I was thinking....

[ASB]

That record was only for expats, and most of the money was on rent. There was a big shortage of quality accommodation in the city. Now you can rent an executive two bedroom flat for peanuts in Moscow.

I wouldn't go for peanuts. But they have dropped by about 70% - about 5 years ago it could easily be 10-15k US for a decent western apartment in a decent area. Hotels have dropped too, normally I stay in the Radisson Slavyanskaya. Our corporate rate has dropped from about 700 US to just over 100 gbp.

[swamp]

I was saying...

[swamp]

Now Moscow is the most expensive city in the world to live in

That record was only for expats, and most of the money was on rent. There was a big shortage of quality accommodation in the city. Now you can rent an executive two bedroom flat for peanuts in Moscow.

[bogeyman]

I dunno. I just make this tulip up to pass some time.

Yes, clearly.

Haven't you got a Rachmanesque Swindon propetry letting empire to run or something?

[DimPrawn]

WTF is 'exponentially better off' ?

Why are we not 'logarithmically' better off, or at worst 'linearly' better off?

I dunno. I just make this tulip up to pass some time.

[bogeyman]

Are you seriously saying the people as a whole are not exponentially better off now?

WTF is 'exponentially better off' ?

Why are we not 'logarithmically' better off, or at worst 'linearly' better off?

[pzz76077]

There is still a humungous underclass who barely scrape by - 12% (IIRC) live in abject poverty.

Most of the oligarchs are rich because they used to be thieves/generally unsavoury in Commie Russia. Yes, there is an increase in jobs servicing the super rich, but I don't think you can blame it all on government philosophy.

What kind of government would be best?? Or no government at all maybe- everyone sorts themselves out??

PZZ

[Moscow Mule]

Are you seriously saying the people as a whole are not exponentially better off now?

The super rich need cars serviced, food, good restaurants, fancy clothes, staff, etc. It all trickles down.

Nothing changed except the government philosophy.

There is still a humungous underclass who barely scrape by - 12% (IIRC) live in abject poverty.

Most of the oligarchs are rich because they used to be thieves/generally unsavoury in Commie Russia. Yes, there is an increase in jobs servicing the super rich, but I don't think you can blame it all on government philosophy.

[DimPrawn]

Have the people suddenly gotten better off? Do they all have S-class mercs? Or are they poor as ever but now with no healthcare, no job security or pension, higher crime, and a bunch of S-class-driving oligarchs living off their country's wealth?

Are you seriously saying the people as a whole are not exponentially better off now?

The super rich need cars serviced, food, good restaurants, fancy clothes, staff, etc. It all trickles down.

Nothing changed except the government philosophy.

[DimPrawn]

Please dont think any more. Or at least dont think and paste the results here. cuk is the place for those who dont think.

That's what I thought.

[Cyberman]

Have the people suddenly gotten better off? Do they all have S-class mercs? Or are they poor as ever but now with no healthcare, no job security or pension, higher crime, and a bunch of S-class-driving oligarchs living off their country's wealth?

Swap oligarchs for bankers and that virtually sums up the UK, apart from healthcare.

[BrilloPad]

Please dont think any more. Or at least dont think and paste the results here. cuk is the place for those who dont think.

[Moscow Mule]

Have the people suddenly gotten better off? Do they all have S-class mercs? Or are they poor as ever but now with no healthcare, no job security or pension, higher crime, and a bunch of S-class-driving oligarchs living off their country's wealth?

This is closer to the mark, but Russia's middle class is growing exponentially.

[expat]

...how much a government influences the wealth of a country and it's people.

Take Russia. Before the rise of capitalism, where they had state control of everything and policies not dissimilar to Socialism, the people would queue in the cold to buy a potato.

Now Moscow is the most expensive city in the world to live in, the roads are chock with S-class mercs and London's best property is being snapped up by Russians.

The people haven't suddenly gotten better educated and the oil and gas was there before.

It's just a change of government.

Have the people suddenly gotten better off? Do they all have S-class mercs? Or are they poor as ever but now with no healthcare, no job security or pension, higher crime, and a bunch of S-class-driving oligarchs living off their country's wealth?

[DimPrawn]

...how much a government influences the wealth of a country and it's people.

Take Russia. Before the rise of capitalism, where they had state control of everything and policies not dissimilar to Socialism, the people would queue in the cold to buy a potato.

Now Moscow is the most expensive city in the world to live in, the roads are chock with S-class mercs and London's best property is being snapped up by Russians.

The people haven't suddenly gotten better educated and the oil and gas was there before.

It's just a change of government.