Job Discussion Forums

[GotoRussia]

thanks GF. One has to always look at the pragmatic situation as well as the emotional.

As the OP stated, he's set on Russia due to love which is a noble pursuit.

I just want to temper it with reality. Many of my Russian friends are complaining now, as they had to cancel travel and vacation plans because it is costing them twice as much.

I have expat teacher friends who say they are getting far less private students and freelance work. Several have left or made decisions to leave because they can't earn enough.

Sashodroggie might be urging people to stay as he may have limited options back home. I am not sure if he could get a proper job back in the UK, perhaps that's why he's stayed in Russia for so long. And of course his unbalanced opinions of blindly telling everyone "come to Russia" wears thin.

I wonder if he is not telling the entire truth about his situation, if he has lost students or work, or less $ after converting his rubles.

These are real issues affecting all expats now. And the sanctions mean getting imported goods are far more difficult. If you want that new Apple iphone you better find someone who is willing to buy it for you in the USA and ship it over.

[Sashadroogie]

I strongly suggest that the OP not be swayed by posters who are not actually in Russia, have a clear anti-Russian bias, and depend on distorted media reports for their so-called advice and economic insights.

Of course, that may just be the new year spirits talking, hic!

[Sashadroogie]

Sasha isn't from the UK. Just one example of your many baseless assumptions. And he has plenty of opportunity. More than most in EFL. But he also has family commitments here, and knows what is happening a little better than other commenters posting here.

The only way the ruble exchange is affecting me personally is my ruble debts have all devalued, making it very profitable to pay them off with my euro reserves. Well, that and the increasing price of imported beers and the total lack of four seasons pizza in restaurants.

Russians have always complained about conditions in Russia. Inflation has always been running at 10% or thereabouts. Nothing new there. But for those who keep saying they are returning to the OP try Reading what ge wrote. Money isn't his motivation. So why this endless harping on about the economy?

[GotoRussia]

You ain't British? You certainly ain't American or Canadian. Highly doubt you're an Aussie or Kiwi. Hmm, you could be an aberration from da hinterlands. No wonder your disposition was off kilter. And your English a little "off".

The OP needs to hear in real life what is going on in Moscow, not some fantasy dream from a Communist lover.

Consensus is that going to Russia right now is a financial death trap.

If all you're worried about is debt, then you probably didn't bother saving up too much. Wonder what your salary is, if it's on par with most expats.

I saved up 5 figures in Pounds during my short stint. Mind you I had a much better gig than the average teacher.

Maybe you got a rich dad who's gonna bail you out. Who knows.

There's a reason the ruble was the worst performing currency in the WORLD this year. That's no joke. To brush that off is doing a disservice to any expat thinking about moving there.

I suggest you get your financial acumen in working order.

[Sashadroogie]

So, the OP's English is off, and so is mine? : )

Like I say, it is relatively easy to make some money fairly fast here. But only until the students find you out and realise you don't know much.

Which is why many EFLers don't stay here. Some are even quite bitter about their experiences of having students with a better knowledge of linguistics and methodology than they displayed.

[spiral78]

[GotoRussia]

Well Putin and Obama ain't chummy chum, if ya know what I mean....

I went to Russia and left. I may return, may not.

[GotoRussia]

If you have no qualms about earning 50% less in real cash than you did half a year ago, then by all means stay.

[spiral78]

I've worked in places where currency has fluctuated in both directions. So what?

Those of us with longer-term ties to a country are unlikely to pack up and go whining home if the local currency experiences fluctuations.

That's for backpacker types. Sasha, I, and many others here have actual roots in countries outside our original homes.

[GotoRussia]

Good for you? Maybe you should invest in Russian oil futures then.

[Sashadroogie]

[GotoRussia]

Not all expats are fortunate enough to be paid in euros or dollars.

And many foreign companies are readjusting currency rates.

The OP is certainly not going to be paid in foreign currency as a non-native English teacher.

[GF]

[spiral78]

Yes, that's fair enough. But GotoRussia's comments were directed at Sasha, who's made it clear he's long-term in Russia. Those without significant ties should of course think twice when things are difficult. I don't actually think the OP on this thread has much of an immediate (or possibly even later) future in Russia, as I've already said, though if he wants to give it a shot, of course he may get lucky!

[GotoRussia]

My comments weren't directed at the Droggie man at all, it was to the OP.

For people already in Russia long term why would they care what others say.
I'm telling new expats to make sure you can take the financial hit of going to Russia.

Do the math. Eventually he will want to leave Russia, and it's going to cost him twice as much for flights etc...

Even several expats with families in Russia have relocated back to their homeland or elsewhere. USA, UK, or neutral european countries are far more stable.