If you had to live anywhere in the FSU for a year where would it be?

[Ooooops]

oooops... double post... 

[Ooooops]

OooOOOooOOOops nailed my opinion... I really like the laid back atmosphere of Crimea. 

I see that my nickname is an endless source of fun...   

Yep, I like Crimea very much - weather, scenery, wines!  , mountains, sea...   Nothing like Omsk in the middle of winter!   

[victoria]

Yes, the Ukraine is absolutely the best country to visit! Kyiv or Crimea are some of the most beautiful places!

[Kuna]

Seemingly, communications facilities are fairly critical and as such pretty much everything is available wherever you go.

I found Kunas comments regarding Riga interesting. He's been there since me IIRC therefore his info is more up to date. The party scene was there when I was but I didn't find it a problem or an issue. Nevertheless, I spent most of my time in or around the company of a local law firm and one lawyer in particular. We tended to avoid the BS although were exposed (By choice) to some extent. I found the people fairly open. What I did notice was the underlying fierce resentment between ethnic Russians and native Latvians. I found I could move into the Russian circles from a basis of being associated with native Latvians, however I suspect it would have been much more difficult the other way around.

Sculpto, I can't recall regarding art but the architecture is interesting, much of it revolving around the Lutheran churches and as such I suspect there would be quite an underlying platform of arts. I believe (Please don't quote me) Bach may have worked briefly in the area and one of his wives was from the Baltic regions or of Baltic blood. IIRC there is at least one "musical society" named in his honor, however all this could simply be a result of a heavy influence of Lutheranism.  I just don't know enough of the history to really make infomed comment.

I/O

I/O,

Walking through Old Town now you'll see many restaurants and bars with signs like, "NO ENGLISH PARTIES" and  "NO BUCKS OR HENS".

The number of strip clubs in these beautiful old buildings was a disappointment too and they were obviously aimed at the poms as they had English signage and names.  I was there late January so it was VERY cold and there were few tourists - but the ones I did see were typically ugly.  One group were on it and fairly much blind drunk at 10 in the morning at a cafe in a shopping centre - whooping it up and making a bad impression.

I did meet some people (and a few girls) while in Riga and they were not keen at all to talk until they fund out I was Australian not English.  I'm not sure if being out of the city centre will make any different when my experience was that Latvians generally tried to avoid foreigners.

I/O you're right about the aversion to Russia even though many obviously have Russian blood.  I found they were equally hostile towards Germans after the battering they took in the war from both sides.

On a positive,  Riga really is a beautiful city and has sights that are well worth exploring.  The war museum was particularly moving and powerful, and it's easy to spend 5 or 6 hours moving through there. There's a museum and gallery in Riga Castle too that's worth a look. 

[mendeleyev]

That $ wouldn't last 6 months in Moscow unless you had family there. Kyiv would be a stretch but as Ecocks said if you're willing to eat spam and beans then you'd make it. As mentioned upthread Russia would require (unless you had a sponsored work visa--a firm has put on deposit several thousand $ to guarantee you'll leave upon expiration) you would live in Russia up to, but no longer than 90 days at a stretch. Its a 180 days in country, 180 days out of country in a year period rule. There are ways to hop over to Ukraine and then re-enter but no surprise, $$$ is involved.

You are limited in either country as to what kind of job you can accept as you are barred from holding a position which a qualified citizen could hold. So that leaves most with teaching English and barely eeking out an existence.

However at 26 I'd do it. Go have fun, learn some Russian, and live a little.

[SANDRO43]

if you're willing to eat spam and beans then you'd make it.

Spam lends itself to endless appetising variations :

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE[/youtube]

[Sculpto]

15k is plenty depending on your lifestyle expectations. 

If you want to live in the center in a western style apartment, eat out every day three meals and spend a lot of time going to clubs and concerts and theater.. no.. its only good for two or three months at best.  Shoot.. a wild man could easily blow 15K in one night in Moscow just on vodka and caviar for a few "close" friends. 

If you live on the outskirts.. cook most meals at home.. recreate in the park.. go to clubs rarely and find bargain cultural events.. 15K could be stretched.. and.. it would also be more in line with the kind of lifestyle most Muscovites live.

The apartment I stayed in was just reduced to $800 a month from $1000.. fewer expats are visiting.. there are a lot of roomate situations always advertised on the expat forums.  Someone could pick up a bit of cash on the side with a few English lessons a week.  Getting a TEFL or equal certificate would make that an even better scenario.

It just depends on the lifestyle someone wants.

Given those two lifestyle options.. which one would be more likely to put a guy in contact with better women?

[SANDRO43]

Someone could pick up a bit of cash on the side with a few English lessons a week. Getting a TEFL or equal certificate would make that an even better scenario.

He'd better rehearse his interview technique, then :

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP0sqRMzkwo[/youtube]

[mies]

If visa is the only issue for Russia - technically Brian can try to arrange a 6mo or 1 year student visa.  And study Russian there. There are many foreign students in Russia, and they don't go out of the country every 3mo.
He will have to pay for college, but it is less than in USA, and he will most likely be provided with the subsidized dormitory. The conditions in the dormitory are VERY basic, but it is very cheap - and could be best solution for living cheap in Moscow or StPetersburg. He can do the same in Ukraine too, and other Eastern European countries. Or any country.
 If he present himself as a poor american student - he will not need to take the tabs when he eats out with friends. He will also have access to the huge pool of young unmarried female college students if this fact is of any interest for him.

In Kyiv:
http://www.dfc.ukma.kiev.ua/index.php?page=322
http://www.dfc.ukma.kiev.ua/index.php?page=81&aid=28&show=1

Universities in StPetersburg: http://vuzs.ru/
http://www.sras.org/st__petersburg_state_university?gclid=COito6ro_ZoCFRAMDQodjR6wdA

[Sculpto]

Great points Mies.. shoot if he presents himself as a starving student.. the girls will be buying HIM dinner..

http://www.ruslanguage.ru/?gclid=CNW3i5zg_ZoCFSMSagodLU17dg

[Daveman]

Great points Mies.. shoot if he presents himself as a starving student.. the girls will be buying HIM dinner..

http://www.ruslanguage.ru/?gclid=CNW3i5zg_ZoCFSMSagodLU17dg

Agreed, excellent points, and he's still young enough to really get into the college life, so to speak.

But... BUT... forget the food tabs.. make friends with Mama! and you'll be stuffed to the gills with amazing cooking.. at the table, sending food to you, calling you on the phone and asking what you want to eat because everything is "Nichivo" -- she's cooking anyway (but really just BEAMING when a man truly appreciates it).... MMMmmmMMMmmm god I miss that... I think I need to forget about the ladies and go after Mama! LoL

I may be a bit slow sometimes, but I sure caught on to the "Mama" angle very quickly.  :evil:

[groovlstk]

Given those two lifestyle options.. which one would be more likely to put a guy in contact with better women?

Do you quantify women based on their salaries and standards of living? A "better" woman is one who is poor?

[Sculpto]

Do you quantify women based on their salaries and standards of living? A "better" woman is one who is poor?

not at all.. but modest desires and frugality are important to me.. don't know about others..

[groovlstk]

not at all.. but modest desires and frugality are important to me.. don't know about others..

FWIW, modest desires usually = modest prospects.

It should go w/out saying, but there are many women in Russia who have good living standards because they work hard and and have ambitions - not because they are bumping a minigarch.

[Sculpto]

FWIW, modest desires usually = modest prospects.

It should go w/out saying, but there are many women in Russia who have good living standards because they work hard and and have ambitions - not because they are bumping a minigarch.

Absolutely.. agree 100%... what I meant was gold digger avoidance strategies..

But I cant help thinking about this woman that sat next to us at a concert in Moscow.. absolutely drop dead gorgeous.. clearly had money judging from how she was dressed.. and all alone.. she wasn't polite enough to move her legs to the side when we were trying to pass.. gave me a look like I was somehow supposed to just levitate over her...

[elliott]

...And study Russian there...He will also have access to the huge pool of young unmarried female college students if this fact is of any interest for him.

Typically, studying and hot, single, young women will conflict.  Most guys will want to do one or the other.  :evil: :evil:

[Sculpto]

what better way is there to learn Russian than with a Russian GF in Russia?

[OlgaH]

Studying Russian at Novosibirsk State University

http://www.ciep.nsu.ru/index.htm

[mies]

Typically, studying and hot, single, young women will conflict.  Most guys will want to do one or the other.  :evil: :evil:

didn't get this one. You mean male student does not have time for females while he is studying? Or there are no single, young, hot women in the college?
In hypothetical situation: he isn't going to take the real semester/two at college. He is just going to attend 1 language course - that's it. It will help him to get long-term visa for the country, to get cheap accommodation in university dormitory (so cost of college and cost of cheaper dormitory will get even - should be approximately the same amount as if one rented apartment but did not go to college), and also - it doesn't hurt learning the language of the country you are planning to live in for 6-12mo.  

[Sculpto]

didn't get this one. You mean male student does not have time for females while he is studying? Or there are no single, young, hot women in the college?
In hypothetical situation: he isn't going to take the real semester/two at college. He is just going to attend 1 language course - that's it. It will help him to get long-term visa for the country, to get cheap accommodation in university dormitory (so cost of college and cost of cheaper dormitory will get even - should be approximately the same amount as if one rented apartment but did not go to college), and also - it doesn't hurt learning the language of the country you are planning to live in for 6-12mo.  

the only risk I would think is getting caught up in a social circle around the other students and not trying hard enough to make contact with locals.  But, that is really up to the individual.

Anyway.. if I was doing it again.. that is exactly what I would do.. maybe not stay in the dorm room, but, definitely study language.. put up ads for language exchange.. hang out in cafes with pretty girls and trade English for Russian.. try and pick up some paid English classes on the side... go to museums and other cultural landmarks.. and before you know it.. girlfriend will magically appear.. probably too many to choose from. 

[elliott]

didn't get this one.

Obviously.  It was a joke.

You mean male student does not have time for females while he is studying?

Studying?  What's that?  Think:  National Lampoons Animal House or Van Wilder, Old School, or the hundred+ other college party movies out there.

[BrianW]

Thanks for the advice guys. Life is quite an adventure. I'll let you know what I end up doing.

[Ooooops]

He will have to pay for college, but it is less than in USA, and he will most likely be provided with the subsidized dormitory.

What are the prices for foreigners now?   

[mies]

What are the prices for foreigners now?  

For RUssia - you can see the prices in the link provided by Sculpto. For Ukraine - some years ago the situation was as I described it. Foreigner paid as much as the "contract students" would pay - this was normally $2-3K per year of full-time college education. Part-time/one course only - could be less. Foreign students normally were offered single-occupancy dorm room for something around 15-20$/mo (all utilities included, usually no cable or internet though. In some dorms students arrange internet cable themselves). Now you can do the math based on the September-June (10mo) academic year ;-)

Current prices can be obtained directly from the university - contacts are at the link which I provided. Anybody interested can also contact any other university, and all universities and their contact information could be found through google.

[Ooooops]

Foreigner paid as much as the "contract students" would pay - this was normally $2-3K per year of full-time college education. Part-time/one course only - could be less. Foreign students normally were offered single-occupancy dorm room for something around 15-20$/mo.

Wow, that's cheap!