Moscow, Russia Report of what it's like to live there - 12/18/23
Personal Experiences from Moscow, Russia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I have done diplomatic tours in Central Asia, Africa, and Europe along with being stationed in Germany in the U.S. Army.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Saint Paul, MN, USA
3. How long have you lived here?
1 1/2 years.
4. What years did you live here?
2022-2023 with more to come.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
I am part of the U.S. Embassy. I wouldn't recommend any westerner come here without being part of a diplomatic mission at the moment.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
The U.S. Embassy has housing on the Embassy compound which is old and worn out but still usable and somewhat nicer housing about 30 minutes away from the Embassy. I would recommend the Embassy compound for ease of work.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is readily available and, mostly, not expensive. Some of the American and European versions are harder to get but grocery stores and everything else in Moscow is well stock with goods from Turkey, China, and other places.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I haven't needed anything that wasn't already here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are many excellent restaurants and Yandex eats plus other food delivery services are readily available. It helps to have a Russian debit card from SberBank or another Russian bank. They aren't too difficult to get and you can load cash onto them at ATMs.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None that I have noticed.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local post is not really usable internationally. It takes 3-6 weeks for DPO depending on what you are getting and the time of year. I usually get my stuff through DPO in about 3 weeks.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help is very common, both cleaners and nannies. Many people hire piano teachers and others too. It is inexpensive.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The Embassy has a gym. There are plenty of Russian gyms and people at the Embassy have memberships. It isn't expensive.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
You must use a Russian card as no western cards work due to sanctions. I get by with cash only, but it is easier if you get a Sberbank debit card and load cash on it.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There are some that I have heard of (Catholic and Protestant) but I don't have any more information.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It helps to know some Russian but you can get by with English only in Moscow. Outside of Moscow or St. Petersburg or in the suburbs, you really need Russian.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, I think they would have a lot of difficulties. Nothing is built for people with physical disabilities and very little is straight and level too.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
The metro here is cheap, about $.07 per ride, fast, and trains show up every 2 minutes. It takes you all over the city. There are plenty of inexpensive taxi options too. I haven't used the bus. Everything is safe.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
There isn't really a risk of burglary or carjacking. Due to the winter and roads, I would prefer an SUV, but a regular car is fine. I would not get an electric vehicle here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We get internet through the Embassy. Internet is decently fast and affordable if you get it on your own.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use my Google-fi phone and my Embassy-issued phone. Both work well.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
There is a vet that comes to the Embassy. I don't have pets, but plenty of people (maybe even most) do. It might be difficult to get pets out in an emergency.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
The Embassy has jobs for Embassy spouses. There are some with DETO jobs too.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
None.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual for most, suits for some.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
There are almost no crime issues in Moscow. There are other security issues given world events.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care was very good when I first arrived. I visited the doctor. He spoke excellent English and did a great job on a minor surgery I had. I have heard they are having trouble getting western medicine which may make it inadvisable to do anything requiring anesthetics. There is a good western style dentist too.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
The air quality is okay. It seems fairly comparable to the U.S. People may have seasonal pollen allergens.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
It might be more difficult to go out to eat if you do not speak Russian and have food allergies.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
SAD is an issue here. It is pretty comparable to any northern European post: Copenhagen, Berlin, Tallinn, Vilnius, Riga, etc. There are other stressful situations related to world events you will need to deal with here that may affect you.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The summer is beautiful and short, but not too hot. The winter is long, cold, and dark. It is pretty comparable to a Minnesota winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is one primary international school used by the Embassy - Brooks. Parents don't seem to mind it. AAS has been closed for a year now. There are a couple of other schools some individual families use.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
There is a pre-school/day care co-op at the Embassy that many parents use.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are lots of sports through the school and the ability to do other sport related things too.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The expat community is a lot smaller than a few years ago. Morale varies, though it is mostly poor.
2. 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.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It depends on what you are looking for. Single men dating Russian women have a good time. People with families who are not overly worried about what might happen given international events have a good time. If the possibility of bad things happening or being monitored by the host nation causes you a lot of stress this probably isn't the post for you.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
You can make friends with locals, but it may not be advisable. There is prejudice against LGBT and non-white people to varying degrees.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, the country is not accepting of the LGBT lifestyle.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
All of my trips have been outside the country. There are direct flights to Belgrade and Tbilisi that are easy and inexpensive (for Russia). International flights through Turkey and the middle east are expensive. You cannot leave Moscow right now so no one is going to St. Petersburg or the Golden Ring cities (Vladimir, Suzdal, etc.).
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are lot of great things to do in Moscow - museums, Ismailovo market, Red Square, the Kremlin, parks, monasteries, etc). It is a great city to walk around.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are some things to get. There are lots of great artists in the city and you can find reasonably priced paintings. There are some other fun stuff to get too.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is a 35% hardship post with SND for U.S. diplomats which makes the pay very nice. There are some things that are usually great here and some things that wear on you.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I was really looking forward to seeing at least St. Petersburg, Suzdal, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, and maybe a few other places, but shortly after arriving all travel requests were denied. Tbilisi, Georgia is a three hour flight away with great weather in the fall, though.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, absolutely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations of seeing Russia, experiencing the real Russia, etc. You will see Moscow which is quite a but different than the rest of Russia.
4. But don't forget your:
cold weather gear
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Russia is well known for it's literature and movies. The movie BRAT (Brother in English, it shows Cyrillic writing as ???? ) is as accurate a portrayal of Russia as you can get. The second one is even more of a classic.
