Obtained Contact Details: Youth in Russia Pine for Rural Homesteads
According to a study by "Yandex Real Estate," an astounding 55% of Russians not currently owner-occupying a country house are itching to make that purchase. Let's dive into the reasons that make this demographic, particularly the zoomers, so eager for a slice of countryside paradise.
Firstly, the digital natives, zoomers, born between 1997 and 2012, lead the way, with 67% expressing a desire to lay down roots in a summer house or year-round cottage. Mind-boggling, right? 21% of these digital-savvy individuals even plan to own country real estate within the next 2-3 years.
Interestingly, millennials and Generation X share similar aspirations, with 56% and 50% of each demographic, respectively, expressing a dream of one day calling a summer cottage or house their own.
So, why the sudden longing for countryside living? According to Yevgeny Belokurov, Commercial Director of "Yandex Real Estate," the rise of technology during these generations' formative years could be the primary catalyst. Seeking a break from the digital world, younger individuals may crave a slower pace of life, tranquil nature escapades, and a simple, down-to-earth existence.
In a fascinating twist, among zoomers already owning a private house, nearly a quarter (24%) have made it their permanent residence. Millennials, on the other hand, opt for this lifestyle less frequently, with 19% taking the plunge, while Generation X remains stubbornly urban, with only 18% favoring a long-term commitment to countryside living.
As for the financials, the median full price of private houses in areas with major cities was 7.7 million rubles in April 2025, witnessing a 1.1% decrease over the previous month. The median price per square meter of a private house was 68,000 rubles, also down by 0.2%.
Here's the scoop on a prime example, Chelyabinsk, where the average cost of a countryside hideaway is 5.9 million rubles (-0.6% since last month), with a median price per square meter at 62,000 rubles (-0.4%).
Now let's try to make sense of this country house craze. There are four primary factors at play:
- Urban Housing Shortage: With a looming housing shortage projected for 2027 and a sharp slowdown in new residential construction, urban housing has become a scarce commodity in Russia. This scarcity might prompt younger buyers to opt for countryside homes that could offer better value or ease of access.
- Economic and Financial Stress: High financing costs and the termination of subsidized mortgage programs have resulted in steep mortgage interest rates, making city apartments less affordable for many young Russians. Developers, in turn, focus on smaller, high-margin projects, reducing the supply of affordable city housing.
- Lifestyle Preferences: Younger generations, particularly millennials and zoomers, may want country houses for lifestyle reasons, such as the desire for more space, privacy, and closeness to nature. This longing is amplified post-COVID-19, with the pandemic increasing remote work and reshaping housing preferences worldwide.
- Demographic and Social Shifts: Generation X and millennials often find themselves in life stages call for more spacious living conditions and family-friendly environments, which countryside homes can provide. This sought-after living situation may also benefit from cultural preferences for dachas, traditionally enjoyed as quiet retreats from bustling city life.
All things considered, the perfect storm of housing shortages, economic pressures, evolving lifestyle preferences, and demographic shifts is driving the overwhelming desire for countryside homes among Russia's younger generations.
- Millennials and Gen X, much like the digital natives (zoomers), have shown a remarkable 56% and 50% interest, respectively, in purchasing a summer cottage or year-round cottage.
- A study by Yandex Real Estate reveals that 67% of zoomers express a strong desire to own a country house, with 21% planning to do so within the next 2-3 years.
- Interestingly, among the younger homeowners, 24% of zoomers have already made their cottage a permanent residence, contrasting with 19% of millennials and only 18% of Generation X preferring a long-term countryside lifestyle.
- The allure of countryside living could be due to a variety of factors, including the urban housing shortage, economic and financial stress, changing lifestyle preferences, and demographic and social shifts, all of which could be driving the increased interest in countryside homes among the younger generations in Russia.
