Yekaterinburg, Russia Report of what it's like to live there - 08/24/18
Personal Experiences from Yekaterinburg, Russia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. We lived in Ciudad Juarez and London prior to moving to Yekaterinburg
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?
Clarksville, TN. It took 18-24 hrs depending on connections.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Department of State.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most were city apartments located 10-20 minutes walking distance from the consulate. Some housing had to be relinquished due to the 2017 draw down.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
All the necessary and more groceries were available and accessible. Some people would bring butter and some other products from Moscow commissary, but we never found any need to do that.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None. All were available on local economy or could be purchased through Amazon.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There was food delivery for anything possible, but it took a very long time. On average 45-50 minutes for a pizza delivery. Sadly, by the time it arrived, it would have to be reheated. We went out rarely as we had smaller children.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
When the snow melts, for about two - three weeks monster mosquitos come out. They are big and they are not shy about biting you either. However, it only lasts two-three weeks and then they are gone for the entire year. We've never had any other issues and had our apartment windows open frequently.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
There was a pool of current employees that were working for past families. I'd say because we were American the prices were a bit overhyped but still affordable. I speak Russian so I hired a babysitter through a local hiring site vs. going for someone from the embassy pool.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
World class is a big one but expensive. It might be US$70-$100/ month depending on the service once chooses. The consulate has a small functional gym that I used often especially in the winter. During spring and summer you can run outside as there are several parks near the consulate.
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?
Yes, especially the contactless payment method. I used ATMs as well though some people were cash only from the consulate cashier's office. We did have people hack our bankcards twice and we had to replace them, but nothing USAA and Chase could not fix right away.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
None. We went to a local Catholic church near the consulate and it was a frustrating experience. Though I spoke Russian, I could not understand the Old Testament part as they were using old Russian.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can get by with limited language skills. Most young kids speak some English.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Some sidewalks outside the city center might be hard to access due to uneven pavements. Generally, area around the consulate was very accessible and pavements seemed in better conditions.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. You have a choice of trams, walking, buses, and maxim taxi which is like an Uber. There is a metro also but it's only one line and I've never ridden it. We mostly walked, used cabs, trams, and buses.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Anything will do here as long as you can buy snow tires for them. Snow tires are a must if you have a car. We had people at post without a car and that's also totally doable.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. It'd cut off some time for repairs but still did the job.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
MTS, Megafone, Beeline are all companies that offer contractless SIMs and services. You get the great service and speed for US$10-$20/month depending on what package you choose.
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?
Yes. We had two cats and one of them was on a prescription food. That food was available here and we did not have to have a prescription for it which made ordering it so much easier. Also, most pet shops and pet good sites delivery to your home. The delivery option comes in handy in the winter when you don't want to run around town in the frigid cold.
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?
There is no local-based employment as we are not allowed to work on the local economy. You can apply for some jobs at the consulate but most need high-level clearances and options are few. I was doing online studying during our tour so employment was not my concern.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are several opportunities with local charities. The CLO has a list as well as working with the women's international club.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Russians, espeically women, dress up when going out. Americans tend to dress down compared to them. I'd suggest dressing up like they do if you don't mind standing out. If that's not an issue, then you can dress like you would in the state minus workout gear. Women here really do not wear work out gear outside unless actually working out.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No bgt security concerns just like anywhere be aware. We had no incidents the two years that we've lived here.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Spring can be hard on allergy suffers due to meling snow and some snow removal chemicals that pulverize in the Spring. Air is very and I mean very dry in the winter, so lots of lotion and air humidifiers are a must.
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?
Generally, it's ok but again if you are an allergy sufferer or have issues with asthma, spring might be tough for a couple of weeks.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Bring your meds with you. They sell Claritin and Allergra on the local market, but sometimes the quality is hit and miss. It'd be best if they are ordered from the States.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Winter blues are a problem due to short day light during the winter months. Usually, from October through end of February. The post issues the mood lamps but they had very little effect on us. However, having said that there are winter blues here there is plenty of sun in Yekaterinburg. We lived in St. Petersburg in the winter as well, and they have much grayer winter than here.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Summers, if not rainy, are very pleasant. The average temperature is around 70-80F. The winters are harsh, dry and cold if you grew up somewhere with a mild winter. We were from North Carolina so this cold was severe for us. The good news is that it is all dry meaning it does not feel too bad. We spent more time outdoors during the winter than in the spring and fall. Those seasons can also be wet and muddy. Just layer up and don't be afraid to go outside.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
This was a bit negative. There is no international school here, but I do understand that our former English teacher (who is an American living in Yekaterinburg) opened up his own language school. I am not sure of all the details of his school's program. Our kids went to Russian nursery and kindergarten. In the kindergarten, they had 2nd half of their day in English and the 1st half in Russian. If you want your kids to be immersed in Russian, this is a great post as few people speak English here.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. 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?
Yes, but again they are all in Russian. There are some good Russian day care facilities. There is also a Montessori school not far from the consulate but it's all in Russian.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, again all in Russian. It might be hard to find things in English. If the current lack of international school continues at this post, this is a great post for families with kids age five and under, but anything above five without the language would be difficult.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
It's a small community. We had some Brits and few Americans, but none government related that live in the city.
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?
Any gatherings are advertised well through social media, so that's one way to meet people. Consulate parties and events are an opportunity to meet other expatriates. There are several American basketball players that play for a local women's team. We met them at a consulate function and later went to see them play.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I would imagine it would be lonely here being single. I had a family with two kids but alone it'd be tough especially during the winter.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I cannot comment as I have not come across that issue. I would assume no as Russians here are very strict to adhering to traditions and rules. We don't seem to see as much diversity here as we did in St Petersburg.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
You can save a lot of money. Produce is cheap espeically during the summer when most fruits are in season. They come from central Asia and are very delicious. Generally, produce is not the best outside its season.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Skiing, skating and hockey playing. If you love winter sports, this is heaven with a nice ski lift fewer than 2 hrs away from Yekateirnburg.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are plenty of gems when it comes to jewelry shopping since the Ural Mountains are rich with all types of minerals. Word of advice on buying oil paintings here, one might have problem taking them back when leaving post. I understand that oil paintings are protected by some cultural law and have to undergo a specific verification process before leaving the post (even if the painting was brought into Russia from another country).
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is a friendly place and if you are looking for cultural experience this is it. There are some direct flights to Asia which might come in handy during the cold months.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Not to bring our vehicle. It just sat most of the time.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
You can leave behind everything and be able to buy it here or order online. German products are very prevelant here.
4. But don't forget your:
Liquid vanilla. Russians only use powder vanilla.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Do you have any other comments?
Don't let the cold scare you away from this great post.
