I’m pretty sure Sochi is positively wonderful compared to the average working class city in Russia. It’s a resort town on the Black Sea so it would be a tourist designation for Russians and nicer than normal areas. I spent quite a few months in Constantia Romania a few years back and it probably has a much higher standard although similar by Western standards to Sochi. Really nice places are probably few and far between with all the private residences being rented out to those who had the means far in advance and for huge profits to the locals. I don’t know what people really expected. By Western standards this area just came out of pre-WWII conditions 20 years ago and just isn’t up to our standards and there was no way it ever would be. People’s apartments are probably pretty decent inside and for those that can are probably renting out quite a few - just my guess from being around there and everyone thinking nonstop on how to make a buck. I remember asking why lots of buildings facades were crumbling or in disrepair and even fairly recent buildings and was told by a construction guy that because of limited wages and pay the workers would sell a portion of the material and add inferior free sand and stuff to pay for their beer and drinks after work.
A local tv reporter said he visited Sochi and when he was there he saw only a couple of hotels and a handful of restaurants so while it has been a resort it has been a restricted resort for the party elite in the past. All the accomodations are essentially new and often not yet complete so its like walking into a construction site. Dirty water and other indignities are par for the course in construction in Russia I guess.
I don’t like the idea of gangs of feral dogs running around the streets day and night.
Who cleans up their poop?