Born in
Brooklyn. Settled in Tver.
New York.
Brooklyn. The symbol of the "American Dream."
High-rises, subway buzz, glowing screens and flashing smiles.
That's where Alexander Lutsik was born and raised — an ordinary American guy
with a marketing degree.
But he gave it all up and moved to… Russia.
"There's
real life here. Not a shiny postcard. Not fake smiles. Not fear."
He didn't
come as a tourist. Not for a business trip. He moved to live in Russia — for real.
"New York is
a myth. The reality is dirt, drugs and fear."
Alexander
doesn't cry when he talks about his hometown. Quite the opposite.
Brooklyn, he says, is not what it used to be.
Today it's a
place where:
– unstable people wander the subway
– addicts collapse on sidewalks
– trash piles up
– people smile — but it's all fake
"On paper
it's the richest city in the world. In reality… it's not my home anymore."
"Russia is
different. People are real. Cities are clean. I feel safe here."
Alexander
has been to Moscow, Tver, Vladimir, Pyatigorsk, Saint Petersburg.
And his impression?
"Why don't
people talk about this more?
Public transport works. Cities are clean. Life is calm. I even enjoyed the
Russian winter."
But the
biggest shock for him — was people.
"In
America they smile — but it's fake.
In Russia, people don't wear masks. They say what they mean. That's rare. And I
love it."
He applied
for Russian citizenship. But he's afraid of being rejected.
Alexander
now lives in Moscow, works as an entrepreneur, takes care of his disabled aunt
and elderly grandmother.
In April, he applied for Russian citizenship — legally, through his
Russian-born mother.
But now — 6
months later — no response. And he's getting worried.
"I'm still
a citizen of an 'unfriendly country.'
But I love this place. I want to belong here."
"I didn't
come here for benefits. I came for family."
Alexander
says he's not here to get handouts or attention.
He's here to build a life.
To work. To help. To grow.
"This is
my home. My language. My people."
🇷🇺 Final thought: Maybe we just forget how lucky we are?
While some
complain about Russia's challenges — others see it as a place of peace, family, and opportunity.
Maybe the
problem isn't where you live — but how you see the world?
