Moscow - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Most people find a group at the Embassy to hang out with. There are plenty of cliques. Some people have Russian friends. - Dec 2023
The embassy has plenty of ways to socialize as well as the natural communities near AAS. - Nov 2018
Many clubs to choose from within the expatriate community. - Oct 2017
Plenty in and out of the embassy. - Sep 2016
Enjoying music concerts, house parties, clubs, university classes, fine restaurants... Moscow is not cheap but offers something for everyone, literally. Again, speaking Russian with confidence helps but is not indispensable. - Sep 2015
Movies, museums, parks, ballet, opera, concerts. - Jun 2015
A lot of the Embassy community hung out at Uncle Sam's (the bar on compound) or at the Marine House (they usually had one or two events per month). We preferred to get out and walk around the city, trying new restaurants, seeing plays (we saw a ghost story play entirely in Russian!) or going to any number of events happening that weekend. The CLO has a number of newspapers/magazines which list what is going on in the city for that week/month. - Oct 2014
Circus,museums, ballet, opera, parks. - Feb 2014
There's always tons going on, though the nightlife scene can be a hassle due to face control. Lots of diplomatic and cultural events during the week. - Jul 2013
Dining out, some parties at peoples' homes. The distance between the suburban compounds and the center of Moscow means that if you live on the embassy compound or in a city apartment, chances are you won't be hanging out with your friends who live at Prokrovsky or Rosinka after hours. Our city apartment building is quite social. Compared to other posts people don't entertain at home much. There's a bar at the U.S. Embassy but it's small and tends to be the same faces there each time. We only go very occasionally. - Jul 2013
There is no shortage of things to do in the city. Just about anything you can imagine is here. - Jan 2013
Limited by your imagination. The NEC has a lively social community with lots of events taking place at Uncle Sam's (the bar) and once in a while, the Marine House. - Mar 2012
Mostly we do things with other people from my work. A lot of neighborhood parties, etc. - May 2011
Plentiful - Jan 2011
I think I've covered this one in detail. See above. - Jul 2010
Better if you live in town. - May 2010
Many people throw house parties or get-togethers in their area. Because of Rosinka's location, they are well known for their block parties. Single people either go out once or twice a week, or many times a week. A lot of adults go to the embassy bar (service is slow, and food is okay) before heading home for the evening. You can be as social as you want to be. - May 2010
My only complaint is that it can get a little wild for my taste. There is no end of options, things to do, people to meet, etc. - Feb 2010
Abundant. There are thousands of bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs in this city of varying styles and price ranges but none of them very cheap by American standards. Many clubs are open all night long, and there is little concern about drinking age here. Hash harriers are here, as are many other social clubs. There are a few movie theaters that feature English language films. Since Moscow is a major world city, it gets as many touring popular musical artists and groups coming through as any major American city, so you can probably see your favorite concert here if you stay long enough. The Embassy community has Broomball league in winter and Softball in summer, both co-ed; there are also volleyball, indoor soccer and racquetball clubs - Jan 2010
Out here it's too big of a pain to get into town, so we rarely do. But if you were in town, it'd be a cornucopia of cool stuff to do! Out here it's hanging out with friends, which we like. But we are happy with a quiet life. - Nov 2009
How good are you at making friends? There is certainly no lack of things to do in Moscow, finding people to do them with is up to you. - Oct 2009
Lots of things to do. Clubs, restaurants...it just won't be cheap. - Aug 2009
Very active. - Jul 2009
I can't complain about anything besides the cost! Moscow has more bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. than anyone could ever hope to visit. - Sep 2008
You can make it what you want it to be. - Aug 2008
