Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Moscow, the capital of Russia, is known for its rich history, architecture, and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 12.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 50 Mbps (varies by area) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 RUB ≈ 0.013 USD, major banks include Sberbank and VTB |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended to drink; use bottled water instead. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include МТС (MTS), Билайн (Beeline), and МегаФон (MegaFon) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular services include Revolut and Monzo alongside local banks. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb to long-term rentals via Cian or Avito. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards widely accepted; digital payments via QR codes are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Tinkoff Housing. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Ностальгия (Nostalgia) and Барак (Barak) provide affordable stays. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Kremlin area, Tverskaya Street, and Arbat Street are popular. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Khamovniki and Tushino are preferred for coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (multiple locations) and Workki (various districts) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffeemania and Кофе на революции (Coffee on the Revolution) are great options. |
| 💼 Networking Events | TechCrunch Moscow and numerous Meetup events happening monthly. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join Moscow Expats Facebook Group for meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex Taxi and Uber operate widely in the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike-sharing services like Velobike and electric scooters via Samocat. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No direct beaches, but Gorky Park offers waterfront activities. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Aeroflot and S7 Airlines are major carriers. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | S7 Airlines, Aeroflot, and Turkish Airlines fly out frequently. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Moscow Ring Road (MKAD) provides extensive access to major routes. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Belorussky Station for trains to regional destinations. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly metro passes available for around 2,200 RUB. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect to cities like St. Petersburg and Kazan. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Russian Children's Clinical Hospital and European Medical Center. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YMCA and YogaTree offer classes in various styles. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness House and Planet Fitness have multiple locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats are available, with convenient services like Express Laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Delivery Club and Yandex.Eda are popular options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sample authentic Borscht andPelmeni. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan-Na-Your and O!Vegan are great spots. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Try the pastries at Cafe Pushkin and Varenichnaya. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | GUM and Izmirstor provide budget food options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Ozon and Wildberries are leading online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Selfridges and VkusVill offer delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Krysha Mira and Strelka Bar are popular nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Craft breweries like Крафт (Kraft) Brewery and Afisha Picnic. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine and Meat is a notable wine bar in the city. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food markets such as Danilovsky andernooi. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Diverse cuisine available, including Ural and Georgian spots like Khachapuri. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Tretyakov Gallery is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Novodevichy Convent. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Moscow City Day and the Moscow International Film Festival. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Zamoskvorechie and the creative district of Winzavod. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Bolshoi Theatre and Meyerhold Centre for cutting-edge performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Danilovsky Market and Izmailovsky Market for souvenirs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various nightclubs and bars host music events, including SOLYANKA. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore street art in the neighborhoods of Pskov and Chistye Prudy. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn Russian cuisine at the popular Uley workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | White Cube and Artplay have various exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Novodevichy Convent and the State Historical Museum. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Moscow has a rich cultural heritage traced back to the Tsardom of Russia. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Kolomenskoye Park and Tsaritsyno Park are great for nature lovers. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Losiny Ostrov National Park is nearby for hiking and wildlife. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Enjoy paths in Gorky Park and along the Moscow River. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Sparrow Hills offers stunning views over the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Moscow's parks provide good birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated picnic zones in Serebryany Bor. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Major services include DHL and Russian Post. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Variety of stores such as Мобильные Технологии (Mobile Technologies) for repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Play at multiple sports complexes like СДЮСШОР (SDYUSSHOR). |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like Лингва (Lingua) offer Russian courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Russian State Library and various cafes serve as study spots. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Moscow International House offers workshops and classes. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Check out Game Park and Kplay for a gamer-friendly atmosphere. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Various casinos, including Casino Sochi and Casino Shangri-La. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₽300,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₽12,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₽150,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₽6,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₽280,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₽16,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₽135,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₽8,100,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₽250,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₽20,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₽120,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₽9,600,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% corporate tax rate for businesses. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividends for foreign entities. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13% for residents. |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply to foreign-based companies. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on cadastral value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax on property transfers is around 0.5%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Provide favorable conditions for freelancers and limited personal taxation. |