Measured by the number of billionaires residing, Moscow is second only to New York. Which turns out to be very controversial when you compare average incomes in respective cities: some $40,900 in NY and $7,200 in Moscow.
This strange income distribution has led to a twisted services infrastructure: [relatively] plenty of stuff for very rich and for low-income people, but pretty much nothing for "normal" middle-class. Fitness-club prices start around $1000 per year. The cheapest one-room (NOT one-bedroom) appartment with cracking walls and antiquated furniture on the edge of the city would cost $500 a month. Average bill in a nice restaurant amounts to $50 per person. Hugo boss suite that is sold at $200 in Milan would cost you at least a $1000.
On the other hand, you can survive at $200 a month - if you own an appartment, and many people do due to Soviet inheritance - by shopping in markets for food and chinese clothing and riding a metro.
One can only hope this will change soon, as more and more people move to higher incomes and affordable services shall appear. Otherwise this contrast may start looking pretty scary.
3 comments:
Starting to like this blog. Going to link it from mine.
rythin.blogspot.com
(no, it is not an advert, I plan to read it reguralry and comment as often as I will have something interesting to say :))
Thank you! I am now sitting at the airport but will definetely check yours as soon as i get back :)
In principle, a good happen, support the views of the author
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