I think a key aspect that often gets overlooked is the fact that Russia just looks incredibly different across different seasons. It does indeed look miserable in late winter/early spring which is when all these photos, like the one in the OP, are taken. However, in the warmer seasons it's beautiful, and in ways I would imagine pretty alien to many US states. Even still, as someone who's spent my entire life in landscapes pretty reminiscent of the OP one, I have to admit that I find them somewhat comforting and endearing even in danker seasons.

Another thing worth mentioning is that while these types of old Soviet buildings are prevalent throughout the country and might even represent the majority of available apartment housing, there's still plenty of newer, nicer-looking buildings, especially in Moscow and its regions. Not to mention it's very common in Russia to have a summer house in the suburbs or countryside.

So, even though it undeniably sucks ass compared to the fancier, older European towns, it's not intolerable. Still, most people living in these buildings do so out of necessity, not by choice.