Krasnodar Warnings Or Dangers

This page shows mostly the attractive side of Krasnodar. However, this town of about one million inhabitants is for 90% old and falling apart - just like most other Russian cities, except Moscow and Saint Petersburg. As these two swallow up the majority of state funding, other towns are in deficit with every public affair. Roads are full of holes and the former collective housing is looking pretty poorly. In Krasnodar, the centre is starting to become new and shining, but ... at the cost of the rest of town. If you can't stand this side ... stay in the centre.

Russia has had it's share of misery after East and West made the connection. Several financial crises have paralised the public sector and the state actually is already several times bankrupt. Taxes are relatively low and therefore the infrastructure is shockingly bad, as well as other public matters (affordable housing). Meanwhile the constant growing middle class of so called "new Russians" have gained enormous. Not only in financial way, but especially in ways of living. In the Sowjet greenzones (usually planned in between large housing parts of cities) are completely filled with huge houses that have all comfort possible. Roads however in these part do not excist, neither a public system for sewage, water, gas and electric. This individualism is a potential danger for the balance within Russia and leaves a very split, as well as often shocking, view for visitors.

Krasnodar's Southern position in combination with the land climat that Russia has, leads to enormous heatwaves in summertime. Many people of the city itself find their way in weekends and days off to the cooler environment of the Black Sea coast, when temperatures inside the city bounderies reach towards 40 degrees Celsius. Bring sunglasses or a head (cap) in summertime, it is very necessary.