Krasnodar Cook Moves to Yekaterinburg, Shares Where Life Is Better

33-year-old Anastasia Slavina moved to Yekaterinburg from Krasnodar two years ago for her loved one. At first, the couple lived in the south, but soon her husband realized he couldn«t live without his native Urals.

In Krasnodar, Anastasia was a successful cook and confectioner, and in the Urals, she had to start everything from scratch. What surprised her about Yekaterinburg and what difficulties she faced in the new city, read in this first-person account.

«In Yekaterinburg, There»s a Kind of Oppressive Atmosphere«

People tell me: «Everyone usually moves to the south, but you»re moving to the Urals for some reason.« I reply: »Probably, I was hit by swings more often in childhood than others.«

In 2023, I met a guy from Yekaterinburg — everything somehow spun around, and he decided to move to me in the south. My man is over forty, he lived his whole life in the Urals: the climate, friends, relatives… And at one point, he said: «I can»t.«

We started talking about moving to the Urals — for me, it was a bolt from the blue. I ended up in Yekaterinburg in February, and, naturally, I was caught by the cold, snowdrifts. My child had never seen so much snow. We immediately went sledding on «inner tubes». My son was delighted, and I — knee-deep in a snowdrift.

In Krasnodar, over 31 years, I got used to wearing boots and demi-season heels. And let«s say, my sandals are still in a box: in two years, I haven»t worn them once. In the Urals, I wear some felt boots, puffed boots, warm suits.

I also had to get used to the constant grayness. I think this is a manly city. In December in Krasnodar, everything is green, flowerbeds are planted with winter flowers.

Even in summer during rains in Yekaterinburg, there«s a kind of oppressive atmosphere. This, probably, weighs on me the most even after two years of living in this grayness.

«By the Time You Reach the Sea Through Traffic, the Desire to Swim Already Disappears»

The sea didn«t play any role in my move, it doesn»t bother me much. In Krasnodar, people don«t swim.

I lived in Gelendzhik for about three years and at most swam a couple of times. In childhood, you, of course, experience different emotions: trips to the sea were always some kind of anticipation, joy. Then your own children appear, and you are obliged to take them to the sea. Moreover, by the time you reach this sea through traffic, the desire to swim already disappears.

I myself am not a fan of lying on the beach, going into the sea. I was always cold. For me, going to the coast is more about entertainment: eating in restaurants, dancing in clubs.

In the Urals, such entertainment can also be found. For example, here in a restaurant, I tried game for the first time. In Krasnodar, this is not common at all, there mainly «European» cuisine prevails, but in Yekaterinburg, there are different cuisines of the world. And this is one of the advantages of this city.

«Ural Residents Don»t Like Sweets at All«

In the Urals, people are stern and taciturn. I can«t speak for everyone, but I mostly encountered frowning Yekaterinburg residents.

Another observation. In Krasnodar, I was a confectioner, and people could easily pay 10,000–40,000 rubles (approximately $100–$400 at current rates) for a cake. They ordered cakes just like that, for tea. Ural residents are completely different, they don«t like sweets.

To sell a cake according to their demands, you need to make huge efforts. In communication, customers are reluctant to make contact. That«s exactly why I decided to change direction in favor of molding.

Krasnodar residents are called sun-scorched. My husband said that no one wants to work in the south, and I replied: «At the same time, you know, people have money.»

«Prices Shocked Me»

Prices for Ural real estate shocked me. When I was looking for a space for a studio in Yekaterinburg, it turned out that our prices for rent are lower. Much lower.

For a studio of 18 square meters, you need to pay 35,000 rubles (approximately $350 at current rates), while with us you can rent for 15,000–20,000 rubles (approximately $150–$200). It«s unclear why such pricing? We have the south, the sea, and prices should be higher.

«In Yekaterinburg, There Are No Traffic Jams at All»

The main plus of Yekaterinburg for me is that you simply have empty roads. When I fly to Krasnodar, I drive from the airport to home for two to three hours, and for me, it«s already madness. Everything is at a standstill, everything is red, taxi prices shoot up somewhere. Life stops at that moment.

Literally recently in Krasnodar, I spent about ten thousand on taxis because there was high demand, traffic jams. And I used to live here! In Yekaterinburg, there are no traffic jams at all.

A plus is the metro, but I rode it independently only this year. Before that, I was somehow very afraid, I thought I would go to the wrong place.

In Krasnodar, there is a large amount of public transport, but if everything is at a standstill, then the transport is too. Even trams. The only way to overcome traffic jams is only a private plane.

And fare in the Urals is significantly cheaper, with us it«s already about fifty rubles.

«Uralmash — A Separate City from the »90s«

Now I live in Uralmash, for me it«s a separate city from the »90s. I really like Akadem and its infrastructure — these modern houses, shops.

In Yekaterinburg, there are many beautiful temples. I like Plotinka, Vainer Street, Victory Park, Shartash. Here I became closer to nature, constantly ride bicycles with my husband, go out for shashlik. And where to go in Krasnodar? Either to a cafe, or to a restaurant, or walk along the streets.

In the Urals, I really came to love picking mushrooms, something I didn«t do before.

Everywhere has its pros and cons. I believe that it«s not the place that beautifies the person, but the person who beautifies the place. But still, for work and career, I would choose Krasnodar.

I«m sure that you can get used to anything. But even if it doesn»t work out, there«s still plenty of time ahead to change your life.

Be sure to read the column by Yekaterinburg resident Albert Karipov, who moved to Anapa. He explained why he doesn«t miss his native Urals, and also a student from Chita told what shocked her about Yekaterinburg.

Also read the column by E1.RU journalist Irina Porozova, in which she compared how neighboring Yekaterinburg and Perm were preparing to celebrate their 300th anniversaries.