Novosibirsk Housing Row: 'Same Build, Business Class Prices'
High mortgage rates and a comprehensive development program are impacting the housing market.
Developers are launching fewer new projects, and many apartments in finished buildings remain unsold. The share of economy-class housing is decreasing, while comfort-class is increasing. High mortgage rates and the comprehensive territorial development program are affecting the market.
Following a publication that explored the state of affordable housing, Novosibirsk residents have been vocal with their opinions. We«ve gathered the most notable comments.
«The current option for young people is a nightmare: you take out a mortgage at 25, finish paying at 55, and spend your entire youth worrying — do you have money for the payment or not?» said a Novosibirsk resident.
«They build the same and from the same materials, but set the price as for business class,» noted a commentator.
«When has it been affordable in the last 25 years? A mortgage is an illusion of affordability and an illusion of a good life, but in essence — slavery for 30 years,» believes a city resident.
«All unsold housing could be rented out by the state at low rates. Currently, a one-bedroom apartment costs 30,000–50,000 rubles ($300–$500) per month, but the state could charge 10,000–15,000 rubles ($100–$150). When a third child is born, people could live rent-free, paying only for utilities,» suggested one user.
«Sales of new buildings in 2025 grew by 3%. If there was a drop at the beginning of the year, then with the reduction in rates at the end of the year, growth began. In the fourth quarter of 2025, housing sales grew by more than 30%,» noted a commentator.
«Yes, sales have grown so much that one Novosibirsk developer is selling an unsold residential complex in bulk for 700 million rubles ($7 million),» retorted another Novosibirsk resident.
«What kind of own housing can there be with a salary of 40,000–60,000 rubles ($400–$600) per month? Only a rented room in a dormitory...» exclaimed a townsman.
«I simply don»t understand why build housing in Novosibirsk now and for whom. A depressed city doesn«t need such a number of new buildings — who will you sell them to and at what price?» wondered a user.
«People don»t want to live in anthill-like apartment blocks: with poor soundproofing, noisy neighbors, parking lot yards, and no clinics, schools, or police stations nearby,« noted a Siberian.
«It would be better to give land and the opportunity to build a house oneself with a favorable mortgage,» believes a Novosibirsk resident.
«Who hasn»t yet understood what will happen — buy secondary housing while it«s relatively cheap. New buildings will soon rise sharply in price,» advised a commentator.
«And what about the Dolina effect!» ironically added another user.
In Verkh-Tula, the developer of the Ecopolis residential complex is selling 102 ready apartments as one lot for 700 million rubles ($7 million). He explained to NGS the reason for such a decision.
