Frequently Asked Questions about Moscow
How safe is Moscow?
Despite its very active criminal underbelly, Moscow is still quite safe compared to many other big cities. As long as you are aware of what’s going on around you, and take the usual precautions, you should be safe. Using public transport is very safe, and walking home alone should be fine, provided it’s not in the middle of the night. It is a good idea to be extra-cautious if drawing attention to the fact that you are an expat, as this could trigger unwelcome interest from either the police or other commuters, particularly at night when drunkenness abounds. It is very important to be extra-cautious if you are not caucasian, as neo-Nazism/fascism is on the rise, and many incidents of violence towards non-whites have been reported.
What is the cost of living in Moscow?
It can be very high, depending on what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. If you are happy to buy local products, to use the metro and not to live in a renovated apartment in central Moscow, you will be able to save a lot of money on your daily costs. In general, Moscow is much more expensive than any other place in Russia, and some prices, particularly those attached to clothing, can be shocking.
Do I need to learn Russian before moving to Moscow?
Yes, this is a very good idea. It is probably best to learn some basic Russian, and at least to know how to read Russian Cyrillic before you arrive. This way you can use dictionaries or phrasebooks, and can orientate yourself. Russian is quite difficult to master, and you will have to be prepared for some intensive study. The grammar is quite complicated: for example, there are six cases for nouns, with endings differing in each case depending on whether the noun is masculine, feminine or neutral, and again whether it is plural or singular.
Are the locals friendly to expats?
At face value, no. However, this is a cultural perception: Russians maintain a distant and uninvolved mask in public. Once you become a Russian’s friend you will be amazed at how warm-hearted, generous and romantic Russians can be. There is some resentment towards expats who come to live a superior lifestyle in Moscow, so be prepared for some street-level negativity towards you.
Are weekend getaways from Moscow possible?
It is possible to take an overnight train to St Petersburg. On the whole, though, weekend breaks are not really popular – most Muscovites stay in the city, as there is plenty to amuse and entertain them right there! The notable exception to this is over the summer months, when there is a mass exodus to the dachas (summer cottages) on the outskirts of Moscow, either for the whole summer, or at least for as long a time as possible.
