In Moscow, residential studios under 9 square meters are not considered suitable for a full everyday stay, according to psychologist Larisa Ovcharenko who spoke with socialbites.ca. She noted that similar compact living arrangements, which are popular in Japan, reflect a cultural tendency toward minimal spaces, even in a country known for deep social challenges and rising depressive disorders.
“Living in such tiny spaces makes daily life harder because everyone needs personal space. This is a capsule living concept that has roots in Japanese tradition. Japan favors this type of housing for a variety of reasons. Yet it is important to remember that the country reports high suicide rates and widespread depressive disorders. People facing state-level stress often experience profound loneliness, which is closely tied to this lifestyle. We see the same capsule-like confinement here, and it does not support the full development of personality or overall well‑being. It is difficult for an adult in these conditions, and one can only imagine the impact on a child,” Ovcharenko said.
The psychologist noted that the development of claustrophobia in such living conditions does not affect everyone equally. Still, residents of micro studios are likely to experience chronic fatigue over time.
“If a person is emotionally healthy and stable, claustrophobia will not suddenly appear even in these circumstances. But fatigue would be more pronounced, and emotional recovery would be harder. We know that some people are highly motivated to live in Moscow, and this area often makes financial sense. For a while that motivation may feel resourceful, and one might enjoy being in an eight‑square‑meter space in Moscow. Yet chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and rapid psychoemotional burnout are risks that could leave a lasting negative imprint on overall well‑being,” Ovcharenko added.
Earlier, Izvestia, citing Metrium analysts, reported that the smallest apartment for sale in Moscow is a micro studio in a residential complex in the Southern Administrative District near Tulskaya metro station. The studio spans 8.8 square meters and is priced at 4.3 million rubles. This information came from market analyses that track the evolving landscape of compact living options in the city.
As Metro noted, the apartment has no hallway or separate bedrooms, but it does offer a window view onto a quiet courtyard. It is listed as a non-residential building, which limits access to a residence permit and to enrolling a child in kindergarten or school. Utilities are projected to be nearly double those of a standard apartment, contributing to higher monthly costs for tenants who opt for such micro spaces.