Expert: Leo - 1/13/2006

Question
Hi Lenny,

Thanks for the prompt answers :)  I have some more questions to ask if I may...

1. What are the means of transport in Russia.  Is it economical to own a car for day to day travel?  And if we get a official care, is it easy to find a driver and how expensive would that be approximately?  Also would be easy for us as Indians to get a driving license there?

2.  If we were given a choice between Moscow and St. Petersburg, which would be a better place for us to live in?

3.  Which locality is moscow and St. Petersburg would be the safest for foreigners esp. asians to stay in?  Any recommendations?

4.  Which would be the most ideal months to visit Russia as a tourist?

5. Given your answers to my previous questions, do you think it would be advisable to take this transfer :) ?

Hoping to hear from you again :)  Thanks so much for your time and frank answers..

Novella

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Followup To
Question -
Hi.  My name is Novella and am from India.  My husband may be getting a job transfer to Russia soon.  The company would be providing us with lodging etc., but I am a bit scared as we do not know the language and have limited knowledge on the people and the culture.  I want to know the following:
Is the standard of living very high?  Meaning are normal day-to-day things expensive?
Do Russians take kindly to Indians who come there to work?
What is the crime rate?
What do people do after work in the evenings or over the weekend?
How are the medical facilities there?  Is is expensive?
Is is easy for a lady to get jobs there especially in the areas of marketing / branding and corporate communications?

I am sorry I am asking so many questions, but would really appreciate your answers. Thanks so much for your time.
Answer -
Novella, Thanks for your question.
1. The standard of living in today's Russia is higher than during Soviet era, especially, if you can pay for things...
2. Historically, India was and still is one of the closest Soviet/Russian partners in the world. Unfortunately, there're many extremists in Russia who belong to the Nazi and other intolerant groups. Those scumbags treat non-Russians badly; I've read about many cases of beating and even murder of foreigners, especially those with dark skin..
3. There're many entertainment opportunities in Russia: theaters, cinemas, malls, etc. Your husband's stay there shouldn't be boring...
4. As far as I know state-own med. facilities are less expensive that privately owned, some of them at the level of those of in Europe or the USA...
5. I think that that kind of jobs are in great demand there. However, I'm not sure if a non-Russian lady will not be discriminated against by potential employers...
I'd strongly recommend to study Russian ASAP and to begin a search for jobs in advance...

Thanks.
Lenny.

Answer
Hi, Novella.
1. Means of transportation are very well developed public ones in big industrial and cultural centers like Moscow or St. Petersburg and in the mid-size cities as well. as far as I know, the condition of roads in suburbs/rural areas is still substandard, and drivers are not so good in general.. I don't know much about conditions of getting driver's license by foreigners.
2. I personally would choose SPB because of higher overall culture level and remarkable historic sites, museums, etc. Moscow has many of such sites too... It's kind of a hard choice...
3. I cannot give an answer to this question...
4. I'd visit Russia in Summer since falls are very wet and Winters are very cold...
5. Well... I'd recommend to talk to other Indians who lived and/or currently living there to get a first-hand feedback. If, based on those discussions you will feel comfortable, than it will be easier for you to decide...

Lenny.