Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Thomasineurope

Good afternoon,

I will be moving to lovely Saint Petersburg in December for a time period of no less then a year... but hopefully much longer! It seems then that paying my US bank ATM/banking fees averaging around $5 per transaction would be ridiculous for a long-term stay. Therefore, I was hoping that someone that has made this move can offer their advice.

Is there any US bank of which also has a business presence within Saint Petersburg? One that I can deposit my savings into in the US, providing me full access to such within Russia long-term? I have used ATM machines in my previous travels, but think there must be a better way... one which avoids fees, penalties and/or customs issues.

Please assist me in reaching my "Expatriate" status!

Cheers,
Thomas Lowers
My URL: www.myspace.com/desmofetish
thomasineurope@hotmail.com

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

check with citi bank

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks Surfguy!

I stopped in Citi Bank yesterday to find that they can do exactly as I asked! I will be setting up this account before I leave...

Cheers!

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Cool...well you will be stoked and the women will capture your heart...watch out! Hey I am from the Bay Areo and actually have family in Placerville. Plus have real estate investments in Fairfield. So I am privy to Sacramento some what. Cool then good luck with expatriating over to there.

jo jo 7 · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: Jo Jo 7

Yes Jo Jo,

These are my tattoos and avatar!

I just finished my half-sleeve tribute to the Former Soviet Union this month after some 20 hours worth of work over a 10 month span. The work was collaged from 4 Russian postage stamps made in the 70's to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Soviet Russia defeating Nazi Germany. The art has only been modified by way of size... otherwise it is a duplicate of the originals cut and pasted in order for it to shape to my arm. My web-page has yet to be updated with the final colors, but will be soon!

My chest ink work is Chinese calligraphy, meaning "Travel". Like my half-sleeve, I had the work of a Chinese artist copied directly from the original.

I hope to have almost all of my art, in someway, reflect my life as a traveler. That being said, I am making an exception next week when I go in to have my feet tattooed. This too will be displayed on my web page... please enjoy!!!

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:35 am Post subject:

alexey098 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:50 am Post subject:

Various local banks allow foreigners to have bank accounts open and can issue VISA card in local currency. Best option is to have two accounts open and then wire money from the US bank.
1. in Rubles for local transactions (both electronic and getting $$ from atm)
2. in euros (if you plan european trips as well)

if you open VISA electron - no minimum for deposits, starting from $5 annual fee, no com. for withdraw from friendly ATM chain. no other fees.

wire and fund your local bank account once you see the hike in FOREX which is favorable to sell dollars for rubles. your bad luck that greenback devaluates so freaking fast.

alexey098 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:52 am Post subject:

btw, PM me once in town to have drinks with a local (B)

jo jo 7 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject:

Thomasineurope · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject:

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996