Job Discussion Forums

[gavboy]

HI there
I have been offered a position in Moscow but have a few questions about life in the capital:

1 Internet from home. I am planning to take my laptop as I use it a lot to communicate with friends and family etc. Do Russian flats allow for easy internet access?? Are the apartments ( I have been told 'in the suburbs') a long way from the centre of the city?

2 Washing Machines. I understand that very few flats have a washing machine. Logistically, how does this affect washing clothes??

3 Dress. What is acceptable to wear whle teaching? Is it a shirt and tie environment, or are smart casual clothes acceptable??

Thanks in advance.....................

[kazachka]

Congrats on the job
Internet from home-
As long as you have a phone line and not a split one w/ the neighbor, it's a piece of cake. You can set up a dialup acct w/ a local IP such as MTU, but the downside is that it runs about a buck an hour! In many places, you can now get a DSL via Stream or KomKor.

Distance and commute time from the suburbs depends on which one you are living in. For example, Zelenograd is a 35-40 min bus ride to the end of the metro line (Rechnoi Vokzal). Mendeleevo is 50-60 min on a bus to Rechnoi Vokzal. From Rechnoi, it's 22/23 min to the center on the metro. Then there are some suburbs like Reutov that are just across MKAD(the outer ring road) and a 10 min van ride to the metro or 20 min by train to the center if you hit it at the right time. Within the city itself, allow 45min-1 hr for most commutes.

Washing machines-
During the warm months it's not such a big deal to hand wash clothes.Sometimes it's even faster than washing them in a washer. In the winter though, washing jeans and sweaters can be character building When you get into your new place, see if a washing machine can be hooked up if you plan to stay in Moscow long term. They can be purchased for 350-600 dollars (pricy but a good little investment). The Gorbushka has nice selection but prices have gone up lately because of the market's popularity. Mitino is a little cheaper.

Hope this helps

[kazachka]

Oh- what to wear.....
It depends on the school or company, but in general, people in Moscow dress nicely. I do on site classes at businesses so I stick to skirts and nice slacks, blouses, sweaters, an occasional blazer..... Most of the guys I see are in slacks and button down shirts.