Interested in everyone's thoughts ...

[USCFAN]

Wow ... I might be really opening myself up for some interesting comments 

I have an opportunity to get certified to teach English in Russia. My placement would be either in St. Petersburg or Moscow ... I'm leaning toward SPB.

On one hand, it would allow me to move there and really experience the culture. I'd really have a chance to vastly improve my Russian. And of course, being there for 6 months, a year, maybe more, would give me a great opportunity to meet someone special ... along with making many new friends.

On the other hand, the pay is terrible by U.S. standards. While they provide an apartment, utilities and health care, the pay is only about $1000 per month USD. Enough to live on over there ... but my concern is when the time comes for me to return home, I will basically be broke. That's not enough income to put reserves away in the bank.

There are supposedly many opportunities to make cash on the side as a private tutor.

Personally, I am unencumbered. No mortgage, no relationship, and no close family ties. So I am 'free as a bird' as the expression goes and I am still searching for a special lady to be mine. 

So, before I invest in my certification, I thought I'd get some thoughts from the seasoned members (or anyone really) here. I've been to Ukraine before and felt fairly comfortable there. While there would be some adjustment to living there, I think I would be able to adapt to my new surroundings o.k.

[UTRO]

How old are you? Young and Single? For sure you'll Love St.Petersburg The opportunity may never arise again, at a time in which you have so few responsibilities. Come to think of it, what a great way to meet Russian Woman on the Cheap!!  Consider it a Paid Introductory Service 
Seriously, $1000USD per month, for 6 months and all you have to pay for is Food, Public Transport, Entertainment and Beer?!? You Can Do It, nyet problem!! Your money will go a Wee bit further in Peter than it will ever in Moscow!

[alantodd]

I would go to Saint P. as your money will go further than Moscow. Women are better looking there as well.

[Blues Fairy]

There are lots of ways for a native English speaker to make extra money in SPb or Moscow.  Translation/proofreading, private coaching, content creation/editing for corporate websites, etc. 

1000/mo. is doable, if living expenses are taken care of and you are not planning to drive, travel, get sick, or indulge your expensive tastes.

But if you choose SPb, I advise you to travel in spring/summer, not in fall/winter.  The weather will kill'ya.

[Simoni]

So, before I invest in my certification, I thought I'd get some thoughts from the seasoned members (or anyone really) here.

Be very very careful with this.  Many of the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) programs you see promoted online are scams.  Yes, scams.  As are the programs that promise to make you a writer or an artist.

Chances are they will take your money but not come through with the job. 

Just my thoughts.  But do get references and actually talk to people who have been through the program.  And independently verify they are real.

[BillyB]

St. Petersburg blows away Moscow when it comes to beautiful ladies and living a romantic atmosphere based on Springtime visits of each city I made.

[Faux Pas]

USCfan,

Chances are you aren't going to sock much away in the next 6-12 months here in corporate America either. You didn't mention your age and that was the first thought in my mind is "how old is he"? My suggestion is if you have no ties holding you back, why not? Sounds like quite an adventure. Consider, if you are seriously thinking about this, the sooner the better. Everyday, week or month that you don't go depletes that status of nothing to hold you back or tie you down. IMHO

[2tallbill]

You should check in with Phil D' Amore (I most likely spelled his name wrong) he lives in St Pete and does some English language teaching among other things.

Udachi (Good luck),

Bill

[Eduard]

A couple of questions come to mind: 1. how old are you and how old a woman are you looking for?
If you think that after spending a few months in Russia you will be broke, how are you planning to bring the woman you fall in love with to America?
Not only you will need a comfortable place to accept your new bride at, a car and some means to support your new family, but USCIS is going to ask you for your tax returnes for the past 3 years in order to qualify you for the affidavit of support that you will have to sign. If your income is much under 20K a year and you don't have other significant assets you might not qualify...
Also there is no guarantee that you will meet somebody while living there. Not knowing Russian language is going to be a big obsticle. You might still have to look for single women on line while in Russia, which you can do from here as well. Considering all the above moving to live there for a while might be an option but not neccessarily the best one. If you think you qualify to bring a RW here and you have reasonable age and other expectations I might be able to help you find a good woman without you having to move to Russia.

[USCFAN]

I appreciate everyone's thought so far 

For the record I'm a young 44. If I was 50, I probably wouldn't even consider this, but I have that feeling like I still have a window here to explore living in Russia for a year or two.

I tend to watch my funds ... besides I will still have a few bills back here to take care of ... credit cards, etc. That is why I'm hoping to drum up a some extra cash while being there.

The institute course I am considering is recognized pretty much world wide, in fact they actually have classes in SPB ... it just cost more to attend there then online here. They are associated with the Fulbright program which has been around since 1946 helping teachers work with other teachers from around the world.

Counting all the costs right now, weighing my options ... but seriously leaning toward going for it. I will be reaching out to those in the know about SPB when I make my final decision 

[Misha]

On one hand, it would allow me to move there and really experience the culture. I'd really have a chance to vastly improve my Russian.

This alone is worth the trip. If you have the time and can pull it off financially, then it would be a great experience. I really enjoyed all the time that I spent in Russia. If you can get away for a few months or a year, I would say go for it. 

I met a number of Russian women who met their husbands while they were living in Russia and teaching English or when they were in Russia learning Russian. It makes dating so much nicer: there is not the pressure of deciding whether someone is compatible in a week and you can get to know Russians outside of dating.

[KenC]

USCFAN,
Boy, this sounds like a bold new adventure!  You only live once, dude.  They say when you are about to die, you do not remember all the safe choices you during your life, only the lost opportunities you didn't take.  Good luck.
 
KenC

[jj]

I would say to go for it.  If things don't work out, you can always return. Besides that, you may meet some successful gals that will take YOU to dinnner   -jj

[BC]

Offer courses for 'Romantic Writing'.. Scammers will luv ya and you'll never think about income problems again.

[Eduard]

I'm surprised that no one paid atention to my point. Yes if you can get away for a year and just pick up and go, it can be fun and a great learning experience. But didn't you guys read: "the pay is only about $1000 per month USD. Enough to live on over there ... but my concern is when the time comes for me to return home, I will basically be broke."
Say he gets lucky and meets that special lady that he wants to marry and bring home. He just won't qualify! and it might take years to qualify...will she wait? I don't know but seems like this could be a recepie for a heart break.

[Faux Pas]

I'm surprised that no one paid atention to my point. Yes if you can get away for a year and just pick up and go, it can be fun and a great learning experience. But didn't you guys read: "the pay is only about $1000 per month USD. Enough to live on over there ... but my concern is when the time comes for me to return home, I will basically be broke."
Say he gets lucky and meets that special lady that he wants to marry and bring home. He just won't qualify! and it might take years to qualify...will she wait? I don't know but seems like this could be a recepie for a heart break.

Eduard,

I could certainly be wrong in assuming but, if he'd be broke in a year from now for taking such a job and a pay cut, his prospects might not be that great now. I was a bit surprised at his age. Very close to my own and quite frankly while it sounds like adventure and romantic as all get out, there is no way I could make such a move. Not because of debt or obligations, but for future security. Wouldn't make sense for me in my particular situation. We all have different priorities I'm sure.

[KenC]

I'm surprised that no one paid atention to my point. Yes if you can get away for a year and just pick up and go, it can be fun and a great learning experience. But didn't you guys read: "the pay is only about $1000 per month USD. Enough to live on over there ... but my concern is when the time comes for me to return home, I will basically be broke."
Say he gets lucky and meets that special lady that he wants to marry and bring home. He just won't qualify! and it might take years to qualify...will she wait? I don't know but seems like this could be a recepie for a heart break.

Eduard,
There are ways around the minimum earning requirement.
KenC

[Eduard]

Eduard,
There are ways around the minimum earning requirement.
KenC

Ken, would be great if you shared that info! I realise that if you have assets or a co-signer you can still qualify, but from what USCFAN is saying he doesn't really have close ties with anyone or anything. So if you know something that I don't I would appreciate your input! As I'm sure many others will

[Eduard]

Eduard,
We all have different priorities I'm sure.

Yes we do, and for him this move might make the most sense. I'm just trying to make him aware that if he is thinking of a possibility of finding a RW for marriage and bringing her back to the USA he must plan accordingly, long term. If he has a stable job now that earns him a decent income, and he's been filing his 1040 for the past 3 years it might make more sense to use a different method (mine or any other that works) of finding an RW instead of jeopardising his qualifying for the K-1 and affidavit of support by moving to St. Pete for a year.

[USCFAN]

Thanks again everybody ...

I was thinking, and someone can correct me if they want ... but let's say I work there for a year or two, meet that special someone and marry them there ... the income guidelines regarding a K1 would not apply ... right?  ???

I'm in a transitional phase of my life ... and yes it's tough to be at this point at my age. I prefer to look at it as a possible fresh new start    I'm trying to turn it into a positive. Like I said, I'm a very young 44.

My house is gone, my children grown, and I'm getting laid-off from my job ... this economy is killing a lot of people. If there ever was a time to start over and take a chance ... this is the time.

Steve 

[BillyB]

I'm surprised that no one paid atention to my point. Yes if you can get away for a year and just pick up and go, it can be fun and a great learning experience. But didn't you guys read: "the pay is only about $1000 per month USD. Enough to live on over there ... but my concern is when the time comes for me to return home, I will basically be broke."
Say he gets lucky and meets that special lady that he wants to marry and bring home. He just won't qualify! and it might take years to qualify...will she wait? I don't know but seems like this could be a recepie for a heart break.

It's going to take some spare cash over what he's going to make to wine and dine to the ladies over there. Hopefully USCfan has some stored away.

In the early 90's I made less than $1000 a month in the Army when I first signed up. Life was tough and I was surrounded by men and women being a rare sight. Going to Moscow or St. Petersburg will be like living in Paradise, surrounded by beautiful ladies, compared to boot camp.

[Misha]

One thing to keep in mind: the visa rules have changed. A multi-entry one-year business visa will no longer do the trick. You will require some kind of work visa. You should check with any potential employer to make sure that they will be able to get you the right visa. Otherwise, with a business visa you can only stay for 90 days and then you have to leave for 90 days before returning.

[Blues Fairy]

meet that special someone and marry them there ... the income guidelines regarding a K1 would not apply ... right?  ???

You still have to submit I-864 once she arrives, and meet the minimum income requirements for it.

I prefer to look at it as a possible fresh new start    I'm trying to turn it into a positive. Like I said, I'm a very young 44.  My house is gone, my children grown, and I'm getting laid-off from my job ... this economy is killing a lot of people. If there ever was a time to start over and take a chance ... this is the time.

Do you expect your new wife to work from day one?  Or you plan to find someone rich, who could support you?  Do you even know what costs are involved in the immigration process alone? 

You seriously need to read up on the subject. 
Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

[USCFAN]

Blues ... I do know about a lot of the costs ... I have several friends close by that have gone through this ... I have a close friend going through the K1 process right now ...  didn't know about the K3 income thing though ... thanks 

No, I'm not looking to be a 'kept' man 

I'm thinking of this more as an opportunity to meet lots of people, make lot's of friends, learn first hand about the culture, and if I meet some special, that doesn't mean we have to get married right away. My thought process is that if I lived there ... I could take my time and really get to know a women, in her own environment. Instead of dating from across the world for a year or two like some have done or been forced to do ... we could see each other on a regular basis ... making even more sure that we are right for each other.

I don't need to tell anyone here how hard a long-distance relationship is. But it can also make you want to speed things up sooner to be together ... and maybe make the wrong choice. I'm not too proud to admit that I've made that mistake before.

I'm trying to look at all the angles. Shoot, maybe I like it so much there, I just stay. Maybe because I have a lot of free time (teaching takes about 30 hours per week) I learn some other courses while there. Maybe get an online IT degree ... I don't know. I realize that I couldn't support a family on just those wages alone. 

gabaub ... thanks for your post. I have already done some checking on the visa thing. The school you teach at basically takes care of the whole thing ... so I'm told.

[Misha]

I'm thinking of this more as an opportunity to meet lots of people, make lot's of friends, learn first hand about the culture, and if I meet some special, that doesn't mean we have to get married right away. My thought process is that if I lived there ... I could take my time and really get to know a women, in her own environment.

I think this is a very reasonable way of doing it. When in St. Petersburg you could use free Russian dating sites such as singles.ru to find dates and friends. You would also be meeting a lot of people through your classes and would certainly be invited to a variety of parties and other social events. This would allow you to meet many women and I am certain you could find the right woman this way.

The important thing is being honest. You will have to be honest and upfront in telling them that it will take you a little while to find a job and settle into the United States when you do return.