In the cities, most Russians live in tall apartment buildings. Since housing can be scarce, the apartments are small compared to those in the United States. One room is often used as both a living room and a bedroom. People living in the villages still have small wooden houses but very few services. Many have to go to the village well to get water. A family normally keeps its own cow to supply milk and chickens to provide eggs. People also grow their own fruits and vegetables. In Siberia, Russia's coldest area, temperatures may drop as low as -45 degrees F. Homes here are often built on a concrete or wooden base to keep the house from being damaged by the cold.