If you’re scrolling through social media, Russia usually looks like one of two things: a glittering, neo-futuristic Moscow skyline or a bleak, grey village where time stopped in 1984. The reality? It’s neither. And it's both. Living in Russia right now is a bizarre, high-contrast experience that defies easy explanation, especially with the massive shifts the country has seen since 2022. It’s a place where you can pay for a world-class espresso with a facial recognition scan one minute and then spend the next twenty minutes trying to figure out why the hot water in your entire neighborhood just got turned off for "preventative maintenance."
People expect it to feel like a movie. It doesn't. Mostly, it feels like a very intense, slightly chaotic version of any other European country, but with a specific set of rules and a rhythm that takes years to master.
The Digital Paradox: High-Tech Convenience vs. Sanctions
One of the weirdest things about living in Russia today is how tech-dependent everything is. While Western media focuses on the exit of brands like McDonald’s or IKEA, the digital infrastructure hasn't just stayed—it has evolved.
Apps basically run your life here. You’ve got Yandex Go for everything. It’s not just Uber; it’s Uber, DoorDash, and a moving company combined. You can order a single bottle of water and a pack of gum, and a courier in a bright yellow jacket will be at your door in fifteen minutes. It’s almost addictive. The banking apps, like Tinkoff or Sber, are miles ahead of what you typically find in the US or UK. We're talking about splitting bills, paying taxes, or investing in stocks with two taps.
But there is a catch.
Sanctions have created a "walled garden." Apple Pay and Google Pay? Dead. You have to use QR codes or "SberPay." Want to watch Netflix or use Spotify? You’ll need a VPN and a way to pay for a subscription using a non-Russian card, which is a whole headache in itself. Life has become a series of "workarounds." It’s a constant dance of using high-tech tools to bypass global restrictions.
Moscow is Not Russia (And That Matters)
There’s an old saying here: "There is Moscow, and then there is Russia." It’s fundamentally true.
If you are living in Russia and you’re based in Moscow or St. Petersburg, you’re in a bubble. Moscow is a sprawling, 24-hour megalopolis. The metro is a work of art—literally, some stations look like palaces—and it runs every 90 seconds. You can get a gourmet meal at 3:00 AM. It’s wealthy, polished, and increasingly expensive.
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Then you take a five-hour train ride to a city like Chelyabinsk or a smaller town in the Tver region.
Suddenly, the glitz evaporates. You’ll see the "Khrushchyovkas"—those iconic, five-story concrete apartment blocks built in the 60s. The roads get bumpier. The salaries drop significantly. According to Rosstat (the Federal State Statistics Service), the median salary in Moscow is often double or triple what someone earns in the provinces. This divide defines the Russian experience. In the provinces, life is slower, more communal, and much more focused on self-sufficiency. People have "dachas" (summer cottages) where they grow potatoes and cucumbers, not because it’s a cute hobby, but because it’s a legitimate food security strategy.
The Weather: It’s Not Just Cold, It’s a Lifestyle
We have to talk about the winter. Everyone asks about it.
Yes, it’s cold. But it’s a "dry" cold in many parts, which is easier to handle than the damp chill of London or Seattle. The real issue isn't the temperature; it's the lack of light. In December, Moscow gets maybe seven hours of daylight, and most of that is a dull, heavy grey. You learn to live on Vitamin D supplements and tea. Lots of tea.
But the Russians have mastered the "indoor life." Apartments are usually kept incredibly hot by central Soviet-era heating systems. You’ll be wearing a T-shirt inside while it’s -20°C outside. Then comes the "re-opening." Spring in Russia is a messy, muddy disaster called rasputitsa, but summer? Summer is glorious. The parks are packed, people stay out until midnight, and the energy is manic because everyone knows the darkness is coming back.
Social Fabric: The "Peach" vs. "Coconut" Culture
Foreigners often think Russians are rude. They aren't. They’re just "coconuts."
In the US, people are "peaches"—soft on the outside, friendly to strangers, but with a hard pit in the center that’s tough to crack. Russians are the opposite. The exterior is a hard shell. No "service smiles." No small talk with the cashier. If you smile at a stranger on the street, they might think you’re making fun of them or that you’re "a bit simple."
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But once you’re "in"? The shell cracks, and it’s all soft inside. Friendship in Russia is intense. It’s "call me at 2:00 AM because your car broke down" kind of friendship. If you’re invited to someone's home, expect to be fed until you can't move. There’s a deep sincerity because people don't waste energy on polite formalities they don't mean.
The Cost of Living: Cheap for Whom?
Budgeting while living in Russia is a weird game of math.
- Utilities: Shockingly cheap. You might pay $50-$80 a month for heat, water, and electricity in a decent apartment.
- Public Transport: A metro ride is less than a dollar.
- Internet: Some of the fastest and cheapest in the world.
- Groceries: Mixed bag. Local bread, milk, and eggs are cheap. Imported cheese or electronics? Prepare to bleed money.
Since 2022, inflation has been a jagged pill. Prices for cars and Western spare parts have skyrocketed. While the "official" inflation figures might hover around 7-9%, anyone walking into a grocery store will tell you that their favorite laundry detergent or coffee brand has doubled in price over the last two years. People adapt by switching to Russian or Chinese brands. You don't buy a Volkswagen anymore; you buy a Haval or a Geely.
Education and Healthcare: The Soviet Legacy
The systems are mostly public, which is a blessing and a curse.
Healthcare is "free," but there’s a massive private sector because the state clinics can be... grim. Long lines, grumpy doctors, and buildings that haven't been painted since the 80s. Most middle-class people pay for "DMS" (voluntary insurance) to go to private clinics where the service is modern and efficient.
Education is still very much focused on the "hard sciences." Russian students consistently rank high in math and programming. There’s a heavy emphasis on rote learning and discipline. If you’re an expat living here with kids, you’ll find that the Russian school system is demanding. There’s no "participation trophy" culture here. You either know the material, or you don't.
The Elephant in the Room: The Political Atmosphere
You can't talk about living in Russia without acknowledging the tension. It’s there, under the surface, always.
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Since 2022, the laws regarding speech and protest have become incredibly strict. Most people deal with this by practicing "internal emigration." They focus on their families, their jobs, and their hobbies, and they simply don't talk about politics in public. It’s a survival mechanism.
There is a palpable sense of "waiting." Waiting for the sanctions to end, waiting for the conflict to resolve, waiting to see what the "new normal" actually looks like. For a foreigner, this can feel heavy. For Russians, it’s often just another chapter in a long, difficult history. They are used to things being hard. There’s a cultural resilience—stoykost—that makes them uniquely capable of enduring uncertainty.
Is it Safe?
Actually, yes. Statistically, Moscow and St. Petersburg are safer than many major American cities in terms of violent crime. You can walk through most neighborhoods at 11:00 PM without looking over your shoulder. The police presence is heavy—very heavy—which is a double-edged sword, but it does keep street crime low.
The "danger" in Russia isn't muggings; it's legal and bureaucratic. You have to follow the rules. You carry your passport. You register your address. You don't join protests. If you stay within those lines, daily life is remarkably peaceful.
Realities of the Labor Market
If you’re moving here for work, the landscape has changed. The days of the "fat expat package" where Western companies paid for your luxury apartment and driver are mostly gone.
Now, the opportunities are in tech, agriculture, and manufacturing—sectors trying to replace Western imports. If you speak Russian, you have a massive advantage. If you don't, you're limited to a very small bubble. English proficiency is high among the youth in Moscow, but nearly non-existent once you leave the city center.
Actionable Advice for Navigating Life in Russia
If you’re seriously considering or currently navigating a move to Russia, these are the ground-level steps that actually matter:
- Get a local SIM and a VPN immediately. You cannot function without a local number for apps, and you cannot access global news or social media without a high-quality, paid VPN (free ones rarely work for long).
- Learn the Cyrillic alphabet. It takes two afternoons. Even if you don't speak the language, being able to read "Pectorah" as "Restoran" (Restaurant) or "Apteka" (Pharmacy) will save you hours of wandering around.
- Use "Telegram" for everything. In Russia, Telegram isn't just a messaging app. It’s where you get news, find local apartment listings, join neighborhood chats, and even order services. It is the backbone of Russian communication.
- Carry physical cash (Rubles). While the country is digital, "the system" sometimes goes down or certain cards won't work in smaller shops. Always have a few thousand rubles tucked away.
- Understand the "Registration" rule. If you stay in one place for more than seven business days, you must be registered at that address. Don't skip this. The migration police take it seriously, and it can lead to fines or deportation.
- Switch to "Mir" or local cards. Your Visa and Mastercard from home will not work at Russian ATMs or shops. You’ll need to open a local account (which is surprisingly easy with a passport and a translation) to get a Mir card.
Living in Russia is a lesson in nuance. It is a place of incredible cultural depth, extreme technological convenience, and frustrating bureaucratic hurdles. It’s a country that demands you pay attention. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can handle the "high-contrast" nature of it, it’s an experience that changes your perspective on how the world works.