That's Moscow For You
On the outside, the city looks like a world fair. Glowing facades, flawless granite pavement, endless couriers on e-bikes and scooters all year round. Even in the dead of winter. Everything spins, glitters, and rushes.
On the inside, it is a giant vacuum cleaner for human resources.
People here trade their time and nerves for the illusion of a successful life. Friday night downtown, an expensive cocktail in a pretentious bar, staged photos for social media. Then Monday morning brings a numb stupor in a subway car and a blank stare. A lingering smell of sweat mixed with pricey perfume from luxury beauty shops.
Relationships
Most women here pick men with cold calculation. Status, car, neighborhood, and definitely owning property. Love is measured by the restaurant bill and the ability to pay off a mortgage. An ordinary guy from the provinces quickly becomes disposable material in this environment. Moving up the career ladder is possible, but tough. Often the most resilient guy eventually just turns into a "whatever" person.
In Moscow, people only smile at you genuinely when they take your money. The rest of the time, every man is for himself.
The city gives you comfort, but it takes your life away. For newcomers, it is an endless chase after a phantom. For everyone else, it is just an expensive stage set.