A Walk Through My Russian Apartment

There are so many unknowns about life in Russia. With the amount of stereotypes floating around, many people start to think the quality of life is really low. Although I didn’t particularly love living in Moscow (see my Thoughts on Russia), my neighborhood and apartment were very nice and safe.

Mitino

I lived in the neighborhood of Mitino on the end of the number 3 blue metro line. The neighborhood was mostly large, white apartment buildings with a few malls and restaurants. You could find anything you need for daily life within the neighborhood easily…if you spoke Russian that is. 

As a tourist it is very unlikely that you would ever end up in this neighborhood. As it took almost an hour to reach the city center, it was a bit too far from all the action for me. The neighborhood was full of families. At least at all times of day I felt safe going where I needed to go. 

Summer

I was lucky enough to move into and out of my neighborhood during the best season of the year, summer. It surprised me how nice and green the area was that time of year.

Fall

The beautiful fall leaves contrasted well against all the white buildings.

Winter

Way too much white!

Spring

A very rainy spring made the neighborhood still feel rather dreary, but the blooming of flowers gave way to hope of warmer temperatures and summer. Moscow is very well taken care of in general too. Depending on the season workers are always shoveling, painting, or fixing up in one way or another.

Getting Into My Apartment

Apartments buildings are grouped together and are often tucked away off the main roads. 

1. The first step of getting into my apartment was identifying which one was mine. This proved to be a challenge my first nights in the city.

2. I had to use a magnetic key to unlock the main front door.

3. Inside the building there was another door to go through.

4. I needed go through the lobby area and past the lady that never smiled at me and always looked grumpy. Then it was past the mailboxes and into the elevator up to my floor.

5. After getting out of the elevator I had another door and another key to use. I lived there almost an entire year before my neighbors taught me that there was a way to lock the door when leaving without using a key.

6.  Then it was down a short hallway to my personal apartment with two more doors to unlock. I learned pretty quickly that only one was necessary to close and lock. They were heavy padded doors that seemed bullet proof!

My Apartment

I had one of the largest apartments I have ever lived in. Upon walking in there was a long hallway to the right and a shorter curved hallway to the left. 

The first room straight ahead behind the glass doors was my bedroom. I think someone got confused when sitting up the apartment, because it seemed the first room would be the living room

My living room was tucked away at the end of the hallway next to a walk in closest. I’m not used to having so much space so I didn’t quite know what to do with this room. The room turned into my packing room.

My bathroom was located in the curved hallway part of the apartment.

Finally, the room where I spent most of my waking time, was the kitchen with an attached balcony.

So what do you think? Could you live in Moscow, Russia after-all?

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