Siberia?!?! GULP

[IAmZon]

Anybody have any relatively current information / travel history for the great city of "Krasnoyarsk[/color][/size]"   

I am particularly interested in prevalence of English; resentment of Americans (LOL); you know the drill.  I imagine there is 10% ultra rich; 90% ultra poor, like Ukraine?  Any information on class, status, groups, stereo-types, etc..
[/color]

[Wayne]

The airport is small, outdated, and a long taxi ride to the city. Krasair Airlines has a large, modern airplane from Moscow. English is not popular. There is at least one hotel that is up to Western standards.
The city in on a large river. A dam provides cheap electric power. Mountain climbing is popular. It is not really a tourist location.
There are some modern stores, restaurants, bars, etc.
The summer is short, but can be fairly hot. Early Fall can be a good time to visit.
You can find an English speaking guide. He helps American couples with adoption of Russian kids, has apartments for rent, and provides other services.

[IAmZon]

How bad is the weather - seriously - for a Florida boy during, let's say, October / November?   Can it be THAT MUCH worse than Chicago in January?

Anything more about the people and foreigners ...

[Faux Pas]

Siberia is the land less traveled. Krasnoyarsk even more so. It does take significant more time and expense. Imagine flying to Ukraine  and still being an 8 hour flight from your destination. It is literally, the other side of the world.

The people are generally much more friendly and curious about foreigners because they do not see them very often. Do not expect to hear any English and those that think they can speak it, usually can't. There are some that know it, those who studied it intensely but, they are the exception not the rule.

Siberian cities are generally, not as aesthetically attractive as compared to some of the more romantic or exotic locales such as St Pete, Moscow or Kyiv but, the people are as a whole much more friendlier, food and lodging much cheaper and travel within much easier.

Winters are brutal. Imagine mid to Northern Canada. October, November likely not too bad but damn chilly. I am a US Southerner myself. I've been twice in the winter and had no problem with the temps. Actually, quite the opposite but, my preparation was overkill. The 8-10 ft of snow was bothersome. Take good boots, a good coat and dress layered. The summers are a better time for visiting usually. Except this year they are having record high temps. Tomatoes will likely ripen on the vines. This is rare. Might mean for a extremely cold winter, might not.

[I/O]

Tim, as you know, I've knocked about Siberia quite a bit over the years and FWIW, I don't really agree with much of FP's assessment above other than the friendly people but I guess perception is reality.
 
I spent a week in Kras about 8 years ago and found it pleasant enough - very pretty country along the river and through the adjacent hills. The city is the main feature of the modern 10 ruble note complete with the tiny Church which over looks the city.
 
English is pretty common but more often than not, the exponents have limited vocabulary - nevertheless, I managed to have a wonderful little 15 Y/O girl in a camera shop download photos from my old camera at the time, set up several folders and burn them onto a CD, she had no English, the process took about 2 hours and between her and the proprietor (and much shared humour), they refused to part me with more than 20 Rubles.
 
Tim, I can't compare precisely right now as I haven't been to Ukraine for 6 or 7 years but on last comparison, with the exception of the majors, Ukrainian cities just didn't stack up compared to Russian cities so far as infrastructure maintenance etc goes. I'm not suggesting Russian cities are all top shelf but the relatively recent (last 20 years) economics are pretty obviously different.
 
October / November - prolly freeze your t**ts off, Chicago? Not totally dissimilar although you can also have nice days during that period. The airport is about 16 miles cross country, I know, I've walked every effing yard of it LOL but that's a very long story for another day.
 
I could go on, I have fond memories of Kras - bottom line is, it's unlikely to kill you as it's relatively civilised. 

[ML]

Deleted

[noelscot]

Anybody have any relatively current information / travel history for the great city of "Krasnoyarsk"   

I am particularly interested in prevalence of English; resentment of Americans (LOL); you know the drill.  I imagine there is 10% ultra rich; 90% ultra poor, like Ukraine?  Any information on class, status, groups, stereo-types, etc..

Hm, interesting question. Maybe you can fly into SVO, sight-see around Moskva for a few days, then get on a plane to Krasnoyarsk. How long will you prepare for this trip? Maybe about 5 years?   
 
As for language learning, you can take Russian classes from MGU (Moskva State University), and they will handle your visa paperwork (albeit a student visa), lodging, guides, etc. They also have an online program that is relatively cheap done via Skype.
 
How cold will it be in Siberia during winter? Probably colder than a witch's titty in a brass bra.

[Gator]

Tim,

Are the Siberian people different?  You met the Cossack woman.  She is Siberian (albeit the western edge).  Is she different?  The object of your affection and her family and friends are all that matters. 
 
Cold?   One time I remember calling her when the temperature in C was the same as the temperature in F.  FYI, that is -40.  School was closed.  It was "monkeys."   Colder than Chicago, but in my brief visits to Siberia in the winter, it was not windy.  The Chicago winter wind cuts through you like a razor, so  Siberia in winter was more comfortable with the proper clothing.  It snowed for four days, and accumulation amounted to only  two inches.   So snow was not a problem.
 
Your city is north of the Altay mountains.  Splendid place to visit (in the summer).

[Misha]

Tim, there is no bad weather, just unsuitable clothing. The trick to keeping warm in extreme weather is to have many layers. If it was -40, I would want a good base layer, preferably wool, then a good winter jacket that goes below the waist, and of course you want to have a good winter hat that will cover your ears, wool socks, and so forth. However, October is always an unpredictable month even in Canada as it can be warm or it can be snowing. November will be either cold oe extremely cold in the north for you