RIGA, LATVIA // my experience, year abroad + exploring the city!

a lil viddy on ALL the need-to-knows before studying in/ visiting Riga!
✩ TIMESTAMPS
→ Do I need to speak Latvian? - 1:41
→ Is Latvia expensive? - 2:23
→ Transport in Latvia - 3:13
→ What is it like to study in Riga (Baltic Centre, interning, host families etc.)? - 5:20
→ Can I drink the tap water? 7:53
→ General thoughts on Latvia (the good, the bad + the ugly)? 9:07
→ Is Latvia safe? 10:13
→ Where are all the people? 11:47
→ Must-see sights (Three Brothers, Jūrmala, Sigulda etc.) - 12:41
✩ SOCIALS → / danikaschrader
✩ BLOG → www.thatssopeek.com/
✩ MUSIC → / nice-trees
/ keepitgbaby

[@ebriussmu8427]

hey, im from Latvia, and i just wanted to ay that Latvia is not Russian speaking country, our native language is Latvian

[@egonieser]

Yup, obviously. But since 1/3 of Latvian population is Russian, you can use Latvia for a Russian speaking experience too lol.

[@lukecahill557]

doing my year abroad in Riga next year, super useful video thank you

[@thatssopeek]

Thank you ✨ huge good luck, I'm sure it will be fab!!

[@Takosaga]

Moved to riga for a teaching job from the states a week ago. Can't wait to explore more and see what this country holds for me

[@thatssopeek]

Incredible! Huge good luck with the new role & enjoy exploring ✨

[@IAmSakuraba]

Mind sharing what program you went through? I'm currently in Poland and my contract expires in a few months. Trying to decide if I renew or head somewhere else. Thank you!

[@Takosaga]

I'm a certified to teach Computer Science and Math along with 7 years teaching experience from Texas. Was able to find a job at an international school job online through the data base on Search Associates. It shows salary along with benefits so check them out but does cost money to use but I found it worth it

[@kofiarthur4129]

Also plan of moving soon to take the teach course…

[@iggyblitz8739]

​@@thatssopeekYou should learn Latvian, it's a much more beautiful language than Russian and Russian is being used less and less in Latvia with the new laws pushing for more integration and Latvia being the prominent proper national language.

[@ervinvonhimmel]

Pretty much spot on :) To be honest, I don't know people in Riga who are paranoid about tap water more than in London, it is perfectly drinkable, however, some do prefer to filter it or use it from the bottles. The only thing, I would suggest visiting in the summertime or spring-autumn, because winters can be quite brutal, like in Sweden, unless you'd like to spend a lovely Christmas time in Old Riga town, wondering between Christmas markets with a cup of hot Glühwein :) Speaking about "where are the people" in general, most of the life, the nightlife is going in and around Old (medieval) Riga. Before pandemia, it was quite crowded 24-7, now the tourists are coming back, so those who would like to have an opportunity to wander around empty narrow medieval streets of Old Riga have to harry up :) Also, as you have mentioned, around Riga, there are a few dozens of wonderful places to visit (1h -+ on a train or bus), like medieval castles, for example, Wenden-Cesis (the capital of Livonian German Knights Order), picturesque Turaida-Treyden, Sigulda-Segewald castles and grand rococo palaces, like Rundale Palace, the seat of the Dukes of Courland (where BBC, HBO etc shoot period dramas like War and Peace, Catherine the Great) and amazing national parks like Kemeri (The Great Ķemeri Bog is something out of this world and a must-see) and Gauja National Park, which you have mentioned - Latvian Switzerland. Little medieval towns of Kurland-Kurzeme, like Kuldiga-Goldingen, where time stopped in the XVIII century (the architecture hasn't changed since) and seaside resorts like Jurmala, which you also mentioned, with its enchanting wooden Art Nouveau architecture and miles and miles (about 30) of top quality white sandy beaches. Believe it or not, this summer in Latvia it was much sunnier and warmer (sometimes too much) than in South East England :) P.S I bet the area you stayed in Riga is called "Maskachka" or historically Moskauer Vorstadt (Moscow District - formed along the road leading to Moscow), and those people reacted this way since it historically has quite a bad rep and gentrification is still haven't swallowed it completely, it is a bit run down, like Shoreditch in London 20 years ago. In the 1990s it was a bit dangerous, but now, it is perfectly safe. However that is a very interesting district, with many centuries of cosmopolite and extremely dramatic history, it used to be populated mainly by Russians and Jews (and all the others who were not allowed to settle inside the city walls, Old Riga was populated primarily by Baltic Germans at the time, 1201- late 1800s), actually later, during the WWII, the was a large Jewish ghetto with all its horrors. There are still like 5 different huge religious centres, with its churches, monasteries, seminaries, of different denominations etc. Lots of History, which is printed in the architecture and vibe of the whole district, in a few words. And it is perfectly safe, now and again you can see a homeless person, around the Centre Market (the largest market in Europe, made of 5 German WWI Zeppelin hangars), but nothing "major" :) So please come back for a weekend sometime soon! :)

[@thatssopeek]

Amazing! Thank you so much for this! Will definitely be back asap - sounds like there's SO much more to explore :)

[@dreamthedream8929]

Maskavas forstate is basically more of the old town of riga, very historic full of old houses, yes many need renovation but still have been preserved and are there to this very day. I think the modern bad reputation of it being dangerous comes from 1980s and 1990s. These days the crime level is the same as the center of riga there. When this area was really very dangerous and unsafe and thousands lived in fear everyday was exactly when you mentioned, the holocaust world war 2 time. So many tragedies and horrors there

[@rsmcroberts]

I miss Latvia so much. Spent a year there myself for work. I want to go back every single day.

[@zipzopzoobitybop11]

I love your style!

[@angadsingh8814]

I am coming to Latvia .Riga in September intake ...your feedback about studying there really helped me

[@thatssopeek]

So glad to hear! Enjoy Riga!

[@angadsingh8814]

@@thatssopeek thanks 👍🏻 . Any advice for me ?

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Nice video PEEK. Latvia and Riga look an interesting place to visit.

[@katrinabruvere6850]

hii! I'm latvian and tbh it made me really happy that some people actually like Latvia.Also, yeah, not everyone speaks Russian but it's quite common. Anyway, thank you for visiting!

[@tiptop3922]

people speak Russian in Latvia just because there was the soviet occupation + here came a very big population of Russian occupants and colonists (not welcome).

[@katrinabruvere6850]

i mean yea it kinda is but russian isn’t too uncommon, especially amongst the older generations. personally as a latvian i dont speak russian and have no interest in learning it but we are forced to do so in schools.

[@karimedinburgh]

Good video , thanks for sharing , I also take landscape videos in UK and sometimes abroad .It's very helpful and interesting . I subscribed to the channel, so I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for the good video

[@harivigneshks8817]

How about information technology jobs in latvia ?

[@David-dk2le]

Awesome video. Next sunday I will be on my way to Riga and study Russian there for 4 weeks. Can‘t wait :)

[@thatssopeek]

Thank you so much ✨ Enjoy Riga & huge good luck with the Russian! ✨

[@officialaelita7134]

im latvian and where my family live and where i go mostky latvian and some russian for elders so i know a bit of russian but fluent in latvian and english!

[@jkrumins90]

You are so funny! Great video

[@thatssopeek]

OH STOP 👼 thank youuu xo

[@justasillyteenagegirl]

her: complimets jūrmala me: wait until u see the west of the city :/

[@irinaspalve8356]

Nice to hear that you liked being in Latvia. Though I can assure you, there are lots of beautiful places in our country that aren't so famous as Jūrmala or Sigulda. By the way, transport in Latvia isn't so cheap comparing to local salaries (minimal salary is 500 before taxes).

[@NaranjiitoBJJ]

600 after taxes.

[@dreamthedream8929]

​@@NaranjiitoBJJand a lot of people in latvia drive around in very expensive cars

[@KRXSTXPS]

Glad you liked it! Btw i see you are a new to youtube, so as me. So, i hope you grow and become famous! (New sub :) )

[@KRXSTXPS]

Btw we (well... Me personally) dont accept russians bc of this situation of the war in Ukraine

[@reiniskirsteins4818]

I live in Jurmala and I have to take a train almost every day when going to school, you said that 3€ is super cheap, for me thats sounds expensive lol, with a 3+ card a ticket costs 0.14€ (3+ card means that there are 3 or more children in a family), also I dont know about UK but I think its worth to mention our internet, its relatively fast and accessible almost everywhere and you can get unlimited data plan for like 12€/month, that includes unlimited calls in all of EU, unlimited internet in Latvia + 8GB of internet every month in other EU countries.

[@thatssopeek]

amazing, thanks so much for this extra info!! I definitely missed out on the data plan deal 🙆‍♀️

[@cuhurun]

Klistosais... Hello. The internet and telephone plan you mention looks excellent.Which company is the service provider ?

[@reiniskirsteins4818]

@@cuhurun its provided by LMT. But I just checked my info and it was a bit misleading so sorry about that. For 12.90€/month you can get get unlimited calls and sms in Latvia and EEZ. And for 13,99€/month you get unlimited internet in Latvia and 8gb of internet every month in other EEZ countries. Combined that would be 26,89€/month. So a bit more expensive than I initially said. P.S. EEZ stands for Europion Economic Zone or also know as EEA

[@cuhurun]

@@reiniskirsteins4818 : Thank you for your kind reply. Even at 26.89 it's still a good rate compared to most other countries. Best wishes !

[@melluzi]

If you lived in a place like Ķekava or Mārupe in, for example, UK, most probably there was no public transport at all to get to major city. In Sweden and Germany it's better. I mean, it doesn't matter if public transport is cheap if it is not accessible at all. Sure, internet is way cheaper and better quality than in the "old" EU countries.

[@joe1rooney1]

Funnily enough I did my year abroad in Paris and Riga too lol

[@Sofi00]

I lived in the US, Netherlands and SKorea and I really don't think Latvia is that cheap haha. The food, clothes and even higher education cost the same as in Western Europe, rent is cheaper but public transportation is quite expensive if you're traveling only within Riga. The biggest difference is that Latvians earn much less than people in Western Europe.

[@markkust8172]

I think Riga is a perfect place to learn russian if you plan to study it inside EU

[@loretta5054]

Maybe.... Some Latvians despise Russians though 😬

[@javiermarcialcespedesberne8575]

Hola, que tal?, como van?, Los mejores y más cordiales Saludos desde puente piedra, lima, Perú, ojalá que puedas venir en algún momento a mi país y que disfrutes mucho de todo por aquí, con la familia y los amigos, felicidades por tus vídeos.

[@tomaac]

"Where are all the people?" "Went to UK" :D

[@Auresaus]

labs video

[@lasmventura]

Good content. Try a video outdoor. Keep going

[@thatssopeek]

Thank you - definitely will do!

[@kamalraj7789]

hi mam . hope you are doing well😇. mam can you help me with some information about the unversities in latvia . and is there any new procedures came up because of covid . thank you . #by subscriber✌️

[@tiptop3922]

1) for Latvians it's not cheap; 2) Latvia is not in East-Europe. Latvia is in North-Europe' 3) Yandex is Russian company, not European; 4) "Rimi' is not cheapest food market in Latvia (all three Baltic states). It's quote expensive. Cheaper are "Maxima", "Top!", "Beta", sometimes "Mego", "Iki"; 5) transport in Riga is expensive; 6) Riga is really expensive city and Riga is not the whole Latvia

[@dreamthedream8929]

Lot of latvian drive around in very expensive cars, very obvious there. And it is not just in north but north east just like Greece is in south east

[@tareqmuthana3072]

I hope that every latvian support( The Lady of Heaven) to be relased in many countries

[@salimkhatri7377]

How to get trp

[@semamirzezade2142]

Are universities providing distant or face to face lessons right now? Especially the University of Latvia. Please if anyone knows inform me asap it’s very urgent. Thanks in advance!

[@gurpreetsingh-zg3km]

?

[@MrANNA112]

It depends, what are you going to study

[@gurpreetsingh-zg3km]

@@MrANNA112 where are you from ?

[@MrANNA112]

@@gurpreetsingh-zg3km Riga, Latvia

[@gurpreetsingh-zg3km]

Anna how old are you?

[@diha2271]

It might sound mean and terrible but I'm kind of pleased that it didn't go too well for you with learning Russian. My country already has problem with Russians who are living there and refuses to learn Latvian. And now we also getting westerners who are trying to impose Russian upon us... Coming to Latvia to learn Russian is like coming to Sweden to learn English :/

[@thatssopeek]

Totally understand where you're coming from!! Next time I travel to Latvia it will definitely just be to enjoy the country and learn some Latvian 🌞

[@diha2271]

@@thatssopeek thank you 😌

[@gstra9577]

@@icanning1700 please Google the meaning of term racist.

[@dreamthedream8929]

It's not the same with Sweden. You come to study the language to the places where it's widely used meaning more meetings and interactions in that language. In this case Russian and latvia is a good place for that. Just like it would be if you would want to practice some italian you could go to Albania , I did it there. I'm Latvian and use the opportunity to practice Russian if I do encounter a Russian speaker somewhere in riga or elsewhere in the baltics

[@matildawolfram4687]

Good video! Thanks to the author of the channel for this fascinating video! It is interesting to see how people live in other countries! It is very important to know foreign languages on such trips. I would like to recommend to all travelers a practical guide to learning foreign languages by Yuriy Ivantsiv "Polyglot Notes. Practical tips for learning foreign languages". This book contains a lot of useful tips on how to learn a foreign language for tourists, students, entrepreneurs and anyone who needs a foreign language in life. There are a lot of good tips on how to solve problems with the language from beginner to advanced level of language learning. It turns out that the traveler only needs to know a few dialogues and you can easily travel around the world! You don't have to spend a lot of time to fully learn a foreign language, you just need to learn what you can use when you travel. I wish everyone exciting travels!

[@TotalRookie_LV]

At first I mistook you for a Latvian girl, look up Viktorija Gubareviča here on KZbin, you could be sisters. XD She no longer makes videos (lost interest and recently got married), but she got some interesting opinions, unfortunately, most of her videos are in Russian, not sure if there are English subtitles.

[@thatssopeek]

no way! I'll have to watch her old videos, might help me w my Russian 👼

[@yournxt_trip7]

Hi I am from Australian and I want to ask is there any different types of nurses study of it has.could you pls get me information requirements of enroll nurse process and details ?

[@bye8092]

It depends do you think about high school/middle school or university?

[@arisplugis5197]

did you had a sauna in Latvija?

[@johndewey6358]

Not sure how I landed on your video, but must say I found it entertaining and educational. Do you have any videos clarifying the relationship between rings worn by young ladies these days vs their availability for genuine courtship by a well mannered and age-appropriate member of the opposite gender?.,,, Fair warning, you are too young for me but probably your mom is not! so, I am simply seeking advice from people in the know, judging by the number of your visible rings, you appear to be a possible authority on the topic. I think in the last 20-30 years a ring conspiracy has taken root in Europe and Americas, where a lot of people wear different kinds of rings on seemingly random fingers without due care to the social havoc and unintended consequences. PS. I intend to go to Latvia and check out their architecture.

[@mizimashi_art]

To us latvians most of the things are expensive😒

[@GreatCityAttractions]

It does seem an expensive place to visit.

[@dreamthedream8929]

Still somehow many latvian residents can afford those very expensive cars with which streets are full in latvia

[@mizimashi_art]

Doesn't matter that we can speak in english too you should try speak in latvian also a bit. Sometimes when i hear russians all the time to me it seems like its not latvia anymore😒

[@sahithyasahithya8023]

Lativa is developed country or developing country

[@TheM0nsterX]

3,40 eu for transport? You getting scammed lmao, its wayy cheaper than that

[@mikuskokenbergs8853]

Nice. :) If you're tourist, surely it is OK you don't speak any Latvian. But if You're to stay obviously You should learn Latvian language. Many Latvians may be quite hostile if you disrespect their national identity. That's especially concerning Russian speaking people, cause they might be taken cocky and disrespectful as they usually are.

[@gurpreetsingh-zg3km]

I like Latvian girls, from punjab 😍

[@dzintrarowe4272]

The people left when they got freedom from USSR and after joined EU.

[@bluedolphin4574]

Hot chick

[@princelostinlove]

I'm from Britain and I gotta say that Riga ostensibly looks like a very primitive village of England from the 19th century! How come you guys live in such a place? Roads and infrastructure is so horrible which needs to be taken care of. Latvia is the most backward country I've visited in Europe. Its other Baltic counterparts like Lithuania and Estonia look much better. What's wrong with Latvia?

[@seiwarriors]

Lithuania isn't as good as Latvia either but Estonia certainly is better than Latvia and this is coming from a Latvian. Yes, roads and infrastructure are bad and is still stuck from the USSR since most the Latvian houses are all made from wood. Although it is improving since there are many apartment blocks being built and houses too so at least something is being done here.

[@Eva-mv8ey]

There's not a single village in England that looks anything like Riga.

[@Sofi00]

England has slums that look equal or sometimes even worse to the soviet apartment blocks in Latvia, please humble yourself.

[@matrixberzins465]

And that saying person from Britain? :D I was in UK 2015 for one month about - I think it was august. My impressions? your red color two floor houses with backyard who is smaller then my room in flat looks terrible - older then in 19 century :D I first time in my life whiteness with own eyes that rats running on streets almost size in cat. Garbage and dirt on streets was horrible - nature also was full with garbage - made me feel that none care about land, water or city. And by the way - our worst road or street quality is in Rīga - rest of Latvia roads is in good condition - I live in Ventspils and roads in our town is just perfect! And last thing - UK weather is something ''amazing'' I think that 2015 was summer in my hole life what I will remember - I think there was rain a bit every day + not warm but how I understand that summer in UK is such that every year!

[@kalimistakidou9103]

I’m guessing you’ve never seen or been to Slough 🤣🤣🤣