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Is russia expensive
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Posted by: JamesB

Guys, i travel fri to Siberia.As im also saving for wedding in six weeks im trying to budget.Are things in Russia cheaper much cheaper than here.I asked liuda how much for a nice meal for two and she said in Novosibirsk about $100.Also has anybody been to Berdsk.All i see on net is a warning for tourists not to reavel there at night.Even Liuda says there are no nice bars,shops or restaurants.She said lots of Drunk people.

Posted by: swindoom

"nice meal for two in Novosibirsk about $100", no way!

, I have been to some very good restaurants in Omsk, similar to Novosibirsk, and only once paid $30, normally alot cheaper though less than $20 is more normal, including drinks.
Moscow/St Petes are expensive, Moscow "London expensive" but the rest of Russia is real Russia and is very cheap by comparison to the UK.

For $100 in Novosibirsk I would expect my meal to cooked by Gordon Ramsey, using fresh dodo egss and freshly killed unicorn meat.

Posted by: Pin Boy

james,

you may want to consider slowing down here. since you have not been to russia, i'm assuming you have not met the woman you're going to visit? if so, you may want to keep the wedding ideas on the shelf until you REALLY get to know this woman and she gets to know you. other, more experienced people will probably tell you the same. good luck on your trip and keep us posted.

pin boy

Posted by: swindoom

Pin Boy,

If I recall correctly they had a holiday together in Egypt.

Posted by: vic2012

In comparison to UK, expect to pay the same for electronic goods, 70% for restaurants (good restaurants) 50% otherwise. 60% for food, 25% for taxis and less than 10% for fags and crown top vodka.

By the way Swindoom, I think prices of restuarants have gone up quite quickly. Two snack meals with cheesecake and coffee came to a staggering Ł20 a couple of weeks ago in Omsk. Lovely cafe, opposite the big toy store, near the centre.

Posted by: Pin Boy

thanks swindoom. it is hard to keep up with all the names and the situations. i appreciate it.

pb

Posted by: JamesB

Thanks pin boy but i have known Liuda a while ,we have met and are getting
marries on May 26th.We are being filmed for documetary while im there.

Posted by: AkMike

Well, I hope things go smoothly for you on this trip. Can we ahve autographs when you are a rich and famous Movie star? Don't forget all us "little people" when you step up for the awards..

Posted by: swindoom

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

In comparison to UK, expect to pay the same for electronic goods, 70% for restaurants (good restaurants) 50% otherwise. 60% for food, 25% for taxis and less than 10% for fags and crown top vodka.

By the way Swindoom, I think prices of restuarants have gone up quite quickly. Two snack meals with cheesecake and coffee came to a staggering Ł20 a couple of weeks ago in Omsk. Lovely cafe, opposite the big toy store, near the centre.

I was only in Omsk three months ago and it was still very cheap, maybe because it was -42C. My wife, who is from Omsk, thinks £20 cannot be true especially as the average wage is only about £160 per month, that is two weeks wages for her mum. Maybe it is a new cafe she has not heard of for the new Russians living in the city centre.

Posted by: bingism

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

Guys, i travel fri to Siberia.As im also saving for wedding in six weeks im trying to budget.Are things in Russia cheaper much cheaper than here.I asked liuda how much for a nice meal for two and she said in Novosibirsk about $100.Also has anybody been to Berdsk.All i see on net is a warning for tourists not to reavel there at night.Even Liuda says there are no nice bars,shops or restaurants.She said lots of Drunk people.

James, I'm surprised! In Petersburg, I regularly paid $100 for a meal (the most was $200)... this was with quite a few drinks, imported wine and two starters and two mains... I've never been to Novosibirsk, but I can't see that it would be the same as rip-off central (SPb)....

Posted by: vic2012

I kid you not Swindoom. That is why I specified the location. I'll let you know the name of the place when I've spoken to Viktorija.

On the other hand, we went to a an old, tall wooden building, which was like an obsticle course to get to. It was lovely and warm, a bit grimey and had lots a old men sitting around. Two big bowls of borscht, some sausages and bread and a couple of beers under 250r the lot. So it is possible for two to eat for under a fiver. But I wouldn't take my new GF there!

Posted by: swindoom

My wife always suggests where we should eat when we are in Omsk, Stary(Old) Omsk was always good and not expensive, also has an English menu for us visitors.

I looked at that telephone website you suggested, it looks like a right bargain and seems to be good quality voice as well.

Posted by: JamesB

Thanks guys im looking forward to the trip,though still have concerns about flight connections as i said in another thread.Aeroflot said it would be no problem but there is no bus service available at airport.By the sounds of it Liuda and i will spend most of our time in Novosibirsk rather than berdsk.Cheers.

Posted by: Ade

Hi,

I do think there are a lot of places now where prices have risen...in Bratsk, with Seida ordering (so no clue that rich Johnny Foreigner was paying the bill), the prices between establishments varied tremendously, and in the Calypso - a marvellous restaurant - paying Ł20 per head plus drinks wasn't unusual.

Other places were a lot cheaper, but I think that the better quality establishments are more aware now of what they can charge and get away with.

Of course, Bratsk may not be a typical town, I don't know Russia well enough.....but there is a lot of wealth there, just concentrated in a few hands....and that sounds like a similar story in a lot of Russia....and the people with the money can afford to pay, so places can afford to charge.

Ade

Posted by: JamesB

Thanks i will see where we end up .i hope to get some blinis my fav.cheers

Posted by: swindoom

To me and wife it is totally amazing to hear that people paid so much for food in places away from Moscow/St. Petes. All the times I visited restuarants in Omsk in the past year I always got change from a 1000r note, including a few Siberian Korona's, sometimes even from a 500r note.

My first visit to Omsk for 4 days I spent Ł80, this was equivalent to a months salary at my wifes former job. It included lunch and evening meals for two, lots of taxi's, museums, three hours exclusive use of a banya, a visit to a supermarket and obviously a few beers.

Posted by: jpierce55

While Moscow was very expensive last year, Kiev was not and I can't imagine Omsk should cost more then the capital. $20 a person is right for Kiev.

Posted by: searcher

It can be expensive it depends upon what you are doing, which city you are in, where you eat and what you buy.

My fiance was telling me that some jeans cost $200-300!!!!! Yikes!

So, it depends upon the goods, services, etc....

Posted by: bingism

Quote:

Originally Posted by searcher

It can be expensive it depends upon what you are doing, which city you are in, where you eat and what you buy.

My fiance was telling me that some jeans cost $200-300!!!!! Yikes!

So, it depends upon the goods, services, etc....

I saw this in SPb... it's almost like the value of money vs. quality of products has not yet been understood by many!! I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case, because it's still only 15-years post-peristroika

Posted by: swindoom

I think it makes a difference where the products come from, western products were always expensive whereas local Russian stuff was cheap, for example a bottle of Martini was more expensive in Omsk than England but you could buy a good bottle of Russian vodka for Ł2 to Ł3 and Siberian Korona was 20p a can.

Posted by: JamesB

I think it will be interesting to shop around and see whats available..Guess i will have to try the vodka at some stage though im taking whisky for her dad.

Posted by: bingism

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

I think it will be interesting to shop around and see whats available..Guess i will have to try the vodka at some stage though im taking whisky for her dad.

I developed quite a taste for very cold Russki Platinum Imperia... not a good habit to start!!! LOL The colder the better and 50ml down in one followed by a cournichon (small gherkin) or "cucumber" is a common translation

Posted by: JamesB

Sounds a bit like a tequila with no salt and a gherkin.Well two days to go.Im so short of cash its mad really even thinking of this trip as im using money which could have been used for the wedding.Things we do for love.I must need my head tested.

Posted by: firemansam

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

Sounds a bit like a tequila with no salt and a gherkin.Well two days to go.Im so short of cash its mad really even thinking of this trip as im using money which could have been used for the wedding.Things we do for love.I must need my head tested.

I would have thought that the trip would be somewhat funded by the TV company.. I guess not?

Still, Goodluck with everything mate, I hope it all goes well for you both! To reiterate what othrs have said, and I know you know this, don't be scared to tell the camera to sod off if you need to and be sure of your heart.
My best wishes,
Sam.

Posted by: JamesB

Thanks ,well they paid flights ,visa which was Ł250 ,new passport hotel with double room so i can,complain.Its just as i said im saving and its so difficult.My rent her is Ł750 a month +bills so all my money from the club work goes to save.I wont be afraid to tell them what to do if we need some time but to be fair Lucy the producer has been great.Cheers.

Posted by: firemansam

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

Thanks ,well they paid flights ,visa which was Ł250 ,new passport hotel with double room so i can,complain.Its just as i said im saving and its so difficult.My rent her is Ł750 a month +bills so all my money from the club work goes to save.I wont be afraid to tell them what to do if we need some time but to be fair Lucy the producer has been great.Cheers.

I really hope it all goes well James! I look forward to reading the news once you return!!
Good luck and god speed..
Sam.

Posted by: JamesB

Thanks for that,im just thinking in 72 hours i will be with Liuda.Be good to get away from all you kiwis and aussies,the club i work in is An aussie club.lol

Posted by: firemansam

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

...... all you kiwis and aussies....

OI!
I resemble that remark....

hehehe

Posted by: JamesB

Have to say that generally everything was very cheap.Had one really nice meal which cost 2000 roubles.In Moscow at sv2 it was another story.Everything was so overpriced.