And many others of this kind.

A British expat, an expert in finance, moved to Russia from Birmingham and he couldn’t avoid one of Russia´s “dangers”. After five years, he still lives here and is convinced that Russian blood already runs through his veins. Now he feels like home in Russia.

A similar case is the famous top-model Naomi Campbell, who has a happy marriage with a Russian businessman from Moscow.

The actor Gerard Depardieu became a Russian citizen. Not only did he get rid of the high taxation of his home country, France, but also has his own wine-making business.

Another actor, Steven Seagal, became the face of a weaponry company and is a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Another American that has found a new home in Russia is the fighter Jeff Monson. After acquiring his Russian citizenship, Jeff started a career in politics.

Edward Snowden is an American dissident who found refugee and a home in Russia.

Also, Sergey Brin´s family (the founder of Google) lives in Moscow, which was recently placed among the best top 5 cities in the world.

There are many famous Russian natives around the world, who regular visit their mother land when they miss the highly cultural places, the amazing nature and the “dachas”. One example is the crypto-guru Vitalik Buterin, a programmer that now lives in Canada. Vitalik has a project supported by the Russian bank VEB.

These are only the cases of famous people and celebrities, but there are thousands of foreigners living in Russia nowadays, who have each found their own personal place on earth in this country.

Most foreigners live in the country´s major cities: Moscow and Saint Petersburg, but there are important expats communities in Samara, Nizhny Novgorod and Ekaterinburg. The southernmost region in Russia, Krasnodar, has lately become a new expat hub after being the host of the Olympics winter games in 2014. For conducting business, the favorite place for foreigners is Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave in Europe that offers excellent benefits for foreign companies under a special zone regime scheme. Kaliningrad used to be a part of Germany before the Second World War.

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Moscow

To express the sheer size, economic power, dynamism and energy of the world´s most elegant cities would take a lifetime. Moscow has been described as the successful marriage between western technological and cultural achievements and the mysticism of the east. you can see this in what are arguably the most beautiful women in the world holding the bloodlines of the Viking and Russian princes mixed with the ancient beauty of The Chinese (mongols).

Moscow, like the ancient empire of the Chinese, swallows all cultures and all people in a dynamic melting pot. Everything in the city is grand and beautiful from the ancient middle eastern restaurants of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan with their pipe houses to the ultra chick shopping malls carrying the world´s stop brands

Moscow is the Russian capital. It has been the center around which the smallest states and republics came together to form the enormous country that is now called Russia. Nowadays, Russia is the largest city in Europe, the population is 12,5 million people, adding up to 20 million under its area of influence. In this amazing metropolis you will find a mixture of the Russian colorful middle ages, you will feel the culture of the greatest periods of the czars and will witness the biggest achievements of the Soviet Union.

The city´s skyline is formed by an ancient fortress better known as the Kremlin, high building peaks from the Stalinist era and futurist glass skyscrapers. During the last 10 years and under the great urbanist Gregory Revzin´s directions, Moscow went through a deep reconstruction. This definitely placed Moscow as one of the world´s leaders when it comes to comfort and services, changing the life quality of the Muscovites for good.

The worst thing that can happen to a person in Moscow today is that his phone runs out of battery. Each person in Moscow lives through their phones. They move around using the route maps and apps, they use the phone to pay for their groceries and their lunch in restaurants, to order a taxi and pay for the public transport, to buy concert tickets and arrange a doctor’s appointment, and finally, in the evening, to order takeout food so they can eat home. If you have a smartphone in Moscow, you don´t need a car, because you can order whatever form of transportation suits you best. Anyway, if your phone dies it´s not the end of the world, you can still charge it in any bus stop and then you are on-the-go again.

If you don’t have a mobile internet provider, do not worry because in the bus stops you have access to a municipal Wi-Fi network. Internet in Moscow is very important because the whole concept of the city is that it works like a giant internet service provider. Moscow has been very close to having the first automobile driven by artificial intelligence. Ecology and environmental care are also very important in Moscow, and the public transport is changing in the direction of electric buses that work on solar power.

But Moscow is not only about Hi-Tech. Muscovites describe their city as “the city that never sleeps”. The city center is a huge cultural space with actively social areas, wide entertainment choices and beautiful parks. Even during the coldest Russian winter, you will never forget the pleasure of taking a walk on the almighty and beautiful Moscow. If you get too cold, you are welcome to enter one of the thousands of restaurants and coffee shops of the city, with a friendly environment and exquisite cuisine.

You can also do as the song says: “I follow the Moskva, down to Gorky Park, listening to the wind of change”. Indeed, you can take a walk down the Moskva river, enjoy the view of the ancient buildings and the Kremlin, and then reach the Gorky Park. In the Gorky Park you can visit the Manezh museum or museum of contemporary art, and not that far from there you can visit the New Tretiakovsky museum, which displays some of the best Russian art of the 20th century.

If you love culture and art, then Moscow is one of the most important cultural hubs in the whole world. You will find excellent art expositions, concerts and theater both classical and contemporary. Moscow is home to one of the best ballet and opera theaters in the world, the Bolshoi theater. You can get tickets there, in the new stage, for only 2,000 rubles if you plan ahead. 

It is fair to say that this amazing capital offers the perfect mixture of lifestyle, business opportunities and comfort, being one of the best places in the world to live in.

It is important to note that Moscow is an expensive city and most of a person´s income can cover only accommodation or rent. Also, although the basic expenses (groceries, phone, transportation) are not that high, the entertainment activities can be even more expensive than in Europe or the US. For one person to live comfortably in Moscow it is necessary to have a minimum 1,500 USD income a month, and this is without accommodation. High-class accommodation starts at 1,500 USD, but there are other cheaper yet less comfortable options.

Saint Petersburg

After Moscow, Saint Petersburg is considered Russia´s second capital and its often referred to as “the northern capital” or the “northern Venice”, due to its long and complex canal system.

It has the environment of a quiet and small town but is almost as big as Berlin and definitely bigger than Paris. Only a few years ago, Saint Petersburg celebrated its 300th birthday. In an amazing way, this city has an ancient and historic charm, maybe because it was founded by Peter the First to be the capital of the Russian Empire. It was the capital until the Big Bolshevique Revolution of 1917. Anyway, Saint Petersburg still maintains the glow of its golden years, the same way Rome still reflects the glory of the Roman Empire.

This amazing city, with an exquisite European architecture, is the cultural and inspirational center of the country and it´s the most European part of all Russia. Although it is an old city, Saint Petersburg has a large population of young and well-educated people. Like Moscow, Peter (that is how most Russians call Saint Petersburg) is also a modern city that offers all the main services for a comfortable life. The internet service is also very good, but the infrastructure in general is not as developed as it is in Moscow.

However, Saint Petersburg has a unique charm and its atmosphere and landscapes are truly one of a kind. It´s important to note that Peter has a different social structure. Social groups in Saint Petersburg tend to be a little more reserved. For this reason, we recommend that, if you want to live here, you get yourself a mentor that can introduce you into this complex society.

The business activity in Saint Petersburg is obviously not as developed as in Moscow, but the northern capital has its own markets and a natural history of commerce with some specific regions. What makes Saint Petersburg an important commerce center is that this is Russia´s transport hub. One positive fact is that this city is the center of very important and unique industries like shipbuilding and nuclear stations. Moreover, Saint Petersburg is the most important touristic destination of the country, which also opens wide possibilities for conducting business. 

One of Peter´s most attractive advantages are the lower life costs. Accommodation and general expenses are much cheaper in Saint Petersburg than in Moscow.

Now, we would like to share some useful advice you should consider if you are planning to visit, move or conduct businesses in this beautiful country.

Russians´ predisposition towards foreigners, be yourself

Many people think that Russians are strict people that dislike foreigners. For this reason, many visitors tend to be either extremely polite or plainly wary next to Russians. Our advice is: just be yourself. To help and assist visitors is almost a national rule for all Russians. The football fans that came here during the 2018 world championship were very pleasantly surprised due to the kind treatment and manners of the locals.

It´s important to know that Russians will immediately notice any non-sincere behavior, even if they don´t know the language you are talking. They will know it by your gesture and body language. Russia is a country formed by many different nationalities, races and religions. For this reason, on one hand Russians are very tolerant to cultural differences, and on the other hand, they pick up the cultural differences very quickly and easily.

Don´t try to make Russians like you, just be yourself and behave accordingly to your culture, traditions and habits. Take a real interest in the Russian life and culture and we guarantee you will be awarded a real and sincere Russian smile.

Russian culture and art: don´t talk about Sleeping Beauty with your Russian fellows

If you want your Russian interlocutors to become bored, then talk with them about Russian culture. Tell them that you have read Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy and watched Swan Lake ten thousand times, and they will want to walk away from you. It’s not that they don´t value or love the roots of their culture, they sure do. However, the people from this generation have been raised on modern culture and art which was fundamentally based on Russian rock.

The modern culture of Russia is deeply rooted in the Russian rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Although, Russian rock was originally inspired by Anglo-American rock, it has become a part of the Russian identity and culture, developing a unique form of philosophical poetry. There are artists, like Victor Tsoi, who have become almost national heroes.

If you walk down the Nevksy avenue in Saint Petersburg on a Saturday summer evening, you will hear many groups playing these Russian-rock classics on the streets, and you will see how people passionately sings and dances to this music. Thus, you will understand the importance of Russian rock-classics in the modern Russia.

For your Russian friend, Russian culture means theatre experiments based on contemporary dramaturgy and reinterpretation of the classics. These experimental performances can be seen in the theaters of Moscow and the provinces as well.

When it comes to literature, your interlocutor will gladly discuss absurd satires on Russian society, whose authorship is attributed to one of the officers that work next to Putin.

Moreover, after the world success of the animated series “Masha and the bear”, whose characters were based on traditional Russian folk stories, Russians understand that they can produce works of art that will be interesting on a global scale.

For all these reasons, if you ever want to have a conversation about Russian culture, we recommend talking about Russian films and tele series originally aired in Latin America or China. This will definitely keep your Russian interlocutor interested. For an answer you will probably hear about the horrible performance of Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina, and suddenly you are back to Tolstoi. Now, Tolstoi doesn´t seem like a writer from two centuries ago anymore but feels like your contemporary. In Russia, culture is not a memorial, but a unique and lively manifestation of everyday life.

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History: find common places between Russia´s history and your own country´s

Russians take pride in their rich history, but they don´t like to talk about it so much. Maybe this is because they don´t think their golden century is in the past. Russians are sure that the most important historical accomplishments are yet to come.

It is important to know that Russians don´t feel guilty for any of their history, nor feel a need of revenge because of the fall of the Soviet Union. These past events have just been crossed out, and the people is now trying to create a better future for themselves and their country.

Anyway, if you are invited to a “dacha” and decide to start talking about Russian history, be very careful. The world looks at Russian history as interesting but cruel, and this cruelty may reflect the character of the people and government. Although many people are aware of this, other think that Russia is the source of the best things that exist in the world today.

If you consider these facts, talking about Russian history may be a good idea and may help you get closer to your Russian friends. Russian history is so rich and wide that you will probably find it has something in common with the history of your own country. Russian history has centuries of dependency and fights for independence, conquering of new territories, civil wars and inspiring examples of national unity and solidarity when it comes to fighting a foreign rival. Russia has faced two world wars, one of the biggest revolutions of all times, the Leningrad blockade, censure, totalitarianism and more. You will probably find something in common between Russia´s history and your own country´s.

Russia´s rich history has derived in a very interesting quality of its people. For Russians there are no historical enemies, nor they hold a grudge against any nationality or people, even with those that have been at war with Russia. However, interaction and alliance between nations in the past is still a very good reason for friendliness and amiability.

Personal political freedom: don't waste your time

The only political ideology of Russian origin is anarchism and it is based on the idea of total freedom of the individual and the inadmissibility of any power to limit it. This desire for absolute freedom originates from the myths of ancient Russia and permeates all of its popular cultures. That is why when Russians complain about the lack of freedom, we must consider that the levels of emancipation they desire in their search for happiness are simply unattainable.

The following example may be enlightening: in recent years, several Russian artists, complaining of oppression by the authorities moved to Europe. There, after carrying out "artistic actions" in various European cities, some of them were sentenced to prison charged for damage to public property and disrupting public order, actions for which they would have only faced fines and administrative arrests in Russia. This demand for freedom seems surprising to the citizens of other countries.

However, the problem of Russia's anarchic national character is solved paradoxically: although they are in constant spiritual confrontation with their authorities, Russians support a strong government and leaders who can be respected for their actions in benefit of the country, even if they generate displeasure among the citizens. Russian society is a constant struggle and a consensus of opposing energies: a population that loves freedom, the basis of development and progress, and a state that establishes a common route of development and creates institutions that guarantee the stability of the country.

For these reasons, it´s better not to talk to the Russians about politics and power. Their relationship with the state is so irrational and intimate that it´s nearly impossible to come to a conclusion.

As far as personal freedom is concerned, the Russian society has developed a tradition of reasonable and moderate conservatism, in which the state and society are liberal about citizens' personal lives, beliefs, and values, provided that they do not cross the boundaries established by society. All minorities enjoy full personal rights and freedom and can count on a tolerant attitude towards them and the protection of the state; however, the attempt by a minority or a radical movement to impose its view on society is severely repressed by both society and the authorities, like in the United States and the EU. The same principle applies to religion and political beliefs.

To show some of the unique characteristics of Russia, we have given you some useful tips regarding the residence of foreigners in the country. In any case, we repeat the main point: a very friendly atmosphere will always be waiting for you in Russia, and if you have a truthful behavior, all Russians will kindly help you.

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