It is quite obvious that Moscow has become much more comfortable to live in than 5-7 years ago. At the same time, the economic crisis and the dramatic fall of ruble’s exchange rate in 2015 has made holidays in EU-countries unaffordable for many Russians. An average meal in Paris would set you back 3 or 4 thousand rubles. My Visa card told me that. You can easily have 3 meals for that money in Moscow. Add to that filthy streets and overwhelming crowds of people, and next time you will think twice before you decide to have a good time in the shade of the Eiffel Tower.
I think, now is probably the first time in the Russian history when many people started seeing real advantages of living in their country. The stupidity of the official ideology and the absurd on the political scene seem quite tolerable alongside cheap central heating and 24-hour shopping. Your whole utilities bill can cost as much as two good lunches near Montmartre. Let’s use earplugs and enjoy the country. Shall we?
