€300 Soviet Era Apartment in Lithuania

Welcome to our new apartment in Lithuania! €300 is roughly $350 USD at the current exchange rate, making it one of the most affordable apartments I've ever lived in!
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[@YM-NY]

Lol, that table in the balcony is painfully familiar to anyone who lived there during or after Soviet times. It is not an outside table, or a balcony table. It’s a table that was used for large dinner parties and stored away folded when not in use. It unfolds on both sides and is pretty big. It was supposed to be pretty fancy, during Soviet times of course :)

[@judit1783]

A lot of space for $350 US money!! If an apartment or house has been updated in 2000+ they will have the tilt/open windows in Europe. They usually have high thermal ratings too. A friend of mine thought she broke the window, I could not stop laughing long enough to explain how to work it. lol

[@jayjensen6280]

From Baja to Lithuania?!! Now THATS mixing it up!! Enjoy 😎

[@laimasadauskaite5949]

Nice vid. When you will go to the woods, on the grass, watch out for ticks, it can be dangerous. They are small, but some of them can transmit illness.

[@batuotaskatinas8414]

Welcome to Lithuania ! My question gonna be - why did you choose Utena ? :) By the way, if you want go swim or simple spent time in the nature there are big lakes , one is Alausas, i recommend you trip around it with bicycles, there is a camping place and so on. Another lake named Rubikiai with 16 Islands , one of the most beautiful lakes in Lithuania, Burbiskiai palace , about 30 km away. Good luck :)

[@tw418]

You can get these rods with a spring inside for the shower curtain. No nails or screws or glue needed. The spring makes it expand according to how wide the space between the walls is

[@kathyradford7187]

Is anyone else noticing the cool door locks on the walls? I love the floor in the bedroom and nothing beats a balcony. I never in a million years would have thought to move to Lithuania. Enjoy your new adventure!!!

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks Kathy!

[@dziazisteable]

Gira is a bread drink and yeast drnk - it is basically beer without the alcohol. well, almost without the alcohol unless its homemade!;)

[@GG-qv1ny]

Re: "the toilet room" - I ran into the same situation in a very spacious and somewhat expensive flat in Paris ($250/night) - didn't understand it and had to wonder about whether washing hands was something Parisians just didn't think necessary after using the toilet.

[@OrbitalCookie]

We used to wash hands in the kitchen before we renovated and connected the rooms together.

[@RaferAlstonAkaLAZIO]

That drink "Gira" is kvass and its making process is simmilar to beer. It can contain little of alco up to 0.5-1.5% or even more if you make it by yourself and put more sugar into it during fermentation. Of course in stores it will never be more than 1.5% and if it contains alco, it should be written on the bottle. Enjoy your new experiences ;)

[@angelinagalvez9031]

I'm so happy for you both. I am looking forward to your upcoming new videos. I enjoyed very much, seeing México from your perspective, and I am excited to learn more about Lithuania 🇱🇹😀

[@christopherarkills8912]

Laura, I love your energy so much 💕

[@barbbouma4838]

You could add a big tv sized piece of art in the tv stand, and it could look really cute with the right piece. Really looking forward to learning about Lithuania. Hope you both love it 😍

[@georgeokai902]

really nice informative video Laura. I love it

[@aquiestoy321]

You guys are awesome and I basically live “vicariously” through you guys while I watch your videos. Stay safe back there and I look forward to more updates.

[@IfeanyiJames-mk2yi]

I'm sorry dear. I'm trying to ask you. If they is good job there in Lithuania?

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Your apartment looks lush, can't believe it came so well equipped! Never heard of that level of furnishings before in a rented apartment. Such great value too. Also you can pull great pranks with that shower/tap if you angle the shower head and switch the flow without Luke knowing - a wet head when he just wants to brush his teeth...

[@laura-bronner]

😂😂😂

[@OrbitalCookie]

@@laura-bronner I can tell you this exact prank (or someone always leaving that thing switched to shower after the showering) has caused many, many household fights :D

[@juanchavarria1815]

Thanks for sharing your new home Its interesting to see how they do things different in other countries 👍😍

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks Juan, glad you are enjoying it!

[@MsLanny9]

I love the apt tour, thank you for sharing you looked really relaxed and stress free. I can't wait for your summary of the area in your future videos. Will you tour Serbia?

[@S3l3ct1ve]

4:00 Fun fact, those knives and forks are from USSR so they are probably as old as that apartment building, if not then at least ~20-30 years at minimum :)) fully functional and working to this day :))

[@laura-bronner]

That's really interesting and explains why when I've visited a few other people for a meal they ALSO have the same cutlery haha Is it the same with the dishes too?

[@S3l3ct1ve]

@@laura-bronner For some reason my comment got deleted or something like that. This apartment is probably someone else second property, so as they use it for rent, they most likely put their old table ware as a free option :) its harder to find these tools in bigger cities these days :) although my grandpa still have them :) some of them need sharpening :)) With dishes its another story, some still have them from very long time ago. A good soviet dinnerware was ~expensive back in the day as well. They were sold in sets and they look quite nice if you can find them, some of them have metallic ornaments so might not fit to be used with microwave oven. But they are quite long lasting, you can find examples in google image search typing in a key words like "soviet dinnerware" or "Soviet dinning dish set" etc. My parents and my grandparents have couple of these sets, they actually look very nice even today, we don`t use them much, they mainly stay as decoration or we use them on family events, some important celebrations.

[@laura-bronner]

Yes! Ours has metal on them too - we didn't realize until we put it in the microwave for a second 🙊

[@laura-bronner]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's so interesting to hear more personal stories about the history here :) I appreciate you taking the time to share!

[@S3l3ct1ve]

@@laura-bronner You`re welcome :) Enjoy the stay in Lithuania :)

[@gueman99]

You could put a little curtain in front of were a TV would go. Or …think outside the box…a baby gate and clip family photos to it, or something along those lines. I am excited for you and seeing all your adventures. Good luck and God speed.

[@katem2411]

You may want to get some thermal/room darkening curtains for your bedroom - the windows in a lot of those places can really let the sun/warm in the winter days but they can leak horribly during the cold nights. They'd also help keep it from getting too hot in the summer.

[@IceBreaker1]

Love any adventure's I can get:) Great stuff.

[@lorraineklemchuk387]

Hi Laura, wowzers! Looks like a sweet new home for yous. So happy and positive look. Amazing. Love the emotional vibe and thanks for sharing. Chat soon and keep smiling. GRACIOUS and Adios. Lorraine from Okanagan country in Canada GREETINGS!

[@MsLanny9]

OMG Your HAIR is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[@Byron4RollTide]

I’m sure her husband likes it. 😉

[@sirgalahad1470]

She is SO cute ! 😍

[@Byron4RollTide]

@@sirgalahad1470 Definitely a Treasure. 😁

[@OhShunz]

Insanely affordable rent cost!! Sooo excited for you both on this next great adventure! Your previous Mexico guides have been so awesome and helpful that i can’t wait for some Europe themed guides in time as well!! ☀️☀️☀️

[@martynasgrifas1689]

Sorry to dissagree,but its not that affordable,the minimum wage in lithuania after tax is 400euros

[@aaronton2703]

For foreigners it is affordable but for locals it is expensive

[@lauracepkauskaite5150]

No. Minimum wage was 633eu after the taxes in Lithuania at the time video was taken. So if 2 people the rental price was good.

[@jajanka10]

I watch videos like this just to see how amazed people born in Americas are about Euro windows. Fun fact- up to late 90's or mid 00's they were simple two-glass planes with wooden frames, but just as big, very inefficient thermally.

[@juliahorstmann9781]

Glad you are settling in . You will be able to find an adjustable rod you can put in the bathroom across the wall and hang a shower curtain from. Also the heated towel rail will probably have it's own power soutce if too hot. With regards to the tv unit, you could probably get a piece of material cut at a local market to put on the top and drape down to cover things if you don't put a tv in the current slot. Looks like you are lucky with such a modern kitchen. Enjoy making it a home!

[@gts1963]

Maybe the TV spot would be a nice place for a flower arrangement?

[@afbeardsley3137]

Will follow you and your videos wherever you land. Have a blast. :)

[@laura-bronner]

Thank you :)

[@MrDickharder]

So many nice lakes in that area and good fishing.

[@ShmuelSpade]

Hair looking amazing as always

[@estheremilia1469]

Just came across ur video it’s so informative I and my husband want to move to either Belgium or Lithuania this was so helpful

[@anzelmasmatutis2500]

2:20 All soviet build buildings have those "gyvatukas". It is directly linked with hot water circulation - it will be cold only if you do not have hot water in tap.

[@_Marius_Strolys]

Yeah, and there is no "gyvatukas" in a new ones already.

[@negotiummeum9643]

"Gyvatukas" (smth like "little snake") is a very good stuff! Keeps your bathroom (or shower room if you're American) always dry (mold free)!

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

@@negotiummeum9643 yes it does, sadly depends on apartement and microdistrict, many of apartements have them warm/hot only during winter season

[@negotiummeum9643]

@@NostalgicMem0ries these must be newer/ later built apartments. Most of Soviet built apartments simply have no option to switch "gyvatukas" off - as OP said it's directly connected to hot water system

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

@@negotiummeum9643 my apartement is 1965 built time, but it wasnt block it was brick type of house, so maybe thats why... we always were angry that during autumn or early spring it was cold ;\

[@SisterSherryDoingStuff]

I love those windows - I've never seen them in the states, only in Europe...also dig the towel dryers in the bathroom. You must have a sense of humor when it comes to the wallpaper...LOL! For $350usd one can't complain much...BUT, the color of your bedroom with the shades drawn, OMG - pure hell!! The views are beautiful....I think you showed more on instagram?

[@laura-bronner]

I've been loving them too! Yea, the towel dryer is going to be amazing when it gets colder I think!

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

molt soda is actually Kvass in english, its very old baltic region sometimes slavic recipe of drink from rye bread, it was alternative for beer for hundreds of years, it can have % or can be non alcoholic, its natural thing and is way way healthier than coke and other western drinks. It had another rebirth in soviet times, when you could buy it on streets from big vendors. 6:40 it wasnt fireplace, no one had fireplaces in soviet apartements, its just decoration :)

[@IfeanyiJames-mk2yi]

Thanks for your work here. Please dear I will like to know if there is other apartments that's cheap then this

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

@@IfeanyiJames-mk2yi sorry i dint understood your question

[@alexwallace6120]

What a bargain! I like it except for the Bathroom and shower.Thanks for showing it to us!

[@visulino]

By the time it gets cold, the sun will most likely change direction. It all looks nice .... in the summer.

[@t2travellers827]

🎉 very Perfect video you have made, Excellent

[@k.g.m.254]

❤️ it! A washer and dryer is a must have for me. 👏🏼👏🏼 😀

[@boink800]

A dryer is not very common in Europe, still.

[@aliothcadenas5098]

Saludos desde Mexico

[@robertspencer6085]

I’m an expat also in Kaunas. I love it here, have no desire to return to the US. Cepelinas!

[@vytisagafonovas3887]

These windows are "called" plastic windows (plastikiniai langai) people call it that way for a simple reason they are made of plastic :D. They are double window and very good for insulation. They are installed pretty much everywhere and the reason is winter :) Russian windows were made of wood and had drafts, like you had to tape over the cracks with news papers and sticky tape for the winter period for better insulation. Than came these plastic windows and they exploded! Almost everyone eventualy got them :)

[@vaidaslith4071]

Enjoy Lithuania

[@rgalunas]

I like the red I guess the color of shades can be customized. Thanks for the share.... I might be asking for advise. Not bad for 350 its great

[@lauraarteaga1451]

Very nice. I am very glad for you. Enjoy your time in Lithuania. Be safe! By the way, do not mind the negative reviews from some people.

[@kristinkiddy9079]

Currently visiting Lietuva... last time I was here was 38 years ago. We have visited many family members who still live in their Soviet apartments. If you've seen one, you've seen them all (as for the layout) although many have been renovated over the years and some of the building exteriors too. You don't call it a one bedroom or two bedroom, by the way, you call it a 2 room (meaning you get 2 rooms plus a kitchen and bath/toilet).

[@hiitsme233]

Sometimes in Japan the toilet has a sink/handwashing set-up on the top of the toilet tank. Am I correct that after you use the toilet you have to go into the other room (the shower room) to wash your hands? Doesn't seem very convenient.

[@ibrahimabdelaalabdel-aal1584]

Oh my God, it is very, very beautiful

[@ADONAIsays-so]

Hey, you swapped your cutoffs for a dress😆. I do so like European apartments and houses. Looks very nice. So will Luke be coaching year round??

[@mcminda]

now irt's the right time to balcony: D

[@suv629]

Thanks for the tour. The bedroom lighting with the shades down looks like something I'd expect to see in a Nevada brothel

[@americaofthenorth655]

Looking good for a base to explore the country. How are you finding the language? What about groceries and how close are you to town? Glad you like where you two are. Living life large and well!

[@laura-bronner]

I’ll be sharing a lot more of these things in the next few weeks!

[@mustafafarooq3811]

Great people of lituania

[@eddiefishing1956]

that small storage room in LT is called mother in law's room ))

[@CC-cf4zm]

you can put the shower curtain on the clothing line :)

[@916wilton]

Look forward to learning internet cost, speed, and reliability.

[@robertasr6571]

13euros for 600Mb/s , 20euros for 1Gb/s

[@mbtopografija9180]

internet is like free here :D i pay only 10e and got 500Mb/s

[@kviatuzek]

Lithuania is known for having the best internet in Europe! It's very affordable and you can get great wifi for free almost anywhere!

[@bobw9297]

Looks great , adventure is a foot , nothing but the best ,, eh

[@liepaok302]

Gira is called kvass in english!

[@norinaneacsu5308]

Put a plant in the tv place

[@sksabirali8626]

Nice House

[@AplinsintheAlps]

That’s really nice that it’s furnished, and quite affordable!

[@danknox9986]

You are so excited. Do you think you can find a place to buy tacos? 😊 best of luck on your new adventure. And your new apartment is very nice. For that price in SF you can’t even rent a garage!

[@hannawoods5838]

Kvas in russian...lovin it

[@netskylimit6919]

Please visit Zarasai in summer time video will have the most amount of views

[@janetjwoodward]

It’s going to be way colder and darker than Mexico!! Plenty of time for language study…and coaching skiing instead of soccer?

[@laura-bronner]

Maybe cross country skiing? haha Lithuania is one of the flattest countries in Europe :)

[@gintareg.5563]

@@laura-bronner Around 30km from Utena is a skiing center in the town of Ignalina. They have few hills down there (some of them are artificially made) and also cross skiing option. There is also a swimming pool with 3 ir 4 different saunas and the price for that is around few euros an hour. So i'd recommend making a weekend trip to the skiing resort and then warming yourself up in a sauna and swimming pool. :)

[@gintareg.5563]

@@laura-bronner I just checked the swimming pool with sauna and jacuzzi on weekends is 7,50€ for 2 hours. It's nothing too luxurious but it's clean and the price is really affordable. :)

[@Jeremiah2911__m]

Lithuania, ok!

[@snigdhasarkar4996]

is it montly basis or yearly ?

[@limaontoby3300]

Love your accent , please moving to saiulia how much is a room apartment

[@MegaCheese48]

Where in Lithuania are you? I've watched a couple of your videos and I did not hear what city you're living in.

[@keithsims5109]

I am a American living part time here in Vilnius, glad your here, by the way, why did you all move here and for how long?

[@laura-bronner]

My boyfriend got a job here. Not sure for how long - at least a year and then we'll see :)

[@Gaste11o]

Hey, we are moving to Klaipeda. Do you still live there? It would be fun to hang out together with you guys

[@laura-bronner]

Hi Peter! I don’t live in Klaipeda, but I do still live in Lithuania 👍

[@eddiefishing1956]

wait for winter heating bills ))))))))

[@domeswall]

Dónde estáis?!? p:

[@EastWestLifeInsider]

Its so better in this amount ...if u rent in uk i would be not less than £1100

[@sirgalahad1470]

I need to leave the US. It's tooo expensive here. When I see how nice this apartment is for the price I want to cry lol

[@sirgalahad1470]

@@mbtopografija9180 Nice !!!!

[@TigerTiger-dz4fv]

Thanks for your information,I would like to rent an apartment in Lithuania,in Vilnius one room for one month near transport in 20th Dezember Best greetings from Switzerland

[@CesaresChannel]

I’m just back from Kaunas & Vilnius. 🇱🇹 I actually done a Vilnius apartment tour on my channel. How do you like living in Lithuania?

[@gecko2000405]

Mexico to Lithuania? Wow. What a change.

[@laura-bronner]

People said the same thing when I moved from South Korea to Mexico (and it was a big change indeed!) haha - enjoying the ride :)

[@airisfinglas2628]

Lithuania are the last pagans country in Europe.This country take christianity only 1387 official but in reality stay pagan till 1700.Thats a reason why so much trees and nature in the cities.Here video where lithuanians celebrate pagans Gods Day kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zobao6Wdl72qma8

[@tomaskla9030]

Gira is delicious.

[@laura-bronner]

I love it!

[@Athena-alaska]

Hello where this agency you renting this appartement

[@amirtz7112]

Do you know which website we can find flat about this price in Kaunas? I’m student if someone can help me to find good flat with suitable price I would so appreciate it!

[@hannawoods5838]

Indeed...in former USSR separate toilettes

[@Byron4RollTide]

In about 6 months your Latin Accent is going to change. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, and is difficult enough. If you travel around the old eastern block countries trying to speak the Cyrillic Alphabet is very difficult with its hard sounds and soft sounds. I’m curious to see how your accent changes.✌️

[@laura-bronner]

I’m speaking Spanish still at least twice a week with book clubs and language exchanges and still listening to podcasts and practicing with apps. I’ll be sharing how I plan to continue my Spanish in a few weeks while still learning a new very different language!

[@Byron4RollTide]

@@laura-bronner Sounds great. I wish I was a linguist. Are you of Spanish decent. Just curious.

[@ingridasvilainyte8783]

Cyrillic Alphabet? :D

[@Byron4RollTide]

@@ingridasvilainyte8783 Russian Alphabet or language.

[@DanMontage]

Lithuanians don't use Russian alphabet.

[@dishadalal4925]

Rent price ? Also location???

[@eddiefishing1956]

and Gira is just a US Root beer,but much better and natural

[@bonnyvondolores2647]

why this country? i’ll check back-)

[@WhyYouTrippin]

Where in Lithuania? Are you in Vilnius?

[@_Marius_Strolys]

It's Utena, close to Vilnius.

[@stanleycoutinho3377]

How do I rent an apartment in Lithuania?

[@mt-nv4jd]

Darling, do they not have a/c?

[@peterbedford2610]

How long is the lease term?

[@laura-bronner]

It’s month-to-month at the moment 👍

[@peterbedford2610]

@@laura-bronner 300 euros a month and furnished?

[@robertasr6571]

@@peterbedford2610 300 for rent+ taxes and furnished

[@romanocenturion]

How do you compare the cost of living there with San Jose del Cabo ?

[@laura-bronner]

So far pretty much everything is cheaper here - my rent is almost half what is was in SJC for a much nicer apartment, groceries are significantly cheaper (and better quality if I'm honest). We haven't gotten any bills yet other than internet which is $15 for incredibly fast fiber optic (I was paying $25 in SJC for half the bandwidth).

[@domasa732]

Yep, it's a soviet apartment and the furnishing is a classic, especially rugs and curtains are hideous. I'm Lithuanian, so I know. 😅 Thanks for coming to my country, hope you have a pleasant time.

[@thomastroub4563]

When I grew up in Germany, many considered this black Malt beer, colloquially called Schwarzbier, as an (almost) alcohol-free option for pregnant women, because it is isotonic and a good source of electrolytes, especially in the summer....in moderation, of course 😁

[@anneli1735]

🤔 German „Schwarzbier“ is an alcoholic beverage (like Guiness and others) with 4-5%Vol. while „Malzbier“ is not 😉 Malzbier is called „Bier“ just because it looks like it when poured into a glass and therefore it’s also known as „Kinderbier“ the only beer a child would be allowed to drink 😁

[@S3l3ct1ve]

This one is free of alcohol. It tastes something like dark beer mixed with sugar would.

[@boink800]

Look! It's a SOVIET building! (as Bald and Bankrupt would say).

[@ddolde]

Did you find any nearby good Mexican food?

[@laura-bronner]

I’m here to try Lithuanian food and other more regional dishes 👍

[@Lifewithkhushdil]

I hope all is well l am interested to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Lithuania Vilnius city regards

[@juvi999]

Welcome to central heating! Is the apartment in the outskirts of Vilnius? Otherwise it seems to be very cheap. Maybe it is a covid effect and rental prices are down. But this is definitely not a soviet era apartment (the building, yes, but the apartment is as new as it gets. You are living better than most Lithuanians).

[@robertaswayoutwest1992]

soviet style apartment and especially bathroom. opposite of your comments i totally disagree that lithuanians living like that anymore. some yes,but for most of lithuanians this apartment make laugh with crap decoration and so on,its very basic would be good for students or young families.

[@khanqadar5314]

Total Price now 2023

[@rayvogensen2983]

What you are paying is incredibly cheap for that place. I don't think even in Portugal you would be able to get a place furnished like that, and that big, in a small town. I doubt that even in Mexico you would get a place like that.

[@laura-bronner]

Yea, we never got close to finding anything like this in Mexico that was furnished and so centrally located. You could find a place for cheaper or similar in a lot of places in Mexico, but it wouldn't look like this, even unfurnished.

[@Ogilouk]

It is not soviet era, this apartment has a god renovation.