🧭 Overview
Russia is world's largest country spanning 11 time zones from Europe to Pacific, known for Soviet legacy, literature (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky), ballet, space program, and natural resources (oil, gas, minerals). Moscow is capital; St. Petersburg is cultural capital. Under Vladimir Putin (president/PM since 2000), Russia became increasingly authoritarian. February 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered catastrophic consequences: Western sanctions isolation, economic crisis, brain drain exodus, international pariah status, and internal repression. For expats, Russia means extreme hardship: sanctions make banking impossible, freedoms are crushed, war economy, and uncertain future. Only come with specific mission and realistic risk assessment.
👥 People & vibe
With roughly 144 million people (declining due to demographics and war casualties), Russia is ethnically Russian (~80%), Tatar, Ukrainian, Bashkir, Chuvash, Chechen, and 100+ ethnic groups. Russian language is essential. Orthodox Christianity revived post-USSR. The culture emphasizes resilience (endurance through suffering is valued), literature, vodka, and nostalgia for Soviet/Imperial greatness. Russians are stoic, deeply cultured, and shaped by trauma (WWII, Stalin, Soviet collapse). The vibe shifted from hopeful (1990s-2000s) to nationalist (2014 Crimea) to war mobilization (2022-present). Moscow is wealthy bubble; regions are impoverished; war dominates consciousness.
🌦️ Climate & landscape
Climate varies dramatically across 11 time zones: Moscow has continental (hot summers 25-30°C, brutal winters -10 to -25°C), Siberia has Arctic/subarctic (Yakutsk reaches -50°C), south has temperate. The landscape is vast — taiga forests (world's largest), tundra, mountains (Caucasus, Urals), Lake Baikal (world's deepest), steppe, and Arctic. Natural beauty is immense but access is limited. Air quality varies.
🏠 Housing & settling in
Most Westerners have left post-2022 invasion. Previously, Moscow expat areas included Patriarch Ponds, Mayakovskaya. Now housing for foreigners is minimal. Rents were RUB 60k-150k/month ($630-1,600 pre-war). Quality varies. Soviet-era kommunalkas (communal apartments) still exist. Registration (propiska) is mandatory and strict. Surveillance is pervasive. Sanctions make financial transactions nearly impossible.
💼 Work & economy
The economy is resource-dependent (oil, gas, metals, timber) but sanctions crippled it. GDP contracted, inflation soared, businesses fled. For foreigners, opportunities are limited to energy sector (shrinking), limited remaining multinationals, or specific diplomatic/NGO roles. Work permits theoretically required but system is dysfunctional. Sanctions mean international banking doesn't work — no Visa/Mastercard, no SWIFT. Salaries paid in rubles lose value. Brain drain is massive — 500k-1M+ (estimates) fled since invasion.
🛂 Visa & entry
Visa requirements are complex. Tourist visas are difficult for Westerners post-invasion. Work visas require employer sponsorship and extensive documentation. The process is opaque and political. Permanent residence is difficult. Citizenship requires 5 years residence, Russian proficiency, and loyalty oath. Dual nationals face restrictions. Travel is complicated by flight bans.
🏥 Healthcare
Healthcare quality varies dramatically. Moscow/St. Petersburg have decent private clinics but sanctions limit medical supplies, equipment. Regional healthcare is catastrophic — underfunded, outdated, no medicines. Life expectancy is ~73 years (declining). War injuries overwhelm system. Sanctions block medical imports. International insurance may not cover Russia. Medical evacuation is complicated by flight restrictions.
🚗 Transport & mobility
Moscow metro is beautiful (Stalin-era palaces underground), efficient, cheap. Roads in cities are decent; rural roads are terrible. Trans-Siberian Railway is iconic but slow (Moscow to Vladivostok is 7 days). Domestic flights connect cities. International flights are severely restricted — banned from European/North American airspace. Travel to West requires routing through Turkey, Middle East, Central Asia. The isolation is real.
🍛 Food note (national dish)
Traditional dishes include Borscht
(beet soup, though Ukraine also claims it), Pelmeni
(dumplings), or Blini
(pancakes). Russian cuisine is hearty — potatoes, cabbage, beets, meat, sour cream. Soviet nostalgia foods persist. Food security is affected by sanctions (imports blocked) but agriculture continues.
🔎 Bottom line
Russia is NOT for general expats or retirees. Post-February 2022 Ukraine invasion, Russia is international pariah under massive sanctions. Political repression is severe: anti-war protests crushed (15k+ arrested), independent media closed, opposition jailed/killed (Navalny poisoned, imprisoned, died 2024). War mobilization sent 300k+ to fight (many dead). Brain drain: 500k-1M+ fled (estimates). Economy is sanctioned: no SWIFT, no Visa/Mastercard, no Western goods. Only come if you're journalist (extreme risk), diplomat, or have specific mission and accept authoritarian governance. The Russia of literature and ballet is overshadowed by war and repression. If you value freedom, avoid Russia. The war defines everything.
Expat Score — 3.0 / 10