He Left New York for Russia — And Now Asks: “What Is There to Complain About?”

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?