Affordable Living in Russia: What Can You Buy with 100,000 Rubles?
From renting an apartment to paying for utilities, groceries, and entertainment, understanding the various expenses in Russia is crucial for planning a budget. This article explores how to allocate 100,000 rubles among these expenses in Moscow, providing insights into the everyday life of an individual or a family.
Overview of Moscow Costs
According to Alex Korolev's description, in Moscow, living on 100,000 rubles as an individual with no apartment is challenging but possible. The bulk of this amount will go towards renting a residential space, given the city's higher cost of living. Let's break down the expenses and see what's possible with this budget.
Rent and Utilities
The rent for an apartment in Moscow is much higher compared to regional cities. For a central location with basic amenities like central heating, internet, natural gas, and a reasonable distance from the nearest metro, rent can range from 55,000 rubles per month.
This leaves approximately 45,000 rubles for other essential expenses.
Additional Monthly Expenses
Mobile phone: 600 rubles for a basic plan with unlimited transport card (800 rubles for a yearly subscription).
Food: At least 27,000 rubles per month, which covers a minimal food budget of 9,000 rubles for 3 meals a day.
After accounting for rent, mobile phone, unlimited transport card, and food, you are left with 15,000 rubles per month for clothing, entertainment, and any additional costs.
Living with a Partner
If you share an apartment with a partner, the available budget for the family increases. With two people living in the apartment, you get about 55,000 rubles per month. This additional amount can be allocated for a vacation, a used car, or emergency savings.
Regional Costs: A Closer Look
The costs can vary significantly depending on the region. In the city where Alex Korolev describes the situation, the rent for the most basic apartments starts at 8,500 rubles per month, allowing for a year's worth of housing even without luxury.
For basic sustenance, this 8,500 rubles per month is enough to cover food expenses for 12 months, considering a minimal budget. While luxury items such as caviar or lightly salted sturgeon are out of the question, everyday essentials can be comfortably covered within this range.
Expenses Breakdown
Transport: 30 rubles for a single city public transport trip. With 100,000 rubles, you can make 3,333 trips without a subscription. A monthly subscription for 10,000 rubles provides unlimited access.
Food: A minimal consumer grocery bin costs 9,000 rubles, which can be tripled for a family of two, totaling 27,000 rubles. This amount lasts for a month if consumed regularly.
Entertainment: A snack at a local pizzeria costs between 400-450 rubles. This means 100,000 rubles can cover up to 250 lunches for two people. A glass of locally produced craft beer costs 60 rubles, allowing for 1,666 glasses. Half-liter bottles of the cheapest beer at 39 rubles each can be bought for 2,564 bottles, providing approximately 133.28 liters of beer.
Cultural Activities: Theatre tickets start at 1,000 rubles, making 100 performances possible with 100,000 rubles. A dinner for three in a mid-range restaurant costs around 3,000 rubles, allowing for about 33 dinners. A dinner in the best restaurant for three might cost 6,000 to 7,000 rubles, enabling around 14 such experiences.
With these expenses clearly outlined, you can see that 100,000 rubles, whether you are living alone or with a partner, offers a variety of possibilities to cover essential and non-essential expenses, fostering a balanced and comfortable lifestyle within the budget.