Russia is a diverse country when it comes to its population and types of cities that you’ll find here. Russia, overall, is a great place to live thanks to this diversity. You’ll be able to experience major metropolises as well as more quiet town life, depending on your preferred way of living. Russia is a popular destination for expats who can enjoy international city atmospheres or choose to live a more authentic Russian lifestyle. We’ve covered some of the best places to live in Russia and the main reasons for choosing them:
Moscow
There is a reason that Moscow is the largest and most populous city in Russia, with nearly 12 million people. It’s the capital city and by far the best city to live in if you’re a fan of major metropolises. Living in Moscow can be compared to living in cities such as New York City of London. It’s a very diverse place, from the people who live there to the overall cityscape. It’s a fast moving city with several places being open 24 hours.
Some of the best parts about living in Moscow are the transportation, accessibility to other parts of Russia, and the flexibility you have living here. Moscow has a very developed transit system that makes it easy for getting around the city. There are also several railways that lead to other major cities around Russia. With so much to do in Moscow on a day-to-day basis, residents of all types and personalities can find reasons to call Moscow home.
Tyumen
Consistently ranking high on the list of most comfortable cities to live in in Russia is Tyumen. Tyumen isn’t one of the largest Russian cities, having a population of about 750,000 people, but speaking to any of the residents, you’ll find that it’s one of the best places to live in Russia. It’s a fast developing city and growing in population, possibly due to the rumors of the high quality of life here.
Compared to the major Russian cities, Tyumen has a low cost of living, meaning that you can enjoy a higher quality of life without having to spend as much as cities such as Moscow. The cost of living can be seen in the city’s health care, housing, and education programs. Tyumen is also a big contrast to major metropolises thanks to the green spaces found around the city. A common public gathering place is Tura Embankment, in addition to several other parks and green spaces. If you’re looking for a place away from the city bustle, Tyumen is definitely a great option for places to live.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia with a population of approximately 5 million. It’s another place to live in Russia if you want to get a taste of a major metropolis. St. Petersburg is the former capital of the country and many of the original buildings are still present in the city center, including palaces, monuments, and other examples of traditional Russian architecture.
St. Petersburg is the preferred city if you’re interested in living in a hub for the arts and culture. It’s a very diverse city consisting of several zones such as industrial zones, business centers, residential areas, and historical zones. As for the cost of living, St. Petersburg is more reasonable for being a big city as compared to Moscow, yet still higher than other less populated areas of Russia.
Some of the perks to living in St. Petersburg include a great public transportation system, the safety around the city, and the fact that it’s an international city with several languages being spoken, even seen in the street signs.
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg, or known locally as Yekat for short, is one of the best places to live in Russia for an authentic Russian living experience. It gives a blended experience for people living here: the day to day life is comparable to a major city such as Moscow yet has a cost of living more closely related to smaller cities around the country. Yekat is located on the border of Siberia with little foreign influence or presence.
There are a lot of benefits to living in Yekat. There are several cultural venues that frequently host events and exhibits including the Yeltsin Center and the National Center for Contemporary Art. There are always things to do here, including a lively nightly which features international acts. The public transportation available throughout the city also makes it easy to navigate. Many daily life essentials can easily be found around the city center.