from Canada by a Canadian construction company. Everything.
I wouldn't doubt that the siding is Chinese or Korean. It could now be made locally, I really can't say.
I know that when my friend built his house on Russkiy Island they got their siding and roofing from Korea and their flooring from Italy. However, it is a very expensive home.
I know that when my friend built his house on Russkiy Island they got their siding and roofing from Korea and their flooring from Italy. However, it is a very expensive home.
If I ever get back to the RFE, I'll be contacting you for your friends' contact info. I've gotta see this. And have some conversations!
Middle class housing, LOL, yeah, right. All the places you have posted are upper-middle class or upper-class, at least if they're in the city.
The city is pretty big. In downtown or Chaika - sure, upper middle at least. But in Vesennyaya land is quite a bit cheaper.
Quote:
I'll bet none of those places would sell for under 7m rubles ($230k +) which is hardly middle class.
The average apartment costs 5m, which is only 2m short from your huuuge 7m. 2m is just 27k a month in mortgage - perfectly doable for two middle class earners in a city, where average income is about 50k.
Plus a couple may easily have two apartments, or one bigger than average. Plus houses are generally built, not bought - that's a 30-50% saving.
The city is pretty big. In downtown or Chaika - sure, upper middle at least. But in Vesennyaya land is quite a bit cheaper.
The average apartment costs 5m, which is only 2m short from your huuuge 7m. 2m is just 27k a month in mortgage - perfectly doable for two middle class earners in a city, where average income is about 50k.
Plus a couple may easily have two apartments, or one bigger than average. Plus houses are generally built, not bought - that's a 30-50% saving.
You posted houses as examples of "middle class" houses, not flats.
Vessenaya is the middle of nowhere; I used to consult at Coca-Cola out there.
2m is quite a bit different from 5m, isn't it?!
Even if you take the minimum estimate, the result is pretty high. Definitely in line with other developed countries.
Which raises a rather interesting question. Seeing that free housing is obviously contructed a massive rate, it still is hardly enough to satisfy the needs of the whole population all at once. People who receive free housing are obviously at a very significant financial advantage compared to those who'd have to wait for their turn, all at while paying market prices for middle class housing out of their pockets, as some of your links to realtors indicate.
So how is it determined who is in line first to receive such a benefit from the government, and who has to spend decades waiting for theirs?
Another factor is housing prices. Obviously the resale value of housing varies on numerous parameters, even inside a single housing complex consisting of exactly identical apartment units. Not to even mention location. You can mostly estimate the future resale value of housing at least on the short term, in this case compared to other free housing. How is it determined who has the priority for the obviously more valuable housing stock?
You posted houses as examples of "middle class" houses, not flats.
I didn't say that people built those houses, while keeping their apartments.
Quote:
Vessenaya is the middle of nowhere; I used to consult at Coca-Cola out there.
This middle of nowhere is called Vladivostok. And it's a very desirable location. Vladivostok doesn't have too much land, being located on a tiny peninsula - so it is spread far to the north..
It's so obvious that those houses aren't middle class houses. Anyone can see that.
I still don't know how we're defining "middle class". I guess it's indefinable, if you postulate a "grey economy". All I know is that in the US, academicians are middle class. In Russia, many can't hope to own a flat or a house. So who are the members of the "middle class" in Russia? Not counting government officials who used their influence to get an apartment by means other than saving for it and buying it, that is.
I didn't say that people built those houses, while keeping their apartments.
This middle of nowhere is called Vladivostok. And it's a very desirable location. Vladivostok doesn't have too much land, being located on a tiny peninsula - so it is spread far to the north..
The average apartment costs 5m.
Huh? You posted houses.
If Vessenaya was desirable, it wouldn't be cheap, would it? You know, supply and demand?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
2m is just 27k a month in mortgage - perfectly doable for two middle class earners in a city, where average income is about 50k.
