Job Discussion Forums

[Spionen]

Hi!

I've just recently started considering teaching in Russia, but unfortunately my window is pretty small and I need to decide SOON. I'm American, 23, with CELTA and university degree as well as experience teaching in South Korea, Palestine, and Turkey for a cumulative total of about 1.5-2 years.

How likely is it that I could find a job starting in May (assuming I start looking now)? How long should I expect the process of getting visas, etc to take?

How much money should I have at the start of the process- to cover visa and expenses until the first paycheck? I know roughly how much airfare should be, so I can factor that in myself.

I have absolutely no interest in teaching children again, but I love teaching adults and I'm fine with older teenagers. I assume this shouldn't be too much of an issue and I'll be able to find a school which doesn't need me to take young learners.

I took a look at some job postings and it seems that a usual starting salary comes out to around $1300 per month. That's roughly what I've been earning in Turkey but I'm afraid it won't go nearly as far in Russia- how much are you able to save on average?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give me!

[smithrn1983]

May really isn't the best month to start in Russia. There is work here over the summer, but not very much of it. I think I was only working about half my regular hours last summer. That paid me enough to scrape by and not dig into my savings at all, but just barely. Until I moved into a new apartment, that is.

Speaking of which, unless you find a job that provides you with accommodation, you'll need to fork over about $3000USD to move into a new apartment, assuming you're looking at living in Moscow. Depending on how often the school you choose to work for pays its salaries, plus enough cash to buy a plane ticket should you need to leave in a hurry, and you're looking at needing about $5000USD when you land here, plus the amount you need to get a visa, flight here and all that.

If the school provides an apartment, you can make do on $1300/month, but you won't be saving very much. If you work on an hourly contract, and are good at promoting you skills and getting private clients, you could save between $1000-$2000/month on average depending on your lifestyle.

[maruss]

Finding an appartment in Moscow is a big headache and a big expense,as we all know only too well!The root of the problem is of course the constant high demand for accomodation there which keeps prices at a premium and this is made worse for foreigners who most Russians presume are on company expense accounts and should therefore expect to pay more than locals!If you use any of the well-known rental agencies that deal with expats they also extract high commission, deposits and expenses from you,apart from usually charging over the odds for the accomodation they offer you!One way around this is to use a Russian agent-meaning you also need the services of a Russian friend to deal with them,or better still,if you can pull it off,to avoid agents altogether and rent direct from the landlord.....finding one is either by word and mouth contacts,or perhaps by using an advertising paper which comes out weekly.It needs time,patience and a great deal of luck.Also be sure to clarify from the start exactly what services are included in the rental price and how long the rental period will be for at the agreed price!Other pitfalls are landlords sometimes expecting the right of access whenever they feel like it or keeping certain rooms or cupbords locked etc!If you are unlucky they might even suddenly tell you after a month or two that due to a 'family crisis' they suddenly need the appartment back again and expect you to move out,often because they have found another tenant who is prepared to pay more than you!Also bear in mind that many landlords avoid paying tax on rental income by not declaring that you live there and this includes with the passport and visa registration office so you will then have to find a way round that by registering yourself elsewhere-hopefully your firm can sort this out for you!
And finally don't be surprised if the price they are asking bears no connection with the quality of the accomodation offered!I have seen expensive hovels that only squatters would occupy in western countries,let alone pay any rent for-and surpringly cheap and cosy appartments in good locations as well!
Not that London and many other cities are cheap either though!

[MadGoldfish]

Finding a flat's not that hard if you're prepared to move in with other people. Just search on various ex-pat forums or another site (pm me for details i'm not sure if I can post it on here) before you come out and you'll find something.

This saves you from the hassle of having to pay all the fees up front etc etc. You can then move in with someone else if you meet someone you get on with better than your first flatmate.

[maruss]

This is a long-standing argument which has been raised on this forum many times before......although I am not against it when people decide to share because they find they are compatible and want to split expenses etc. it should not be expected by an employer as a matter of principle!I personally would not agree to share my living accomodation with an unknown person for many reasons and had personal experience when accepting the offer of a cheap room due to desperate and unforseen circumstances from a person who I had a relationship with nearly ruined everything!I know many people in Russia,especially in Moscow and other big cities share flats for the simple reason that they cannot afford to rent even a studio for themself,and I knew many cases where the people involved were virtual strangers!Deciding to move in with someone is one thing but having to share with a stranger is not on for me and I know several old timers on this forum who would agree with me.Life in Russia has enough hassles anyway,even more so if you are a first-timer and for me,my personal space and privacy would be precious!
It would be interesting to read some feedback from others on this subject.

[coledavis]

Er, why is everybody talking about Moscow? In Siberia, you generally get a flat by yourself. (Siberia's a big place. )

[smithrn1983]

You mean there's places in Russia that aren't Moscow?

[Sashadroogie]

I wouldn't really know - I have rarely ventured out into the barren wilderness

[kazachka]

[AGoodStory]

[coledavis]

[Caporetto]

How big is the disparity in living costs between big and small (or remoter) cities? Can anyone hazard a list of 'cheap' but liveable cities?

[maruss]

Moscow is notoriously expensive for many things, one of the reasons being that it is the capital where a large proportion of Russias wealth is concentrated-however,other cities with an artifical economy that is based on oil/gas etc. also have high living costs,compared to many smaller provincial towns where income levels and living standards are low.
Also worth bearing in mind is that food products tend to be expensive everywhere in Russia because many goods are imported and have to travel vast distances to their point of retail sale.This is why so many Russians who have 'dachas' or even small allotments are so keen to grow their own things in summer.
Overall do not expect to make enough money from a teaching job to afford a high standard of living in Russia-many people there don't either and you will be amazed how resourceful they have learned to be!

[coledavis]

Well, I have heard that basic living costs in Moscow are actually cheaper than elsewhere. As in London, I guess there's a lot of retail competition.

I think it is more important to consider the deal. Are you going to get a flat? (Expect your own flat, however modest, in the provinces, but shared accommodation in Moscow and St Petersburg.) Are you going to have to travel to different workplaces, and without subsidy? After that, it also depends upon how much nightlife you want, and what sort; if it doesn't interest you much, or you are modest in what you undertake, then you'll save. If you're somebody who doesn't tend to save at home, you're even less likely to on a teacher's salary here.

[maruss]

If Moscow retail prices are really cheaper than elsewhere in Russia though,I dread to think how people in other places cope on the meagre salaries most of them earn!