ИСТИНА

Russia is a world dacha (second home) leader, with its 50 mln dachniks, over 1/5 of the global total. Russa’s dacha lifestyle is equivalent to the Western sub- and counter-urbanization, though temporal and determining weekly and seasonal pulsation of the habitable space. Dacha is a multifunctional dwelling. Its role as a refuge from troubles was mentioned among other reasons to buy or rent a dacha before, but marginal in comparison with the rest, investment or food self-supply. Under the 2020 pandemic it has become valuable, and the demand for this estate has grew up. People view it as a better place for self-isolation than their cramped flats, and the city authorities normally welcome their exodus, while the attitudes and rules in host areas vary. In Moscow Oblast, dacha market has been booming in spring, although the region took the third highest COVID-19 prevalence. The further away from the capital, the lower the density of dachas and their price. The report studies three dacha areas at different distances from Moscow and their filling with dachniks during 2020. Near Moscow the stressful de-urbanization increased the chances of its overgrowth into a permanent one. In more distant areas the chances are worse because of living conditions and poor infrastructure.