Moving to Russia
Last updated on Apr 13, 2023
Summary: Expats and digital nomads move to Russia for a variety of reasons, including the country's rich cultural heritage, its vibrant cities, and its relatively low cost of living. The most popular cities for expats and digital nomads in Russia are Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. People looking for a place to live in Russia can find a variety of options, from renting an apartment to staying in a hostel or hotel. Additionally, there are many online resources available to help expats and digital nomads find a place to live in Russia.
What do I need to know before moving to Russia?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Russia, they said:
"You should have a trustworthy Russian mentor... someone affiliated with your company, or somehow known to someone you know. Either that or a very experienced expat contact. Deal only with a well-established reputable house agency recommended by your trusted contact. Don't be dazzled by an amazing-looking flat in a historic district without first checking out what'a available for groceries etc. nearby. Find out what public transport is available nearby. Try to locate walking distance to a subway (tube)," replied a member in St. Petersburg.
"Traffic is usually terrible in Moscow so you should choose an area that's convenient for work, school and anything else you do regularly. We preferred living in the centre as we like going out and being close to the theatres, music and concert halls etc. Some people prefer living out of town in the compounds, mainly for the children. There are some lovely family friendly areas in town too. It's basically about reaching a convenient compromise for your whole family," commented one expat who made the move to Moscow.
"Do not come here if you don't speak Russian. Expect to robbed and ripped off, so don't complain when it happens. You must make a lot of contacts with locals to avoid this. This is not like America. There are no "bad neighborhoods"," remarked one expat in Moscow, Russia.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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