Way to Russia Talk Lounge

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

Hello All,

I am thinking about going to Moscow to live for a few months, maybe a year, from January 2006. My purpose is to learn Russian and try to hire Russian people for a computer project I want to build.

I am a 23 year old 5'7'', 135pound Puerto Rican (Latin) with light tan skin. There have been so many reports on racism, beatings, hate killings, that I am seriously considering not going. I am friendly and pacifist and don't look for any fights, but I like to go out and have a good time at night.

On top of it, I don't know any Russian now, only a few basic words and phrases.

Please be honest, how risky is it for me to go? Will I encounter racism against me to the point where I am in danger? What recommendations do you give for me if I go? What are the safer places to live?

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Short answer: no.

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks for your answer... but,

No, don't go!

or

No, don't worry.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

no, don't worry Smile

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

or really, no don't go.

It is how you make it out. But I can't imagine that you're gonna let a few odd incidents reported in the media shun you away from a wonderful opportunity to live in Russia.

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

That is what I am trying to understand - whether they are a few incidents, or if it is something to be concerned.

Yes, there are incidents like the Peruvian killing that could be over reported
http://www.mosnews.com/feature/2005/07/05/nazi.shtml

But, what about "More than half of Russians are xenophobic"
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/11/07/xenophobia.shtml

Or embassies talking:

"A number of embassies, however, would find that arguable. “We continuously remind our students that they are under a constant threat,” said a representative of the Indian embassy."

"A representative at the Guinea-Bisau embassy said that the diplomats are also informed about frequent attacks on students, as well as the students themselves. Still, they inform newly arrived students of the danger. “We warn them, give them advice on how to act, not to go out late at night, avoid conflicts,” a source at the embassy said. “But what can a young person do if he is attacked by a whole crowd?”
"

I was in Moscow last year for vacation and didn't see anything wrong, but then again things aren't the way they seem.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

1. moscow news isn't news. it's a tabloid that thinks it's a newspaper.

2. embassies always advise citizens to be a bit more paranoid. in other words, just be careful

3. if you've been here before in the past few years, and found it fine, then you should be fine.

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks!

How much monthly budget should I have to live a normal life there? I saw flatmates.ru and am definitely thinking about sharing an apartment with someone. It wouldn't be fun to be all alone at first.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Hmm it really depends how much you want to spend... if you can find good deals on flatmates or a good place to rent for somewhere less than $300-400, then that's often a deciding factor. As a newcomer you might spend a lot initially before you sniff out all the bargains. It is possible to get by on less than $1000 a month, but do keep an 'emergency savings account' in your bank enough for an air ticket and 'breaucracy fees' if something (like visa registration problem or lost passport) didn't work out for some reason.

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

OK, I had in mind about that.. $300 to $400 for rent. In your experience, how close from the center will that get me?

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3436

explorer: First of all, remember that you are an American and you're going to Moscow. You won't be treated as a Peruvian student in Voronezh (the 1st article you mentioned). I don't think you will be welcomed in a small town in Alabama either Smile

Moscow is a huge city (over 10 mil people). The center is quite cosmopolitan. There are lots of tourists, especially in the summer. And the way you dress (like most Americans or Europeans, I assume), everyone will treat you like a foreign tourist - meaning quite well. Remember that Russia is a huge country where life in small cities is drastically different from how people live and behave in Moscow. You should be fine if you keep your eyes open (i.e., don't go to some creepy remote outskirts of the city late at night alone). Overall, Moscow is a safe city. The only thing - you may be stopped by police on the streets once in a while checking your documents. Once they see the American Passport with appropriate visa and registration, they will say "Thank you" and let you go.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

explorer · Just Starting Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks, I will look into places. Maybe I can get one close to a good University, where I could take Russian lessons and look for computer programmer students

Evgenia · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:

Hi! Don't be affraid! Moscow is welcome city. We have a lot of people from different countries. Laughing

Octavius · Just Starting Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

From what I see, you intend to start some kind of computer programming project. I am not sure why, of all countries, you chose Russia. Specially if you are from Puerto Rico. Have you ever considered trying the same in any of the South American nations, where there is more in common from a cultural point of view? Personally, I would never see Russia as a viable place for starting a project/business/wathever. Also, you always seemed to have doubts about going to Russia in the first place. So why don't you think about it a bit more deeply? Maybe Brazil, Venezuela, Chile or Mexico offer a similar opportunity for your project, and you would be more at home as well. And much more close from home also Smile