A province – is it a province? 4 differences and 1 similarity between the Russian and American outbacks

Small houses of varying degrees of comfort, personal plots of varying degrees of well-groomedness, neighbors who know each other of varying degrees of friendliness – a typical portrait of a province anywhere in the world. But there are also significant differences: let's try to compare life in the outback in the United States and Russia.

1. Development

Most residential buildings in the American provinces look more presentable than Russian ones: as a rule, these are spacious cottages with private facilities, a garage and a neat lawn. Postcard suburbs began to proliferate in the 1950s, during a period of economic expansion when the middle class had both the money to buy land and cars to move freely. The Soviet townspeople were in no hurry to move to the hinterland, except that they acquired dachas that were of little use for permanent residence.

At the same time, Russia has always built more thoroughly: a frail hut at first glance can stand for decades, while a beautiful American carcass can destroy the first hurricane.

Of course, we also have comfortable settlements, but poor villages without electricity, water and centralized sewerage are still innumerable. In fairness, some settlements in the States also look depressing: for example, in the vicinity of Detroit, Memphis or New Orleans.

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2. Infrastructure

Roads in Russia are the talk of the town, and if the authorities still try to put them in order on the main streets of settlements, then driving on the outskirts and outside the villages turns into a dangerous quest. In the American outback, with rare exceptions, the road surface is much better, even the primers are relatively even. And in general, the infrastructure is better developed: almost everywhere there are lanterns, sidewalks, comfortable schools and medical facilities, hotels, bars, cafes and cinemas, shops with a wide range of products. Each locality in the United States has its own property tax, and the higher it is, the cleaner the streets, less crime and more benefits of civilization. The average values ​​depend on the state: the lowest interest rates are in Hawaii and Louisiana, the highest are in New Jersey, whose residents pay about 8,000 USD per year for housing.

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3. Borders

Any Russian household is traditionally surrounded by a fence: this is the only way to mark private property, protect yourself from thieves and prying eyes. In the United States, fences are rarely installed – for example, on the outskirts of urban areas with a high level of crime. It is generally not customary to fence off neighbors there: private life is already inviolable. It is better to spend money on video surveillance and alarms, and leave unhindered access to the house to public utilities and the police (if anything). Small fences are only in the backyards with pools and areas for recreation and games. In Russia, an overgrown and cluttered yard often coexists with an exemplary site where a landscape designer has clearly worked. But plots in American villages are similar, like twins, and this is no coincidence: in each locality there are general rules regarding appearance, equipment and other aspects, and serious fines are threatened for their violation.

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4. Household

It is hard to imagine a house in a Russian village without a garden, orchard, or even some kind of living creatures like chickens, goats, or even cows (when walking the streets, you look like you will step into a fresh, piping hot cake). In the US, everything is organized differently: there are farmers who live in relative isolation, cultivate large plots of land (often almost alone, all processes are mechanized), graze cattle on fenced pastures and receive a solid income. Sometimes they unite in farming villages: for example, in Homestead near Miami they grow wheat, fruits, vegetables – and even keep a private zoo.

In ordinary US villages, they limit themselves to flowers and greenery, take care of the lawn, barbecue – and no agricultural hassle. Well, a few bushes of tomatoes will be planted at most.

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What else to read on the topic

• Why do Americans paint the lawn in green color? It's harmful!
• Why is there not much pursuit of higher education in the US?
• 10 reasons why Russians who moved to the US regret their decision

5. Leisure

And here, finally, is the long-awaited similarity: life in villages on both sides of the ocean is more measured, boring and monotonous than in big cities. The choice of entertainment is very limited: yes, there are more eateries, bars, shops and parks in the American outback, but in fact, residents gather in the same places every day, discuss the news, gossip, eat, drink. Everyone knows each other, they go to visit or prefer to stay apart, they are friends or enemies – people remain people regardless of geography.