With programs to help startups secure government grants and access to venture capital networks, Moscow is on its way to becoming Russia’s Silicon Valley. To learn more about settling in in Russia’s capital, we caught up with local Yulia Safutdinova of misstourist.com. Here are her tips for making friends in Moscow.
Photo courtesy: Thomas Depenbusch/flickr
Tell us about Moscow. Russia, and Moscow in particular, are very special places. We don’t belong to Europe or Asia fully. We have our own special blend that makes us unique.
Moscow is an old place. The city center has the charm of any European capital; there are tons of shopping malls and restaurants on every corner! All the places are open late, if not 24/7. Sometimes I feel like Moscow is way more alive than some European capitals. You do not have to wander around in search of an open supermarket on Sunday like, for instance, in Paris. Everything is always open and accessible here.
Are people friendly toward expats and foreigners? Yes, people are very interested in foreigners and willing to help them, despite the language barrier.
What part of Moscow life is hardest for expats? Learning the Russian alphabet. It might look scary at first, but you’ll see it’s actually quite similar to the Latin alphabet. When I explain it to my friends they usually grasp it within an hour.
The weather might be another issue. (It is Russia, duh!) But when it comes to heating our homes, Russians do not cut any corners. When I was living in Italy I kept getting sick during the winter because their heating systems were nothing like what we have in Russia.
Photo courtesy: Evgeniy Isaev/flickr
What tips would you give people to help them assimilate with the local culture? Moscow is a great place to learn about the Russian culture. People are more open-minded here, and much more progressive.
Make as many friends as possible. Russian people might seem cold and gloomy at first, (remember: we don’t smile at strangers, we just don’t see the point). But make some local friends and you’ll completely change your opinion about Russians and Russian hospitality.
Stay in touch with your new friends by getting a VK account. It’s our national version of Facebook.
Any other tips for making local friends and connecting with other expats? A few sites that I use include:
Language exchange Group – a really cool way to meet new friends while mastering a new language
Toastmasters Moscow – another great way to make friends while practicing your public speaking skills in English
Couchsurfing – a great way to meet local people in any country. Just drop them a line asking if they are interested in meeting for a cup of coffee (or tea, we love tea!)
Meetup.com – search for a group that interests you and join some of the meetups. Meetup is quite active in Moscow
Once you get to know a couple of people, it will get easier. You will be invited to more events, meet more people, etc. Don’t be shy. Use all the endless opportunities this great city has to offer and you will experience the real Russia and hopefully understand our mentality a bit better!
Are there any bars, restaurants, etc. that are popular with expats? Timeout rooftop bar is a pretty cool place to meet other expats. It has an amazing view of the city and is located in a former KGB building.
Noor Bar is conveniently located on Tverskaya Street in the heart of the city. Many say this is Moscow’s best bar. Jagger Bar in Moscow is usually full of foreigners as well.
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