Most people had access to free housing through their jobs. Formally it wasn't free: it was rented for a cheap price. Since the fall of Soviet Union people were entitled for FREE privatization of their previously rented housing (but no more than one unit per person - quite a reasonable limit). Generally units were pretty small compared to the American ones but the situation improved consistently. When Soviet Union started many families lived not even in the rooms but in the "corners": rooms were divided by fabric "walls". Cooperatives were pretty cheap considering possible 0% financing but many people preferred "rented" housing.
Generally, I would expect any middle class American to be terrified with typical Soviet apartment (like 450 sq ft for family with two children - it was considered pretty standard) but Russian people remembered much worse conditions :)
4. Everyone who wanted to earn much had a chance: all the time they hired people to work on the North or the East. If average salary was about 150-300 rubles per month (depending on year: the later, the higher); people in harsh conditions were able to earn several thousands. Surely it was a damn hell - but you know, oil guys in Alaska earned their big money no easier. Generally salaries were pretty adequate for modest live (I don't understand how Americans can survive on $11/hr - and it's not the lowest wage!). Most people preferred better climate, easier work and much less money :)
5. All the Western "armies" would be crushed like a bug in case of conflict provided the United States are abstain :) There were no Western "armies" besides the United States. And the war between USSR and US was almost impossible: there is no victor in full scale nuclear war. Both countries admired opponent's power and had to fight through the third countries or to negotiate.
6. I never heard such a myth :) Many Soviet people dreamed about authentic American jeans :) Food was generally reasonable: no Kobe meat, no junk food. We lacked precooked food but there were special stores of precooked food and restaurants. Women had to be able to cook :) Some traditional stuff was prepared by men (like Uzbeks cooked pilaf). There were no dystrophy nor obesity :)
- Children, which country has the best toys? - Soviet Union! - Children, which country has the best cakes? - Soviet Union! - Children, in which country there are the best playgrounds? - In Soviet Union! - Vovochka, why do you cry? - A want to the Soviet Union!!!
Addon
Most people had access to free housing through their jobs. Formally it wasn't free: it was rented for a cheap price. Since the fall of Soviet Union people were entitled for FREE privatization of their previously rented housing (but no more than one unit per person - quite a reasonable limit). Generally units were pretty small compared to the American ones but the situation improved consistently. When Soviet Union started many families lived not even in the rooms but in the "corners": rooms were divided by fabric "walls". Cooperatives were pretty cheap considering possible 0% financing but many people preferred "rented" housing.
Generally, I would expect any middle class American to be terrified with typical Soviet apartment (like 450 sq ft for family with two children - it was considered pretty standard) but Russian people remembered much worse conditions :)
4. Everyone who wanted to earn much had a chance: all the time they hired people to work on the North or the East. If average salary was about 150-300 rubles per month (depending on year: the later, the higher); people in harsh conditions were able to earn several thousands. Surely it was a damn hell - but you know, oil guys in Alaska earned their big money no easier. Generally salaries were pretty adequate for modest live (I don't understand how Americans can survive on $11/hr - and it's not the lowest wage!). Most people preferred better climate, easier work and much less money :)
5. All the Western "armies" would be crushed like a bug in case of conflict provided the United States are abstain :) There were no Western "armies" besides the United States. And the war between USSR and US was almost impossible: there is no victor in full scale nuclear war. Both countries admired opponent's power and had to fight through the third countries or to negotiate.
6. I never heard such a myth :) Many Soviet people dreamed about authentic American jeans :) Food was generally reasonable: no Kobe meat, no junk food. We lacked precooked food but there were special stores of precooked food and restaurants. Women had to be able to cook :) Some traditional stuff was prepared by men (like Uzbeks cooked pilaf). There were no dystrophy nor obesity :)
- Children, which country has the best toys?
- Soviet Union!
- Children, which country has the best cakes?
- Soviet Union!
- Children, in which country there are the best playgrounds?
- In Soviet Union!
- Vovochka, why do you cry?
- A want to the Soviet Union!!!