A Russian Travel Blogger Spent Time in the U.S. and Found These Flaws

Russian travel blogger Elena Liseykina has visited the United States multiple times, and she’s not shy about listing what she sees as the downsides of living there. In a recent post on her blog 'Travels with a Camera' on the Yandex Zen platform, she shared her observations after touring several states.

Liseykina says that despite her many trips, certain aspects of American life would be hard for her to get used to. For starters, she points out that without sidewalks and reliable public transportation in many areas, owning a car isn’t optional—it’s a necessity. She also took issue with the way prices work in stores. The tag on the shelf shows one amount, but at the register, an extra 10 to 15 percent in sales tax gets added on.

Healthcare costs were another major sticking point. Liseykina notes that an ambulance ride can run anywhere from $400 to $1,200, and a hospital stay costs even more. 'People put off going to the doctor because they’re not sure they can afford the bill,' she wrote. 'For me, that’s one of the biggest dealbreakers.'

In an earlier post, Liseykina wrote about her trip to Yerevan, Armenia, where she said locals are very open about personal questions and treat Russians warmly.