Yekaterinburg, Russia Report of what it's like to live there - 01/02/08
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?
Previous expat experiences include Islamabad, Quito, Berlin, Baku, and Frankfurt.
2. How long have you lived here?
The author has been living in Yekaterinburg for 2 years.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
The author is affiliated with the Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
It's about 14-15 hours via Frankfurt or London.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Yekaterinburg has been experiencing a housing boom with a large number of attractive apartment buildings being constructed downtown in recent years.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
New supermarkets that rival (and often exceed) the quality of the best supermarkets in Germany have gone up in recent years, one only a 15-minute walk from the consulate.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Your favorite American cereal. Stores carry some basics but not necessarily your favorite.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The restaurant scene was quite good and constantly improving during my time in Yekat. There are several Subway outlets across the city and a couple of luxury restaurants that offered great service at a fairly affordable price.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We received our mail via APO in Moscow but could not send packages unless somebody was traveling via Moscow.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Readily available for US$300-$500 per month.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
No problem using credit cards in hotels or higher-end restaurants.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, there is a small American missionary community in Yekaterinburg.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
No.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
A fair bit. English is the most popular foreign language in schools but outside of major hotels you can't count on people being able to understand you.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Icy sidewalks in the winter are a real challenge for everybody.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Right-hand side.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes to both. Yekaterinburg is one of the stops on the Trans-Siberian Express, the final leg of the trip from Yekat to Moscow takes about 24 hours and is well worth doing.
3. 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?
Two expats I worked with drove Jeeps and seemed to do well with them. Another had a Toyota RAV. Russians with money love to flaunt it and you can see just about any kind of luxury vehicle at a pricey mall a block from the consulate.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Easily obtainable in Yekaterinburg and very affordable.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
We called from the consulate using a phone card once we had a U.S. connection.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes, but not necessarily easy to find.
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?
Not while we were there.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Suits and ties for men, skirts and blouses for women. One can certainly try something more casual but Russians like to dress up.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Tick-borne encephalitis -- be sure to get your immunizations! Health facilities are not up to Western standards (yet), although with the influx of money into the region, I suspect health clinics for the wealthy will eventually be built. That is already the case for dentistry --there are a number of good dentists who use Western equipment as good as or even better than you might find in the office of your dentist back home.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
First snow usually arrives at the end of September or early October. The end of ski season is usually in April or sometimes May 1! Although it is cold in the winter, Yekaterinburg gets much more sun than Moscow or Petersburg or much of Central Europe.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
QSI (Quality Schools International) made a half-hearted attempt to open an international school in 2003-04 (our daughter was the school's only student), but threw in the towel at the end of the year. We found local authorities very helpful in their attempts to assist us in finding other educational opportunities for our daughter. For example, she attended a special school for basketball players and played with the girls team at that school.
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 to my knowledge only one FSO in the 13-year history of the consulate has ventured to Yekaterinburg with pre-school aged children.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small. 6-7 FSOs at the consulate, some American missionaries, and a small number of businessmen. The British and Czechs also have consulates in Yekat and the three communities do a lot together.
2. Morale among expats:
Relatively good but it depends greatly on how self-sufficient you are.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Lots of receptions and parties to observe everything from important political anniversaries to birthdays. Be prepared to deliver a toast when you attend especially if you're the only foreigner present -- the hosts will invariably expect you to say something.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For families or couples, yes, in the sense that there aren't huge demands on one's time after normal work hours and there are great cultural offerings like the symphony orchestra, ballet, and opera. Yekat also boasts a decent night life for those looking to meet people after work.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Authorities in central Russia have made a point of reaching out to Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim leaders at public events. That tolerance starts to fade for any groups other than these.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Apart from Petersburg and Moscow, you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to take in ballet. And Yekat trumps both Moscow and St. Petersburg in terms of price -- good tickets can be had for less than US$10.The symphony orchestra is superb, and season tickets go for a little over US$100. Yekaterinburg also has a professional women's basketball team, owned by metallurgical giant UMMC. The team has featured several pro U.S. players in recent seasons (the U.S. season runs in the summer and the European season runs in the winter, so ambitious athletes can play in both leagues).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Local artwork is very affordable. Shopping for old icons, samovars, and other antiques can be a lot of fun.
9. Can you save money?
Definitely.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
In a heartbeat.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Golf clubs. No courses or driving ranges yet in the Urals.
3. But don't forget your:
Winter sports gear. And if you don't have them, order some!
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Dr. Zhivago (the family flees to the Urals after the revolution).
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Nicholas & Alexandra. Dr. Zhivago.
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Dr. Zhivago (the family flees to the Urals after the revolution).
7. Do you have any other comments?
The Urals was closed to foreigners for over 50 years during the Cold War, so there is still great interest here in getting to know Americans. While residents of Moscow or Petersburg may be a bit indifferent to foreigners, you won't find that in Yekaterinburg! Russians are very hospitable, even more so outside of the biggest cities.
