The Land of The Red Square, The Peter & Paul Fortress,

& The Trans-Siberian Railroad

Information on Relocating to  the Russian Federation

• The capital city of Russia is Moscow with about 12.6 million people. The political centre is also in Moscow. Russian Federation is divided into 11 time zones.

• Languages: The language spoken is Russian, although English, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people. French or German are also spoken by some people.There are five channels in Russia which are state-controlled. They also have eight large privately owned television networks plus satellite and cable television systems which provide 40 or more channels. The TV programs are only in Russian over the airways, but programming in English, French, German, Spanish, and other languages are available via satellite.

• Population: The population is about 144.6 million people - 81.5% are Russian, 3.8% Tatar, 3% Ukrainian, 1.2% Chuvash, 0.9% Bashkir, 0.8% Belarusian, 0.7% Moldavian, 8.1% other.

• Expat areas: Popular areas for the Expat community are Kutuzovsky Prospekt and Leninsky Prospekt West and South West of the Garden Ring and Tverskaya, Mayakovskaya and Arbatskaya in the heart of Moscow.

• Housing: The availability of suitable housing can be tight due to the influx of expatriates. Renovated apartments are available in varying sizes in unrenovated, semi-renovated, and new residential buildings. In Moscow, houses are limited to several exclusive townhouse complexes on the outskirts of the city.

• Cost of housing: The cost of apartments and houses varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment you'll pay anything from $ 1500 - $ 15,000 and higher. Houses are scarce in Moscow, leading to very high monthly rents. The local currency is Russian Ruble (RUR).

• Schools: Moscow has numerous international schools, including the Anglo-American School, the British International School, and German and French schools. We can tell you about waiting lists, costs, etc., about the schools.

• Transportation: Public transport in the cities is comprehensive and cheap. Many services are electric traction (metro, tramway, trolleybus). The metro in Moscow is large, fast, generally clean and efficient, although it is can be uncomfortably crowded at peak times. Taxis are also available; they can be hailed in the street, hired at a rank or booked by telephone.

• Bank: The banks are generally open Monday-Friday from 9.30 am - 5.30 pm with varying Saturday hours. They are closed on Sundays and legal holidays.  

• Shopping: Is generally done from Monday-Saturday from 9.00 am -7.00 pm. Most food shops are also open on Sunday. Department stores and supermarkets are open throughout lunchtime. Stores that are open 24 hours a day are becoming more common.

• Climate: Northern & Central European Russia is the most varied climate; mildest areas are along the Baltic coast. Summer sunshine may be nine hours a day, but winters can be very cold. Siberia is very cold in the  winter, but the summers can be pleasant, although they tend to be short and wet. There is considerable seasonal temperature variation. Southern European Russia the winter is shorter than in the north. Steppes (in the southeast) have hot, dry summers and very cold winters. The north and northeastern Black Sea has mild winters, but heavy rainfall all the year round.

• Culture: Folklore is an important part of life in Russia. Moscow and St. Petersburg are the cultural centers with a wealth of museums, as well as opera, theater, and ballet.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year’s Day; January 7th-Russian Christmas Day; February 25th, Day of the Defenders of the Motherland. March 8th-International Women’s Day; May 9th Victory in Europe Day. May 1st-2nd-Spring and Labor Day; May 9th-Victory in Europe Day; June 12th-Independence Day (Russia Day); November 4th- National Unity Day; December 12th-Constitution Day.