Crime rates in Russia are dropping and have decreased substantially over the past two decades. As a result, expats will feel safe in Russia. Despite decreasing crime rates, one must always be aware of the risks of mugging and petty crime.
Russia has a rich history and cultural heritage and this is reflected in its museums, architecture and monuments. The countryside also offers expats an opportunity to enjoy natural wonders such as Lake Baikal and the beautiful mountains, deserts, rivers and forests.
Life for expats in Russia is generally comfortable, with expenses such as groceries and utility bills being fairly inexpensive even in major cities such as Moscow.
Moscow and St Petersburg. While these are often the best places to live in Russia, there are several attractive Russian cities that are growing in industry, IT, and research.
Much of Russia is made up of rolling, treeless plains called steppes. Siberia, which occupies three-quarters of Russia, is dominated by sprawling pine forests called taigas. Russia has about 100,000 rivers, including some of the longest and most powerful in the world.
Russians highly value stability and security. As Geert Hofstede has said, “[they] feel very much threatened by ambiguous situations”, an attitude reaffirmed by their recent history. People are more comfortable with assured stability and tend to approach situations with scepticism and caution rather than taking risks.
Russians are often characterized as being grim, stoic, and humorless. While smiling is seen as an obligatory gesture of friendliness in Western countries, smiling at a stranger in Russia is regarded as insincere and is reserved for close friends.
Foreign citizens wanting to live in Russia are required to apply for a Russian residence permit. The Russian authorities issue two types of residence permits for foreign citizens: temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits.
The average cost of living in Russia for families can be anywhere from 30,000 rubles to 35,000 rubles per month, excluding utilities. While Moscow and Saint Petersburg are relatively expensive to live in, Novosibirsk is one of the cities in Russia with low cost of living.
- CON: Weather
As Russia is such a large country, the weather varies dramatically. No matter where in the country they live though, expats must prepare themselves and adapt their lifestyles for long, cold winters, and shorter spring, summer and autumn seasons. Winters can be harsh.
Foreign population
As of May 2022, there are 5.99 million foreigners residing in the Russian Federation (up from 5.66 million in 2021 but down from 10.13 million in 2019), with the vast majority (91%) being citizens of CIS countries. Central Asians make up the most numerous group, followed by Ukrainian citizens.
Yes. About 80% of Russia's population is in 20% of the territory. That makes the remaining 80% of the territory very sparsely populated.
When you first meet someone in Russia, you will usually shake hands with them and have good eye contact. During a first date, however, a man will usually wait for a woman to offer her hand first. Personal space is not highly valued in Russia, however.
In 2021, the crime rate in Russia reached approximately 1.37 thousand offenses per 100 thousand population, marking a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2015 to 2021, the rate saw a decline by 262 registered crimes per 100 thousand people.
Known for the attractions in Moscow, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural history, retiring in Russia offers some benefits for expats and can be a great country if you're becoming a grandparent abroad.
The share of Russians who own an apartment or a house is relatively high and amounts to about 54 percent. About 11 percent reside in a rented apartment or house. The rest live with their relatives or friends. There are several major types of apartment blocks common in Russia.
Any legal entity or individual may own private land in the Russian Federation, subject to certain restrictions which regulate the legal status of the land plot. Foreign nationals and legal entities enjoy the same rights to land plots as Russian individuals and legal entities.
Generally, Russia is a safe country for expats. However, both the US Department of State and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to the North Caucasus region or to the Crimea, due to ongoing political unrest in these areas.
Source: Australian Energy Update 2022. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Australia ranks 7th on the OECD Better Life Index, based on living conditions and quality of life. In 2021, renewable energy accounted for 29% of Australia's total electricity generation.
Stereotypical physical characteristics of Russian people include a broader nose, dark blond eyebrows, fair skin, and a round face. There are a number of factors that contribute to these characteristics. In cultural stereotypes, Russian people are also seen as being individualistic, hard-working, honest, and generous.
Always show heightened respect to those who are older than you. It's common to adopt a more formal demeanour. Offer your seat to an elderly person, pregnant woman or woman with a small child if they do not have one. Men are expected to open doors for women, pay for their food, help them carry items, etc.
Russian culture generally possesses very strong conceptions about femininity and masculinity . Women are expected to be well groomed, reserved and have a feminine look. Meanwhile, though men are also expected to present themselves tidily, it's more acceptable for them to be unshaved, slightly unkempt and out of shape.