Moscow, Russia 🇷🇺
Nomad Score:
57%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Moscow is the capital of Russia, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and significant influence in global affairs. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 12.5 million people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is the Russian Ruble (RUB). Approx. 1 USD = 95 RUB as of November 2024. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally not drinkable; it's recommended to use bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity supply is 220V, 50Hz, with Type C and Type F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include MTS, Beeline, and MegaFon. SIM cards can be purchased at airports, stores, or online. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Local banks such as Sberbank and VTB allow USD and EUR accounts. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Popular platforms for renting are Airbnb and local services like Tvil.ru. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless transactions are common, with mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental platforms such as Daily Rent are the best options for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Affordable options include hostels like Friends on Taganka and budget hotels like Ibis. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, located in multiple locations, offers flexible workspaces and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Buro offers a cozy atmosphere and good coffee for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com is popular for finding professional networking events across various interests. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Internations Moscow hosts regular gatherings and social events for expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex.Taxi is the most popular ride-hailing app, offering competitive prices and reliable service. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | You can use apps like Donkey Republic and CityBike for bike rentals around the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | There are no beaches in Moscow, but the closest beach area would be in Zvenigorod, about 70 km away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Pobeda Airlines provides budget travel options within Russia and nearby countries. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Aeroflot is the major airline connecting Moscow to international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major roads include the M1, M2, and M3 highways, connecting to regions outside Moscow. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Leningradsky Station serves as a primary hub for domestic and international rail travel. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Moscow offers a Troika card for public transport, providing discounts and ease of use across metro, bus, and tram. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains are the best option to travel to nearby cities like Vladimir and Tver. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Russian Federal Center for Cardiovascular Surgery is one of the top facilities offering high-quality care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogakula Studio offers a variety of classes in a friendly environment. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness House and World Class are well-regarded gyms throughout the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundromats are available, along with delivery laundry services like LAUNDRYBOX. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Delivery Club and Yandex.Eda are the top food delivery services in Moscow. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Borscht, a beet soup, and Pelmeni, dumplings, are must-try local dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan nom and Fresh are popular for plant-based dining options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Pushkin offers a delightful selection of traditional Russian desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Central Market and Danilovsky Market are great for budget-friendly local produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | OZON.ru is a leading online marketplace in Russia for various products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Selfridges.ru offers grocery delivery services in many Moscow neighborhoods. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Arbat Street and Kitay-Gorod are known for their bustling nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Baltika Brewery is one of the largest and most well-known in Russia. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Ginza Project operates several wine bars and restaurants offering extensive selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | GUM's Food Court offers various street food vendors in a historical setting. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Like is famous for its eclectic menu featuring international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Red Square and the Kremlin are iconic landmarks that represent Moscow's rich history. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The State Tretyakov Gallery is renowned for its extensive Russian art collection. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | St. Basil's Cathedral is a must-visit for its unique architectural style. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Christ the Savior Cathedral is a key religious site and beautifully restored. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Moscow International Film Festival occurs in June; a notable event attended by many. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Zamoskvorechye area offers a brilliant mix of culture, history, and art. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Bolshoi Theatre is world-famous for its ballet and opera performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Izmailovsky Market is popular for arts, crafts, and souvenirs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Moscow has a vibrant music scene with venues like Do You Wanna Funk hosting live performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Flacon Design Factory is an area noted for its urban art and contemporary installations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Wok Cafe offers classes in traditional Russian cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | VZN BRD is an innovative gallery providing contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The State Duma of the Federal Assembly is an architectural marvel worth visiting. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Moscow Metro stations are unique in their architectural design and rich history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Serebryany Bor is a popular spot for nature walks and picnics, located within the city limits. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Losiny Ostrov National Park, about 25 km away, offers diverse wildlife and beautiful natural scenery. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Gorky Park has well-developed paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The observation deck at VDNH offers stunning views of the city skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Losiny Ostrov National Park is also a great location for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Gorky Park allow for bonfires; permits may be required. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SDEK and Boxberry provide reliable parcel delivery services throughout Russia. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Masterskaya offers comprehensive tech repair services across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | 668 Table Tennis Club is a well-known place for enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Lingua Yulia offers Russian language classes for various skill levels. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Russian State Library is one of the largest libraries, perfect for study and research. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The House of Culture offers various community events and cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Dynamo Stadium has a gaming lounge for recreational play. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Sochi is a popular gaming destination, though a bit outside of Moscow. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 1,500,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 60,000,000 RUB). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 1,200,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 48,000,000 RUB). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 2,000,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 120,000,000 RUB). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 1,500,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 90,000,000 RUB). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 2,500,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 200,000,000 RUB). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 1,800,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 144,000,000 RUB). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% on corporate profits. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% is standard for dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Russia operates a flat income tax system at 13% for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13% for all residents, regardless of income level. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, stringent rules apply to CFCs. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax varies but is generally around 0.1% to 2% depending on the municipality. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A standard rate of 0.3% applies to property transactions. |