Why Move to Russia?

[@stanspb763]

One of the most striking experiences has been comparing 1990s when about the only way to live was through crime because people were not getting paid, including the police and any sort of scam, theft of even gangland st yle murder was common. I was having lunch in a cafe in major hotel because I lived right behind it. When I finished I left and two guys came in and as I was exiting to the street people started running out. A gun battle erupted as two hitmen entered, the ones I passed, who were targeting some guy who dived under a table and fired by hitting one of the gun but the Scottish man who was sitting at the table next to mine was hit in the head with a stray bullet and was killed. I had chatted with him just 10 minutes before. I am sure the violence and crime would have been far worse in if the people were desperate in the US because so many more guns and division but that was Russia 1990s. I kept a $5 bill in my passport when walking through parks became police would always stop me to check for drugs(to see if I had cash) and they never asked for more, just took the $5 bill and went their way. Everything changed almost overnight after Putin became president first as interim president and then winning election a year later. He had a show down with the oligarchs reformed everything but the mood changed very rapidly and the country started to work in the western parts but the distant regions were like little isolated kingdoms with every governor being head of a crime family. Putin fired them all and took Federal control with a promise that after cleaning up the corruption local elections would return. They were cleaned up and elections did return and now many of those regions are great places to live and raise a family. A lot of federal money was invested in infrastructure and services in the regions so a lot of business, investment, and industries have moved to them. Visiting some closer in like Kazan or Volgograd seem like very clean, well-organized capital cities and a desirable place to live. By 2004 the country was well on the way to be transformed into a very safe law-abiding society. The economy was stabilized and small business exploded in scope and depth, chains of modern grocery stores sprang up that are gigantic primarily for those who have cars while the rest of use have groceries stores on every block and specialty stores for dairy products fresh every morning from the farms or bakeries, butcher shops. By 2009 crime and quality of life was clearly superior to the US. By 2014, the Sochi Winter Olympics was a show case of the new Russia which used the games as a reason to develop the infrastructure for a future population 10 times large than it was. The very modern train station and airport built for the games but larger than needed to accommodate the growth of that region that was expected. New water and sewer systems, power roads and gas lines built for a larger population and by 2016 the population had doubled. 500 hotels were built and high tech industries, all season tourism, new university etc made it a very nice place to live with beaches on the Blacksea and just 30-40 minutes away by bus in the high mountains one could ski in the late spring on the same day. The preparations for the 2018 World Cup was extensive, with new stadiums in each of the 12 cities where games would be played in 13 stadiums. According to FIFA officials I talked with the games, the venues and people was the first time in history of the World Cup when everything went perfectly and not even a pickpocket was reported. All the fans from all over the world reported it was the best destination of any of their foreign travel. For most fans, it was a new experience, few had ever been to Russia so seeing it and the welcome compared to the news stories in the west was shocking in the contrast from the horrible claims made every night on controlled media compared to reality. The US and UK boycotted the games however and warned everyone not to go because of extreme political instability, police kidnappings and violence, but that is the same warning they have banners claiming on the US State Department Web site. The US and UK demanded, just 3 months before the games to pull them out of Russia and move the games to London. The fans and FIFA officials had the opposite opinion, all said they would return. Many thousands did return in the fall, particularly from South America, Middle East and Europe so it was the most tourists we ever say in a fall. The reality of Russia is so different than the claims by Washington and UK, My own experience is that crime has not existed. I am all over the city every day and often walk home from all night clubbing at 5am and since 2000 I have never seen a fight or even argument in a bar, club or on the street. I stopped going to dance clubs in the US long before I moved to Russia because of the violence and guns, particularly in the parking lots outside clubs. Here, the people who go to clubs are an entirely different sort of person, they are me not in the club subculture but regular young people, almost all have college degrees, most own their own home and travel internationally. It is a much friendlier crowd. One reason to move to Russia besides those mentioned in the video is access to culture. I live in the city center of St Petersburg and have no car so I use public transportation or walk, but late after midnight, I might take a taxi because they are cheaper than driving myself. Uber here is about $0.40 per mile. The cost of driving if you own a car is more than that. Within that comfortable walking distance are more drama theaters than NYC, more world-class museums than all the US combined, more ballet theaters than all the US combined, more opera and symphonic halls, more art galleries and exhibition centers than any single city in the world, more authentic city center...a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only large city so designated in the world, with more restored palaces and cathedrals, both as museums and as working churches and 13,000 restaurants with 4-5 star ratings in Trip Advisor. Students of any age or citizenship can attend world-class ballet, opera and concerts for free. All the performances are attended by people of all economic status or age, the average 10-year-old has seen and knows more about top-level plays ballets, operas and symphonies than 99.99% of the US population. They like all sorts of arts and see classical as the same as rock. Going to the theater in NYC will be $150-300 and here is it about $13. Opera at the MET is $800 for standard seats, and about $30 for better theaters, sets and performance grade. So the arts are an integral part of life in Russia, it is everywhere as part of daily life. I would say it is a better place to raise kids and especially the local public schools, they will grow up with a much broader view of the human experience than the very narrow job oriented education in the US, the subject matter for 8-year-olds here is wider than for 16-year-olds in the US. In addition to the schools, there are after-school activities centers like nowhere else in the world. For example, the Children's Creativity Center is a large restored palace compound where any child can go pursue their interests in the arts, with adult artists as mentors, and can explore anything from writing, acting (it has its own 1500seat theater), sculpture, painting, poetry, voice, music, etc. The palace and lush park-like grounds are stunning. It is free for all kids. Iit is located right in the heart of the city and easy to get to by public transportation. A mile away in a quiet residential street is a large imposing building that is for a kids up to 18 who are interested in science, engineering and had advisors to help with projects. One of the projects some kids got together to create was building transmitters and receivers to bounce UHF radio signals off the moon to reflect to another part of the earth's surface. Alot of the kids are into computer science so build computers and create a programming language. There is an extensive university-level chemistry lab, and a robotics lab, and a ham radio class to pass the radio license exams, while others are exploring the skies with its own observatory on the rook with a 36in a reflector telescope. All free, for materials and advisors, books, computers, tools, metal fabrication shop 3-D printing.

[@GrigorevDaniil]

Не жизнь, а сказка)) А вы работаете в СПб?

[@2ndYHWH]

All that writing for 10 likes 😂

[@kachala]

столько бесплатного.... там бесплатно, тут бесплатно.

[@GrigorevDaniil]

В начале видео парень слева сказал, что можно неплохо жить на 4-5 тысяч долларов в месяц в Москве. Брат, ты слишком круто берешь! Тебе достаточно максимум 3 тысячи "зеленых", чтобы жить как король в Москве 😁😁) Реально, как арабский шейх, как королева Англии, как Пэрис Хилтон в своем отеле )))

[@TheExpatEdge]

$3k в месяц в Москве действительно хорошие деньги на одного или двух человек даже. Но не забывай, что с такими же удобствами, которые в США допустим, нужно минимум $4k в месяц на семью.

[@GrigorevDaniil]

@@TheExpatEdge что за удобства, например? Чего нет в Москве, что можно получить в США?

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

@@TheExpatEdge Кстати, правда, интересно, что там насчет особых удобств (жаль, что не последовало ответа: интерес не из желания "померяться", а чисто из любопытства).

[@sgill4833]

I went to Moscow with my Russian friend in 2018 and had a blast. Retired now. Seriously considering it.

[@Febrinasvlogs]

Wow this vlog makes me even more excited to go to Russia!

[@michaelwilson2419]

I started studying Russian language about 3 months ago. It is hard. I don't think I could live in Russia at this slow rate of language learning. Discouraging.

[@TheExpatEdge]

It is hard, Michael. I've studied it since 2004 and still need refreshers from time to time. 3 months isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. We're rooting for you. Good luck!

[@igory3789]

You can learn basics without immersion into Russian life. But to achieve advanced level, you need to immerse yourself for sure.

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

Это не беда. Во-первых, есть гугл-переводчик, во-вторых, зачастую у нас всё равно Вас постараются дослушать и понять. Успехов!)

[@michaelwilson2419]

@@СергейКарташков-э9ъ Спасибо. Я изучаю русский язык 2 часа в день. Трудный.

[@nekonya7672]

@@michaelwilson2419 главное иметь большой словарный запас - русские хоть замечают ошибки в грамматиках, но никогда не упрекнут иностранца в ошибках. люди наоборот радуются, когда слышат, что иностранец изучает русский язык

[@zealousideal]

Was on my top list. But not anymore. Terrible situation there now.

[@orthodox_gentleman]

$4000-5000 is pretty high

[@leroybonds]

I'm leaning about everything about Russia and I'm ready good friends friendship with this Russian girl I meet off this International app in due time relationship gose to marriage if everything goes to plan I would like to live work having long term marriage with her and I want to keep her in her home county and never ever being her back to the United States with me because I'm so scared terrified as hell the way America is right now and the women in America and it will destroy her ruin her and I refuse to let that happen

[@csk4j]

this is a very interesting video as I have just been so disappointed at what has happened to America and wondering what it would be like to live around other people that still believe there is a difference between a man and a woman and other simple things like that

[@divinamb.790]

Do feature their healthcare system comparing it to the USA. Please, thank you!!

[@TheExpatEdge]

Thanks for the suggestion! We have been thinking about this topic, and we plan to do a video on it soon! Are there certain aspects that are more interesting to you than others? Quality and price are usually the two most discussed aspects.

[@nataliak2693]

You get your insurance in two ways in Russia - through employer if you are employed, or from government if you are unemployed, retired, self-employed or disabled. In all cases med insurance is FREE. Then with your insurance card go to any doctor of your choice. But be prepared to wait in line sometimes. If you want to avoid waiting and better service you can pay out of pocket by choosing paid clinics. Many choices of those in Russia nowadays. I got MRI of all three sections of my spine for $75. I called one day, set appointment for another day and did all procedure in about 1hr. Ambulance is free for everyone in Russia. Also you can call a physician to your home. Example you catch a cold and have fever of 100, then you do not need to go to a clinic. Just call your neighborhood doctor and they will visit you in your home for free. You have to pay for prescription but some groups of population like retirees or disabled have good discounts. My relative was diagnosed with diabetes type 1. So insulin was free for her.

[@yb8080]

@@nataliak2693 ........Much better than current system in US, if you are very wealthy in US you can get good medical care but for most people it is not very good. Insurance is VERY expensive and you still have to pay some of it. it takes weeks to get an appointment with your doctor....Medical care in US is NOT what it used to be!

[@GrigorevDaniil]

@@nataliak2693 ха-ха, меня насмешила ваша фраза о том что "Example you catch a cold and have fever of 100", в России для человека 40-42 градуса температуры тела это уже смертельно, а вы говорите 100😂. Я понимаю, что речь идёт о разнице Фаренгейта и Цельсия, но всё-равно очень забавно, извините)

[@jacobbordenkircherr.s.b.ia5679]

Healthcare systems in Western European countries are also not that good because they are too expensive.

[@alfredg4044]

Any thought about entertainment opportunities, including spectator sports?

[@nataliak2693]

They are endless. Better than in USA in my opinion. Especially if you live in a big city like Moscow or St Petersburg. Museums, exhibitions, theatres, circuses, concert halls, festivals, parks, night clubs. There will be not enough time to visit all of those. Sports are also popular but mostly hockey, European football. One can find all kind of entertainment in accordance with their own taste.

[@RiosTikvic]

we are from Canada and are planning to retire in Russia, is that possible?

[@TheExpatEdge]

Yes, it's certainly possible, but there are different ways to go about it based on your situation. We always highly recommend you visit Russia first to understand whether it's a good fit. When you're sure of that, start looking into the grounds on which you can stay long-term in Russia. Canadian passport holders can get a business visa for up to 90 days. I recommend the 90-day visa because business visas for 1, 2 or 3 years are subject to limits of 90-day stays out of 180 day period. So the best option is usually to enter Russia on a business visa with the intent to find work and get a work visa (ideally you start a small business) and then work on getting residency. There's more to it than that, but that's it in a nutshell and not considering your individual situation. Reach out to us at [e-mail] if you'd like an in-depth strategy session (paid) to understand all the options and avoid delays or mistakes.

[@хуизхуиз]

no don't do that please

[@МихаилГробовой-ш3з]

I'm glad to listing this two american guys.

[@homebrew76]

this did not age well

[@teru797]

Hey how is it now? Can you get by in Russia knowing very little Russian? Like basic hi, thank you bye food water where left right up down help yes no etc?

[@melenestavro]

no. it will be impossible in most cases to survive without knowing russian.

[@ДанилПрозоров-г4х]

Well, if you have enough money for live in Big city, you'll be have no problem with it. But learn language you should anyway, because it will be much more easy. But i think it's obvious

[@dcdtrgfdgg4707]

It's okay to live in Moscow with very basic Russian, especially in the center of the city. You can easily visit museums, walk around city, use public transport, etc. If you have to do some bureaucracy, hire translator is not a big deal over here. However If you're into dating, active social life, having local friends is gonna be hard without the basic level of Russian language. Good side of that, you can be in high demand among Russians who are looking for an English speaker person to practice their English.

[@yb8080]

All you said is true about Russia....however, the fact is that one cannot just MOVE to Russia. It is a complicated process. I am of Russia parents (all of them born in Russia) I speak it fluently, have been to Russia several times, I live in the US but I am a French citizen......and I cannot just "move" to Russia but I would in a second. Any suggestions are welcome!

[@TheExpatEdge]

If both of your parents were born in the Soviet Union and you have documentation to prove it, yes, you can move there and apply for citizenship immediately.

[@GrigorevDaniil]

Если ваши родители из России и вы хорошо знаете язык, то вероятно, вы лукавите, что есть какие-то серьезные трудности с переездом в Россию, кроме вашего желания ))

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

@@GrigorevDaniil Не лукавит: миграционное законодательство в России очень паршивое. Хорошо хоть, сделали послабления для Русских - граждан СНГ и для беженцев из Украины.

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

@@TheExpatEdge Но не факт, что получит. Хоть это и непонятно почему (эй, Путин, почему?!)

[@zealousideal]

Not anymore

[@cristianinternationaltrade9227]

I was going to visit Moscow for a few months but this Ukraine war and the west blocking against to Russia, it has spoiled my project.

[@tinudahiya1]

Please make a video in health care system in russia .

[@alexl7559]

quality of free medcare very much depends on the region.

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

@@c.edgerton Но тут просят именно о видосе - мб. реально было бы неплохо: пройтись по аптекам, зайти в поликлинику, в какую-н. больницу, показать, как записываются на Госуслугах.

[@M.Matveev]

Субтитры были бы не лишними

[@TheExpatEdge]

К сожалению, это не быстро сделать субтитры. Времени нет на это. А так как не зарабатываем пока тут, не стоит платит кому-то, за это. Когда-то мы хотим субтитры.

[@M.Matveev]

@@TheExpatEdge ну понятно конечно, но так мы бы дополнили или ответили чего нить. Явно наши взгляды отличаются и угол зрения другой. Многие в состоянии спикать, но видео на все сто не понять)

[@skoppppppppka]

@@M.Matveev Это канал не для русских, так что смирись.

[@ЛюдмилаАфанасьева-ъ1к]

@@skoppppppppka Смирись? ты кто?

[@ЛюдмилаАфанасьева-ъ1к]

@@TheExpatEdge Первый раз такое слышу .

[@captainsledge7554]

The women

[@МарияИванова-ъ4б6я]

?

[@GrigorevDaniil]

Насчет доброжелательности к приезжим, вы ребята, погорячились. К вам относятся хорошо, потому что вы с запада. Неважно - французы, немцы, англичане, американцы, канадцы, также япония или корея - ко всем будет отношение ласковое и восхищённое, эти страны мы уважаем и считаем, что там "действительно цивилизация" и лучше чем в России. Но есть иностранцы совсем другого рода - узбеки, таджики, киргизы и прочие. Вот к ним отношение совсем другое - пренебрежительное, хамское, как к дешевой рабочей силе. Наверное уместно будет сравнение с положением мексиканцев в США.

[@TheExpatEdge]

Я со всем этим согласен. Мы же говорим с точки зрения экспатриантов (expats), которые в общем-то из западных стран. Вот с гастарбайтерами ситуация другая, да. Но, точно также как иностранцы с запада (экспатрианты) приезжают в другие страны на лучшую жизнь, гастарбайтеры ищут себе лучшие возможности. Интересно было бы с ними на эту тему общаться. Я встретил многих дружелюбных таких, которые радуются жизни, хотя очень очень скромно живут.

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

Да нормально относятся и к гастарбайтерам. Единственно - поскольку они нередко составляют ЭОПГ, это вызывает определенную подозрительность). Другое дело, что гастарбайтерам платят заметно меньше, ущемляют в трудовых правах, это есть. В 90-е - 00-е были всякие скинхеды и т.п. (из-за мигрантского засилья), но поскольку теперь ситуация гораздо лучше, я уже и не знаю. есть ли неофаши, или сошли на нет.

[@mayer_go]

Такое отношение, потому что, люди не как туристы приезжают, а жить, работать, но многие при этом не особо хотят внедряться в общество (не учат язык, например), естественно, отсутствуют, коммуникации с людьми окружающими, это способствует тому, что их часто обманывают. Логичный итог: растет среди этих мигрантов преступность. Приезжают обычно в очень большом колличестве, с чуждым менталитетом, это тоже проблема, возникают стычки и непонимание. С годами непонимания к ним приклеилось шаблонное неприятельское отношение. Слышу в адрес этих мигрантов претензии от соотечественников, что забирают у них рабочие места, деньги увозят из страны, но в этом вопросе я не готова их претензию полностью поддержать. Те, среди приезжих, кто, постоянно проживает и работает, при этом знает язык, не навязывает свои правила ментального характера, прекрасно себя чувствуют в России.

[@kachala]

так это ежу понятно что к западным людям другое отношение. гастеры часто светятся в криминальных сводках, конечно с ними всё иначе.

[@groot5889]

🙌

[@ЛюдмилаАфанасьева-ъ1к]

Нет субтитров👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@alexl7559]

а зачем они нужны на канале, ориентированном на иностранцев?

[@777Ruslan]

мне яндекс переводит онлайн и озвучивает , попробуй)

[@GrigorevDaniil]

субтитры есть, они могут создаваться автоматически к любому видео, возможно вы просто не включили их?

[@СергейКарташков-э9ъ]

Включите автосубтитры (справа под экраном) и перевод на русский (нажав на "шестерёнку", дальше найдете) - и всё переведётся (пусть и порой с кашей))