Have I missed something? Has the cost of living in tier 1 cities in Russia suddenly plummeted (at least based on the USD and the Euro)? According to The Economist's "Worldwide Cost of Living Survey," Moscow and St. Petersburg now rank 102 and 112 out of 133 countries. Both cities are now listed as comparable to Kiev.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail...ive-cities

I am skeptical of these claims, especially as Panama City is listed as number 108 -- and I know from personal experience that Panama City is not exactly cheap. Then again, Panama City uses the USD as its currency. Perhaps Moscow and St. Petersburg are cheap if you are converting USD.

I guess it is true. I recently stayed in Panama City on business. I just priced AirBNB apartments in the center of Moscow. They are generally cheaper than Panama City. When did this happen?

If you look at Russia GDP in USD then it looks like it's taken a 40% hit.



Look at it in rubels and you can't see much.



This is what I think would happen in a smart, managed hard Brexit also. GBP would tank to parity with the USD. Exports would soar and imports of tat and things from the EU would dry up. Only issue is they don't really want to do that and no one in politics knows what they are doing.

Life in Russia has carried on much the same, it's just their Western imports that have become much more expensive for them.

Same with many other places in the area. Kazakh Tengi has fell 50% in the same period.

Now Turkey.

Then the EU.

1 Euro = 73.61 Russian Rubles as of right this moment.
in September 2013 it was something like 1 Euro = 42 Rubles.

Considering how low salaries are in Russia for most people, and if you wanna buy decent clothes, a car, a phone, pretty much anything but potatoes, vodka, smokes and pork everything else is imported, it shows how fucked people are there. Everything is pretty much double the price compared to a few years ago. I seriously doubt salaries have gone up significantly. Obviously the super rich aren't affected by this, but again, that's what, 5% of the population?

Quote: (03-31-2019 11:12 AM)Tail Gunner Wrote:  

Have I missed something? Has the cost of living in tier 1 cities in Russia suddenly plummeted (at least based on the USD and the Euro)? According to The Economist's "Worldwide Cost of Living Survey," Moscow and St. Petersburg now rank 102 and 112 out of 133 countries. Both cities are now listed as comparable to Kiev.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail...ive-cities

I am skeptical of these claims, especially as Panama City is listed as number 108 -- and I know from personal experience that Panama City is not exactly cheap. Then again, Panama City uses the USD as its currency. Perhaps Moscow and St. Petersburg are cheap if you are converting USD.

I guess it is true. I recently stayed in Panama City on business. I just priced AirBNB apartments in the center of Moscow. They are generally cheaper than Panama City. When did this happen?

This Is absolute bullshit Moscow Is much more expensive than Kiev I would spend minimum €75 on a night out in Moscow. Rent Is much more expensive aswell. But you can live in Moscow living in Your Own flat not too far from the center going out regularly for €2000 a month if you watch your spending wich Is not that expensive considering what that city has to offer imo.

Quote: (03-31-2019 10:44 PM)LeBaron Wrote:  

This Is absolute bullshit

Not so much.

A cocktail at the Four Seasons bar (Moskovsky Bar -- very posh as you might expect), i.e supposedly one of the costliest drinking venue in town, costs some 850 rubles, so ≈ 12 €. Now compare that to other 5 stars hotel bars around the world (some 30 € in London or Paris).

Quote: (03-27-2019 12:00 AM)OM88 Wrote:  

Uber/ Yandex/ Gett:
Can I use my international Uber app (downloaded in Asia) in Moscow and Piter? I know Uber merged with Yandex but I couldn't find this info anywhere.
Also, if my hotel is somewhat central, how much is the average fare just for getting around the main areas/ tourist sites? E.g. when I was in London I stayed on the southbank and usually paid around GBP 8-9 to get to most tourist sites. In Lisbon it was around EUR 4-6.

Is there a lot of surge pricing and traffic jams? Just trying to gauge how central my accommodation needs to be. I'm mostly looking at being a tourist (gaming only if free time/ will play with Tinder but won't choose hotel based on logistics only).

Bump. Can anyone help on this? Tried googling but just found no concrete answers to this ;(

Quote: (03-31-2019 09:16 PM)Polero Wrote:  

1 Euro = 73.61 Russian Rubles as of right this moment.
in September 2013 it was something like 1 Euro = 42 Rubles.

Considering how low salaries are in Russia for most people, and if you wanna buy decent clothes, a car, a phone, pretty much anything but potatoes, vodka, smokes and pork everything else is imported, it shows how fucked people are there. Everything is pretty much double the price compared to a few years ago. I seriously doubt salaries have gone up significantly. Obviously the super rich aren't affected by this, but again, that's what, 5% of the population?

I'd imagine that official income averages are way off, given the huge grey/black market economy there. Loads of Russians in Nam throwing money around, and they're the working class types usually.

If they go on holidays somewhere abroad, that means that they have either been saving money for a long time, someone else is paying for their trip or then they're at least upper middle class by Russian standards. Yes, there's a huge black market in Russia and people do sell and buy lots there, but to do so, one needs to have something to offer, like stealing parts from a factory and then selling them. This is not something everyone can do, to do so, that guy will have to have some access and that means some sort of rank in a company or connections (usually cops make lots of money from bribes).

I keep saying this: life in Russia, outside of Moscow and Piter, for most people it's really very difficult. You're always going to have people with money in every city and town but the vast majority of the population life lives that would be considered borderline under poverty conditions in the west. This is easy to check, go to any 2nd or 3rd tier city in Russia, make friends or find a girlfriend and go to their homes. I did this many times. Man....

Quote: (03-27-2019 12:00 AM)OM88 Wrote:  

Uber/ Yandex/ Gett:
Can I use my international Uber app (downloaded in Asia) in Moscow and Piter? I know Uber merged with Yandex but I couldn't find this info anywhere.
Also, if my hotel is somewhat central, how much is the average fare just for getting around the main areas/ tourist sites? E.g. when I was in London I stayed on the southbank and usually paid around GBP 8-9 to get to most tourist sites. In Lisbon it was around EUR 4-6.

Is there a lot of surge pricing and traffic jams? Just trying to gauge how central my accommodation needs to be. I'm mostly looking at being a tourist (gaming only if free time/ will play with Tinder but won't choose hotel based on logistics only).

No, as soon as you open Uber in Russia it tells you the app is out of date and redirects you to your respective app store to install YandexTaxi.

Be prepared to carry cash as most foreigners' cards either get blocked after a few rides or worse, get blocked in the middle of the first ride (!!!) - so if you have no cash handy you have to make the driver go to an ATM, bit of a challenge if your Russian is not flash.

Taxi fares are cheap, usually between 5-10 USD depending on distance as it is a giant city after all. Cheap enough though that if it did surge I didn't notice.

Finally traffic is terrible in Moscow, so often the metro is faster during peak hours.

Uber works just as regular Uber. Last time I went was in Dec 2018 and had no issues there coming straight from Bangkok with my Uber app. Yes it is owned by Yandex now but they keep it as a separate app and price it lower than Yandex.taxi actually. If something changed you should download Gett (higher priced) or Yandex.taxi (mid range).

Re cost of living pretty much everything doubled in the price other than long term real estate, medical services and to some degree taxies. Cocktails in good places in Moscow are easily 20 US and up right now and I don’t think it’s cheap comparing to anywhere, even NY. A cab to and from an airport is under 20 US with some online apps which is dirt cheap compared to 60 US in big American cities. Hell, it costs 25 US in Medellin for the same travel time.

Salaries haven’t doubled to reflect the new USD rate. The grey salaries are huge but they were there long before the ruble plummeted, it’s not like they appeared after. And no company is going to give you a raise just because the ruble fell if you make sales inside Russia.

I went in 2016 for the summer and got a long term rate for a central apartment for 1200 US which was 2500 US just two years before thanks to the country’s reliance on oil.

To anyone thinking of the best area to stay I highly recommended the area around 1-ya Tverskaya Yanskaya for having a good value, good logistics and a variety of establishments. It has lots of residential buildings and also lots of international hotel chains for around and under 100 usd even for five stars. If you can afford it, going down Tverskaya towards Kremlin will be much cooler, but I have no issues staying on Tverskaya-Yamskaya, using taxies and pulling chicks. It’s still the upper class and you’ll outbeat any regular guy by having that location. Also note that it is within the metro circle line which is a huge deal. You will make it very convenient to a girl to come to a first date.

I’m looking forward to spending the summer 2019 in this city, if everything works out.

Quote: (04-12-2019 03:50 PM)Navas Wrote:  

Uber works just as regular Uber. Last time I went was in Dec 2018 and had no issues there coming straight from Bangkok with my Uber app. Yes it is owned by Yandex now but they keep it as a separate app and price it lower than Yandex.taxi actually. If something changed you should download Gett (higher priced) or Yandex.taxi (mid range).

I'm there right now. Uber doesn't work any longer.

Quote: (04-01-2019 08:40 AM)Count Pyotr Wrote:  

Quote: (03-31-2019 10:44 PM)LeBaron Wrote:  

This Is absolute bullshit

Not so much.

A cocktail at the Four Seasons bar (Moskovsky Bar -- very posh as you might expect), i.e supposedly one of the costliest drinking venue in town, costs some 850 rubles, so ≈ 12 €. Now compare that to other 5 stars hotel bars around the world (some 30 € in London or Paris).

I know I was only comparing it to Kiev

Quote: (04-13-2019 06:14 AM)HustleNomad Wrote:  

Quote: (04-12-2019 03:50 PM)Navas Wrote:  

Uber works just as regular Uber. Last time I went was in Dec 2018 and had no issues there coming straight from Bangkok with my Uber app. Yes it is owned by Yandex now but they keep it as a separate app and price it lower than Yandex.taxi actually. If something changed you should download Gett (higher priced) or Yandex.taxi (mid range).

I'm there right now. Uber doesn't work any longer.

I was in Novosibirsk last month, Uber worked just fine there.

guys, thanks for all your help, I found an awesome place right on Rubinstein street in Nevsky prospekt in Saint Petersburg and will be there from May 29th for 4 months so hit me up if you plan to be there.

One other looming question for you guys : on Tinder in Saint Petersburg i've noticed i'm meeting some very hot girls, girls which are well out of my league, and these girls that hardly spend any time in Pitir, every week they are traveling to some exotic city, Bali, or Bangkok, or wherever and always posting these near-perfect photos of themselves in sunsets or on the beach on their Instagram, at times several times a day on Instagram. When you message them via whatsapp or instagram, they are barely responsive, even though they do respond.

So what is up with these girls can I ask? Are they real girls interested in meeting/dating in Pitir ? How do they get the money to travel so much? Are these girls golddiggers or sponsored by some rich Russian guy ? or maybe part-time escorts?

I've met a lot of very high class Russian girls in Los Angeles, who just travel a lot, and in fact they can be super down to earth once you meet them and start dating them...but it just seems odd how these 20 to 23 year old girls can afford to travel week in and week out and aren't studying or doing anything normal in Saint Petersburg, after all it's not summer break

and are there any other red flags I should look for with some of the online girls in Saint Petersburg Russia? Or even just things that might predicate that dating or relationships (and bangs) won't work out with the girl?

I've already noticed a few Siberian girls who will immediately ask where you are, and let's go drink/party...I'm guessing those are the types of girls who just want to use you for expensive drinks or take you to one of those scam bars like i've read about...it seems like there are some girls who show a genuine interest in you, and are asking you questions, but there are plenty who don't

thanks !

Quote: (04-15-2019 11:31 AM)fvitterbi Wrote:  

One other looming question for you guys : on Tinder in Saint Petersburg i've noticed i'm meeting some very hot girls, girls which are well out of my league, and these girls that hardly spend any time in Pitir, every week they are traveling to some exotic city, Bali, or Bangkok, or wherever and always posting these near-perfect photos of themselves in sunsets or on the beach on their Instagram, at times several times a day on Instagram. When you message them via whatsapp or instagram, they are barely responsive, even though they do respond.

So what is up with these girls can I ask? Are they real girls interested in meeting/dating in Pitir ? How do they get the money to travel so much? Are these girls golddiggers or sponsored by some rich Russian guy ? or maybe part-time escorts?

Most are normal girls who save up to go on vacation with friends or boyfriend/husband. Charter flights from Russia to SE Asia aren't prohibitively expensive.

Some are soft pros who will have a guy pay for the trip and then fuck him during the trip and get presents.

Some are escorts who are paid in cash.

They'll sneak into the fancy places to get impressive photos. No venue will turn away a smoking hot Russian lizard, even if she's broke. They also drip-feed photos of past trips, so they might not actually be going somewhere every weekend.

They're all real girls that are interested in meeting you (doesn't matter whether they have boyfriends/husbands or are single) if they feel they can get something from it (the kickback from the bar scam goes towards saving for their next vacation, the selfies from the date will be posted on Instagram and used to bait other guys/make current guys jealous, etc).

Edlefou knows what he's talking about. The level of cunningness and manipulation of some of the Russian girls is out of this world. Just some of them. Not worth it, in my opinion.

Ed is spot on. After all he introduced me to ladies night Chesterfields Moscow.

Are the Tatar girls as sophisticated and smooth as Russian girls, or are they different?

How much dollars would I have to save up to do Moscow for 2 weeks to a month? Russian girls are my 10s.

Has anyone had success going to meet someone from 3rd tier Russia in another country?

A girl I've been talking too for six months wants me to meet her in Georgia or Montenegro - it seems easier than me getting to where she lives in Siberia or her getting to North America. Other options were Thailand or Kazakhstan but neither are too appealing to me.

I'm 27, she's 26. Both looking for a longterm relationship but looking to have a few holidays together before we try something crazy or meet each others families.

TLDR; What are some visa free (or low effort) places both Russians and North Americans can visit affordably that are pleasant to see.

dildor you never met her before?

Quote: (04-16-2019 03:16 PM)Beirut Wrote:  

dildor you never met her before?

Never met her before. Am I getting scammed? We've talked over video for six months

Scammed? not really unless shes asking for money to renew her passport or some bullshit like that.

Sometimes guys get nasty surprises doing this (as in bad attitude by the girl when you meet) but they usually just invite a girl right away or they meet them from gold diggerish websites.

Youve been talking to this chick for a while though so should be fine.

Both Montenegro and Georgia are good choices. Been to both so if u have questions about either ask away.

Quote: (04-16-2019 03:51 PM)Beirut Wrote:  

Scammed? not really unless shes asking for money to renew her passport or some bullshit like that.

Sometimes guys get nasty surprises doing this (as in bad attitude by the girl when you meet) but they usually just invite a girl right away or they meet them from gold diggerish websites.

Youve been talking to this chick for a while though so should be fine.

Both Montenegro and Georgia are good choices. Been to both so if u have questions about either ask away.

Any other places you'd recommend? Just looking for ease of travel for both of us. I'm assuming any former soviet republic is easy for Russians to visit.

Quote: (04-16-2019 03:12 PM)dildor Wrote:  

Has anyone had success going to meet someone from 3rd tier Russia in another country?

A girl I've been talking too for six months wants me to meet her in Georgia or Montenegro - it seems easier than me getting to where she lives in Siberia or her getting to North America. Other options were Thailand or Kazakhstan but neither are too appealing to me.

I'm 27, she's 26. Both looking for a longterm relationship but looking to have a few holidays together before we try something crazy or meet each others families.

TLDR; What are some visa free (or low effort) places both Russians and North Americans can visit affordably that are pleasant to see.

On what App or Website did you meet her?