Inside Wooden Houses that Are Popular with Russian Middle Class / Different Russia 2023

[@chas4life]

I imagine that the dreams of Russians are much the same as other places in the world, which is to own a comfortable home to come back to at the end of the hard day of work. Thank you for sharing!

[@Olga-de3ru]

Это дача, "летний дом", но теперь многие (если не большинство) делают его пригодным для круглогодичного проживания. Получается два дома (обычно городская квартира и загородный коттедж, лёгкий или капитальный). Смешно, знаю даже сельских жителей, имеющих кроме дома на селе ещё и дачу :)

[@kerithh5808]

@@Olga-de3ru They look somewhat as norwegian houses.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

But Russia is cold, how do you deal with the bath and toilet issues? I kow they used to have saunas, but the toilet issue by minus 50 is not easy to face.

[@TheCalabiyau]

they're cabin, summer houses, nobody live whole year in them.@@annepoitrineau5650

[@katie7748]

​@@annepoitrineau5650The same way we did before indoor plumbing.......

[@SteveMikre44]

Seeing these dacha houses makes me appreciate the dacha house Alex built himself. The quality and craftsmanship is to be admired...🛠

[@hazelhatswell4268]

That’s exactly what I was thinking too!!

[@terryboivin9173]

Nice tour! You don’t need a big house to be happy….a small house full of love is plenty! ❤️

[@bigbertha4080]

So true.

[@PatriciaPalmer-o3e]

I don't love anybody without a bathroom or kitchen. Trust me, over the long haul ? Uh uh.

[@PatriciaPalmer-o3e]

​@@bigbertha4080without a bathroom or kitchen I'm not very loving.

[@PatriciaPalmer-o3e]

@stephanieellison7834 oh please, I'm 77 and have listened to tales of doom and gloom, the demise of the Western world, the world as we know it over for one reason or another, for well over half a half a century.and NONE of them have seen the end of our way of life. A slowdown, recessions, Lehman Brothers but my toilet and kitchen ? Hardly 👋🤣

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

@stephanieellison7834 Go live in your wooden shed and don't worry about us in the west. I live in a 3 level home the equivalent of 134025860 Roubles.

[@sherilumley5498]

I love how honest Russians are in their descriptions! This was great!

[@stoneyswolf]

That was the most racist comment I've read all day

[@teru8443]

@@stoneyswolf What's racist about it?

[@alancawfield6549]

$30,000 for that standard of house is incredible value.

[@awesomebearaudiobooks]

Considering most young people's wages are about 300 $ a month (or less), it's not incredible value. Probably some older people from the upper middle class could afford them for a dacha, but it would not be a good dwelling for the entirety of the year. For a comparison, an apartment of a similar size in a medium Russian city would also cost about $30,000 or even $20,000 in a smaller city. At the same time, an apartment has everything you need, including plumbing, heating, electricity and gas (although I would prefer just electricity, honestly, I don't like gas stoves that much because they don't heat the food very evenly). And also an apartment won't just burn down easily as a wooden house would (I've seen an entire street of wooden houses burn in the neighborhood where I live. No way I am going to buy a wooden house like that). Also apartment blocks usually have greater access to public transportation and schools, and you don't have to drive your kids everywhere as you would from an individual house. So yeah, for most of us, a wooden house is a luxury and not a practical dwelling. That is why I like the Soviet urbanism, by the way. The really planned the apartment blocks for the people to live, unlike modern constructor companies that just spam apartments as close to each other as possible, not caring about public transportation, healthcare, schools and kindergartens.

[@laylaabdullah1093]

​@@awesomebearaudiobooksfirst learn how much Russian's really own monthly,you know nothing about official salary and envelope salary. In big cities no body will work for less than 1.500$. open jobs in Russia and check how much earn simple bus driver and only after barck about wage in Russia!

[@flyby8461]

Do they not use bathrooms ?

[@cassidy647]

@bdullah1093lol only in Moscow

[@careyh827]

No water, electricity, heat or cooling, no bathroom. Not such a good deal.

[@lalani888ARTblue]

I love these cozy houses! Beautiful. Just need a wood stove, plumbing and kitchen/bathroom...Very comforting 💌

[@vickimaddox8711]

I have enjoyed the houses. They are very similar to tiny houses sold here. Difference is the plumbing and electrical is provided. People are very innovative and are using large trailers to convert to tiny houses on wheels.

[@Olga-de3ru]

Электричество тут есть (оно есть на самых дешевеньких дачах, да и тут нетрудно увидеть), наверняка есть и водопровод для полива (в дачный сезон). Если нужно что-то большее, то бурится скважина для питьевого водопровода, и, конечно, не особо трудно сделать автономную канализацию (под ассенизационную машину).

[@janebrown3587]

I think those homes are beautiful! Good entry price even without electricity and plumbing. Beautiful wood everywhere ❤

[@Volundur9567]

Both houses I have ever bought have been $30,000 and $32,000 respectively. They were not huge, but not tiny. Pretty average for our area (1,700ft² and 1,200ft² respectively, though we did discover a large hidden room in the last house, bringing up the square footage to closer to the first house). There's electricity and plumbing too. These should come down from that. Too small and zero utilities.

[@hikerx9366]

I live in Western Canada and I'd be first line to buy one of your houses. The blue and white one at the end are perfect and the fact they are log houses tops it all off. Canada has never built house like this for the suffering overworked low and middle classes. Thanks for showing us the possibilities that are out there to make it possible in these inflated times for people to own their own house. I've been renting for over 20 years because housing whether buying or renting puts people deciding to pay a bill or buy groceries for the month.

[@lisascott4207]

Not me! Russia is our enemy. 👀

[@mrdan2898]

1000% Agree!

[@hikerx9366]

@@mrdan2898 Thanks my friend..🤠

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

These are not homes for the poor. They are sumner vacation homes called dachas. The homes she is showing are not meant to be lived in year around.

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

@@esmeraldagreen1992 well, i imagine if you re poor enough, like millions in canada and america apparently, you wouyld be very happy with a house like this!

[@moonbathing2002]

Sending love from the UK, I hope you are both safe 🙏 that there is peace soon x

[@willettacartermolina3375]

I can imagine the smell of the wood. 🥰

[@eadlondon-nm2uy]

I appreciate this lady's honesty anout the shortcomings of the houses, the freezing and why the small balcony was inadequate and inappropriate for the climate, etc. She even reminds us rhat though the window frames are wood, therefore cheaper, they can crack, windows fall out. Respect to you: no gloss, no lies.

[@eolond1003]

We make what are called "tiny houses" in the US, some of which are around the same size of these dachas. The main thing I'm noticing is that the tiny homes use the space more efficiently, because they're designed to have all the usual comforts of a house you'd expect, just in a smaller package. So they come with a designated kitchen space, living space, bedrooms, storage lofts, etc. Unfortunately, they're quite expensive for their size. :/

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

If Not Just Bikes saw this video he would probably have a meltdown.

[@FerretKibble]

In cold climates, having separated rooms is a more efficiate use of space - and those storage lofts are often actually really impracticable. Good luck getting to your equipment if you've hurt your knee and can't use a ladder...

[@cynthiacools-lartigue5297]

I love that your English is so prolific…love these videos

[@coffeecake8098]

Thank you so much for sharing! This house looks very cozy and comfortable - and it's much better, more comfortable and beautiful than a flat in any huge appartment building. We have something similar, even smaller, in my homeland. I could imagine to live in such a home.

[@JNoMooreNumbers]

Very nice. Double the price to complete with electric and plumbing and whatevers missing. I love the log cabin look

[@wendypilling3619]

I remember when you were there before. Last year.... two years or more??? They are very nice. I love all the wood in them. Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed it so much 😊. Hope Sheffield and Kitty are doing well. May God continue to bless y'all in body, mind and spirit.

[@nameisprivate5429]

I love these! I wish it were so cheap to build one in the U.S People started buying tiny houses and now they are just as expensive as huge houses. It’s crazy

[@my3bikaht88]

They aren't cheap. Median Russian salary is ~$500 net.

[@GreenGlitter-rg4ve]

Greed

[@ehayes7849]

so you want an outhouse? no kitchen, no bathroom

[@masa461]

These are prefabricated cabins, not actual houses.

[@arctic546]

@@ehayes7849 So you want to pay 70% of your income on Rent, and utilities for the rest of your life? Outhouse isn't so bad.

[@yvonnesheehan9079]

Love the idea of a dacha community to escape away from the city and enjoy nature ☘️🇮🇪☘️

[@ehayes7849]

with a communal outhouse?

[@whiskeydrinkingchristianwo7434]

Cozy homes - very sweet. God bless from Georgia, United States of America.

[@NormanF62]

A dacha is very Russian - the ultimate countryside retreat for families and friends. You already have a city apartment so a second home is a cherished dream for many people.

[@Olga-de3ru]

Дачи есть практически у всех, но теперь мода их "капиталить", т.е. превращать действительно во второй дом, и СНТ перестали "закрываться на зиму",

[@scruffscruffeton986]

Cottages in Canada and the northern states are the same as the dacha. Place by the lake, or in the country. Old enough to remember when the prices were affordable. Now, in many places the cottages have been torn down and 'Mc'mansions' put up in their place. Pay city prices for living in the woods.

[@dianadaughterofthemosthigh2610]

Love you taking us on tours of homes amd around Russia. God Bless from Midwest, USA!

[@shonaphilp9321]

I love all the wood. They resemble small chalets in Switzerland or Austria. Cheap too - although all the utilities are extra. Great video.

[@joanmatchett8100]

I love them, they look so cozy.

[@laverdajota8089]

The wood expands and contracts depending on weather and humidity, you will always get some movement, the window issue could easily be resolved.

[@noahlala4248]

The houses there I think just look beautiful

[@baliankorvus5802]

Those are some insane cozy houses for so cheap. So nice! Thank you so much for the tour and the uploaded content!

[@KHLalekseyanov]

I have lived in the same log home my grandfather built in 1940, 10km NW of Oymyakon❤. My great grandfather log house is still in use but it's located directly on the border of Sakha Republic & Chukotka A. Okrug, nearest settlement is Chersky 51km West. It took over 5yrs to complete both homes. We love watching your video. CAXA❤

[@bessiemann7468]

I love the wood houses. They are beautiful

[@kavitaredkar1818]

Watching from INDIA 🇮🇳 NICE houses REASONABLE PRICE THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@MissGold888]

Stay in india.

[@ArleneElvin-sy7qi]

Would have enjoyed seeing one with kitchen,bathroom installed..but very nice tour

[@kallasusort2986]

I love the 1st house with all the natural wood - so pretty. And the summer house is cute. Thank you

[@wendysherbert3257]

I am in the USA. These dachas are like the cabins in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! What beautiful wood logs. The blue dacha would be about 325,000 with a kitchen and electricity, and a full bathroom in the USA, if it is in a area for vacations.

[@JCW86]

No way would a house that small and without any amenities cost that much in Gatlinburg, TN, or anywhere in TN lol. That's a 2 bedroom 1 bath, maybe 700-800 sq ft

[@kalinystazvoruna8702]

@@JCW86 HA! I live in NE TN and houses that small are going for around $200,000. Heck, 1 bedroom apartments are going for $1,200 per month in Johnson City. A friend living in a nearby town in a 2-bedroom small apartment that was built around 1950s-1960s, just had her rent raised to a whopping *$850!* per month! Yikes! Glad I bought my property back in 1998.

[@shaunalea823]

@@kalinystazvoruna8702im right next to NE Tennessee in Asheville, we are hoping to move to your area as we love the tri city area. My in-laws are from Bristol but live in Kingsport.

[@kalinystazvoruna8702]

@@shaunalea823 When I first moved to TN in 1998, a friend lived in Knoxville and her husband was from Kingsport. I explained I was looking to move to the Johnson City area, and he told me I'd enjoy it because it's basically a college town, but he warned me to stay away from Kingsport! 😸 I still don't know why, but I'm in the southwestern part of Washington county and am very happy here.

[@nateb9768]

​@@kalinystazvoruna8702 $850? That's amazing from where I come from where rent is at least $1,500 and up a month.

[@ireneferrante2313]

Love seeing how others live. Thank you for sharing.

[@Yebcanil]

I'm in Canada, I love watching you and Alex! I am currently looking to rent an apartment and wouldn't mind one of those tiny homes for me and my dogs! Rent is very very expensive here as well. Thank you for showing us a glimpse of your life!

[@aspenenglish4976]

I’m in the USA but I wouldn’t mind to have one of these small houses out in the woods. The cities are becoming so crowded. These are so charming and your dog would love it! We’ve been looking for extra inexpensive land that’s not a target to put a tiny house on. Best wishes to you my neighbor to the north.😊😊😊

[@Tlnber1994]

Thanks!

[@anneyday3493]

Beautiful houses. Thank you for showing and explaining pricing.

[@peggenlejoncar9529]

Only sommer house, no toilet, no kitchen, no drain, no isolation, no heating, no electric.

[@Veronica-pv3qh]

I love those little cabins. Thanks for showing them to us.

[@tillyg8858]

These small homes are awesome. I live in the USA, in the state of Oklahoma. I'm up in age and don't have the energy I use to have. I live in a large two story home in the country and would love one of these small homes in the country. I'm tired of taking care of a large home. I enjoyed your video very much. Thank you for sharing these lovely homes.😊

[@cherylb6755]

Hey Valeria and Alex~ Thank you for these episodes about your dacha houses. The interior wooden paneling is so different from here in the US. And it is beautiful! I was wondering how one had a wooden house built, so the part about where the workers stay while they are building was interesting too. Though I must say I really admire Alex's work on your dacha. Is there anything Alex cannot do? Another snow video would be lovely - it is so beautiful there when it snows. I hope you all, Mr. Sheffield and Kitty too, are well and surviving winter. I wish you a good week!

[@lisalarouge6309]

As a Russian, you should be afraid to go out on the balcony😂

[@olivemoo3614]

Just like the “tiny homes” that we have in America. So many people are buying them here to downsize and simplify their lives. I love them❤

[@elenacuskina]

In Russia they are not meant to downsize or simplify people's life - they are owned by urban residents in addition to their city apartments not instead of them

[@sandra127100]

@@elenacuskina she’s speaking of America. Not Russia.

[@evabalga6133]

It’s basically pretty shed you have to equip with electricity, bathroom, kitchen, furniture to make it livable.

[@evabalga6133]

Tiny houses in US are fully equipped and livable. These are just shells.

[@sherryviera5696]

​@@elenacuskinaYeah we get that lady

[@Elizabeth-aka-Pippi]

Thank you for the house tours, enjoyed them all!

[@wendykinsey-o6x]

These lovely wood houses could be just lovely once decorated and finished inside. They do look impressive from the outside. Thank you.

[@markpatton6847]

30,000 and no globalists.

[@soulstar2401]

👍

[@1wolfpup]

That was interesting! Thank you. God bless you.

[@taylorgontkovic4543]

These are adorable shell homes, great starters or retirement..Love a 2 story, but I really need a 1 story... love the woodwork...Tiny homes here in the USA.. ♥️🌹

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

wow, great houses! In belgium i imagine a wooden house would be more expensive then a brick house. Certainly wooden windows are far more expensive then plastic ones, im sure! I really prefer wood above plastic as a building material, if only as an esthetic and environmental friendly choice. Do you perhaps know how much the maintenance costs are per year (or per maintenance)? Like paintinmg the house again, protection against rot, roofing maintenance....greetz! Love the colors

[@JeanStAubin-nl9uo]

Thank you Valeria and Alex!

[@Debo6778]

Love them! Thank you for the tour

[@dianestrouse3418]

This is such fun. I'm glad we got to see your pretty face! And I always enjoy Alex. He always makes me smile. 💖

[@lcg5790]

I find it so interesting that the log houses are painted.. In Canada we have many such ones but not painted. The interiors are often painted but not the exteriors.

[@aspenenglish4976]

Same in USA. The exterior maintains the cabin look while the inside has different colors.

[@lisabaltzer4190]

I live in a log home near the Canadian border in Idaho. My house is not painted either, but it is stained and varnished.

[@annehedonia156]

I find them quite charming, the painted log houses.

[@lcg5790]

@@annehedonia156 Yes, they look cheerful.

[@anneofgreengables1619]

In Finland they use wood stain which allows the wood to breathe. Not painted.

[@janroach1852]

Cute tiny log cabin. I would say it is big enough for a couple but not a family. No insulation? In your frigid winters? I don't see a furnace. How is it heated? Is there running water? Because if there is the pipes will freeze. It is a summer cabin, but yes, cute. Fifteen thousand is a good price, though.

[@junglesuperstar9270]

It is not a permanent house.

[@gunfisher4661]

Apparently the trend is to sell a stripped down [ basic ] house then the owner adds all the goodies they want ,but I imagine with them having their own building crews would lead to much extra time in the build not to mention way higher expense of assembly in coordination of all the plumbing ,kitchen,bathroom, electrical and everything else we would deem necessary and that`s not to mention sanitation lines septic or what ever is allowed where it is built. So I bet that $30,000 Dacha just jumped to $60 or 70,000. Forgot to mention heating and of course A/C.

[@antonsviridov85]

​@@gunfisher46615к$ за отопление, канализацию с септиком и электричество. Это будет реальной ценой. Никаких дополнительных разрешений получать не надо.

[@NormanF62]

You have to have a good budget to build one not to mention the land you’re going to set it up on. A dacha and if you’re fortunate enough to inherit one, you would never do without it!

[@MissGold888]

You don’t ask about the lack of toilet, bathroom, kitchen or laundry???

[@Foxchase92]

Reminds me of houses that were popular in Norway, Sweden and Finland back in the 80s and 90s, before they started making ugly boxes many use today.

[@МаксимГуревич-я3щ]

Usually people don't live in dacha all year round. Usually people live in cities and have dacha to rest on weekends from the noises and hustle of the city.

[@icouldjustscream]

0:40 I love the orange one! Our house is grey brick, over 100 years old in 🇨🇦. When we bought it in 2006, it had pink and white painted trim. We had the trim repainted orange, lime, and white. It's very cheerful during the long dark winters.

[@rynearsoncats]

Very interesting 2-part series on these houses, and the process of what is included and not. Thank you. Cheers from Cupertino, California, USA

[@raspberryjellydoughnut5727]

Beautiful Homes there

[@jimmymcgee4101]

Yes nice tour and thank you Very well built

[@deekang6244]

That balcony is adorable and the size is fine! We have so many of those, just enough for a chair for coffee in the morning.

[@michelero4297]

At 12:04 is my favorite part.... "Alex got cold, that is why he is a little bit stupid" too funny! I'm sure she meant it in a loving way.

[@dannyallen4357]

It would be nice if they had traditional ovens/heaters in the middle of each house. Some of the designs are very nice!

[@romancetips365]

Yeah I agree.

[@marczimmerman8524]

Very nice. I like the small one. Simple is best. The $13,000 one. That's just FINE for an all-year regular home, for me.

[@horseplop9]

Great video Val and Alex. That house looks built pretty good. Thanks for showing us this

[@gunfisher4661]

Number 7 downstairs is very nice , The notty pine look used to be very popular here.

[@bobdadruma]

In the USA we call them Log Homes.

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

No actually we call them tree houses for kids to play in.

[@evabalga6133]

They are just fancy sheds.

[@gregerickson1969]

I love these little houses !!!!,,,,,,but I love your dacha better !!! Thanks as always for sharing !!! ( say hi to Sheffie from me ) 😊

[@sandra127100]

Very cool. I’d love to see some of the larger houses there.

[@Raggedy-Ann]

Thank you for sharing! They are really cute homes…I really like the fun bright colors🤗

[@spudspuddy]

that's lovely, very solid, looks warm

[@pammatiti]

Thats very nice tour, thanks. And take care. Best wishes to you and family.🤗

[@mrgrape2166]

Thank you for your honesty about the houses....I have to say your English is excellent.... Happy Christmas, from Maura in Ireland.

[@stillwatersfarm8499]

I like the colors. They look very cheerful ❤

[@terrylynn9984]

Love these homes so quaint, thanks for sharing

[@chriscallaway4027]

Good Stuff! Thanks for the insight!

[@kathydittmer9659]

I love this! So cozy!

[@marianwinnett8570]

Wow lots of room in those beautiful homes

[@SkinnyDavid123]

It would be nice to see some of these larger wooden homes. Thank you for sharing good content.

[@xipxip3784]

Much love to you both from the USA. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

[@meredithheath5272]

They are very nice looking - inside and out. However, I do not see electrical outlets, just a kitchen space but no water hook-ups for washing machine, or sink drainage???? No shower or toilet - wow!!! Interesting that they LOOK nice, and very sturdy, and, unlike buildings in tbe U S., where our buildings DO have conveniences, but the sturdiness and quality is no where near the quality that homes could be - notice that in the larger, more expensive home, the inside wood looks finished nicely. But, I can see, and as you point out, there are "corners that are cut"! The tiny balcony wood have a protective finish applied. Wonder how insulated they are???😢 I do like the building colors and hint at the old, traditional designs❤

[@tigermanmccool4037]

I like the first one ...and you are right about the upstairs porch needing to be a little bigger , thank you for showing us & I enjoyed your video

[@KimmieArgyshev]

The first house looks soooo cosy, and the outsides of the houses is so beautiful

[@deecawford]

We have a lot of wooden homes in Alaska also. The balconies amaze me but it’s outdoor space for some sunshine when it does peak through

[@danielapaul6753]

looks very pretty

[@mariehylak8318]

Beautiful houses thank you for sharing it with us 🇨🇦🇨🇿

[@mathiasniemeier4359]

i loved the tour. I wish they would send to USA, FOR the same price! I wish we had such places here. Thank you my child for the tour. You must make Alex bring along an extra heavy sweater.. lol men never think..! I am happy to see you out and things. No more worrying.. RIGHT? YOU CAN ONLY HELP YOURSELF. MANY PRAYERS AND MUCH FROM AMERICA..GOD BLESS YOU BOTH....................

[@maryloufutej1037]

Oh my goodness! These are lovely! I love the neighborhood too! Snow as well! LOL

[@mizstyx775]

I love the houses! Thank you for the tour.

[@cherylmarais5888]

Greetings from South Africa 🤗 Thank you for sharing this with us 🤗🌹

[@justmarie6257]

Beautiful wooden houses. I like the log house. I wish I could come and live in Russia.

[@sheila1013]

So cute. These could soon be made to feel like home. Accessories are they key. Best wishes from the UK.....😍🌲🤗

[@nelsonpagel2175]

Thanks for sharing. I like the exposed wood look, they look like they are built well too. I'd like to own one in my country especially at that price!

[@WhoamI20233]

Why is laminate flooring considered an upgrade? You can sand wooden floors and stain them any color you like countless times. Laminate gets worn it goes straight to the dump and can’t be fixed.

[@anneofgreengables1619]

Exactly

[@ArleneElvin-sy7qi]

Very nice..would be a lovely cozy home

[@HollyWood-do6fn]

Thank you for sharing! Very nice!

[@kimberlyhouser955]

Cute houses! Love them, I would live there for sure. Thank you for showing us around!😀

[@hellooutthere8956]

They are all nice but I like the white walls over the wood everywhere. Reminds me of the old western "Bonanza" the ranch house they had.

[@Mikedeela]

They’re very lovely houses. Of course you would have to put kitchens and bathrooms and any other amenities. In addition to the basic house. But I really like them. They appear quality built. I understand about the balcony. One of the offices where I used to work, had a balcony. when people first came into the office, they’re excited about the potential of being able to go out and get some fresh air. But the reality is it’s either too hot or too cold or it’s raining or it’s windy. There are very few nice days.

[@ginashiel105]

Very interesting...they look nice but a bit small ...I think your Dacha is better.....I like the sauna shed the best...I would want one just like that..In Finland all the homes have a sauna....

[@kevenmcginn5406]

Thank you for the nice tour! I live in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A. ! We have a very different climate!

[@franbrochu4844]

I enjoyed your video thank you for showing me your country and these homes i really liked the first one have a wonderful day