The new Russian dream - property abroad
Real estate abroad is rapidly becoming a symbol of high status for the middle class in Russia, wrote Moscow News. 
According to a survey of the Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VTSIOM),  buying a property abroad has become the second most important way to invest personal funds. 
Almost every third Russian already indicates foreign ownership as a desirable symbol of status, compared to only 10% in year 2006. 
Property abroad have become so attractive, that it has shifted the investment in children's education as a popular choice for investment in the future. 
However, if you add the property purchases in Russia, it appears that over half of the country's wealth is measured in square meters and 51% of the Russians are indicating ownership of a property  as a key symbol of high status. 

Vacation or investment?
40% of the Russians who buy property in another country are looking for an exotic "cottage" with vacation goal, while 25% want lucrative investment. 
Destinations vary according to the ambitions of the buyer. 
Ranking of countries, demand for investment purposes is quite different from that in which the Russians are looking for living,Western Europe remains the main place to invest, while the shores of Bulgaria and Montenegro are preferred as holiday destinations.

Growing interest
There is no indication that the Russians willstop looking to buy property abroad soon - this year was reported 30-40% growth in demand for foreign real estate, and from Gordon Rock anticipate another 10-15% increase next year. 
The approximate value of the Russian real estate market in other countries is about $ 12 billion, as every second transaction was realized with a mortgage. 
Receiving a loan abroad is not always easy, which creates new opportunities for Russian banks, some of which already offer special mortgage programs for purchase of property abroad.