Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Yekaterinburg is the largest city in the Urals and is known for its rich history and cultural significance. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 RUB ≈ 0.013 USD; major banks include Sberbank and VTB. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include MTS, Beeline, and MegaFon. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted widely; use Revolut and Wise for better exchange rates. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through Airbnb, Vrbo, and local websites. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Yekaterinburg, with beds starting around 700 RUB per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Center, close to major attractions and transport. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Voznesensky District, known for coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking 88, offering flexible desks and private offices. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffee Lab, popular among locals for its large tables and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups hosted by Yekaterinburg Tech Club. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Yekaterinburg Expats Facebook Group organizes monthly social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex.Taxi is the most popular app for ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Gonbike and Taksim offer easy bike rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Shartash Lake, a 30-minute drive from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Ural Airlines offers flights to major cities in Russia and CIS countries. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines are the major carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access via M5 highway connects to major cities like Chelyabinsk and Tyumen. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Yekaterinburg Passazhirsky is the main train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly metro cards available for around 1,000 RUB. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Yekaterinburg to nearby cities like Tyumen and Khanty-Mansiysk. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | City Clinical Hospital #1, offering comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Santos Yoga Studio, providing classes in English too. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Sportland gym, with monthly passes around 2,500 RUB. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Clean&Go offers wash-and-fold service popular among expats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Delivery Club is the preferred choice for local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings you must try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan Cook Cafe offers a fully vegan menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cafe Zhar-Ptitsa is popular for its pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Gastronom No. 1 for fresh produce and local snacks. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Wildberries is a popular local site for various products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | M.UA offers grocery delivery services around the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Vysotsky Bar is a popular rooftop bar with great views. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Vinik & Pivo Brewery is known for its craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Formidable Wine Bar offers an extensive wine list. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks in the Tsentralny District serve various local cuisines. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pasta & Vino for Italian cuisine with a cozy atmosphere. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Church on the Blood and the Ural Federal University. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Fine Arts showcases Russian and European art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The 1905 Revolution Square is a significant historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Ascension Church is known for its beautiful architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Yekaterinburg Jazz Festival is held every summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Vysotsky Business Center features cultural spaces and galleries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre offers a vibrant schedule. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Verkh-Isetskiy Market provides a taste of local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local bands perform regularly at the club 'Gorod 812'. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Yekaterinburg Street Art Museum showcases urban art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary School Chefs offers classes in traditional Russian cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Zharok Art Gallery features local contemporary artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Sevastyanov House is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Yekaterinburg is known for its role in Russian history, particularly during the 1917 revolution. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Iset River and the nearby botanical garden for nature lovers. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Visim Nature Park is approximately 70 km from the city. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Green Path offers scenic views of the city. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Ural Nature Park provides beautiful hiking trails and viewpoints. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Botanical Garden for various species of birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The Shartash Stone Forest is a designated area for outdoor gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | CDEK offers reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iBreak offers electronics repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Arena Yekaterinburg hosts ping pong events. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Lingua School offers Russian language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Yekaterinburg State University Library is open to the public. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Ural Cultural Center hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geek Hub offers gaming facilities and tournaments. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Kremlin Casino offers various gaming options for entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 150,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 6,000,000 RUB) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 100,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 4,000,000 RUB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 120,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 7,200,000 RUB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 90,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 5,400,000 RUB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 110,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8,800,000 RUB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 70,000 RUB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 5,600,000 RUB) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13% |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations are in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is approximately 0.1% of the property's value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate of 0.5% for property transfers. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Flat income tax rate of 13% for resident individuals. |