The '80s weren't a great time for those living in the U.S.S.R., although those living in Moscow had it better than most. As the rest of the country dealt with bread and meat rations, those living in the capital had access to fruit (sometimes), soda (a treat) and could even see a movie (if you had the money). Here's a look at the "good life" offered by the Soviets during the '80s.


A Bus Station


A Ferris Wheel


An orange was a rarely-seen exotic fruit in the '80s Soviet Union.


Block Housing


Fashion


Building Propaganda


Market Hall


Street Cleaning


A Flower Seller


One of the Seven Sisters


Roadside Fruit Stand


(Via English Russia)

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A Fanta Soda Kiosk


The Melodiya Record Store


(Via Patrick Murphy/PBase)

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Insoles Store


The GUM (a.k,a, the State Department Store), facing the Red Square.


Waiting in Line


The Mir Cinema in Zagorsk (now Sergiyev Posad).


"Glory to Labor!"


(Via English Russia)

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A Dairy Store


(Via Patrick Murphy/PBase)

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A Theatre


Limousines in Front of the Kremlin


The Lenin Mausoleum


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The photos were taken by Aad van der Drift in 1984 and 1988, except when noted otherwise.