Summer cottage for Russians – a part-time farm, rest place and a source of profit — VCIOM

According to VCIOM (All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center) before 2012 the share of owners of the countryside real estate among townspeople decreased, and in 2013 — increased (from 39 to 48 percent).

10 percent of respondents have countryside habitation suitable for all-the-year-round residing, 27 percent — for seasonal, 11 percent own a land plot. Summer residence rent is not widely spread in Russia —only 1 percent of the interrogated.

Most of all owners of countryside habitation in Russia are among Muscovites and Petersburgers: 16 percent from them have a country house for residing throughout the year, 42 percent — a summer cottage (dacha).

The majority of those who has or rents country real estate, still use it for cultivation of agricultural products for the family (68 percent), but for the last years their share decreased (in 2011 there were 75 percent). More than one third of respondents accomplish their plots: plant flowers, trees, lay out flower-beds, etc. (39 percent). Even more often the summer residence is used as a place for rest and recreation (in 2012 — 26 percent, in 2013 — 38).

Sometimes Russians use a summer residence as a source of profit: 4 percent of the interrogated grow up vegetables and fruit for sale, 1 percent of respondents give in rent countryside habitation.

A summer residence is used as a place for rest, first of all, by capital inhabitants (71 percent) and by respondents under 35 years (55-59 percent) and as a part-time farm — by inhabitants of medium and small cities (52-54) and people older than 60 (61 percent).

1600 inhabitants of 42 regions of Russia took part in the interrogation. The statistical error does not exceed 3,4 percent, VCIOM marks.