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Money questions
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Posted by: mistermopar

Hey everyone,I have a question about money and living in the FSU.

Now I know it will very from city to city.
What is the aprox amout someone would make living in Russia?
What kind of life style would they have?

The reason I am asking is that I had been talking to my friend in Russia about this.She makes about 230 Euros a month = $315 Canadian,$275 US,7,706 Roubles.
She says she lives fine,not a lot of extras but semi comfortable.

So if a person was to make $500-$800 US a month they would be doing quite well?

Any ideas,comments,sugestions.....any thing would help me.

Thanks
Randy

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermopar

So if a person was to make $500-$800 US a month they would be doing quite well?

Any ideas,comments,sugestions.....any thing would help me.

Thanks
Randy

In Moscow they would not. In SP they would not either. Somewhere in Tver or Kostroma they probably would.

Your question does not have a definite answer without specifying the exact region you are asking about. Russia is big.

Posted by: mistermopar

Thank you inlove,the area I was looking at is the Volgograd/Volzhsky area,if that would help.

Randy

Posted by: inlove

Then,
If you live in an appartment you have receivved from the goverment, and then privatised, don't have a car, and don't travel overseas much, you can easily manage on $500-800.

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks inlove,that helps me.I just want to make sure if I was to move there I would be able to survive.

Randy

Posted by: GreenBarb

I've just return from 3 months in Russia in Dimitorvgrad. The smaller cities are cheaper and you would average about ˆ100-150 a month, if you watch what you spend.
In Dimitrovgrad currently a one room Flat is about 2000 Rubles a month to rent. Heat and electricity is about 500 Rubles.

Posted by: Cheburashka

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermopar

Thanks inlove,that helps me.I just want to make sure if I was to move there I would be able to survive.

Randy

Randy, can I ask you a question? Why do you want to "survive" when there are those who are "thriving" very well in Russia. Those people (Americans) with an entrepreneurial mindset are doing extremely well in Russia. Think big!

Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheburashka

Randy,

I agree with Cheburashka - think big

Posted by: jeffs

Mr. mopar

For Vologda my gal told me we would be ok on about 600 month. That would cover rent, basic niceties and going out once a week or so. I'm planning on having about $900/month saved for the first year plus her $400/month salary. It definitely sounds possible, and I am hoping to leverage my marketing and consulting skills once I learn enough Russian.

I'll let you know how wrong I was when I get there in June...

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks everyone...

GreenBarb,thoses sound like great prices,gees I could sell my house here and live there forever and not have to work ever again...LOL.But seriously thanks,it helps give me an idea of what I am looking at getting myself into.

Cheburashka,thanks,yes I would like to thrive very well if I could,but I really can't come up with any ideas at this time.I had once thought of a Subway francise,but they want more then what I have avalible.Can't think of any thing else.

jeffs,thanks for your imput,let me know how right or wrong you were.

Randy

Posted by: Mr.Humble

Go the "enjoymoscow" route and start buying and renting flats

Posted by: Cheburashka

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermopar

Cheburashka,thanks,yes I would like to thrive very well if I could,but I really can't come up with any ideas at this time.I had once thought of a Subway francise,but they want more then what I have avalible.Can't think of any thing else.

Do your own thing! Franchises will rape you in the long run. Here's what I mean. A couple years ago I started to do some research about opening a coffee shop in Moscow close to the University. Here was my hook: It was to be called "Tsarbucks" and would completely rip-off the coffee tycoons from Seattle. But who cares? Competition makes us all better. The product names were simply genius because it was a true “East meets West” experience. And the Russians who I used to do my business plan research were extremely pumped about the idea.

Due to a myriad of personal challenges that came up, and a name change on this board, I abandoned the idea. But be encouraged that when I started doing research, RUSSIAN VENTURE CAPITALISTS CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK!!!!! There are plenty of people who want to invest in the enterprises of people with big dreams and a warrior's heart. There is an American restaurant owner in Novosibirsk who is making money hand over fist.

Go For It!
Cheb

PS: You can steal my idea if you want. I’ll even tell you how to get great coffee in from Costa Rica.

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Cheb,LOL it sounds like a great idea,I loved the name.
I'll let you know if I would like to try your idea.
I understand what you meen about ideas,and big ones.

Randy

Posted by: Jutman

A free idea. be the first to launch a nation-wide fast food chain in Russia.

Posted by: Pin Boy

and watch everyone transform into overweight americans

Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pin Boy

and watch everyone transform into overweight americans

LOL,now we wouldn't want that Pin Boy.

Randy

Posted by: deccie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jutman

A free idea. be the first to launch a nation-wide fast food chain in Russia.

Well maybe not fast food but wouldn't "standardised" traditional Russian food work?
For all the bad things that McDonalds have done of the the things that worked very well for them was standardisation and consistency.
I couldn't see why the same wouldn't be applicable to Russia - even more so perhaps.

Posted by: mistermopar

LOL....I could call it "McLean's" over 3 served.Menu, Borsh and vodka....

Randy