The Legendary “Little Odessa”.
Brighton beach is probably the most famous Russian-speaking district in the United States. It is also called “Little Odessa”. According to various estimates, today here live from 50 to 70 thousand Russian-speaking. An American journalist spent a day with local residents of Brighton beach to find out how immigrants now living in the United States.
Russian-Ukrainian symbiosis
Dozens of subway stations share the heart of new York city and Brighton beach. One hour — and you get to an area where they speak either Russian or Ukrainian languages. And here you can often hear the symbiosis of English and Russian. The most popular words in use were “otarget”, “naslist” or, for example, “to find four nine”.
Here all each other know, like in the village. Is to live in Brighton a couple of weeks — and you will begin to greet as his. From the shops now and then hear Russian songs. Well, where else can you hear the words from the song love the assumption: “Today you Shine in Brighton, and tomorrow, maybe, will come to Broadway”.
The first Russian wave of emigration were brought here by Jews in the 1970-ies. Then, in 1972, the Soviet Union allowed Jews to emigrate to Israel for “family reunification”. The second wave came in the 90-ies. Here there are many natives of Odessa. In those days nearly half a million people moved from Ukraine to Brighton beach. This is evidenced by archival documents, which are still kept in the Central Library of Brooklyn. The inhabitants of Odessa got used to the sea, therefore, and rushed to Brighton, where there is direct access to the Atlantic ocean and the promenade for walks.
The main thing to suit sat
One of the brightest representatives of the first wave of emigration — Yakov lyubarov. He came to Brighton beach in 1978 from Moscow. Since childhood lyubarov loved to dress up, so in Brighton, he almost immediately became a star. Costumes from Gaultier or Versace, shoes by Dolce & Gabbana — in closet “mischievous revelers” a lot of stylish things.
In new York James came with his wife and young daughter. They fled from the USSR Communist regime. Green card received at the airport.
“When we came here, there were almost no Russian. Maybe just a few families from Israel and Russia. We had $300. We helped the organization “Nayana”, then I got a job in American company to repair the air conditioning,” says lyubarov.
Life began to improve. Later Jacob got a job working in a taxi, then engaged in the jewelry business. Could move to Manhattan, but Brighton became a mother. He still remembers how he received the long-awaited American passport, and as friends washed the citizenship. Drinking, of course, vodka.
“I want to say that the heyday of the Brighton beach occurred in the period 80-90 years. Then came the intelligentsia of Leningrad and Moscow. Of course, there were from Odessa immigrants. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union have already arrived other people. How do I put this? Not very good quality”, — shared his opinion of it.
James long received an American passport and retired. He says he lives well.
“The pension at me small: $700. But I also rent a taxi driving license. We have our own apartment in the cooperative. I never thought about having to return home. At Brighton I lived most of my life. If only guests to the capital” — with a smile tells Jacob.
Along with his wife, Yakov likes to travel. Usually they go on a cruise in Europe. France and Italy for mod Lyubarova — Paradise. No new clothes Jacob never returned. And still a resident of Brighton loves “poison” jokes.
“One guy says to the girl: “are you Petya for love has given or for money?” And the girl says: “Well, of course, love! 3 rubles — this is the money!?” — laughs Jacob.
At the end of our meeting Yakov lyubarov appealed to the tourists who come to new York, and asked them not to forget to visit his favorite attraction called Brighton beach.
And life, and tears, and love
Brighton all Russian: restaurants, pharmacies, shops. Near the metro station “Brighton beach” in winter and in summer you can see the native of Ukraine — Maria Chernenko. For five years now — and in the rain and in the snow, where it sells products directly on the street. Maria talked about how she got to Brighton beach.
Maria Chernenko won a green card in 2011, the year he arrived in new York. In his native Ternopil she is survived by her children and grandchildren. Every year she goes to visit them and with tears in their eyes returns to Brighton beach.
“I really miss them. Earn money and send it there. It helps them very much. Dream faster to obtain a us passport, so the kids had a choice. Don’t know if they want to live here,” says Maria.
It is a long time to get used to the local mentality. The discontent of Russian-speaking pensioners have already developed immunity.
“There are different buyers, Oh capricious. All have to show themselves. I’m used to. At first thought I would go deaf, that’s the train going again. But man gets used to everything,” says about the working conditions Chernenko.
The salary of Mary suit, but, of course, the woman does not hide that would like to have $ 10 per hour.
“Our mistress of the shop normal. Winter on my street gives a heater, so I don’t freeze. You know how cold here is. The horror. But nothing can handle it,” she says.
In this moment interview with Maria walked over to the man. He walked out of the store and asked her, what is she talking about. The woman, as if something accusing, quickly tried to answer him, saying, it’s okay, go ahead.
But the man was very assertive and made his own statement.
“So, come on out. This is my woman. My love. What is wrong with you?” with a menacing look he turned to the journalist.
So our conversation with Maria was over. In a second she was fond of selling chocolate bars, having time only to quickly wave his hand to us.
Boris is also the seller. However, the man sells chocolates, and books from your own library. Russian classics, complains the man, just now is not.
“Don’t ask me, how are you? Bad. Business no. There is no money. Though the roof over your head.” — it shows up on his head.
Books Boris sells for 20 years. For him it is the only income, says the man. But to talk heart to heart, as it turned out, Boris is clearly not ready.
“That’s it. Let’s. Enough about me. Will survive. Even so. Name I you can’t tell. Guys, do not get to work,” said Boris, buried in a book.
As the locals say, “Brighton — it’s so different.” Really, you can see expensive SUVs and luxury sports cars.
Among the people to meet a man begging for alms, women in mink coats or girls trendy Italian brands and heels.
By the way, some ladies, don’t hesitate, unable to leave the beauty salon with hiseville and curlers on the head.
Inga Sokolnikov for 13 years doing everything possible to of the fair sex Brighton beach looked beautiful. She is a beautician.
Together with Inga’s family came to the US 13 years ago and immediately settled in a Russian neighborhood.
“I have a Soviet school in cosmetology, so my clients are mainly Russian-speaking. I here received a license and, of course, can work with the Americans,” says Inga.
From Kiev it was not easy to start a new life from scratch. Now her own beauty salon. Sokolnikov says that client, of course, are different.
“Somehow capricious and harmful clients themselves are eliminated. I’m a fan of his work and always treat everybody. But recently, I have been able to hurt. There was a woman in the cabin, did all the procedures and paid with a credit card. There was $700. And two weeks later comes a letter from the Bank that the amount was not” — said Inga.
It turned out that the client decided to cheat Inga and blocked credit card. Now to find a con artist Inge helps the lawyer. Despite such troubles, Inga still loves Brighton beach.
“My husband also works in Brighton. I never thought about how to get out of here. To another area or another state. I just love Brighton. What here people! It’s a pleasure to watch them and listen to them. And next to the beach. The beauty is, admires their place of residence Inga.
Many countrymen Inga also love Brighton. However, to communicate with journalists, for example, local players do not really want. Once on the Atlantic ocean, the sun Peeps out on the street they come — men from Odessa — fans of table games.
“And we’ll tell you? Here we kidding here, playing, enjoying life. All we have is good. All in Odessa”, — laughing, said one of the players.
Property in Brighton beach
In the area of Brighton beach are not only seniors. Young people also settled in the “Little Odessa”. The main part is the youth, who recently came to new York and started a new life. It is on Brighton you can find the first illegal work and to rent an apartment without documents. The rent per square feet, on average, will cost $1000-$1200 for a Studio or one-bedroom apartment.
Some young families do not only rent property on Brighton beach, but also buy an apartment here. This choice is primarily associated with the proximity of the Atlantic ocean. According to the realtor Sonya Ostrovskaya, Brighton is one of the best areas to buy apartments in condominiums.
“This type of housing has its own characteristics, but, in any case, you become full owners of the apartment. And there is another advantage — the possibility to get a Parking space that you can use for yourself, resell, or lease,” — says the realtor.
Among the buyers — customers from Russia and Ukraine. The demand, says Sonia, we all have different. But today in Brighton can be purchased cheap property and luxury.
“The prices here are, on average, from $550 thousand to $800. And expensive real estate can cost two million. For example, now we sell three-room apartment in a condo for $1 million is included In the price and Parking space. It’s all in the famous luxury complex Oceana Condominium & Club,” shared Sonya Ostrovskaya.
Proposals of sale, too, abound. According to Sony, the elderly go to Sunny Florida, where to buy home.
In summer, Brighton beach turns into a real resort. Most often, at this time to get closer to Russian culture and traditions the Americans want. In stores you can buy a fur hat or a donkey, and lunch to taste Ukrainian borsch. This can be done in the legendary restaurant “Tatiana”, “Wave”, “seaside”.
In grocery stores on Brighton beach at any time, you can buy a salad “Olivier” or “Herring under a fur coat”. Regardless of the time of year. So for Russian-speaking people live on Brighton beach — it’s like that to live in the homeland without leaving the United States.
