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In this page: Communities of Expatriates | Ranking of Cities | Renting an Apartment | School System | Health System | Tourism and Culture | Individual and Civic Freedoms | Religion

 

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates
The expatriate community is about 80,000 people, most of them living in Moscow.
Blogs For Expats
Expatru
Hotel reservation websites
Way to Russia
Russia.com
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals
Moving companies specialized in dealing with Russia
 
 

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Ranking of Cities

Quality of Life
Russian cities are generally ranked poorly in terms of quality of living as they suffer from traffic congestion and air pollution. Moscow and St. Petersburg are ranked 167th and 174th out of 231 cities, worldwide according to the latest available edition of the Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey by Mercer.
Hotel reservation websites
Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)

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Renting an Apartment

Average Lease Term
The minimum rental period is 6 months. The rent is usually to be paid in cash.
Average Rental Costs
You will be asked for a deposit of a month's rent which it will be difficult to get back.
Rental Agency Websites
Intermark
List of rental agencies
Hotel reservation websites
Guide to renting (in English)

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School System

The Education System
The Russian education system is good. Very elitist, the quality varies considerably between establishments. Teaching is exclusively in Russian.
Compulsory schooling is from age 6 to 17.
International Schools
There is a French lycée in Moscow, German, Italian and Japanese schools and some Anglo-Saxon schools such as the British International School. Nursery schools, most often attached to these establishments, are also available.
In St. Petersburg, most Western expats go to the Anglo American School.
Hotel reservation websites
Studyabroad Russia

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Health System

The Healthcare System
The quality of care is noticeably poorer than in Western countries.
It also varies a lot according to the region: from tolerable in Moscow, it can become very basic in remote regions.
International Hospitals
There are many private clinics, with Western standards. For example, the American Medical Clinic and Hospital and the European Medical Center in Moscow, the American Medical Clinic and the Euromed Clinic in St Petersburg.
Health System Insurance Body
ILO Social Security Inquiry

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Tourism and Culture

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical
Old cities have been historically influenced by European tastes, especially those inside the Golden Ring. The Golden Ring is a route through several cities and smaller towns to the North-East of Moscow. It is the best way to explore Russia's history and architecture.

In Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are the two best examples of historic sites to vist in the city. St. Petersburg is best known for its beautiful and historic sites. For example, the Winter Palace has a rich history as a home to the Royal family until 1917 and is arguably the most oppulent palace in Russia. The Ploshchad Lenina (Lenin Square) is dedicated to Vladimir Lenin, the father of the Russian revolution, and decorated with a light and music fountain and a statue.
Cultural
As the capital, Moscow has many cultural sites. The State Tretyakov Gallery hosts a large collection of Russian art, some of which dates back to the nineth century. The Museum of Applied and Folk Art samples traditional Russian ceramics, furniture, china and textiles. Even the Moscow Metro is a site to behold, it's colloquially known as the Underground Palace.

St. Petersburg is the old imperial capital, and the second largest city in Russia. As such, it has a rich abundance of classical Museums and art galleries. For example, Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world and was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764. In central St. Petersburg you can find plenty of palaces and theatres hosting ballet and opera.
Nature
Russia is full of natural sites to visit: the Volga, Caucasus and the Urals, the forests of Karelia and Siberia, Lake Baïkal and the Kamchatka peninsula. Krasnoyarsk is a very popular place to visit because of the outdoor scenery available like the Stolby National Park and Enisey River.
Religious
There are numerous active monasteries across the country, with some of the most beautiful within the Golden Circle. You should make a note of the monasteries of Suzdal and Sergueiev Possad near Moscow, and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. Petersburg.
Thermal
Thermal tourism is concentrated mainly in the North Caucasus, around cities such as Mineralny Vody, Kislovodsk, Zheleznovodsk or Essentuki.
However, most establishments are Soviet sanatoriums with Spartan comfort.
Beach
In summer, people bathe in many lakes and rivers, especially on the island of Serebrianny Bor in Moscow. Russia has an abundance of lake and seaside beaches.
In the Ural mountains lies Lake Turgoyak, which is known for its clear waters.The Russian city of Samara is located on the banks of the Volga. Here, you can find plenty of sunbathers and beachside cafes.
There are several resorts on the Black Sea starting with Anapa (sand beach) and Sotchi (pebble beach).
Winter Sports
Cross-country skiing and skating are practised practically everywhere in the country. Downhill skiing is becoming a very popular activity. There are popular ski resorts in the Caucasus, and also in the Urals and the Kouzbass. Of course, the most famous place to ski is in Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Outdoor Activities
Fishing, hiking/rambling and white-water sports.
Shopping
Luxury shopping is generally concentrated in the GOUM or TSOUM in Moscow and in the Gostiny Dvor (in Russian) in St. Petersburg.
The market in Izmailovsky park is renowned for souvenirs, furs, crafts and other Soviet antiques.
 
 
Tourism Organisations
Russian Tourism Board
Cultural Organizations
Russian Cultural Heritage Network (RCHN)
Hotel reservation websites
Information and destination guide (in English)

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Individual and Civic Freedoms

Civil Liberty
6/7
World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 150/180

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Religion

Beliefs
According to a survey in 2011, 82% of Russians are religious. Orthodox 70%, Muslims 10%, Catholics 1.2%, Buddhists 0.7%.

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Latest update: March 2024

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