ABSTRACT
It is normal for young people to leave their original “nests” in search of their own lives as singles, part of families, or otherwise. Building a new life requires each of them to create, acquire, or rent a dwelling. Yet the socio-economic conditions in Uzbekistan, which became independent in 1991, do not help young people in Tashkent fulfill this dream on their own. Newly wed Kseniya is clear about the conflict between her aspirations and the choices available to her:
but, Hikoyat, we don’t want just any apartment! The ones that we have seen are either in not good districts, too far from the center [of the city], or in very bad shape. We cannot afford a good apartment right now.
