About Aaltje van Zoelen Expertise Any general questions about travel in Eastern Russia, specific orientation nature travel through Kamchatka, Kuriles, Sakhalin and Chukotka
Experience
Past/Present Clients US Department of Agriculture
Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation
Society Expeditions, Zegrahm, Marine Expeditions, etc.
I have two questions about Russia that are probably silly, but I would appreciate any help that you can offer
(a) I have a friend who lives in Cheboksary and we correspond by email.
According to things she had said, and my own internet searches, the weather at this time of year has a minimum tempreture of about 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 20 degress, i.e. reasonably warm. However, in photos she sends me, there is a thick layer of snow on the ground! how is this possible, in Australia where I live these tempretures are also common but there is no way that this is cold enough for snow to accumulate.
(b) I have read that the average wage in Russia is about $100 US per month, yet when I search the internet to look at the cost of renting an apartment, they are about $500 US a month, i.e. five times the average wage, so how is this possible? Are apartment rents subsidised in some way?
I realise that my questions are probably a bit silly but any help would be appreciated.
Regards,
Mark McIlroy
Melbourne, Australia
Answer Dear Mark:
Sorry I have no idea about your first question. It does not make sense to me either.
Question number 2. There is average wage and average wage. Most people that are working in low paying jobs, such as cleaning women, shop girls, etc, do not make more than $100 per month. Others who have professional jobs may make close to $400 and $500 and those working for international companies might make over $1,000 a month.
Rents difffer for many different areas. The older apartments do not cost very much, they usually are one room apartments, like our studios. However there are newer apartments that may cost as much as $500 in rent.
Russia is doing very well economically but only for certain people who have international business skills.Others are still working for minimum wage and that is lower in Russia than in any of the more western oriented countries.
Food prices are similarly very different. You can buy inexpensive food in the market place but if you go shopping in some of the newer modern stores, it will be very expensive.
Aaltje van Zoelen
Managing Partner
World Wise Ecotourism Network
