As I am now living in Kaluga, thought I would drop a mini datasheet, apologies I not as all encompassing as some of the other high quality datasheets posted.
I will try my best for a 1st attempt :-
KALUGA LOCATION
Kaluga is located in Kaluga Oblast, with Kaluga itself being approximately 200 kilometres South West of Moscow. Kaluga has a population of approximately 350k to 400k people, with the whole oblast having a population of around 1M people. Obninsk being the other major city in the oblast.
KALUGA - HOW TO GET THERE
Kaluga is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours by train or car (although traffic in and around Moscow can significantly clock time onto this journey by car) from Moscow.
Trains usually depart Moscow from Kievskiy and go to both Kaluga "1" and "2" railway stations.
I understand that an airport in Kaluga (Grabtsevo...named after the industrial estate it is close to)....will be built end of this year, early next year. However, it will be small and destinations are unknown to me at this time.
KALUGA - INDUSTRY
Kaluga in the last 5 to 10 years has seen a major influx of foreign companies investing in the region. The main industry is the Automotive industry (which is why I am here!). VW has built a huge plant employing 6,000 people, and many Western suppliers have also located factories here to support the VW production. The VW plant is located in the Grabtsevo industrial zone, approximately 30 minutes drive from Kaluga centre.
PCMA (Peugeot, Citreon, Mitsubishi) have a joint alliance factory in the Rosva region, again approximately 30 minutes drive from Kaluga Centre.
This influx has also seen an influx of foreigners......Kaluga has a lot of Germans and French, mainly supporting the two facilities above.
KALUGA - CLIMATE
Currently in May a very pleasant 15'c to 25'c, however, the weather has been very changeable in the last weeks.
As with any inland continental climate.....Summers should be long and fairly warm, without experiencing too many days of extreme heat...think lots of short skirts and skimpy tops though!
Winter, as always in most of Russia, will be long and quite harsh, however, only for 3/4 weeks a year will temperatures usually get down to the -20'c - 25'c.......but it will be cold, of that there is no doubt.
KALUGA - GIRLS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I have to admit, having been here 4/5 weeks, that the girls have in the main been a little disappointing. Of course, let me be clear, I was living in the UK before...so the quality here is way higher, and plenty of hot ladies, however, if I compare Kaluga to some of the other FSU places I have been (Moscow, Odessa, Kiev, Yalta, Simferopol, Riga, Vilnius), then both the quantity and quality of girls is a little disappointing, however, I suppose you cannot compare a city of 400k people with much larger cities and expect the same quantity / quality.
Also, sorry to say it guys, but English is rarely spoken here. I have found a few girls (mainly English language students!) who have spoken nearly perfect English, but they are the minority......if you plan to approach only in English, plan to fail.
KALUGA - WHERE TO EAT
I have not eaten out so much so far, however, I will list the places I have been first, with comments :-
BLACK BULL - Suvorova Street
Absolutely fantastic steaks here, really as good as any I have eaten anywhere, however, prices are in line with Western Europe, so do not expect a bargain. But great for meat lovers. Expect to pay €40+ per head.
OVERTIME BAR - Glagoleva 3
Located inside the Moskovsky Shopping Mall, European style pub cuisine, nothing fancy, however, prices reflecting that. Nothing special, however, nothing too bad either.
PUB 102 - Suvorova Street (again)
Very popular place with the ex-pats (lots of Germans in here always), and locals, and seen as the "trendy" spot to eat / drink, European food & sushi. Food is ok, I did not like the Ex-pat vibe myself.
SUSHI TIME - Kirova Street
I took a date here, seems like everywhere else in the FSU, young girls love Sushi! The Sushi here was excellent, however, I do wonder where all the fish comes as you are miles from real water here! 5000 roubles for 2 people (about €100), with not much in the way of drinks, it is not cheap here, but excellent sushi I must say.
The Ambassador hotel (located way out of the centre, for the automotive workers)...has a nice restaurant too, but as you would expect pricey......and the Time Out Bar located next door has really good value, large portion meals, however, again full of German VW staff.
Places I have not been, but I am told are good are :-
Akula (which some will know means Shark in Russian) which is on Suvorova street and does Shark meat dishes. Bonbon on Mira Square doing European + rolls. Also, as any city it has lots of different coffee shops you can hang about it...Travellers Coffee on Gagarin Street is nice, and my haunt as near to my apartment.
KALUGA NIGHTLIFE
Other than PUB102, I have not been to the nightclubs (Pub102 is a pub of course), as not my scene, however, will report on what I know from being in the city.
PUB 102 has been mentioned above, full of expats and not really my idea of fun, but as I say very popular.
SINATRA is located on Lenin Street and is THE expat haunt of all the nightclubs, heard very mixed views from locals and expats, suppose will have to try it myself....but am told this is the best place to go.....note most people go to Moscow for the real nightlife......
GALAKTIKA, SABOTAGE & MOLODOZHNY are the other notable mentions, however, cannot comment much as have not been and not heard much positive or negative, but sure at some point may be worth exploring for the "nightlife lovers"
KALUGA - DAYGAME SPOTS
Kaluga has one main street (Kirova Street) which is one long street full of shops, cafe's, restaurants, shopping malls (disclaimer - very small and not like the big malls we have in the UK), the main theatre is off this street etc.
Main daygame spots I would highlight are :-
"21" Mall - The newest and best mall in Kaluga (do not compare with the West, as its small and not like anything we have).....on Kirova Street near the Gagarin St circle......lots of talent can be seen in and around the mall, of course especially at the weekend.
"Rio" Mall - Approx 1km further up Kirova Street, another "newish" mall, again as above, gaming opportunities with customers and shop workers.
Gagarin St Bus Station - More of a collection of stops than a station, however, surprising how many girls are hanging around (any time of day, any day of the week) alone, waiting for buses....need confidence to approach, as usually other people about, but an opportunity for the confident cats.
Kirova Street (Near Theatre) - Small park/fountain area...lots of places to hang around, also get a good view of the street and can wait until a hot girl passes and then plan a "walking past" approach.
Parks I have not as yet explored, but will try this avenue in Summer when the mercury rises. Also, a number of educational establishments dotted around, again untried mainly due to time.
Gyms. I frequent a gym (Sportland) and girls seem more open to be approached in the gym here than in the UK certainly. Of course plenty of Russian meatheads not happy if you approach, however, plenty of quality young ladies to go at.
Any of the numerous coffee shops dotted around.
Supermarkets. I go in almost everyday either ZVEZDNI (Starry) or ATAK on Gagarin Street....and almost without fail can find some hot skirt in there.......
KALUGA - CLOSING COMMENTS / SUMMARY
* Do not expect to get far without Russian language
* Girls are hot V UK but do not get your hopes too high
* The cost of living is not cheap. fuel is 1/3 the cost of UK and alcohol and cigarettes are very cheap, however, good quality produce, restaurant meals, accommodation etc is pretty much on a par with the UK price wise.
* The city centre is compact...everything is within reasonable walking distance, base in the centre is the obvious statement.
* If you come, buy the local "KALUGA DISCOVERY" magazine. Most is in Russian, however, a good portion at the back is dedicated to restaurants, bars, nightclubs (cost / food type / opening times etc) and is a helpful and handy guide.
* I cannot be certain but am sure other "Provincial" cities would be a better hunting ground for girls, a hunch, but I am sure this to be the case.
Finally have not put my success or failure down, as this post is about Kaluga. Success or failure here is down to the individual and their game (plus looks, age, status etc)....not the location IMO.
Apologies if this is not as detailed as some posts, and thin in the "nightlife" section, however, will try to update in time and happy to try to answer any questions or things I have missed.
I will try my best for a 1st attempt :-
KALUGA LOCATION
Kaluga is located in Kaluga Oblast, with Kaluga itself being approximately 200 kilometres South West of Moscow. Kaluga has a population of approximately 350k to 400k people, with the whole oblast having a population of around 1M people. Obninsk being the other major city in the oblast.
KALUGA - HOW TO GET THERE
Kaluga is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours by train or car (although traffic in and around Moscow can significantly clock time onto this journey by car) from Moscow.
Trains usually depart Moscow from Kievskiy and go to both Kaluga "1" and "2" railway stations.
I understand that an airport in Kaluga (Grabtsevo...named after the industrial estate it is close to)....will be built end of this year, early next year. However, it will be small and destinations are unknown to me at this time.
KALUGA - INDUSTRY
Kaluga in the last 5 to 10 years has seen a major influx of foreign companies investing in the region. The main industry is the Automotive industry (which is why I am here!). VW has built a huge plant employing 6,000 people, and many Western suppliers have also located factories here to support the VW production. The VW plant is located in the Grabtsevo industrial zone, approximately 30 minutes drive from Kaluga centre.
PCMA (Peugeot, Citreon, Mitsubishi) have a joint alliance factory in the Rosva region, again approximately 30 minutes drive from Kaluga Centre.
This influx has also seen an influx of foreigners......Kaluga has a lot of Germans and French, mainly supporting the two facilities above.
KALUGA - CLIMATE
Currently in May a very pleasant 15'c to 25'c, however, the weather has been very changeable in the last weeks.
As with any inland continental climate.....Summers should be long and fairly warm, without experiencing too many days of extreme heat...think lots of short skirts and skimpy tops though!
Winter, as always in most of Russia, will be long and quite harsh, however, only for 3/4 weeks a year will temperatures usually get down to the -20'c - 25'c.......but it will be cold, of that there is no doubt.
KALUGA - GIRLS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I have to admit, having been here 4/5 weeks, that the girls have in the main been a little disappointing. Of course, let me be clear, I was living in the UK before...so the quality here is way higher, and plenty of hot ladies, however, if I compare Kaluga to some of the other FSU places I have been (Moscow, Odessa, Kiev, Yalta, Simferopol, Riga, Vilnius), then both the quantity and quality of girls is a little disappointing, however, I suppose you cannot compare a city of 400k people with much larger cities and expect the same quantity / quality.
Also, sorry to say it guys, but English is rarely spoken here. I have found a few girls (mainly English language students!) who have spoken nearly perfect English, but they are the minority......if you plan to approach only in English, plan to fail.
KALUGA - WHERE TO EAT
I have not eaten out so much so far, however, I will list the places I have been first, with comments :-
BLACK BULL - Suvorova Street
Absolutely fantastic steaks here, really as good as any I have eaten anywhere, however, prices are in line with Western Europe, so do not expect a bargain. But great for meat lovers. Expect to pay €40+ per head.
OVERTIME BAR - Glagoleva 3
Located inside the Moskovsky Shopping Mall, European style pub cuisine, nothing fancy, however, prices reflecting that. Nothing special, however, nothing too bad either.
PUB 102 - Suvorova Street (again)
Very popular place with the ex-pats (lots of Germans in here always), and locals, and seen as the "trendy" spot to eat / drink, European food & sushi. Food is ok, I did not like the Ex-pat vibe myself.
SUSHI TIME - Kirova Street
I took a date here, seems like everywhere else in the FSU, young girls love Sushi! The Sushi here was excellent, however, I do wonder where all the fish comes as you are miles from real water here! 5000 roubles for 2 people (about €100), with not much in the way of drinks, it is not cheap here, but excellent sushi I must say.
The Ambassador hotel (located way out of the centre, for the automotive workers)...has a nice restaurant too, but as you would expect pricey......and the Time Out Bar located next door has really good value, large portion meals, however, again full of German VW staff.
Places I have not been, but I am told are good are :-
Akula (which some will know means Shark in Russian) which is on Suvorova street and does Shark meat dishes. Bonbon on Mira Square doing European + rolls. Also, as any city it has lots of different coffee shops you can hang about it...Travellers Coffee on Gagarin Street is nice, and my haunt as near to my apartment.
KALUGA NIGHTLIFE
Other than PUB102, I have not been to the nightclubs (Pub102 is a pub of course), as not my scene, however, will report on what I know from being in the city.
PUB 102 has been mentioned above, full of expats and not really my idea of fun, but as I say very popular.
SINATRA is located on Lenin Street and is THE expat haunt of all the nightclubs, heard very mixed views from locals and expats, suppose will have to try it myself....but am told this is the best place to go.....note most people go to Moscow for the real nightlife......
GALAKTIKA, SABOTAGE & MOLODOZHNY are the other notable mentions, however, cannot comment much as have not been and not heard much positive or negative, but sure at some point may be worth exploring for the "nightlife lovers"
KALUGA - DAYGAME SPOTS
Kaluga has one main street (Kirova Street) which is one long street full of shops, cafe's, restaurants, shopping malls (disclaimer - very small and not like the big malls we have in the UK), the main theatre is off this street etc.
Main daygame spots I would highlight are :-
"21" Mall - The newest and best mall in Kaluga (do not compare with the West, as its small and not like anything we have).....on Kirova Street near the Gagarin St circle......lots of talent can be seen in and around the mall, of course especially at the weekend.
"Rio" Mall - Approx 1km further up Kirova Street, another "newish" mall, again as above, gaming opportunities with customers and shop workers.
Gagarin St Bus Station - More of a collection of stops than a station, however, surprising how many girls are hanging around (any time of day, any day of the week) alone, waiting for buses....need confidence to approach, as usually other people about, but an opportunity for the confident cats.
Kirova Street (Near Theatre) - Small park/fountain area...lots of places to hang around, also get a good view of the street and can wait until a hot girl passes and then plan a "walking past" approach.
Parks I have not as yet explored, but will try this avenue in Summer when the mercury rises. Also, a number of educational establishments dotted around, again untried mainly due to time.
Gyms. I frequent a gym (Sportland) and girls seem more open to be approached in the gym here than in the UK certainly. Of course plenty of Russian meatheads not happy if you approach, however, plenty of quality young ladies to go at.
Any of the numerous coffee shops dotted around.
Supermarkets. I go in almost everyday either ZVEZDNI (Starry) or ATAK on Gagarin Street....and almost without fail can find some hot skirt in there.......
KALUGA - CLOSING COMMENTS / SUMMARY
* Do not expect to get far without Russian language
* Girls are hot V UK but do not get your hopes too high
* The cost of living is not cheap. fuel is 1/3 the cost of UK and alcohol and cigarettes are very cheap, however, good quality produce, restaurant meals, accommodation etc is pretty much on a par with the UK price wise.
* The city centre is compact...everything is within reasonable walking distance, base in the centre is the obvious statement.
* If you come, buy the local "KALUGA DISCOVERY" magazine. Most is in Russian, however, a good portion at the back is dedicated to restaurants, bars, nightclubs (cost / food type / opening times etc) and is a helpful and handy guide.
* I cannot be certain but am sure other "Provincial" cities would be a better hunting ground for girls, a hunch, but I am sure this to be the case.
Finally have not put my success or failure down, as this post is about Kaluga. Success or failure here is down to the individual and their game (plus looks, age, status etc)....not the location IMO.
Apologies if this is not as detailed as some posts, and thin in the "nightlife" section, however, will try to update in time and happy to try to answer any questions or things I have missed.
