Moscow Currency Exchange Kiosks

[groovlstk]

FYI: If you're headed to Russia, try to bring cash in denominations other than $20 bills. I had trouble exchanging twenties and often had to visit 4-5 kiosks before finding one that accepted my baksheesh. Evidently there are a lot of counterfeit twenties floating around.

[Shadow]

FYI: In Russia they have a currency called Rubles.
You can get it from ATM's and banks/money exchanges.

 :noidea:

I am used to avoid the small kiosks. their better exchange rate is often obscured by commissions, especially on low amounts. 

[Turboguy]

Since you are talking about currency it might be good to mention for the benefit of those planning their first trip you want to bring your cash in NEW 50's and 100's   When I say new, any wear on the bill such as a small crease where it has been folded will make it worth no more than Monopoly money in Russia.   

[groovlstk]

FYI: In Russia they have a currency called Rubles.
You can get it from ATM's and banks/money exchanges.

Is that what them thar money machines are fur?

Actually I prefer not to use my debit or credit cards in Russia or Ukraine, unless I have an emergency. Too much theft.

[andrewfi]

Plastic is a MUCH more secure medium than cash. You will get better rates and if you are robbed on the street, or lose your cards you can do something about getting money and replacements within minutes. There is no cash that will do that. For your protection many card issuers restrict the amount of cash that you can withdraw in a day. If you are robbed this protects you. If for some (very very) unlikely reason the ATM system decides to rob the hapless American that same limit will protect said inhabitant of the land of the brave and the free.

Given a choice, you should use a credit card, not a debit card, you will be protected against fraudulent transactions to a greater degree than a cash card, or debit card. Tell your bank of your plans. US banks seem less accustomed to their clients travelling overseas and have been known to place a stop on cards that are more normally used in the US.

It has been many years since I used cash when travelling - there are better ways.

[RacerX]

Without any attempt to belittle another member, I could only say that Newbies should pretty much ignore groovlstk's advice.  Always take and use your credit cards - mainly for the reasons given above and the simple fact you will typically be given the 'inter-bank' conversion rate - something you will not even get close to on currency exchanges.

Twenty-dollar bills should have no place in your wallet while in the FSU.  New 100's or 50's are what you should take - use ATM's for the small change.  When renting apartments I have found that dollars or euros are the preferred currency - and for these transactions, bring cash.

Although the ruble has been very stable the past few years, you would be much better off having euros (of course, other than dollars) left over in your wallet after your trip is over.

[Turboguy]

Without any attempt to belittle another member I think it is more a matter of what someone is comfortable with.   I don't agree that plastic is more secure than cash.  With cash all you can loose is the cash. 

I think there are atm people and cash people.  Like groov I am a cash person.   I haven't used an atm machine in a dozen years.   I do agree with Racer that the rate is usually going to be better with the ATM.  Truthfully the differnece is not something I am going to worry about.  If I have to worry about that I shouldn't be doing this. 

[groovlstk]

Without any attempt to belittle another member, I could only say that Newbies should pretty much ignore groovlstk's advice.  Always take and use your credit cards - mainly for the reasons given above and the simple fact you will typically be given the 'inter-bank' conversion rate - something you will not even get close to on currency exchanges.

Twenty-dollar bills should have no place in your wallet while in the FSU.  New 100's or 50's are what you should take - use ATM's for the small change.  When renting apartments I have found that dollars or euros are the preferred currency - and for these transactions, bring cash.

Although the ruble has been very stable the past few years, you would be much better off having euros (of course, other than dollars) left over in your wallet after your trip is over.

Racer, no offence taken, but if you read my original post I simply advised people not to take $20 bills to Russia as they'll have problems trying to exchange for rubles. Like you mentioned in your post, most rental agencies won't accept credit cards so depending on where you're staying and for how long, most men will have no choice but to bring $500+ in cash with them.

I was fortunate in that the girl I went to meet put a downpayment on my flat so I didn't get doubly rooked by having to send the agency the downpayment through Western Union.

Funny enough, I didn't have the same problems in Ukraine (specifically Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, and Crimea). I was able to exchange 20s that had highlighter streaks, folded edges, etc. I think the clerks trusted me when they realized I was American.

[BC]

Truthfully the differnece is not something I am going to worry about.  If I have to worry about that I shouldn't be doing this. 

Well said. 

I suggest posting a poll stating the total amount you invested in your RW seeking ventures and ask "Would you spend USD XXXXXX and XXX vacation days to look for a RW? Only need 'Yes' and 'No' answers..

I wonder what would come out of it..

[chivo]

I would agree with not carrying $20 to Russia if it can be avoided. although you can exchange almost any bill here regardless of condition (well lets say within reason), albeit at a lower rate, should you find yourself in a tight situation for cash.

one thing about the ATM's. you won't have much problems with theft here any more so than anywhere else, but most will charge a fee on top of what im sure will be a fee from your bank for out of state transactions, offsetting any exchange rate that is considered better.

good compromise would be to bring some cash along with your ATM card and a credit card and you should have very little problems. now meeting a woman who is eager to use all of the above might be a problem, but thats for you to deal with . peace out.

Chivo

[viking]

BC

Regarding your thoughts on the cost to find an RW, I had something similiar in mind. Further, I have read several times posts that pretty much said 'if you dont have the money, don't get started". So..another part would be what kind of income is necessary to justifiy getting started. Can a guy making $40K put this kind of search together or do you need to be the owner of a small company? I know a single versus divorced person, who may have other expenses, are different in terms of discretionary income, but is there mininmum range where the expenses become too great or burdensome? Just a thought.

[viking]

What the heck is going on with the exchange rates? Seems the dollar is dropping in value every day (aganist rubles) and here I am ready to leave in 2 weeks. Arrgh!!

[catzenmouse]

BC

Regarding your thoughts on the cost to find an RW, I had something similar in mind. Further, I have read several times posts that pretty much said 'if you don't have the money, don't get started". So..another part would be what kind of income is necessary to justify getting started. Can a guy making $40K put this kind of search together or do you need to be the owner of a small company? I know a single versus divorced person, who may have other expenses, are different in terms of discretionary income, but is there minimum range where the expenses become too great or burdensome? Just a thought.

 This truly depends upon the man doing the searching. I think that someone who lives modestly on 40K a year could do it depending upon where and how he lives, what his debts are, how he goes about it either agency or free sites, has he been saving for awhile for the upfront costs, the backend costs, if so then yes. How many are like this? Not very damn many, that's for sure.

 I feel that overall we probably did this pretty cheaply and that works out to be around (not looking this up in my files but approximating) in the 15 to 20 K range. From initial searches, letters, gifts, more of the same, still more of the same etc. to being married and having all the fees paid through the 2 Year Conditional Green Card. Could I have done it cheaper. Hell yes! But I did not find the right one right away. It took some time and I started out pretty stupid in more ways than I can count and made every mistake you can make (except for sending money to the scammers that contacted me) so if I had known all and done all right I would probably have dropped maybe 2-3 K off the price. Plenty of people have probably spent less and been successful but plenty more have spent ungodly amounts and are still looking.

 The crazy thing (to me) is that you can do everything wrong and still end up a winner or you can do everything right and still end up a loser. Just so happens that I jumped headlong into a pile of manure with my eyes closed and came out with a diamond. That is probably the main reason that I do not ever advocate that anyone do what I did or how I did and I hope (like most of us here) to help someone who would follow the same path I did to do it with a bit more of a clue that I did.

Ken

[viking]

Ken,

Only $15-20K? In total ? You cheapskate! The ring is costing about $50K, the private jet to get there about $250K, the hotel room about $2K a night.And,. oh look, I just found my meds.   (dont you love it when I am in a good mood?)

[catzenmouse]

Ken,

Only $15-20K? In total ? You cheapskate! The ring is costing about $50K, the private jet to get there about $250K, the hotel room about $2K a night.And,. oh look, I just found my meds.   (dont you love it when I am in a good mood?)

Darn it! You found me out. Skinflint cheapskate moneygrubbing greedy SOB that I am. I really tried hard to hide it but my mask must have holes in it....

[chivo]

Viking,

there is legislation going on now to make the ruble stronger. what they're trying to do is make people and businesses less dependant on the dollar, and euro as well, to strengthen the ruble.

blame it on the ever increasing price of oil which has boosted Russia's economic status tremendously. the money reserves here are now much stronger. the ability to pay off long term debt has eased, so the situation here is not so volatile as in the past.

i would expect it to continue till at least the summer when typically the rates go up to accomodate increase tourism. still, Russia is head strong in its focus to become less dependant on the dollar (euro too) so expect this trend to continue in the long run. peace out.

Chivo 

[Turboguy]

First as far as not taking $ 20.00 bills to Russia.  I find they come in quite handy.  I have had a number of times where I was in a situation such as taking a taxi from SVO 2 to SVO 1 and I negotiated the fare from the $ 50 they were asking to $ 20.00.  Of course they are never going to have change so if you don't have a $ 20.00  the fare just went back to $ 50. 

As far as can someone do it making $ 40,000 a year, I think everyone is different.  Yes, I think some people can do just fine at finding a Russian woman if they are in that low an income bracket.  I think others can't afford it making $ 100k   I sometimes read Money magazine and they often have articles about people with money problems.  The analyze how to fix the problems.  Most of the people they analyze are making $ 125,000 to $ 200,000 and in hock up to their ears.  In my own case if my income were to drop to $ 40,000 and I were not looking to find a Russian woman I could bank half of that with no difficulty.  My house is paid for, my car is paid for.  I have no debt.   The taxes on my house are two grand a year.  I spend maybe $ 50.00 a week for groceries, not much on clothes and basically I could live on about nothing.

As it is I don't take that big a salary and can afford to make 6-10 trips a year to meet gals if I want to.   I think an amount such as $ 40,000 or $ 60,000 does not mean anything.  Someone living in San Francisco or NYC has entirely different circumstances than someone living in Beaver Falls PA or Charlotte NC.

[PeeWee]

First as far as not taking $ 20.00 bills to Russia.  I find they come in quite handy.  I have had a number of times where I was in a situation such as taking a taxi from SVO 2 to SVO 1 and I negotiated the fare from the $ 50 they were asking to $ 20.00.  Of course they are never going to have change so if you don't have a $ 20.00  the fare just went back to $ 50. 

As far as can someone do it making $ 40,000 a year, I think everyone is different.  Yes, I think some people can do just fine at finding a Russian woman if they are in that low an income bracket.  I think others can't afford it making $ 100k   I sometimes read Money magazine and they often have articles about people with money problems.  The analyze how to fix the problems.  Most of the people they analyze are making $ 125,000 to $ 200,000 and in hock up to their ears.  In my own case if my income were to drop to $ 40,000 and I were not looking to find a Russian woman I could bank half of that with no difficulty.  My house is paid for, my car is paid for.  I have no debt.   The taxes on my house are two grand a year.  I spend maybe $ 50.00 a week for groceries, not much on clothes and basically I could live on about nothing.

As it is I don't take that big a salary and can afford to make 6-10 trips a year to meet gals if I want to.   I think an amount such as $ 40,000 or $ 60,000 does not mean anything.  Someone living in San Francisco or NYC has entirely different circumstances than someone living in Beaver Falls PA or Charlotte NC.

I wondered where Turbo went to. I agree, T. Debt to income ratio and location have to do with it. Seattle, where I live, is one of the top 5 most expensive cities to live in. The average house is now over 400K. Think about what a monthly payment for a home loan would be. So much depends on what a guy can do with 40K and what his brides expectation is.

I have asked the question before. It may apply here. If you found a woman who had prepared for this move by saving some money then it might help the situation until such time she could gain employement. What made me think of this is that I have a friend who came to the US with her son two years ago. She had enough saved to cover her expenses for 2 years including tuition and books at a university. Her goal was to gain her MBA, which she did accomplish. She has to be an unusual lady but there could be more over there. So if a guy had a 40K income with a low debt to income ratio, lived in a not so expensive city, her expectations were not so lofty, and she brought some money with her and not too many kids then the 40K might be possible?

Peewee 

Peewee

[Turboguy]

I agree PeeWee.  I can find descent houses here for $ 20,000.00  Not mansions and not in the nicest parts of town, well actually maybe mansions but not well kept up if they are.  New houses start about $ 130,000 and you have to hunt hard to find a house selling for $ 400,000 (that high not that low)  Yes, we have a few $ 1,000,000 houses but they are rare.

I vanished off to Azerbaijan for a little while and got back a few hours ago.  Not much time for internet there.

[PeeWee]

I agree PeeWee.  I can find descent houses here for $ 20,000.00  Not mansions and not in the nicest parts of town, well actually maybe mansions but not well kept up if they are.  New houses start about $ 130,000 and you have to hunt hard to find a house selling for $ 400,000 (that high not that low)  Yes, we have a few $ 1,000,000 houses but they are rare.

I vanished off to Azerbaijan for a little while and got back a few hours ago.  Not much time for internet there.

You planning on producing a trip report, Turb?

Peewee

[Turboguy]

There isn't a lot to report PeeWee but I may do a short one just so anyone thinking about the place would know more of what to expect.   Actually it was a lot different than what I expected and was a very interesting place.