Job Discussion Forums

[crespo361]

hi,
is 3200 usd after tax a good salary to live on in Moscow? I know the cost of living is expensive but the other costs I don't know about.

Any help greatly appreciated

[jpvanderwerf2001]

You should be able to get buy on that salary. Will you have to pay rent?

[kazachka]

It's a good salary if they pay for your housing(best options are places who give you a stipend and you chooce your digs). If you are paying rent, budget about half the salaray for food/rent. It's still plenty to live on and to afford your own housing.

[crespo361]

There-s no accomodation included, but if half is for rent and food then I thought I-d have plenty to live on.
I-m not sure though, but surely 3200 is enough for rent, food and saving

[crespo361]

I suppose all I really want to know is that will this salary permit me to get decent accomodation, put food on the table and save something. Surely it should be more than enough, not 'you should be able to get by?' How much do you need to ear nto live comfortably?

[Sashadroogie]

Depends on your lifestyle, obviously. But rent should only be about 1000 dollars a month, and domestic bills aren't too much. Electricity, water etc, these don't add up to too much compared to outside Russia. And they are normally included in the rent anyway.

Transport costs are not excessive either, if you buy yearly metro passes, for example. Foodstuffs tend to cost more than you'd expect, and the same for clothing. Entertainment is on a cline from very cheap to wildly extravagant. Your choice...

3,200 USD is about 100,000 rubles a month. Some of my students only earn about 50 or 60 thousand. So I'd say it should be enough to save and I think it is a good salary even if you get no extra stipend for accommodation. But how many hours do you have to teach to get this? That's another factor.

[crespo361]

Thanks for replying it's 22.5 contact hours (30 academic hours). I think it's good but just needed a balanced opinion. I get the metro pass, insurance and healthcare provided too, so all in all...

[Sashadroogie]

Take it. You won't find much better than that, especially if it's your first time to Russia.

Good luck!

[maruss]

It is not a bad salary compared with what some other firms pay in Moscow but I would also add the following advice:
1)Finding an appartment in Moscow is often a very tedious,frustrating and even expensive undertaking-I have posted about this before,so just to recap, not knowing how well you know Moscow and how the situation is there-get the firm to at least find you somewhere ready for when you arrive because it will be much easier for you,especially if you don't have any Russian speaking friends otherwise you will be forced to resort to using one of the expensive agencies that deals with expats and pay commissions and fees etc.Also bear in mind that you will most probably have to pay one months extra rent as a deposit up-front so budget for this.
2)The landlord may not want to register you as staying at his flat to avoid tax and other bureaucratic problems and as this is essential for you to comply with visa regulations also ask your firm for their help and advice about this in advance.Otherwise you might end up paying an exhorbitant monthly fee to an agency for this!
3)Do you know where you will actually be working?Is it at the firms office or are you expected to go out to clients to give lessons?If so where exactly and how far will you have to travel each day to get to them?Many people are unaware of the size and hassle of commuting in Moscow until they actually experience it-remember it is winter and believe you me,it can be mentally and physically exhausting travelling around-also try to avoid split hours with early mornings and then evenings,unless you manage to live very near to your place of work!
4)Even with what is not a bad starting salary,you are unlikely to be able to afford to live in one of the more desirable central areas where even a 1 room appartment could well be over $1500 per month,depending on the exact area,building and facilities etc.Also keep in mind that prices in these areas for other things such as groceries tend to reflect the upmarket customers,just as in many other world cities.
When choosing any appartment always consider what things are nearby such as metro stations,buses,shops etc.Being near to these is usually reflected in the price too as much as the quality of the accomodation itself.As a very general guide,try to avoid the south and south-eastern suburbs which do not have a good reputation due to pollution and are generally drab and depressing.But overall,the closer you are to work and the less you have to commute daily,so much the better.You can use your free time to travel around and explore Moscow,rather than be forced to do it as a daily chore!
Hope this advice is useful.

[kazachka]

Heads up-30 academic hours is a lot if you will be dealing with long commutes and the evil split shift. If it is blocked, then it isn't so bad. Every school is different in that respect. The one I worked for failed miserably in ever blocking ANYTHING, so even taking 16-20 hours was a PITA. Sooner or later you will reach a point where you will get sick and tired of coming home at 10PM when you have a class at 8AM the next morning. Coming home long after you should already be in BED is ridiculous. With that many hours, don't plan on being able to survive on going home for an afternoon nap either. To pull that one off, you need to not have someting in the mid-afternoon before going to your evening class. Bottom line, if the work day begins at 8AM, it needs to end at 4 or 5, not 9 or 10PM. OTOH, if you can be blocked either morning/afternoon or afternoon/eve,then it's survivable. Yes, 30 hours is a lot, most schools cap you at 22-24.