What if YOU stay in Russia?

[Lara]

Just an idea for well educated men - why don't you stay in Russia? Even without knowledge of Russian you can make a proper career and you level of living will be a few heads above the one you have in your countries.
On the russian market there is a certain demand on ex-pats speacialists........

It's not my idea - it's my reality, guys, my british hubby doesn't even want to hear of the uk after Moscow He has got a diplomatic visa, immunity, respect, money, love - everything he didn't see much in the uk

Open 4 discussion,
plz feel free 2 comment it

BR
Lara

[Eric]

... in response to What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

Hey Lara,
Could you give me some more info on the Living in Russia??
Actually I am interested in living in Ukraine, I know russia and ukraine are different countries but the concepts and ideas are often the same between the two countries.

Sorry please explain, what is "ex-pats specialists"?

Thanks,
Eric

[wilmc]

... in response to What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

Dear Lara:
I have enjoyed your comments, thank you.
Allow me to tell you my story and ask for your advice.
I have a loving relationship with a charming, intelligent Russian lady.  In my eyes she is very beautiful and we get along very well.  She is six years younger than me, within your recommended parameters. I am good friends with her family.   We have spent three holidays, once in Cyprus, and twice in Spain, together.  I have visited her twice in Russia.  We exchange e-mail, letters and telephone calls on a regular basis.  
I am 62 and retired with a pension and I am eligible to receive social security.  I also have adequate savings and investments for my retirement.
Our plan is for me to come live with her in Russia during the periods when the weather is pleasant there.  At other times we will holiday together. The rest of the time I will return to America to visit my family.  I am divorced with two grown sons.
My concern is primarily health care in Russia.  I have met so many Russian doctors who have emigrated to the west.  I fear that Russia is suffering a "brain drain." Will I be able to obtain quality medical care while living in Russia?  My retirment medical plan will allow for payments to foreign health care providers via reimbursements to me.  Unfortunately when I reach 65 I will have to collect Medicare.  I am not sure that I can use that benefit in Russia.
Your comments on this and any other concerns I should consider would be very much appreciated.

[Lara]

... in response to Re: What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by wilmc on Feb 18, 2002

Dear Wilm, Russia is so huge.........you know...in Moscow you would be able to find the proper medical service, pity you didn't tell which city you'll be in. I think if it's a regional center, you will get the best they may offer
I'm happy to hear about one more international pair, wish both of you all the best (i think YOUR lady knows everything what you ask me about)

[wilmc]

... in response to Re: Re: What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by Lara on Feb 19, 2002

Dear lara:
Thank you for your prompt reply.  To answer your question we will reside in Moscow.

[RW]

... in response to What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

Lara,

It depends on situation and professional background. My husband is a pilot and there is no way he will find job in Russia flying. Even if he does, when he returns to USA he will have to start everything from zero. It is a long explanation with seniority, pay scale and everything, so that scenario would not work with us. Besides, with American education I have much better job possibilities and opportunities in US as well, so why stay in Russia?

Except for may be a diplomatic visa, my hubby does have  immunity, respect, money, love here, in USA.

All the best,

Russian Wife

[Lara]

... in response to Re: What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by RW on Feb 18, 2002

It's cool he has it all. It;s up to a person - just some men can get all better here, not all but some - if they are positive.
Plus as a ruswife you know the attitute to foreigners here - it's really nice

[MNKenr]

... in response to What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

I can not speak for others, but for me if the opportunity was presented I would live overseas if I was in love .(anywhere, Russia, Ukraine, different city in United States)

I was curious and I looked at availible jobs in Moscow about 8 months ago. I work in the Computer Information Systems industry. The jobs I found in Moscow pay in one month what I can make in 3 days here in USA. The higher paying jobs were better, but they required experience I did not have (Manager of a million dollar or more business, 20 years experience, etc).

If I was to move to Russia on the salary of even the best paying Information Technology jobs I will be able to visit my family once every 2 years. If I fall in love and the woman moves with me in America, she can visit her family 2-3 times a year.

Lara, tell me please how one goes about finding a well paying job as an expat? Are there services availible to hire expats? Not everyone has the same opportunity as your husband has. The search I did showed me that it would be difficult for me to have a better life in Moscow. Can you instruct us that are interested in living there how to go about finding these nice high paying expat jobs? In general the job market in Moscow is not as effective as the job market in my city. This is my opinion based on the research I did in teh past.

MNKen

[John K]

... in response to Re: What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by MNKenr on Feb 18, 2002

My wife and I have talked about my finding work in Ukraine, but it would mean a serious reduction in our current standard of living.  I do much better here, than I could in Ukraine.

On the other hand, we are starting to look into investing and providing we get the financial stability we are looking for, we might end up doing a lifestyle split in a few years.  A few months there, a few months here.  Back and forth, with maybe an occassional foray into the rest of Europe to get the experience.

Of course, we need to do really good in the markets first...  :-)

[Lara]

... in response to Re: What if YOU stay in Russia?, posted by MNKenr on Feb 18, 2002

My hub is a computer engineer as well. He joined me in Moscow and we started looking for a job for him. In 2 weeks he found Technical Director job for 1200 USD. The common expensies in Moscow (if you don't have to rent a flat) for the family r about 500 USD (fool allowance and the like)Taking into account that my salary was jus a bit lower, we were fine
In 1 year he was hired as an expat and got all i mentioned before. But i can not judje on your qualification, it's

[Bob S.]

... in response to Re: thanx for being that positive, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

"...he found Technical Director job for 1200 USD."

Can I assume that is 1200USD per month?  Maybe that is good money by UK or Moscow standards, but someone with his qualifications can easily earn that much PER WEEK in North America (if not double).  How much do you save in your retirement savings each year?  Do you even have a retirement savings, or do you expect to live off a government pension?  I'll bet most professional guys here are loading up their 401k retirement accounts (at least those who aren't retired already), saving thousands of USD every year for the future day when they can no longer work.  To be old, poor, and dependent on a government check is a miserable life in America.  Do your pensioners fair any better?

The idea of going to live and work in another country is a wonderful idea, especially for those who can afford to take time out from climbing the corporate ladder.  But without fluent Russian language skills, connections, and a krisha, most Westerners would have a near impossible time just landing and finding a job that paid anywhere close to what they've come to expect in a decent salary.  Many of the high tech high skilled jobs once done by expats are now being done by lower paid Russians (not a complaint of good or bad, just an observation).

The best chance a Westerner has of finding a job in Russia is either the Peace Corp to teach English (a good option for the adventurous who don't need to worry about money yet) or a job with a Western company that has branches in Eastern Europe.  With a multinational company, a person can retain his decent salary so he won't have to come down in his standard of living PLUS be able to save for the future in a diversified Individual Retirement Account.

It is just an idea of course.  Any guy here who actually choses to live and work in the CIS instantly becomes a god on this board (e.g. Jimmy in Ukraine).  But it has been suggested before that any man interested in FSU women should at least look into the possibility of moving there.  Then he should suggest it to his lady.  If she thinks it's a good idea, it shows she is interested in him and him only.  But if she says "No, I want to only live with you in America/Canada/UK/etc." then it shows she is probably more interested in his citizenship.

[Lara]

... in response to Realistic options for a good life/salary, posted by Bob S. on Feb 18, 2002

We shall consider money in term of the cost of living. 1200 was good money to start with. Teachers r paid from 6$ till 20$ per hour and it's crap - if they r not certificated teachers.
When it comes to owr saving, i better not go that much into detail, coz i don't want to declare his salary here. And i earned enuff for all of us to support him in the beggining. But he didn't need my supporrt being highly qualified specialist

[DE]

... in response to Re: thanx for being that positive, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

Lara, I'd like to know how your husband obtained a diplomatic visa?  I would like one of those:)

[Lara]

... in response to Diplomatic Visa?, posted by DE on Feb 18, 2002

Quite easily........get a job at an embassy :-)

[DE]

... in response to Re: Diplomatic Visa?, posted by Lara on Feb 18, 2002

well yeah, I had that one figured out.  I thought maybe you had another way.