The most popular online travel guide to Russia, since 2001.
 

Way to Russia Community and Forum


If you have a question or want to help someone, please, go to
Way to Russia Forum on our Facebook page.
 
We also invite you to join our Facebook community, where you can meet other travelers and read interesting news on topics ranging from visa regulations to culture and music.
 

 

We are currently moving the old forum to Facebook, so what you see below functions as an archive.

If you have a question, please, post it on
Way to Russia Facebook Discussions Page


 

 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   ChatChat   Log inLog in 

I am thinking of moving to St.-Petersburg, but I am not sure

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian People
Author Message
Katyara
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Location: Russia, Sakhalin island, Korsakov!

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:15 am    Post subject: I am thinking of moving to St.-Petersburg, but I am not sure Reply with quote

[i]Hi. My name is Kate. I am russian, but currently living in the US. I am going back to my home town Korsakov, Sakhalin island in 4 months, but I am planning on moving to St.-Petersburg to go to college. I have always lived in a small town, so I am afraid of how I am gonna settle in such a big town as St.-Petersburg. Most of my friends are going to St.-P. after graduating, and I just don't wanna lose them, but my fear of moving into a BIG city is still talking to me. I have a lot relatives in Vladivostok, which is not as big and located not to far from my island, so I AM CONFUSED... Could you please give me an advice?[color=red][/color][/i] Confused [/i][/b]
Back to top
kiwiguy_os
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 26 Dec 2004
Posts: 117
Location: Melbourne, Australia

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think the best people to ask would be your friends who have moved there and when you do arrange to meet/stay with them to get yourself acclimatized to big city life.

General advice though from someone who has been there is it is a big city and more densely populated than any other city in Russia, Moscow included. Things will move a hell of a lot faster than Vladivostok, but you will find St Petes to be a fantastic cultural experience if you have never been there and experienced the many and I mean many wonders it has to offer.
Back to top
blaked
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Moscow

PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want to go to University, consider Moscow's MGIMO. It's considered the most prestigious and many people have left it to join top-flight investment banks and make enviable sums of money. By contrast, the St. Petersburg economy is a little lacking. Sure it's a beautiful city, but not much opportunity. Don't bother with Vladivostok until the Primorskiy region is appointed a governor who cares whether or not people have heat and light during the winter! Read the chapter on Vladivistok in David Satter's 'Darkness at Dawn' and you'll see what I mean.
Back to top
AliceFromMoscow
WayToRussified


Joined: 10 Jul 2004
Posts: 411

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MGU(MSU) is prestigeous. MGLU(MSLU) is prestigeous(in field of foreign languages).. as for MGIMO... It has reputation of a place for daddy's little girls and boys... For children of the rich.

Katyara, strange that you, being a russian, ask for such advice from foreigners.

Anyway i agree with blaked, If you wanna make a career, Moscow would be better than St. Petersburg, because salary here for the same job would be higher than in St. Petersburg.
Back to top
Intourist
Talk Show Host


Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 245
Location: Moscow

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would have the same question as Allice in regards to why you're asking a bunch of foreigners, but....

My opinion is that you won't find Vladi to be such a small town. I lived there, and it's not a place you'd call "quaint" or "cosy". In fact, when I lived there, I hated it. It was violent and corrupt (run by criminal groups), poor (no light or hot water) and dirty (stopped collecting garbage).

While some may use similar adjectives to describe other places, Vladi had it "times ten".

You're much better off in a place like St. Pete or Moscow. They'll be infinitely more comfortable than Vladi would ever be.
Back to top
Katyara
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Location: Russia, Sakhalin island, Korsakov!

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I understand it seems kinda weird that I am asking foreigners for the advice. But, living on Sakhalin, which is basically cut off the rest of the world, and coming to St.Peter, I would definitely feel like a foreigner (maybe except for the language), 'cause I assume it's much different from the place where I grew up.
And the reason why I am asking foreigners is to see whether it was difiicult for them to adjust to a big city like St.Peter.

And actually I know what it is to live without water, heat and electricity. Sakhalin has the same problems.

Thank you all for the advice! I guess it helped!!!
Back to top
AliceFromMoscow
WayToRussified


Joined: 10 Jul 2004
Posts: 411

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Katyara wrote:
And the reason why I am asking foreigners is to see whether it was difiicult for them to adjust to a big city like St.Peter.

This sounds like you claim that all foreigners who live in St. Petersburg are actually from small towns themselves?.. Hmmm. What if they moved from New York for example.. St. Petersburg is much smaller.
Back to top
Keoki
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 117
Location: Moscow

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AliceFromMoscow wrote:
MGU(MSU) is prestigeous. MGLU(MSLU) is prestigeous(in field of foreign languages).. as for MGIMO... It has reputation of a place for daddy's little girls and boys... For children of the rich.


You're right about MGIMO. I hear that MGU has become the same, that it's practically impossible to get in now without money and/or connections.
Back to top
Katyara
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 124
Location: Russia, Sakhalin island, Korsakov!

PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:58 am    Post subject: reply to Alice Reply with quote

Hi! Okay! You are smart! Are you a foregner yourself?
Back to top
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431

PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What are you afraid of? I don't even understand. I bet it will be very exciting for you to live in such beautiful city as St. Petersburg. As long as you have money to live on, you will be fine.

There are lots of universities in St.Petersburg and most of them are pretty good (especially the technical/engineering ones).
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian People All times are GMT + 3 Hours
Page 1 of 1