Moscow Relocation Guide

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RELOGUIDE

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Contents

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CHAPTER ONE:

INTERMARK RELOCATION GUIDE – INTRODUCTION (page 3)

CHAPTER TWO:

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT (page 7) Immigration procedures Moscow Airports Customs

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CHAPTER THREE:

MOSCOW HOUSING MARKET: MAIN FACTS (page 15)

CHAPTER FOUR:

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! (page 21)

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Districts in Central Moscow Popular Residential Areas Outside of the City Centre Compounds

CHAPTER FIVE:

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW (page 57) Climate Clothing Russian Language Religion Transport Shopping Personal Safety Sport and Fitness Pets Telephone Numbers

CHAPTER SIX:

SCHOOLS & CHILDREN'S SECTION (page 81)

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CHAPTER SEVEN:

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MEDICAL CARE (page 95)

CHAPTER EIGHT:

TRIPS AND TOP TOURIST SPOTS (page 99)

CHAPTER NINE:

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LIKES, DISLIKES AND TIPS FROM MOSCOW EXPATRIATES (page 102)

CHAPTER TEN:

INTERMARK RELOCATION – WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU (page 104) Appendix: Listings of Useful Addresses and Websites (page 110)

OUR TEAM (page 122)

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Chapter One: Intermark Relocation Guide — Introduction

With 20 years experience of finding housing as well as providing relocation services to expatriates in Moscow – Intermark Relocation continually strives to maintain its position as the most experienced company offering the most comprehensive range of relocation services to our clients.

We have carried out detailed research with thousands of expatriate families and used all collected knowledge and bits of advice about Moscow life, as well as our own expertise in this Relocation Guide to provide you with a true picture of Moscow and help you make the right decisions through the whole process of relocation.

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INTERMARK RELOCATION GUIDE — INTRODUCTION

THIS GUIDE SHOULD BE USEFUL AND INTERESTING IF YOU ARE: • New to Moscow • Just about to move to Moscow • Visiting Moscow on a ‘Look See’ prior to relocation • Having a ‘reconnaissance trip’ before making the decision to relocate.

The main purpose of this Relocation Guide is to give an insight into life in Moscow from the views and experiences of expatriate families living in Moscow with a lot of its content written by an expatriate – Claire Geddes, who is currently our colleague and who was our client when she moved to Moscow.

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INTERMARK RELOCATION GUIDE — INTRODUCTION

Claire has been living in Moscow since August 2009. She is here in Moscow as a ‘Trailing Spouse’ but also works as a Coach and Trainer primarily for Expats and for companies working with them. Claire runs workshops covering topics such as ‘Living in Moscow for an expatriate family’, ‘Goal Setting and Planning – making the most of your posting’ , ‘Bringing up Expat Kids – the Challenges and Rewards’.

Claire has 3 young children – 11, 9 and 7 and has lived in Spain, UK, Czech Republic, Denmark and Switzerland before moving to Russia.

Expatriate Coach and Trainer

My experience as an Expatriate Coach has shown me that the ease of integrating or making yourself feel at home on an assignment / relocation depends on having realistic expectations. My aim was to write this Relocation Guide

and so here goes with my Top 12:

Claire has been working closely with Intermark Relocation to develop a plan to meet the needs of expatriates new to Moscow. She is also part of the ‘Friends of Intermark’ Group.

CLAIRE GEDDES

“When I was asked to write this guide the first thing I did was remember my own relocation to Moscow. I know that when we came on our ‘Look See’ prior to moving to Moscow, I tried to find out as much information as possible about what it is like to live there. I saw that most guides gave the same basic information – but didn’t really give a real life view of what your day could ‘look’ like.

I would like to start this guide with what I personally love about Moscow,

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with all the basic information you will need together with ‘real life’ feedback from expatriate families themselves. I have included some experiences from people from different nationalities, living in different parts of Moscow and with different family dynamics and experiences.

There are quite a few excellent guide books to life in Moscow and this guide isn’t supposed to replace them – it is just a taster and a glimpse of what is available to you in Moscow – and maybe will positively influence your decision to relocate here.”

1. Ice skating at Red Square at Christmas

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2. Cross Country skiing with blue skies

8. Sunday brunch at the Mariott Au-

3. Starting off the weekends by meeting friends for dinner on Friday nights in the city

9. Charity Balls throughout the year

4. Moscow Youth Soccer League Season with the kids – hot dogs and burgers galore 5. Visiting the Bolshoi to see Swan Lake for the first time 6. A romantic weekend in St. Pete’s or a romantic night at the Ritz Carlton in Moscow

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Watching the Six Nations Rugby at the Irish pub and having the craic rora with family and friends

10. Going to concerts in the city 11. Lunch on the terrace of AIST on a warm summer’s day 12. Summer evening in Scandinavia restaurant soaking up the atmosphere

Chapter Two: Getting to Moscow and Beyond the Airport

For most expatriates Moscow is a step into the unknown! However, be reassured that most of the difficulties are connected with entering and departing the country rather than actually living here. It is possible to solve or even prevent most difficulties by advance planning and getting necessary information from the specialists.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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General Immigration procedures

‘As the rules and regulations change frequently it is more prudent to check details with the immigration specialists’.

Claire

Due to frequent changes and complexity of immigration procedures this Chapter gives general info on main rules and requirements. For more detailed advice please contact Intermark Relocation immigrations specialists.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES.

Believe it or not, Russian immigration has become far more ‘expat friendly’ over the past few years. Just make sure your immigration papers are handled by professional experts as this is key to successful and smooth process completion

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• All visitors to Russia must have visas, including children.

• You cannot obtain a Russian visa on arrival in the country.

• Some Russian consulates will not issue visas if the consulate you apply to is not in the country which is your home country.

• Visas can take up to 6 weeks to process so plan in advance.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

Working in Russia

STANDARD WORK PERMIT

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HIGHLY-QUALIFIED SPECIALIST WORK PERMIT

Timeframe: Process takes 3.5 – 4 months before you can come to Russia on work visa and start working.

Process takes 21 calendar days

Special Requirements Quota

A work permit is required in order to work in Russia. An individual foreigner can hardly apply for his own work permit, rather a potential employer can on behalf of its future employee.

Basically, there are two types of work permits available, which differ significantly in timeframes and complexity of the process.

A foreign employee should be on Russian payroll and have an official annual salary 2mln roubles and more (about $70,000 USD per annum)

Result Work permit valid for 1 year; multiple entry work visa valid for 1 year.

Work permit valid up to 3 years; multiple entry work visa valid up to 3 years

To Consider Standard work permit can not be renewed, rather the whole process starts all over again (3.5-4 months prior to the expiry date)

Employer must provide quarterly tax notifications, otherwise the work permit is subject to cancellation

‘In the cases when you/your employees are on Russian payroll, we strongly recommend opting for the HQS work permit, as it is much faster (one month only), and gives a 3 year visa and work permit. This is a significant breakthrough in and absolutely new to Russian immigration practice (launched in 2010)’.

Visiting Russia

If you plan to visit Russia: All you need is a visa. Tourist or business visas are the easiest and quickest to get. Contact our Immigrations Team for support or advice at immigrations@intermarkrelocation.ru Keep in mind an immigration registration which is required in case you stay in Russia over 7 business days. See more information on registration on page 11 Remember to keep a migration card which you get upon arrival. You will need to present it together with your registration upon departure.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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Moscow Airports and how to get to/from

The two key Moscow international airports are Sheremetyevo, located 9 km to the North of Moscow, and Domodedovo, located to the South of Moscow.

Another major Moscow airport is Vnukovo airport located to the south of Moscow. It is now mostly covering domestic and international charter fl ights, but the airport has excellent facilities and is very rapidly developing.

All airports meet the standards of any large international airport around the world. Both have an English version of the web-site, so you can easily check fl ight schedules or any other relevant information.

‘Arriving at the airport may not seem the friendliest of experiences, as the customs officials are very formal like most airports, however don't let this put you off, you will find the Russian experience gets better from there on’

do not recommend using the services of unofficial taxi drivers who are quite persistent at Arrivals. Just say No (‘Net’) and walk away.

Vnukovo: www.vnukovo.ru/en

A very good (and inexpensive!) solution to avoid the traffic are the ‘Aeroexpress’ trains.

The train to/from Sheremetyevo leaves from Belorussky railway station, the train to/ from Domodedovo leaves from Paveletskaya railway station, the train to/from Vnukovo – from Kievsky railway station. All take around 35–45 minutes.

Be aware of the traffic jams when travelling to and from airport by car and plan in advance.

You can easily check the schedule of trains and a ticket online – follow the English version of www.aeroexpress.ru/en

Carole Lawlor

Sheremetyevo: www.svo.aero/en/ Domodedovo: www.domodedovo.ru/en/

We strongly recommend that you arrange transport from the airport in advance. We

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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Passport control

When you approach passport control, keep behind the painted line until it is your turn.

Normally families can come to the desk together, however be prepared that this may take longer. There is no ‘fast track entry’ if you have children.

On the plane or in the airport upon arrival you will be given a migration card – a paper consisting of two pages. Make sure you have completed both sections of the immigration form. The immigration officer will take one

side of the form leaving the other one in your passport. Don’t lose it! When you leave the country you have to hand it into immigration control. As this Relocation Guide was being written the immigration officers in some cases started to scan passports and print ready forms – hopefully this new initiative will stay and thus simplify the process of entering Russia.

If your visa is a paper version and it is your first visit then a third will have been removed by the immigration officer for their records.

There is no change to a visa which is incorporated into your passport.

If you are not staying in a hotel, do not forget to inform your coordinator/consultant of your arrival in Russia as soon as possible.

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This must be done no later than your sixth working day in the country (including day of arrival) – as by the seventh day according to the immigration rules you must be registered at your place of residence. The hotels and serviced apartments do this automatically without request from your side. The registration paper should be kept on you at all times, as well as your passport.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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Baggage Reclaim and Customs Following passport control you will go into the Baggage Reclaim area. You can hire a porter (expensive) or use one of the free of charge trolleys.

If you are unfortunate enough not to receive all your bags, then there is a lost luggage and information desk. The policies are different from airport to airport but be prepared to wait as the form filling can take a while. In some cases they will send missing luggage to your home once it has been recov-

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ered, sometimes you may have to return to the airport to collect it yourself.

Once you have your luggage then you choose whether to go through the ‘Green’ Channel if you have nothing to declare – or the ‘Red Channel’ if you do.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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Customs clearance/ importing and exporting personal effects

It is possible to buy almost everything in Moscow and in some cases, for example with some electrical goods, it can be cheaper. Video systems in Russia are sometimes different from those used abroad so you may prefer to buy a multi-system here rather than ship your current one.

We shall be happy to share with you the list of our partners – moving companies with whom we have successfully cooperated over many years.

Appliances operate on the European voltage of 220 volts, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a continental or European plug with 2 round pins. Customs procedures in Russia are extremely complex and are subject to change without notice at any time. Be warned! You should not attempt to bring your own shipment without using a professional moving company who are used to dealing with the relevant authorities.

goods and personal effects into Russia. It’s not only a matter of professional packing, efficient and effective logistics and on time delivery. Professional and fast import customs clearance is key and it can be very complicated issue in this country.

As soon as your relocation to Russia is confirmed, it’s time to think about the service providers, who will import your household

• Since 2010, import of household goods into Russia is a subject of import customs

The following main points should be considered before the move:

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duties – 4 Euro/kg of gross weight. This should be considered when you decide on whether to search for a furnished or unfurnished housing option.

• All cultural items such as paintings, handmade carpets, music instruments, old books etc should be registered at the Ministry of Culture if you don’t want to pay export tax on these items when you return home.

• Make sure you have all the required documents and evidence of vaccinations for any pets moving with you.

• Make sure you have no food or pharmaceutical products in your unaccompanied shipment. In case of inspection, you shipment will be a subject of penalties and additional customs terminal storage charges as it might take 2–10 days to process.

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GETTING TO MOSCOW AND BEYOND THE AIRPORT

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Bringing in Cash You can bring in any amount of foreign currency without restrictions. If you intend to use the money and not take it out of the country, then you do not need to declare it and can use the green channel. If you want to take out the same amount of currency you

DISCLAIMER

brought in, then the money should be declared. You can do this by completing a passenger customs declaration form, which you will find in the baggage reclaim area. If you declare more than $10,000 then the customs official will complete a TC-28 certificate.

This certificate is also available on request to anyone bringing in any amount of foreign currency. Once you have gone through customs, keep the passenger customs form and TC-28 in a safe place.

The above information was compiled by INTERMARK RELOCATION Moscow and is distributed on an ‘AS IS’ basis, without warranty. Please note that immigration and customs regulations are subject to change at any time and without prior notice. The preceding information is provided for general guidance only. Intermark Relocation cannot be held liable for any costs, delays, loss or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance with Russian Federation regulations or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by the information provided here.

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Chapter Three: Moscow Housing Market: Main Facts

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MOSCOW HOUSING MARKET: MAIN FACTS

HOUSES OR APARTMENTS?

a rule smaller apartments (1–2 bedrooms, up to 100 sq. m.) are furnished, larger apartments (3+bedrooms, >100 sq. m. are unfurnished). Houses in compounds are always unfurnished.

Houses/townhouses in Moscow are practically non-existent (with very few compounds as exceptions). The majority of the market volume is represented by apartments in residential buildings of various types. Houses are mostly located outside of city limits in Moscow region.

TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND ENTRANCES The price of an apartment to a very large extent depends on the building it is located in and the quality of the entrance. Poor quality of many entrances is caused by the fact that a lot of them still belong to the government, which not only fails to renovate them, but also puts a lot of red tape for apartment owners who want to renovate it at their own cost.

APARTMENT SIZES Most Moscow apartments are not very large – typically between 50 and 150 sq. m.

Most of apartments are 2 bedroom apartments (on average 38% of the market) and 3 bedroom apartments (on average 27% of the market). Please keep in mind that in Russia one usually counts number of rooms rather than bedrooms and refers to the above as 3 and 4 room apartments. Studio apartments

Types of Apartment buildings in Moscow

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studios constitute only 3% of the market. 1 bedroom apartments – 19%. 4+ bedroom apartments are just 13% of the market and are hard to find.

The number of rooms is an important factor influencing the price – for instance, if we take two apartments of similar size, location and quality – the one which has more rooms will be more expensive.

BATHROOMS En-suite bathrooms are not common. Often you will find 2 bedroom apartments with only one bathroom and a guest toilet. In prerevolutionary and Stalinist type houses it is often because the piping system does not allow replumbing.

FURNISHED AND UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS. There is no difference in price between furnished and unfurnished apartments. As

PRE-REVOLUTIONARY BUILDINGS

Not all the landlords will agree to move the furniture out, and in case they do – it may increase the asking price (connected with the fact that landlord will have to undertake moving expenses and cost of furniture storage).

Some unfurnished places may be furnished upon request. Similarly, this will be reflected in the price.

Unfurnished apartments always have equipped kitchens with cupboards, gas/ electric stove, fridge, extractor fan. A dishwasher machine is not always installed and is in many cases not that large. Bathrooms are usually fully fitted with sanitary equipment and a washing machine (please note that separate dryer machine is very rare and has to be additionally requested. In most cases it will be only either a washing machine or a washer and dryer combined). In most cases unfurnished apartments have light fi xtures.

Curtains/blinds are not a must but a possibility. It is not typical for Russians to have blackout curtains/blinds in bedrooms and if you require them they need to be additionally negotiated with the landlord.

Built before 1917. Entrances can be anywhere between beautifully decorated, marble clad with carpets and flowers to smelly and shabby!

Security measures also vary from broken code lock to armed guards. It is the same story for elevators – they can be excellent new OTIS ones to dangerous looking mechanic door elevators. In almost every case the el-

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evators in pre-revolutionary houses will be small containing no more than four people. This is because elevators were put in at a later stage and obviously weren’t in the original design before 1917. The advantage of pre-revolutionary houses are the high ceilings and thick walls. Some of them have interesting architectural features, for example bay windows

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MOSCOW HOUSING MARKET: MAIN FACTS

stalled in new residential complexes (such as Triumph Palace, Alye Parusa) as well as on many other houses (Moscow authorities do not allow the installation of large dishes on main streets and historical facades).

There is no defined market standard for what a furnished apartment must have! It rather depends on the particular landlord and whether he has lived or leased this apartment before. Keep in mind that in general dishes, cutlery, bedlinen and towels are usually not provided.

The difficulty and expense of installing such dishes mean that even if technically possible, most landlords are not ready to provide them.

TECHNICAL DETAILS Heating and Hot Water

Internet

Moscow has a centralised heating system.

It is switched on by the local authorities in October and switched off in May (exact time depends on the average temperature each year).

The hot water supply is also centralized for the majority of the houses. It is switched off every year for 2–3 weeks (between May and August) for general servicing and maintenance works to the piping system. Therefore most apartments are equipped with a boiler for the use during this time.

Satellite/Cable Television English-language channels are provided by several official satellite TV and cable/ADSL providers. The installation charge is usually covered by the landlord and the monthly fee by the tenant.

It’s common practice that landlords provide one satellite connection (one receiver), so it means that it is possible to connect only one

or original moulding on the ceilings.

There are a few of these pre-revolutionary buildings which have been reconstructed internally and have changed all the engineering systems but have kept the facade and historical features. These apartments are very popular with expatriates and they are often in very good locations (e. g. Arbat, Patriarshy Ponds)

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There are a lot of Internet providers in Moscow. The most common ones are: Stream, MGTS, Akado, Comstar (quite expensive).

TV set in the apartment to it. In case more are required either additional receivers have to be installed (and the monthly fee is paid for each of them) or the TV sets are connected by cable, but in this case all the televisions will show one channel at the same time.

Such satellite TV providers as Sky, Astra, HotBird and others are not officially represented in Russia. This means that though there are companies that are ready to install such equipment, they do not provide a guarantee. If the signal is lost and the dish has to be readjusted or new equipment installed it will incur additional charge and will have to be covered by the tenant. Such dishes often have to be quite large (ranging on average from Ø 2–3,5 m depending on the channels you want to receive), and they can not be in-

STALIN-PERIOD BUILDINGS

As a standard most landlords provide one point of connection. Wi-Fi or extra access points have to be additionally agreed with the landlord. The landlord usually covers the cost of equipment and line installation, the set-up on the tenant’s computer is covered by the tenant.

It is worth keeping in mind that not all providers have the option of unlimited traffic.

Telephone There is a city telephone line installed in most apartments. Usually the landlord covers the monthly charge for it and the tenant pays for calls to mobile phones and international/ long-distance calls (local calls to city lines are free). Most expats use telecom cards or Skype for making international calls, as they are quite expensive when done through the

These apartment buildings were mostly build between 1917-1950.

They have a specific architectural style known as ‘Stalin Ampir’. Famous examples are the ‘Seven Sisters’ – impressive skyscrapers, four of which are residential. These are also popular with expatriates with their interesting architecture and stunning views. In general, the

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Stalin period buildings have varied entrance quality and security measures. They tend to have high ceilings, thick walls and big windows.

The parking situation is the same as with pre-revolutionary buildings – may have parking in the yard of the building or on the enclosed territory.

In many cases it is just street parking.

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MOSCOW HOUSING MARKET: MAIN FACTS

landline.

For dialing instructions and more information on phones in Moscow see page 78.

HOME-SEARCH PROCESS Your Intermark relocation consultant will offer you options from the databases of all Moscow real estate agencies, private brokers and developers. This will save you the trouble of contacting numerous real estate agencies, most likely complicating and duplicating the process and thus consuming more time.

Make the most of your time and energy!

The price which you see in the description of the apartment is the asking price of the landlord. We always advise landlords about the fair market price of their apartment.

Some landlords take our advice into consideration, others prefer to put a higher price and negotiate. So the possibility of negotiations depends on that a lot. Your Intermark relocation consultant will be able to consult you on how fair the price is and what negotiation potential is there.

The main Key Rent Deferentials are: • Size/Fit-out quality of property • Location • Security features

MOSCOW'S RENTAL MARKET – HISTORY The rental market of Moscow is very young. Its history began in 1991 with the beginning of modern Russia. Before that there were no high quality apartments or houses for rent. The few foreigners who came to the Soviet Union lived in one of the UPDK (the government department supporting Diplomatic missions) apartment complexes which still exist and provide simple quality apartments for those looking for a budget accommodation.

One of the most important things to know about Moscow is that it has very few houses or townhouses.

The majority of people live in apartments in residential blocks of different types. This Moscow set up was formed during the Soviet period, when people were not supposed to have their own house. This also explains the fact that most of Moscow apartments are not very large – typically between 50 and 150 sq.m.

Apartments over 200 sq.m. (and sometimes up to 300–400 sq.m.) do exist, but their number is very small and they are usually very expensive.

Naturally some housing compounds were built within Moscow as the housing market developed, but the majority of such options are outside of city limits.

• Standard of communal areas (entrances, lifts, stairs, etc.)

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networks • Secure parking • Infrastructure & Amenities Also, please keep in mind that most apartments in Moscow belong and are offered by private individual landlords who very often decide for themselves what they want to get out of the rent. Unfortunately, it does happen that in case the landlord demands a ridiculous price, no reasoning will persuade him to change it. It is not about the market, it is about his ego.

Most landlords come to show their apartments themselves, so the logitistics of the home-search agenda depends a lot on that.

We recommend that you do not plan your look-see/home-finding trips for national holidays as most landlords will not be there to show it. Summer weekends are also not the best time, as this is when many landlords go to their dachas (country houses).

According to Russian law, landlords have to pay 13% income tax (6% in case they are registered as private entrepreneurs). Whilst with some agencies the asking price includes this tax as previously agreed with the owner, other agencies advertise the net price without specifying that the tax is not included. Your Intermark relocation consultant will advise you about that.

The asking price for apartments also usu-

• Building’s technical specification, utility

MINISTERIAL BUILDINGS

Built between 1940-1980 for the Soviet elite and party members.

Brown-brick buildings with good security (usually concierge and sometimes fenced territory with possibility for parking). Entrance quality is usually neat and clean with flowers and notice boards with first or famous residents of the building.

MODERN BUILDINGS

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Buildings constructed after 1990s.

Favored by many expatriates as many of them have good entrance quality, security measures and underground parking. Developers often sell these apartments in a shell and core condition so in the first few years there will be a lot of renovations being carried out. Even the entrances may not have been completed.

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MOSCOW HOUSING MARKET: MAIN FACTS

ally includes utilities (building maintenance fee, security/concierge charge, heating). In many cases it also includes cold and hot water usage. However this is changing due to the installation of water consumption meters in many apartments – in which case landlord will expect tenant to cover the cost. Electricity, satellite TV and Internet usage are also to be covered by the tenant. (Please note that in the case of compounds and private houses the system works differently).

The system of payment of bills is becoming more and more convenient and in many cases it can be easily arranged that these payments are automatically withdrawn from your credit card. Some landlords also agree to pay the bills themselves and be reimbursed by the tenant on a monthly/quarterly basis.

The current Moscow market favours the landlord. Apartments with the right quality and price combination are rented out fast. In such cases landlords usually give priority to tenants who are offering a higher price, earlier contract start date or more flexible contract terms.

In Moscow one landlord often works with several agencies. Until the contract is signed and the first payment is made, the apartment can not be considered secured. Even if the offer was made to the landlord, he accepted it and you are in the process of negotiations, some landlords may rent their apartment to

BASIC APARTMENT BLOCKS

a client with a higher budget or more flexible contract terms.

The majority of the apartments on the market are owned by private landlords. The personality of the landlord is an important factor to consider. Intermark Relocation keeps a record on many landlords and your consultant will be able to advise you in many cases whether this landlord is easy to work with or not.

Once you have chosen the property, your consultant will start negotiations. We strongly advise you to have at least 2 fall-back options in case the negotiations for the preferred property do not succeed.

Your consultant will do the legal check on landlord’s ownership documents and provide you with a comprehensive report.

The following legal difficulties exist in Russia:

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permission has to be requested from the City Counsil for renting this property. In some cases it can be a long process, so there are landlords who are not ready to do it.

LEASE AGREEMENTS 1) Most lease agreements (both company and private) are concluded for 1 year.

2) The tenant has the preferred right for extension, but the price may be reviewed by the landlord at the extension time.

3) As a rule the tenant has the termination option in the contract (by the law it is 3 months). The landlord does not have a termination option unless tenant breaks his contract obligations.

4) The landlord is responsible for maintaining the apartment and equipment in safe condition throughout the term of the lease.

a) If the building is new, a landlord may still not have received the ownership documents for an apartment. In this case the deal may not legally be concluded which makes a company lease impossible. If you are planning to sign the lease as a private person and are really keen on this particular apartment, you may sign an agreement with the landlord.

Yet it cannot be used in a legal dispute and so does present a risk. b) If the apartment is owned by a child,

These were built in the 1980’s when there was a demand for more low cost housing. They are mostly located outside of the city centre, and are seldom considered as an option by expatriates. Apartments in such buildings are quite small (usually between 30 and 70 sq.m.)

BEWARE! Moscow entrances maybe a cultural shock to most expats. It is sometimes difficult to understand that behind an ugly, dirty, rundown entrance to the building, there may be a beautiful, luxurious apartment. I can only advise you to either shut your eyes until you reach your haven or increase the budget to find a place with a good entrance!

Claire Geddes

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LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!

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Moscow map MKAD – Moscow Circular Automobile Highway Sadovoe Koltso (Garden Ring) Leningradskoe shosse Kutuzovsky prospect Rublevskoe shosse Leninsky prospect

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Chapter Four: Location! Location! Location!

‘Arriving in Moscow for our “Look See” visit in May 2009, we were pleasantly surprised at how attractive the city centre is. I think we imagined it as a grey city just littered with tall grey blocks of concrete. Of course, there are a lot of buildings like that here but there are many green areas with beautiful parks, grand buildings, rivers and beaches.

Moscow is also a very exciting city to be in – the biggest city in Europe with a cultural diversity to match. You can really get a sense of the city’s dramatic history as well as the feeling of being in a city that has a huge influence on the rest of the world’. Claire Geddes

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LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!

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Layout of the city The city is laid out in rings. The first ring is the Boulevard Ring inside which is the oldest and most attractive part of the city. Red Square and the Kremlin are included in this ring and there are many green areas, trees, cafes, restaurants and parks.

The second ring is the Garden Ring named after the gardens and orchards that had previously surrounded the city. There are also many attractive locations within this area.

The third ring is called the Third (Transport) Ring! This ring links different areas of Moscow.

The final ring defines the city’s outer limit called the MKAD. Most of the area beyond this highway is designated as ‘greenbelt’ however, as the city grows, the boundaries are sprawling out beyond this road.

The MKAD is the outer city Ring Road and is approximately 20 km outside the city and 100 km long.

FINDING THE RIGHT HOME: OPTIONS One of the major issues facing expatriates coming to Moscow is the price of rental properties. It is the 4th most expensive city to live in the world and it is principally the cost of rent that makes it No. 4 on the list.

Your options may be limited in terms of your budget but principally you can decide to live: 1) in the city centre (apartments only) and

APARTMENT IN THE CITY VS RESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS Apartment

House

• Close to offices

• In most cases school nearby

• The buzz of city life • Close to restaurants and cafes

• Fresh air and the feeling of living in the countryside

• Easy access to Culture (Museums, • BBQs on sunny days theatres) • You don’t need a • Children have all their friends on driver – metro is their doorstep close • Active social and • Lots to do within the compound (excultural life ercise, classes, Rus• Food delivery easy sian classes, etc) • Feeling of community be close to bars, restaurants, playgrounds etc.

2) or you may decide to live further outside the city - in a residential compound (e.g. Pokrovsky Hills, Rosinka and some others – see details further on) where you are more likely to find a house and green spaces for the children to run around.

3) A lot of expatriates also opt for a combination between these 2 options – to live in an apartment, but in one of the areas close to international schools and parks (such as Sokol,

The areas described in this Guide are areas preferred by expatriates in Moscow. They are quite clearly defined. In a nutshell, it is the centre of Moscow (inside the Garden Ring (Arbat-Kropotkinskaya, Patriarshy Ponds, Tverskaya, Tsvetnoy boulevard, Chisty Ponds, Zamoskvorechie) and around it to the south and west (Frunzenskaya, Krasnopresnenskaya) as well as the whole western part of the city from the south to the north (Leninsky prospect, Kutu-

Krylatskoe or Leninsky prospect).

If you are single or a family with no children, then your definite choice is apartment in the city centre or in the area close to your office. If you are a family, then you can choose any of the three options depending on age of kids, location of the school you choose, your budget and the lifestyle you are used to.

FINDING THE RIGHT HOME: ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS • How far will the commute to school and work be? What is the traffic generally like for that route?

• How many minutes walk / drive to Metro, how long will the journey take once on Metro?

• How far are amenities from your home (shops, restaurants, playground, medical centre, schools). Walking distance? Driving distance?

• What parking facilities will you need?

Street parking, guarded car park, underground parking?

• What level of security do you want with your apartment? Guard / Concierge / Video phone entrance / intercom?

• What type of building would you like to live in? Old or modern? Furnished or unfurnished?

zovsky prospect, Krylatskaya area, Leningradsky prospect area).

The eastern part of the city (Kashirskoe and Varshavskoe highway, Novogireevo, Izmaylovo, Yaroslavskoe highway) is in general not as popular with expatriates and very few of them choose to live there, mainly because most of the buildings there are Soviet panel buildings with small apartments.

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Moscow centre map

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Districts in Central Moscow Arbat – Kropotkinskaya Intermark Relocation recommends to consider this area if you are: looking for a downtown location in close proximity to everything Moscow has to offer; a family with kids looking for a quiet place downtown (sidestreets).

Arbat-Kropotkinskaya area lies west of the Kremlin and is one of the most popular residential areas of Moscow.

The Old Arbat is a true symbol of old Moscow. It is part street theatre part art market with plenty of tourist-oriented souvenier shops where you can buy anything from fur hats to matrioshka dolls. Despite often being crowded the street is very charming with lots of noteworthy buildings and sculptures, as well as numerous cafes and bars (including the Hard Rock Café and Starbucks).

The New Arbat is now the main artery heading westwards out of Moscow and lined with an array of shops and restaurants.

The area between the Old Arbat and Prechistenka takes us back to a unique world of quiet lanes where each house is still steeped in the atmosphere of old Moscow. One of the best areas to consider if you are moving to Moscow with a family and want to be downtown – as the lanes are very quite and there is a number of playgrounds (for instance on Starokonushenny lane or Maly Vlas’evsky or Spasopeskovsky) and the international kindergarden Petit Cref. There is a good selection of pre-revolutionary, Stalinist and

METRO STATIONS: Arbatskaya, Park Kultury, Kropotkinskaya, Smolenskaya.

MAIN STREETS: Stary (Old) Arbat, Novy (New Arbat), Prechistenka, Ostozhenka; Gogolevsky, Nikitsky, Smolensky boulevards, Prechistenskaya and Smolenskaya embankments.

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Kropotkinsky, Mal. and Bol. Levshinksy, Denezhny, Gagarinsky, Sivtsev Vrazhek, Starokonushenny, Krivoarbatsky, Filipovsky, Mal. and Bol. Afanasievsky, Skatertny, Merzlyakovsky, Molchanovka (Bolshaya and Malaya), Nikitskaya (Bolshaya and Malaya).

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Petit Cref (ages 2-7).

Reasonable commute to ISM (ages 2-14). ministerial buildings as well as probably the largest number of modern buildings with underground parking.

At the same time this area is one of the most vibrant and has everything Moscow can offer (restaurants, shops, clubs) for a buzz of city life choose Stary and Novy Arbat streets.

The area between Prechistenskaya embankment and Ostozhenka stands a bit apart from the rest of the area and is known as Golden Mile for its most expensive residential properties in buildings of modern design. Suffice to say that 70% of Moscow's most expensive apartments for rent or sale (according to ratings of most expensive properties) are located in this area.

I enjoy living here because it is very central and I can happily walk around the neighbourhood and the centre of Moscow. It is also near to the metro so I can get to other parts of Moscow with ease. I speak enough basic Russian to confi dently navigate around the metro system and being forced to speak Russian on a daily basis will help me improve my language skills. My children age (10 and 12) have expressed a wish to live in Pokrovsky Hills as many of their friends live there. However, I feel they have a more complete Moscow experience living where we do. One fact which makes life easy for them is that we have a driver who brings them in and out of school i.e. they do not have to travel in the school bus. We live in a relatively affluent area of the city so I feel safe on the streets (as safe as any other large city).”

Claire Ansell, (children 10 & 12,)

Other Popular Residential Houses Of the Area Fillipovsky, 13 and 8 1st Smolensky, 17 Ruzheny, 3, Smolenskaya Zastava 1st Zachatievsky lane, 4, 6 and 21 Kolymazhy, 10 Kursovoy, 8/12 Ostozhenka, 27 «Retro house» Prechistenskaya nab. «Barkly House» Stary Arbat 29 and 23

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M. Molchanovka, 8 the ‘Lion House’

Novy Arbat, 29 ‘Grubber House’

Ostozhenka, 25 ‘Opera House’

Opposite the Belgian Embassy, a pre-revolutionary building completely reconstructed behind the original facade and roof.

One of the first modern buildings in Moscow, located next to UK embassy. Gated territory.

Modern building which got its name for housing the school of famous opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya. Facilities include a fitness centre called ‘Doctor Loder’, gated territory and underground parking.

Korobeynikov lane, 1A ‘Crystal House’

Butikovsky lane, 5

Romanov lane, 5

Modern building with panoramic windows.

The best Golden Mile residential building with its own fitness and swimming pool. Holds the record for the most expensive rental properties.

Loved by expatriates for its closed yard, proximity to Old Arbat and for its huge apartments by Moscow standards, up to 350m2.

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Patriarshy Ponds Intermark Relocation recommends to consider this area if: you want to be in a premium and fashionable location you are a family with kids Patriarshy Ponds is a relatively small residential area to the west of the Kremlin – located between the areas of Arbat/Kroporkinskaya and Tverskaya. It is one of the most elite neighborhoods in Moscow – and when it comes to rentals one of the most expensive. It is a brand in itself and many expats coming to Moscow want to live in ‘Patriarshy Ponds’ without knowing much about the area – because they have been told it is ‘the place to be’.

The area has received its name from the city park with a pond (despite the plural there is just one pond) surrounded by residential buildings. You are lucky if you find a place overlooking the Pond but prepare to pay extra for this. The park is great for your children to play, walking your dog or

METRO STATIONS: Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya/Checkovskaya, Mayakovskaya, Barikadnaya.

MAIN STREETS: Malaya (Small) and Bolshaya (Big) Bronnaya, Spiridonovka, Tverskoy boulevard, Malaya Nikitskaya.

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Spiridonievsky lane, Kozikhinsky (Mal and Bol), Trehprudny, Ermolaevsky, Palashevsky (Mal and Bol), Granatny per.

‘Ideal for both younger children and teenagers.

Many families with children live in Patriarshy Ponds and gather in the playgrounds. There are many restaurants and cafes around here as well as the zoo.

I live in a pre-revolutionary building with 4 children (2, 11, 15, 17)’ Claire de Bruin

jogging. However it can be very busy at weekends and evenings.

Though the area has only one big supermarket – Alye Parusa on Bol. Bronnaya street – the area has lots of cafes and restaurants.

Bear in mind that this area has a very limited number of modern buildings so if underground parking and premium class entrance are your priorities, the search for an apartment will not be easy.

Patriarch (to the left) is one of the most eye-catching buildings of the area. However it very rarely has options for rent.

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Treprudny 11/13

M. Patriarshy, 5

Spiridonovka, 34

Pre-revolutionary Building (1912).

Building is the object of cultural heritage (1936).

Pre-revolutionary Building (1914).

B. Kozikhinsky, 14

M. Kozikhinsky, 3

M. Kozikhinsky, 7

Modern Building with underground parking.

Modern Building with underground parking and security.

Modern Buildings with underground parking and courtyard.

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Tverskaya – Kremlin Intermark Relocation recommends to consider this area if you are looking for downtown location in close proximity to everything Moscow has to offer you are a family with kids looking for a quite place downtown (sidestreets) In the 14th century Tverskaya was the road linking Moscow with Tver (a town near Moscow, which was the most prominent city in the Tzarist Russia). Magnificent palaces and mansions were built here, with the Kremlin only five minutes walk away. During Soviet time Tverskaya street underwent massive re-construction – with older houses literally being lifted and moved to give way to larger residential and administrative buildings.

Today Tverskaya street is the main street of Moscow, a wide central avenue bustling with life, with large buildings on the sides where there are various shops, clubs, cafes, and restaurants inside. You can’t get any more central and it could not be any more fun! Tverskaya street is Moscow’s 5th Avenue. During big national holidays, the traffic on Tverskya is blocked and the street turns into a major party venue.

If you are looking for a quiet place to live you should still consider it. The area has a number of side streets well protected by other buildings from the hum and noise of Tverskaya.

There are two parks – the Hermitage Garden, which is a centre of cultural life housing

METRO STATIONS: Okhotny ryad/Teatralnaya, Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya/Checkovskaya, Mayakovskaya, Belorusskaya.

number of cafes and restaurants of all types (including Café des Artists and Starbucks).

Stoleshinikov is also the street where luxury boutiques like Chanel and Hermes are located.

MAIN STREETS: Tverskaya, Dmitrovka (Bolshaya and Malaya), Petrovka, Strastnoy and Petrovsky boulevards, Tverskaya-Yamskaya (1st, 2d, 3d and 4th).

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Gazetny, Bruysov, Leonievsky, Kamergersky, Petrovsky, Oruzheny.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Sad Sam (ages 1,5–5), reasonably easy commute to AAS (ages 4–17), BIS 2 (ages 3–11), 7 (ages 12–15), ISM (ages 2–14).

many concerts and exhibitions in summertime, and Miussky park near Belorusskaya metro station, which is a popular place for families with children.

Tverskaya area has its own pedestrian streets – Kamergersky and Stoleshnikov lane, which compete with Stary Arbat in the

‘We are a British-Chilean family, with two children aged 8 and 6. This is our second time in Moscow and on both occasions have decided to live in the centre of the City. We like to be able to walk to most places and if not, we use the metro, which is a great way to get around without having to sit in traffic jams. We have everything at our doorstep, especially the “Produkti” (groceries) and the kiosks that sell fresh fruit and vegetables, and fresh flowers too. We especially enjoy going to the Bolshoi Theatre, which is a must! We are in a walking distance from the European Medical Centre (EMC) which is very handy if the traffic is bad, and based on our experience, we only have good things to say about it. You will find most neighbourhoods or streets have access to a playground for children.

They do vary by location, but it is clear that they are improving the equipment. Our children go to school outside the city centre. We take 15-20 minutes by car to get there - we are a 10 minute stroll from the Kremlin, so we are very central! The disadvantage of this is that heading back into town during the morning rush hour will make the car journey last 45-50 mins. There are days where it will be the exception, for better or worse! Moscow is a great city! It does take a while for it to grow on you, especially the people, but once it does it's very difficult to let go of it!’

Alex May, (children 8 and 6)

Other Popular Modern Residential Houses Of the Area Large selection of modern buildings on all 4 Tverskaya-Yamskaya streets Leontievsky, 11 – new building in a quite lane just off Bol. Nikitskaya street Shvetsky tupik, 3 Tverskoy boul, 16, k. 5 – modern building with underground parking and swimming pool just for the residents Dmitrovsky per., 7 – Petrov dom – brand new development with underground parking

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Petrovsky per., 5

Tverskaya, 9

Bruysov lane, 19

Complex of several pre-revolutionary buildings with its own yard.

Imposing Stalin-type building.

Premium class modern building with underground parking and swimming pool just for residents.

Tverskaya, 28

Lesnaya, 6

Strastnoy, 10

Modern building next to Marriot Grande, sometimes referred to as ‘the Marriot Building’.

Modern building with security and underground parking located right next to Belorusskaya metro station.

One of the most popular modern buildings in the area, facilities include underground parking and Dr Loder fitness centre.

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Tsvetnoy Boulevard ‘Palazzo’ on Tsvetnoy boulevard

METRO STATIONS: Tstvetnoy boulevard, Trubnaya, Sretensky boulevard, Novoslobodskaya and Mendeleevskaya.

Krasnoproletarskaya street, 9

MAIN STREETS: Tsvetnoy boulevard, Trubnaya, Sretenka, Sadovaya-Samotechnaya, Dolgorukovskaya.

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Golovin (Bol and Mal), Posledny, Daev, Lukov, Ulansky, Krasnoproletarskaya, Samotechnaya street and 1,2,3 Samotechny pereulok.

Offers property management.

Posledny lane, 21 ‘Sretenka Complex’

Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if you are: Looking for less expensive downtown location Looking for an apartment in western managed building with good security

Quality modern developments with underground parking.

Krasnoproletarskaya street, 7

Tsvetnoy Boulevard area is situated between the Sretenka Street and the Petrovka Street, also comprising the area around Novoslobodskya metro station area. Apartment buildings are a mixture of prerevolutionary buildings and modern developments with underground parking. This area is a good option for those seeking an inexpensive central home ― with the exception of modern buildings the area offers good bargains.

On Tstvetnoy bulvar there is the famous Old Circus and a number of good restaurants, cafes and shopping centres.

Offers property management and has fitness club available just for residents.

Rozhdestvensky boulevards with its centuries-old trees has been preserved remarkably well and offers beautiful walks in summertime.

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Quality modern developments with underground parking.

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Prospect Mira Area METRO STATIONS: Gilyarovskogo, 4/1

Prospect Mira, Sukharevskaya, Rizskaya, VDNH.

Groholsky, 28

MAIN STREETS: Prospect Mira.

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Protopopovsky per, Groholsky per, Gilyarovskogo street.

Modern building with underground parking.

Schepkina, 13

Modern building with underground parking.

IS recommends this area to you: if you are looking for a less expensive central apartment

Bazhova, 8 “Stone Flower”

Prospect Mira lies in the north of the city centre. One of its main attractions is the Botanical garden – the largest botanical garden in Europe. It is also close to VDNH exhibition and park complex – a great place in summer for families with kids. Most of the international medical centres are located in this area – American Medical centres, one of the European Medical centres, SOS International and the American clinic.

Modern building with underground parking.

This area is a good solution for those who want to be close to the north of the city centre but want a less expensive accommodation. Most of the apartment buildings in this area are Stalinist or Soviet-era buildings with some new developments.

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Chistye Prudy / Lubyanka / Kitay-Gorod METRO STATIONS:

Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if: you are planning to place you children to secondary French school would like to live in a historical center

Chisty Ponds/Turgenevskaya, Lubyanka/Kuznetsky Most, Kitay-Gorod, Kurskaya, Krasny Vorota.

This is a great place to walk with elegant buildings. Busy streets neighbor tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. Many embassies are based here and it is close to the French school. The name to the area is given by Chisty (Clean) Pond situated in the middle of the lovely city park. An-

Bol. Lubyanka, Myasnitskaya, Maroseyka, Pokrovka, Solyanka, Sretensky and Chistoprudny bulevards, Zemlyanoy Val (part of Garden ring), Sretenka.

‘Chisty Ponds has the feel of an educated place.

There are a lot of students around, discussion in the cafes is high-calibre, and there are abundant theatres and bookshops. Next to Lubyanka, Biblio-Globus has amazing volume and variety, and next door the Mayakovsky bookshop has an eclectic selection. Just across Sretensky St “Relod” has a humbling richness of choice for learners of English, good fiction and children’s sections’. Ross Hunter, Headmaster of EIS

MAIN STREETS:

MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Сhaplygina, Makarenko, Mashkova, Krivokolenny, Armyansky, Lyalin, Kharitonievsky (Bolshoy and Maly), Podsosensky, Yakovoapostolsky, Milutinsky per, Daev per.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS:

‘I have lived here in Chisty Prudy for over 12 years and I wouldn't live anywhere else in Moscow!

Yes, there is the congestion of traffic, pollution and the prices of apartments are not cheap even with the limited square meters or the entrances not being in such great repair! However, to live here you have a little patch of nature with the pond where there is somehow more light and air and where the ducks fly in for splash landings and lots of doves love to circle about! You are in walking distance to just about anything interesting... be that restaurants, cinema, galleries, theatre, night clubs, coffee shops, banks, boutiques, grocery stores, karate and yoga classes and even fi sh (we have the Moscow Aquarium in the basement of House 14!;)) In the summer the park offers art on display, live music, fire works and the occasional toy boat on the pond (one of our son's). In the winter the pond turns onto a big playground for sledding, ice skating and more fireworks! An ideal place for a family – we are near schools for our children attending Russian schools. There are many places to eat and it is a nice green area for walking. There are also sports clubs which are very near.’

Lynne Udalov (Children 9, 7, 5)

Secondary French school (ages 8–18). lane and Mashkova street.

Kitai-Gorod is perhaps the most interesting area in Moscow as it is the center of the city's club life and culture. The area has a staggering number of old churches. Most of the buildings here are a mix of traditional ‘art noveau’, and monumental Soviet-era architecture. However very few of these buildings are residential, having been replaced by retail and administrative functions.

other piece of greenery in the area is Detsky or Milutinsky Park on Chistoprudny boulevard 10.

This residential area is relatively small.

Most of the residential buildings in the area are pre-revolutionary with high ceilings and interesting architecture, often the entrance is renovated and well presented. There are a few new houses, but not a lot, mainly on Daev

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Dom Rossii (House of Russia) Sretensky blv., 6

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Bolshoy Nikolovorobyinsky, 10

Pre-revolutionary house with amazingly ornate facade, admired by the famous Le Corbuzier.

Rental residential development managed by the government of Moscow.

Armyansky, 7

Lyalin, 19

Solyanka 1/2

Pre-revolutionary building with well preserved architectural details.

Modern building with underground parking and security.

One of the largest pre-revolutionary houses in Moscow.

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Zamoskvorechie Serafimovicha, 2

METRO STATIONS:

Bol. Yakimanka, 26 ‘House of Toys’

Paveletskaya, Novokuznetskaya, Tretyakovsky, Polyanka, Oktyabrskaya, Borovitskaya.

MAIN STREETS: Bol. Yakimanka, Bol. Ordynka, Pyatnitskaya.

THE MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Serafimovicha street, Bol. Polyanka, Mal. Ordynka, Lavrushensky, Klimentovsky, 1 Spasonalivkovsky, Bol./Mal. Tolmachevsky, Pogorelsky, Bahrushina.

The Russian unofficial name is ‘Dom na Naberezhnoy’. Originally its residents were the most famous people of the time – communist party leaders, actors, artists. There are several books and movies which describe the fate of the house and its residents.

Ministerial building, with closed yard and concierge in each entrance. It used to be called ‘House of Toys’ as for many years it housed the biggest toy store in Moscow. Though it is no longer the case, the name endures.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS:

Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if: you are planning to place your children in the French Primary School would like to experience the atmosphere of living in the historical center Zamoskvorechie can be translated to English as ‘Behind the Moscow river’ that describes exactly where it is: behind the river to the south. Many green areas and less traffic

primary French school and English playschool, easy commute to German school. lanes wrap Zamoskvorechye in a cloak of good-natured tranquility. This area also has a distinct Moscow feel and it's just a pleasure to walk around its narrow streets and courtyards. This area has many old beautiful churches.

The world famous Tretyakovsky Art gallery with its lovely pedestrian street is also located here.

This area has fewer residential buildings than other main central areas. This and the fact that it houses the Primary French School creates high demand in the area, especially for large (3 bedrooms +) apartments.

The housing options which do come on the market are mostly pre-revolutionary buildings, with few Stalinist type buildings and modern developments.

Other Popular Modern Residential Houses Of the Area 2 Kazachy, 4 – ‘Rimsky Dom’ Bol. Polyanka, 61, building 2 – modern building with underground parking and security Serpuhovskiy, 7 – new building which offers many apartments of different sizes and price levels. If you are looking at living in Zamoskorechie, pay particular attention to this house which is good value for money Kosmodamianovskaya – almost the whole street is residential with many ministerial and Stalinist type buildings. Great views on the embankment and one of the Seven Sisters Bahrushina 13, 19 – modern buildings with parking and security Bol. Polyanka, 1/3 – prerevolutionary house – plenty of apartments for rent (sizes vary from 50 to 90 sq. m) Lavrushenky, 11 – excellent new development, many apartments in this house having large terraces (a rarity in Moscow) and an excellent view over the Kremlin

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Ozerkovskaya nab., ‘Aquamarin’

Bol Yakimanka, 2 ‘Kopernik’

Pogorelsky, 5 and 6

Modern building with underground parking.

Modern building next to the President hotel.

New buildings opposite each other.

Mal. Polyanka, 2 ‘Onegin’

1st Spasonalivkosky, 16, 18, 20

Bol. Polyanka, 43

The most elite building of the area, which houses fitness centre and Italian consulate.

Modern club buildings – just a step away from the French embassy and school.

Modern building with underground parking and security.

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Frunzenskaya Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if you are: a family with kids looking for a quiet green residential area close to the centre a jogging fan or love parks and long walks This area stretches along the Moscow river and offers many green areas. It would be harder to find a greener and calmer area in all of Moscow. A great area to consider for families and the housing options are represented mostly by Stalinist type buildings with few pre-revolutionary houses and new developments. Given the uniqueness of this area, apartments (especially large ones 3 bedrooms +) are in large demand.

The newly renovated Gorky Park offers beautiful promenade and lots of entertainment. It lies just across the river. The beautiful Novodevichy convent (surrounded by park) and the Luzhniki Olympic sports complex is nearby, as well as the small but elegant Park Devichiego Polya. Another great asset of the area is Mandelstam Park (officially renamed Usadba Trubetskih, but the poet’s name endures). It is a wonderfully developed

METRO STATIONS: Park Kultury, Frunzenskaya, Sportivnaya.

MAIN STREETS: Komsomolsky prospect, Frunzenskaya and Savvinskaya naberezhnaya.

THE MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Obolensky, Nesvizhsky, Kseninsky side streets, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Frunzenskaya.

‘Our apartment in Frunzenskaya was the second we viewed. And I fell in love with it the moment we walked through the door. Beautiful parquet floors and chandeliers, yet unpretentious and functional, as you would expect of a Soviet built block; with it’s small wood effect kitchen and nearly fully functional shower cabinet and Jacuzzi. I could see how I would be able to walk straight out of the building onto the cycle/blading path along the embankment, and quickly take the children into Gorky Park after school across the covered bridge.

Since then we have seen Frunzenskaya come even more to life with the development of the Cinema complex above the metro, Starbucks, TGI, etc. and the availability of family friendly parks, including those servicing the soviet blocks around them. Le Pain Quotidien is a 10 minute walk to Park Kultury metro for fresh croissants and bread. I now have a regular group of girls to go out with, who also live along the red line of the metro.’

Lucy Kenyon (children 9, 10)

and family friendly area beautifully kept, with a good sized lake, full of flowers in summer and with skating and sledging facilities in winter.

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Komsomolsky, 32 ‘Kamelot’

Obolensky, 9

Large modern house, with fitness centre and ‘Azbuka Vkusa’ supermarket adjacent.

Modern house next to Mandelstam park.

3rd Frunzenskaya, 19 ‘La Defance’

Hamovnichesky Val, 38 ‘Luzhniki house’

Modern building with undeground parking.

Newly built house managed by the Luzhniki Stadium management and offering quality furnished apartments for rent. Underground parking and proximity to Luzhniki facilities.

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Krasnopresnenskaya / Barrikadnaya Bol. Gruzinskaya, 19

METRO STATIONS:

Buildings on Zoologicheskaya street

Barrikadnaya, Krasnaya Presnya, Ulitsa 1905 Goda, Belorusskaya.

MAIN STREETS: Krasnaya Presnya, Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, Presnensky Val, Gruzinsky Val, Krasnopresnenskaya naberezhnaya.

THE MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Modern house with fitness and swimming pool.

Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if you are: a family with children who want to stay in central but quiet and green area less expensive central apartment jogging fan

Zoologicheskaya, Malaya Gruzinskaya, Klimaskina, Bolshoy Tishinksky, Zamorenova, Rochdelskaya, Shmidtovsky.

Bol. Gruzinskaya, 69

Stadium ‘Kransnaya Presnya’ right next

to metro Krasnopresnenskaya offers a rare opportunity to those who like jogging (free of charge). There is also a football field and beach volley-ball playground you can rent on an hourly basis. For more information see: www.sport-stadion.ru (Russian only) This area is another good solution for families and for those who want to be close to the centre, but in a quiet area with some greenery around. There is a Detsky Presnensky Park and a nice park around Kransnopresnensky prudy. Housing options vary from Stalin type buildings and earlier 90s brick buildings on Zoologicheskaya street to new developments with underground parking.

This region is currently undergoing a major transition principally with the development of the ‘City project’, Moscow's financial district. Upon completion of this ambitious project, the area's primary advantage will be its proximity to the enormous number of offices that occupy the buildings.

Here you will find Moscow Zoo, The White House and the American Embassy. There are many restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and clubs nearby.

Residential district built in the 90s many buildings have undeground parking, security and playgrounds in the yard.

Modern building close to Belorusskaya metro station. On the ground floor you will find practically everything you need – fitness, café, hair-dressers.

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On Krasnopresnenskaya nab. tennis lovers will find excellent tennis courts. Open air courts are available in the summer time.

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Kudrinskaya, 1

Krasnopresnenskaya nab., 1

Shmitovsky proezd, 16

Impressive Stalin Ampire skyscraper, one of the ‘7 Sisters’.

Stalinist type building with excellent views on the embankment.

Modern building with underground parking close to the World Trade Centre.

Shmidtovsky per., 20

Bol. Gruzinskaya, 37

Klimashkina, 1 ‘Agalarov house’

Modern building with secure territory and underground parking close to the World Trade Center Moscow.

Modern building with secure territory and underground parking.

Modern building with secure territory and underground parking.

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Taganskaya Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if: you are looking for a less expensive central apartment if you are looking for a central apartment in historical area The Taganskaya area is located on the eastern section of the Garden Ring and extends beyond it. Taganskaya is probably the most undervalued area of central Moscow. In the Soviet time the neighborhood was chiefly built to accommodate Moscow’s working class and a lot of apartment buildings here are panel ones with small apartments of standardized floor plan and low ceilings. However the situation gradually changes as an increasing number of business centres and quality residential developments are built in this area.

METRO STATIONS: Taganskaya/Marksistskaya, Proletarskaya

MAIN STREETS: Taganskaya, Nikoloyamskaya, Kotelnicheskaya embankment, Zemlyanoy Val (part of the Garden Ring).

THE MOST POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: B. Kamenshiki, Goncharnaya, 3, Krutitsky per., Krasnoholmskaya nab.

If this is where your office is Taganskaya may definitely be your area of choice. Apart-

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ment options in this area can be found in prerevolutionary, Stalin type (skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya embankment) and modern buildings.

Taganskaya Plostchad, located right outside of the metro Taganskaya is a large busy square with lots of restaurants and cafes, some shopping centres and a popular jazz club. Several drama theatres (including legendary Taganka theatre), a puppet theatre and the Illusion movie theatre in Kotelnicheskaya skyscraper (which often shows rare international movie classics) are to be found nearby.

If you have children, you will definitely enjoy two nice city parks located in the area – Park Kultury and Otdyha Tagansky (Taganskaya street 40–42) and Tagansky kids Park (Taganskaya street 15a).

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Kotelnicheskaya nab 1/15

Marksistskaya, 7

One of the three residential Stalin skyscrapers, Kotelniki, as it is called by Muscovites, is truly the most spectacular. The Skyscraper took twenty years to build. At its tallest the building is 26 stories high. There are over 700 apartments in the building. Many windows, balconies and terraces have breathtaking views of the rivers, the Kremlin and Christ the Savior Cathedral. The grand front lobby is very representative of its architectural style – high ceilings, marble, moldings and large double doors. The building amenities include garages, a grocery store, beauty salon and a post office. ‘Illusion’, a unique Moscow movie theater where you can see rare world and European classics, is located on the ground floor of the building. Across the street is the Library of Foreign Languages. Today, it is a popular residential address for many expats in Moscow.

Modern buildings with underground parking.

Taganskaya, 15

Taganskaya, 26

Modern buildings with underground parking.

Modern buildings with underground parking.

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3d Krutitsky per., 11

Modern buildings with underground parking.

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Popular Residential Areas Outside of the City Centre Leningradsky Prospect Area Intermark Relocation recommends to consider this area if: you have children in one of the international schools located in the area your office is in this area or Tverskaya-Belorusskaya area and you would like to have more options for choice Leningradsky Prospect is one of the main and busiest city avenues, which continues from Tverskaya street up north in the direction of Sheremetyevo airport. In 1920’s, Soviet artists and writers were offered private houses with studios in a village just off the prospect. In late 1940 the prospect was rebuilt with new monumental Stalin type buildings along the expanded street. Apartments were offered mostly to war veterans, outstanding scientists, and musicians.

Now Leningradsky Prospect area is home of the Anglo-American School with the neighboring Pokrovsky Hills and Chaika compounds, as well as the historical housing settlement called Poselok Hudozhnikov (Compound of Artists) and three campuses of the British International Schools. This area has also become one of the business centres of Moscow housing the Metropolis business centre and several business centres in Khimki (area to the North of Moscow).

Due to these factors the prices of apartments in this area are close to the prices of

METRO STATIONS: Green line - Dinamo, Aeroport, Sokol, Voykovskaya, Vodny Stadion, Rechnoy Vokzal, Purple line – Oktybrskoe Pole, Schukinskaya, Tushinskaya, Schodnenskaya.

MAIN STREETS: Leningrasky prospect, Leningraskoe shosse, Volokolamskoe shosse, Svobody street Alabyana street, Aviatsionnaya, Beregovaya, Ivankovskoe shosse.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: AAS (ages 4–17), BIS 1, 2, 7 (1,5–14), AIS (ages 4–17), reasonable commute to ISM (ages 2–14).

central apartments and sometimes even exceed them when apartments are located right next to schools.

Most apartment options in the area are located in Stalinist type buildings and there are quite a lot of modern residential developments with underground parking and great infrastructure in this area. Apartments in these complexes could be a very good option for you if you have kids and are looking for

I have been living in Allye Parusa complex near Schukinskaya Metro for 5 years. We chose it because we have three active young children – but not sufficient budget to afford a house. The complex is situated on the river so the apartments feel light and spacious with big views. We had moved from the English countryside and I therefore did not want to be living in the centre. We have lots of outside space here and I did not want to be getting in a car to drive my then very small children to a park. On the complex is a large field which fits two football pitches surrounded by an athletics track which the children roller blade around; there is a large ‘pirate’ ship climbing frame and swings and lots of paths to bike around. Our apartment connects to the gym; swimming pool and tennis court. So in the mid winter, the children can walk inside from one end of the complex to the other to get to the facilities. There is a Russian children’s nursery next to the complex where my youngest goes – and a Russian school which my daughter now attends. My eldest son attends ISM and the school bus picks up from our building. Allye Parusa is situated between Pokrovsky Hills and Serebryany Bor – which means we can play a part in these communities too. The metro is a 7 minute walk from our apartment so my husband is able to get into the centre to his office.

Catherine Staples ( children 9, 7, 5)

comfortable living. They are good and often more affordable alternative to compounds.

Other modern buildings with security and underground parking Privat Skver – Aviakonstruktura Mikoyana, 14 Aerobus – Kochnovsky proezd, 4 Velton Park – Marshala Zhukova, 43 Novaya Zvezda – Raspletina, 14 Severnaya Zvezda – Raspletina, 22 Pomidor – Leningrasky prospect, 52 Elsinor – Marshala Sokolovskogo, 5 Yantarny – Lavochkina, 34

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| Beregovaya, 4 ‘Pokrovsky Bereg’

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Beregovaya, 8 ‘Pokrovsky Bereg’

| Ivankovskoe highway, 5 ‘Alisa’

Gated apartment building close to AAS. Underground parking, fenced territory.

Gated apartment building close to AAS. Underground parking, fenced territory.

Second closest option to AAS. Underground parking, fenced territory, ELSE fitness club and restaurant on the ground floor.

Сhapaevsky per., 3 ‘Triumph Palace’

Aviatsionnaya, 79 ‘Alye Parusa’

Leningradsky prospect, 76 (bld. 1-4) ‘Sokolinoe Gnezdo’

Huge skyscraper in the style of Seven Sisters.

Is acknowledged as the highest residential building in Europe. Fenced secure territory with several playgrounds, underground parking, fitness centre the World Class.

Complex of several high-rise buildings on the bank of Moscow river. Playground, fitness centre, restaurant, yacht-club. Right next to it there is the Schuka shopping mall with a supermarket, numerous shops and restaurants.

Complex of 4 high-rise buildings on Leningradsky prospect right next to Sokol metro station. Underground parking and security.

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Kutuzovsky Prospekt Area Intermark Relocation recommends you consider this area if you are: looking for a residential area close to the centre with good infrastructure Kutuzovsky Prospect is a major arterial road to/from city center. It is bounded by ‘massive’ architectural apartments blocks once home to many Politburo (Communist Party authorities) members. The lower floors of these buildings now house many international fashion boutiques and expensive retailers. In this district you will find Victory Park, a park to honour the millions who died and those who survived World War II. The Triumphal Arch stands on the eastern edge of the Victory Park, in the middle of Kutuzovsky Avenue. It was first erected at the Belorussky Railway station in 1834 to commemorate Russia's victory over Napoleon.

METRO STATIONS: Kievskaya, Kutuzovskaya, Park Pobedy, Slavyansky bulvard.

MAIN STREETS: Kutuzovsky prospect, Minskaya, Pl. Pobedy Bol. Dorogomilovskyaya, Tarasa Shevchenko.

‘I love living at Golden Keys. It is a compound with lots of apartments. It’s great for kids as we have a wonderful park with lots of swings, a fun slide as well as an indoor swimming pool. There’s an adult pool and a kid’s pool. I like the kid’s pool as it has loads of equipment. There’s also a gym for adults. There’s always lots to do and other children to play with’.

Layla Alikhani (child aged 10)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: kindergarden, easy commute to ISM.

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Kutuzovsky Prospect provides good selection of apartments in close proximity to the city centre and Moscow City – either in Stalin type buildings or in modern developments, such as Golden Keys 1 and 2, Vorobyovy Gory, Edelweis, etc. One of the popular international kindergardens, Montessori, is located in this area.

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Minskaya, 1A and 1B ‘Golden Keys 1’

Minskaya, 1G ‘Golden Keys 2’

Mosfilmovskaya, 70 ‘Vorobyovy Gory’

One of the most popular with expats residential complexes. Has large fenced territory, kids playground, fitness centre. Many apartments are spacious (≈200 sq. m).

Modern building with fenced territory, underground parking and fitness centre.

Several high rise buildings, underground parking, fitness centre and restaurant nearby.

Davydkovskaya, 3 ‘Edelweis’

Starovolynskaya street, 15 ‘Blizhnyaya Dacha’

Nezhinskaya, 1 ‘Kutuzovskaya Riviera’

Modern building with underground parking.

Modern building with underground parking.

Modern building with underground parking.

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Kuntsevo / Krylatskoe Area Intermark Relocation recommends to consider this area if: your kids go to ISM if you are looking for a green ecological area The area of Kuntsevo/Krylatkoe, lying further from the city centre, is an excellent location for families with children, especially since the opening of the International School of Moscow.

Among other attractions of the area are Krylatsky Golf club, Olimpiysky cycle track, Serebryanny Bor recreational park and Vita Sport Fitness centre. This area is considered to be one of the best in Moscow in terms of ecology.

METRO STATIONS: Kuntsevskaya, Molodezhnaya, Krylatskoe.

MAIN STREETS: Mozhayaskoy shosse, Rublevskoe shosse, Krylatsky Hills, Krylatskaya.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: ISM (ages 3–15), reasonable commute to AAS (ages 4–18), BIS 1, 2, 7 (ages 2–15).

The area has a good choice of modern apartment developments with excellent facilities.

‘We have been living in Sosnovka compound for almost two years. The compound is located on the West side of the city in the Krylatskoe area, very close to Microsoft buildings and ISM. We chose to live here as we are a 6 minute drive to the school and based 18 km west out of the city centre. We are a few minutes away from the MKAD. The compound is s a mixture of apartments and townhouses. The townhouses are 3 bedrooms and consist of a basement area, ground floor, first floor living area and the top floor bedroom area. It is mainly Russians who live in the compound with a few families here who go to ISM. It is safe with good security and the children can play outside freely. There are a few play parks in the compound for children of various ages and we are adjacent to a forest. It is a great area for walking. cycling or cross country skiing in the winter.

A 20 minute walk through the forest will lead you to Europark Shopping area, which is a large complex with an Auchan and several other well known stores and food outlets.

The area has several compounds: Serebryanny Bor, Sosnovka, Myakinino and Troitse-Lykovo. It is adjacent to Rublevskoe highway area, one of the most prestigious areas among the Russian elite.

We have everything we need in the local area including several supermarkets on Osennyaya Boulevard which is a 5 minute drive. The nearest metro at Krylatskoe is a 20 minute walk’.

Suzanne Fol (children 9 and 7)

Fantasy Island

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Ostrovnoy proezd ‘Ostrov Fantasiy (Fantasy Island)’

Krylatskaya, 45 ‘Dolina Grez (Dreams Valley)’

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Mozhayskoe highway, 2

Modern building with underground parking.

Modern building with underground parking.

Modern building with underground parking.

Myakinino

Sosnovka

Troitse-Lykovo

Settlement in the beginning of Novorizhskoe highway close to MKAD. Good transport accessibility to the centre through Kutuzovsky prospect. Several large shopping and entertainment centres nearby.

The recently-built wooden houses combine modern design with a touch of ‘Russian’ atmosphere.

Compounds in Krylatskoe area. Very close to the ISM. Has both townhouses and apartments, though availability maybe an issue.

New compound in Krylatskoe area. Does not have much infrastructure within the compound – only security and gated territory – but it could be a great option for those looking for an affordable large house in the area.

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Leninsky Prospect METRO STATIONS:

Intermark Relocation recommends this area to you if : your children go to one of the schools in the area you are looking for an ecological area with good infrastructure This area is well known for Moscow University and the Sparrow Hills it lies on, offering panoramic views of the city. Moscow University enjoys a special place in Russia's intellectual landscape. Founded by Mikhail Lomonosov in 1755, it has been the center of Russian liberal thought, daring research and first-rate education ever since.

Leninsky prospect is a prestigious residential area popular with expats. The southern campus of British International school and several large national schools are located here, as well as several international kindergardens. Housing options vary from Stalin type buildings to new developments.

Michurinsky, 11 ‘Kollizey’

Leninsky prospect, Universitet, Prospect Vernadskogo, Yugo-Zapadnaya.

MAIN STREETS: Leninsky prospect, Michurinsky prospect, Profsoyuznaya street, Prospect Vernadskogo, Lomonosovsky prospect.

POPULAR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND SIDE-STREETS: Shabolovka, Akadimika Vlasova, Kosygina, Koshtoyantsa street, Novocheremuskinskaya, Udaltsova, Ulofa Palme.

Modern building with underground parking.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: BIS campus 3, 4 (ages 3–18), German school, Italian school, Japanese schools, English Playschool (2,5–6), Little Angel’s Kindergarden, reasonable commute to French Lycee (ages 3–8).

Other modern buildings with security and underground parking Arkada House – Ostrovityanova, 4 Monolit – Kosygina, 19

Moscow State University – one of the 7 Sisters

Ploshad Gagarina

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| Shabolovka, 10, 23 ‘Sozvezdie Kapital’

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Stasovoy, 4 Donskoy posad

| Leninsky prospect, 113 ‘Park Place’

Modern buildings with underground parking close to the city centre. Good option if your kids attend the French Lycee on Spasonalivskosky.

Owned by Glavupdk and managed by Hines. Facilities include in-house sports complex, minimarket, dry-cleaner and Child Activity Centre for children 2-5 years old. A wonderful playground is located in a safe and quiet garden in front of the complex.

Complex offering apartments and offices for rent. Amenities include Child Care Centre, restaurant, underground parking.

Udaltsova Ulitsa, 42–56 ‘New Olimpic Village’

Leninsky prospect, 96, 106, 126 ‘Kvartal na Leninskom’

Prospect Verndaskogo, 90 ‘Korona’

The group of buildings was originally built for the First Youth Olympics in 1999. They share extensive amenities: a swimming pool, tennis courts, health club and several stores.

This group of 11- to 18-storey high-rises has professional security and underground parking.

This full-service, 22-storey buildings has numerous amenities, a dry-cleaners and a winter ice skating rink.

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COMPOUNDS Moscow has several expatriate compounds, which are very popular with families relocating wih kids. The most popular ones are Pokrovsky Hills, Chaika and Serebryany Bor (inside the city) and Rosinka (5 km outside

the city). Due to high demand the availability in these compounds is usually low. There is often a waiting list and the prices are quite high.

If there is no availability in these compounds or if the prices exceed your budget, there are several compounds to choose from as an alternative.

Pokrovsky Hills Pokrovsky Hills is located in a quiet green area: adjacent to the forest reserve ‘Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo’, on a peninsula formed by the Khimki water reservoir, the Moscow Canal and the Khimki river. The total area of the park is 220 hectares. The park’s landscaping is unique with 505 species of plant registered in the area and many old trees.

The compound is located next to AngloAmerican school and has secured direct student access to the AAS campus.

Pokrovsky Hills is managed by Hines, the well known international real estate firm.

The compound has 3, 4 and 5 bedroom townhouses (from 160 sq. m to 340 sq. m).

Due to the proximity to the AAS, it is very popular with expatriates the prices reflect this. There is also usually a waiting list.

LOCATION: North of Moscow, Leningradky prospect area.

DISTANCE TO MKAD: Inside Moscow.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Child-care centre only for residents (from 18 months to 5 years), adjacent to AAS (4–18), fairly easy commute to BIS 2 (7–11) and 7 (11–16), ISM (3–15), primary AIS (2–11).

NUMBER OF UNITS: 207 properties on the land plot of 9.2 hec.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Convenience store, community center, beautifully landscaped pond with a small island and waterfalls, community Park with a spesial BBQ area, shuttle buses to Sokol, Toushinskaya and Shchukinkaya metro stations.

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The townhouses feature enclosed one and two-car garages, natural wood-burning fireplaces, open space planning with large triple-glazed windows and integrated home security systems. Properties are unfurnished with a fully fitted kitchen, bathrooms, washing and drying machines.

The community is protected by the secure perimeter fence with CCTV and a guarded entrance manned 24 hours a day.

The rent in Pokrovsky Hills includes all utilities with the exception of Internet and telephone line (they are not provided by the compound management and tenants sign contracts with exclusive provider – Comstar).

The satellite TV ‘Kosmos TV’ – is provided by the compound management and tenants do not need to pay a monthly charge.

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‘I find Pokrovsky Hills a lovely environment to live in.

There is a large forest across the road and it is wonderful in both summer and winter for walks with the children.

The compound has over 200 houses and most of the people living here have young families. There are approximately 600 children living in Pokrovsky Hills.

The compound contains a medical centre, a nursery and a convenience store. There is also a community centre and there are art classes, yoga and pilates at the centre. It can also be rented out by the community for events, for example for birthday parties.

The outside areas are kept in perfect condition and there are plenty of green areas for the children to play.

The houses are practical and well laid out. They are very warm in winter and the Pokrovsky staff are good at at-

tending to any issues within the houses. There are 5, 4 and 3 bedroom houses within the compound.

The reason we choose to live at Pokrovsky is because of our young children 2 of whom are attending the AngloAmerican School. The school is attached to the housing compound. The school has wonderful facilities and the residents of Pokrovsky can use the school facilities at certain times. For example on Tuesday and Thursday evenings we are permitted to use the swimming pools.

Pokrovsky Hills is located 13 km from Moscow city centre, however due to traffic in Moscow the journey can take time, especially during rush hour. The upside is that you have the feeling of living outside the city in terms of traffic and pollution. There is a shuttle bus that goes to the nearest Metro stations and the shuttle leaves approxi-

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mately every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every hour on weekends. The closest Metro station is Sokol and it 10 minutes away (without traffic!).

As I have said I am very happy living in Pokrovsky, my children have tons of friends and play outdoors all the time when the weather is good. Even in the cold weather they go out on sledges and play together in the show. It is a good community and there is a friendly atmosphere with plenty of opportunity to meet friends and have a social lifestyle’.

Carole Lawlor (children 11, 7, 3)

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Rosinka This housing community occupies 54 hectares (140 acres) and is surrounded by a National Park.

There are eight different house types, ranging in size from 151 to 345 square meters (from 1600 to 3700 square feet), from 3 bedrooms and 2,5 bathrooms to 5 bedrooms and 5,5 bathrooms. Properties are unfurnished with a fully fitted kitchen, bathrooms, washing and drying machines.

The school has a British International School on the territory (for kids aged 3–11).

There is a fitness centre with a swimmingpool, gymnasium, squash and tennis courts.

Activities and sports offered in the sports center include: tennis, gymnastics, dancing, judo, karate, soccer, basketball and volleyball.

LOCATION North, Pyatnitskoe highway; 5 km.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Rosinka BIS (3–11 years old) – on-site, possible commute to AAS (4–18), ISM (3–15), and BIS 1 (3–7), BIS 2 (7–11) and BIS 7 (11–16) – shuttle buses available to all these schools.

NUMBER OF HOUSES FOR RENT & INFRASTRUCTURE: 360 units; children playgrounds, river beach, restaurant, fitness centre with swimming pool and tennis courts.

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The use of sports facilities is included in the rental price.

Other facilities at a complex are a European Medical Center, three restaurants, beauty parlor, mini-market, children playgrounds, open tennis courts and soccer field, teenagers’ skating park with an ice-skating rink, on-site lake with sandy beach, a boat station, fishing facilities and much more.

The majority of houses in Rosinka belong to and are leased by Rosinka management but there are some owned by private landlords, which can be leased either through Rosinka or directly from the landlord. Tenants renting these houses receive the same access to facilities.

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Chaika LOCATION & DISTANCE TO MKAD: North of Moscow, Leningradsky prospect area; inside Moscow.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: walking distance to AAS, fairly easy commute to BIS 1,2,7, ISM, primary AIS.

NUMBER OF HOUSES FOR RENT & INFRASTRUCTURE:

The Chaika compound is located next to Pokrovsky Hills and is managed by the government of Moscow. It is a fantastic green area with few houses which enjoy good privacy. On site of the compound goes back to early 20th century. Some of the houses on the territory are traditional Russian log houses (however newly built furnished with all modern facilities), others are brick houses/ townhouses. Due to high demand and the low number of units an opportunity to rent a house there is unique.

32 units; children playgrounds, tennis courts.

Angelovo Residence Angelovo is the new residential complex located next to Rosinka which was developed by the same company. Townhouses belong to private owners, some of whom rent them out.

It is a great alternative if there are no available houses in Rosinka (which is often the case). As a rule houses are somewhat cheaper than in Rosinka, which is another good reason to consider this compound.

Angelovo Tenants can use well-developed infrastructure of Mitino – residential area close to the compound. The long-term plan is that the complex will have its own facilities.

LOCATION & DISTANCE TO MKAD: North, Pyatnitskoe highway; 5 km to MKAD.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Rosinka BIS, possible commute to AAS, ISM (3–15), and BIS 1 (3–7), BIS 2 (7–11), BIS 7 (11–16).

INFRASTRUCTURE: Rosinka fitness centre (at cost), infrastructure of Mitino (large residential area with plenty of shops and several fitness centres) – 5 minutes drive.

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Serebryany Bor LOCATION & DISTANCE TO MKAD: North-West of Moscow, Krylatskaya area; inside Moscow.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARDENS: Easy commute to ISM (5–10 minutes, shuttle bus option available), BIS 1, 2, 7 (15–20 minutes).

NUMBER OF HOUSES FOR RENT & INFRASTRUCTURE: Around 100 units; children and sports playgrounds, beach, restaurant, Vita Sport fitness club – 5 minutes drive.

Serebryany Bor (translated as Silver Forest) is a historical compound and city park whose history goes back to 19th century.

The entrance to the territory is open to Moscovites who can take advantage of the several beaches, park and sports playgrounds. The rest of the complex is divided

into smaller fenced settlements of different size and houses quality ranging from wooden dachas to modern private homes.

As far as we are concerned, our decision to live in Serebryany Bor was the best decision we made regarding living in Moscow. It offers houses, space, woodland, river and generally ideal living conditions for families with young children. Although this is a personal opinion and some people and some people of course like living in the centre of this exciting city, the fact that I have seen so many families relocate from the centre to Serebryany Bor really says it all for me.

We chose Serebryany Bor because we are an "outdoors" type family and we couldn't imagine our children enjoying in an apartment in the centre, especially as people often have to drive to the nearest park. However, this is our fifth year in Moscow and if we are still here in another 5 years' time, we may consider moving into the centre when our children are all teenagers and will enjoy different things about living more centrally. Meanwhile we love the S. Bor area and are very fortunate that my husband's company pays for our accomodation, since rents in this area are high.

Lucy Cranfield (children 11, 8 and 6)

Houses for rent are located on fenced plots with security (from 1–15 houses on each plot). Quite a lot of houses in Serebryany Bor belong to private owners and most are not for rent.

Houses are offered unfurnished with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Most common sizes are 160–180 sq. m.

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Possible Alternatives to the Main Expatriate Compounds In case there is nothing in one of these five compounds to meet your requirements, possible alternatives could be 1) renting an apartment in the centre; 2) renting a house in one of the gated compounds from the private owner.

There are pros and cons in both of these variants and a lot of details have to be taken into account, so please consult your InterCompound

Highway

Kurkino

Kurkinskoe

Mashkinskie Kholmy, Novogorsk

Angelovo

Otrada

Myakinino

Mashkinskoe

Pyatnitskoe

Pyatnitskoe

Novorizhskoe

mark relocation consultant for details.

We can make the following general recommendations: Renting an apartment in the centre maybe a good option for you if your office is in the centre and one of your main priorities is community – it will be much easier to find it downtown then in the compounds with

Distance from the MKAD 3

Townhouse

8

House

5

Townhouse

6

House

within the city limits

Pavlovo

Novorizhskoe

25

Benilux

Novorizhskoe

within the city limits

Romashkovo, Nemchinovka

Mozhayskoe

1

Barvikha

RublevoUspenskoe

7

Promenad

Kievskoe

Dubrovka

Kaluzhskoe

Potapovo Fominskoe

12

Type of house

House

House

Area (m2) 130 220 250 350 400 600 240 370 400 430

However if your main priority is space, both inside and outdoor, community is not your key priority and your office is located close to the MKAD a house belonging to a private owner in one of the gated compounds can be a good alternative.

Nearest school

300

180 – 220

Townhouse

300 185

House

280 – 580 180 250 385

13 (BIS) 19 (AAS) Anglo-American School of Moscow

18 (BIS)

British International School №1,2,7,8

10 (AAS) 17 (BIS) 11 (AAS) 18 (BIS)

International School of Moscow Anglo-American School of Moscow International School of Moscow

International School of Moscow

7 (AAS) 34

11

14

320

5

Townhouse

150 – 370

Deutsche School

Kaluzhskoe

8

House

600

British International School №5, 3, 4

Kaluzhskoe

16

House

230 420

www.intermarkrelocation.ru

11 (ISM)

4

House

– 55 –

Distance from school in km 14 (AAS)

250 300

Townhouse

Townhouse

mixed Russian/expatriate tenants. For most families these options work.

19 (DS) 17 (BIS) 14 (DS) 10 (BIS) 19,5 (DS) 17 (BIS) 25 (DS) 23 (BIS)

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Chapter Five: Practicalities of Living In Moscow

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ARTS and Culture in MOSCOW Some foreigners still have the impression that Moscow is dull and grey, that there are tanks and soldiers everywhere, the people are drab and miserable and you have to queue for food! They will be surprised when they discover the cosmopolitan, vibrant city bursting with restaurants, bars and its own cafe culture.

Musocovites are well educated, patriotic, proud of their cultural heritage and are ex-

ceptionally knowledgeable about art, literature and music.

Moscow houses world famous collections of paintings and sculptures from all eras in many museums and galleries.

Theatre and music are a very important part of Moscow life and there are more than 60 theatres in the city. The world famous Bolshoy Theatre has recently been renovated

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and you can go there for the ballet, opera and concerts. You can buy tickets online for many of these performances by going to their website.

Moscow is a popular city for major stars on tour. In the last couple of years Moscow has welcomed U2, Elton John, Zee Zee Top, James Morrison, Flamenco Dancer Joaquin Cortes to name just a few.

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Russian PEOPLE Most expats' first impression is that Russians are unfriendly, especially the older generation. This is as a result of Soviet culture, so if someone does not smile, don’t take it personally. The younger generation are much friendlier and in many cases young people speak English.

The real picture is that generally Russians demonstrate the character of ‘coconut culture’ – hard and tough on the outside but once you break the shell, soft and warm on the inside. It is worth persevering and not to get dejected if your neighbours don’t invite

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you in for coffee and cake the first time they meet you! It takes time to build up trust and understanding.

One point to note is the concept of ‘personal space’. If you leave what is called a ‘respectable distance’ when queuing then it is likely you will be queuing for a long time! You have to keep close to the person in front of view otherwise others will squeeze in! A lack of personal space is also common when talking to people. Yet Moscow overall is little different from any other major city in the world.

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CLIMATE There are two main seasons ― cold winters and hot summers (sometimes!). Spring and autumn are short. Average rainfall is 600mm per year. The summer days (average +25 °C) are long, with the sun setting after 10 pm; the winter days (average -10 °C) are short: it’s already dark by 4 pm. Another positive is you are pretty much guaranteed to have a white Christmas.

The climate can be somewhat extreme, 2010 being a good example. In winter there was a record breaking amount of snow and temperatures of -30 °C followed by a summer of +40 °C days causing peat fires around the city which led to smog and an extremely high level of pollution for 3 weeks. The climate also affects traffic so be prepared for jams during the first few days of rain or snow.

sunbathing on Rosinka’s beach with the children paddling in the lake!

Many Muscovites spend weekends in the summer on their dachas (country houses in the Moscow region) and you may find entire buildings deserted on Saturday and Sunday.

In such weather one should be aware of the old adage that ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!’

Many newcomers don’t realise that the summers can be hot and sunny and that there are riverside beaches in Moscow! The riverside beach at Serebryany Bor is packed at weekends with people sunbathing and swimming. We certainly didn’t expect to be

Moscow really does have the best of both worlds! Even when it is -25 °C it is beautiful – the sky blue and the sun shining. Can you imagine cross country skiing on fresh snow in the forest with the sun shining? Obviously not everyday is like that as we do get many dark, dull and cold days and when the snow begins to melt the roads are slushy and dirty.

Yet the sunny days more than make up for this.

Social LIFE Living on a compound such as Pokrovsky Hills or Rosinka can be very sociable as you are surrounded by other families many of whom are expatriates. There are usually a lot of activities and sports you can do and meeting people is easy. The majority of new people coming into Moscow live in apartments in the city centre where it can be a slower process to make friends and meet new people. In such circumstances, the International groups and clubs are a valuable lifeline for a social life and advice from others who can help you settle.

IINTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES IN MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB (IWC) OF MOSCOW (www.iwcmoscow.ru) The International Women’s Club is one of

Moscow’s most active expat clubs with over 700 members and brings women together from all over the world to take part in philanthropic activities, share their hobbies and skills and generally socialize and share experiences. As well as getting involved in their interest groups, you can also turn up on the second Tuesday of every month for an informal coffee morning held between 10:00 and 12:00. The coffee mornings are chances to meet new friends in a informal and friendly environment. For those who work there are also coffee mornings held on the first Saturday of the month.

AMERICAN WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION (AWO) (www.awomoscow.org) Newcomers coffee mornings are held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Membership is open to all women who hold (or whose spouses hold) passports from the

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United States, Canada or Mexico. A yearly membership fee entitles you to free or subsidized entrance to special interest groups, seasonal parties, charitable events and city tours as well as twice monthly coffee get-togethers.

BRITISH WOMEN’S CLUB (BWC) (www.bwcmoscow.co.uk) On the second Tuesday of every month from 10:00 – 12:00, members meet for coffee at the British Embassy. New members are welcome but need to pre-register (membership is open to all British passport holders and their spouses).

Weekly coffees are held at Koffein at ul.

Stary Arbat 19 (metro Arbatskaya) from 10:00 – 12:00 on the other Tuesdays throughout the year.

In addition, the BWC Family Network is

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

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run for members with children and includes weekly toddler swimming sessions at the Embassy.

sues, leave tips for other expats and interact with people who may have the same interests.

InterNations also host regular parties.

WEBSITE OF THE FRENCH EXPAT WIFE ASSOCIATION WITH VISITS PLANNED, ACTIVITIES, DEALS (www.moskva-accueil.org)

ACTIVE FORUM AND WEBSITE WITH ADVISE ABOUT RUSSIA (www.vivreenrussie.net) GERMAN-LANGUAGE COMMUNITY WEBSITE (www.moskultinfo.de)

SWEDISH WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION (SWEA) (www.swea.org)

DUTCH COMMUNITY (www.nederlandse-vereniging-moskou.ru)

CLUB DE DAMAS LATINAS DE MOSCU (www.damaslatinas.ru) DUTCH WOMEN’S GROUP (www.nederlandseverenigingmoskou.ru/tulpen)

RUSSIAN HOLIDAYS 1–9 January New Year holidays

SWEDESH WOMEN’S GROUP (www.swea.org/) CANADIAN WOMEN/PARTNERS IN MOSCOW (cwim_moscow@yahoo.ca) SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN IN MOSCOW (sawomeninmoscow@hotmail.com) TURKISH WOMEN IN MOSCOW (mosturkuaz@yahoogroups.com)

7 January Christmas in the Russian Orthodox Church 23rd February (used to be the Soviet Army Day). Defence of the Motherland Day. 8th March Women’s Day (Men give gifts to women) 1st May International Labour Day 9th May Victory Day Commemorates victory over the Nazis. Military parades are common 12 June Russian Independence Day 4 November Day of Reconciliation and Accord

VARIOUS EXPATRIATE COMMUNITIES IN MOSCOW

SCOTTISH COMMUNITY (www.scottishmoscow.org) AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND SOCIAL GROUP (AUSKI) (www.gdaymoscow.com)

ACTIVITY CLUBS MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL CHOIR (moscow.international.choir@gmail.com) Choir made up of amateur and professional singers from across Russia and the world.

Their working language is English and all singing residents of Moscow are welcome.

Regularly perform charity concerts. Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening at St Andrew’s church at Voznesensky per. 8 (metro Okhotny Ryad metro).

INTERNATIONS (www.internations.org) ROTARY CLUB MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL

Internations is the biggest global networking site for expats of various nationalities and their family members with almost 200,000 members in 235 cities worldwide. By becoming a member you gain access to the online social network were you can connect with other expats, ask for advice on daily life is-

Meetings take place on Wednesdays, 7pm every Wednesday and 8:15 am every first Wednesday of the month at The KaterinaCity Hotel.

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CLOTHING To survive a typical Moscow winter, you need to buy a decent long coat and good boots and gloves! You can buy anything you need in Moscow – many of the sports shops (such as the ubiquitous Sportsmaster) and department stores (Stockmann) sell good quality winter outdoor clothes though quality footwear is very expensive here compared to most other countries. Many people have fur coats and wearing fur doesn’t attract the same negative outcries as it does in some other countries.

One point to note is that inside shops and shopping centres it can get very hot. Therefore layers are more practical. Some shopping centres have cloakrooms (Mega) but not

all. You will probably notice that Russian children are always very well wrapped up with snowsuits and woolly hats whilst expats are often still in T-shirts! It is not uncommon for older Russian ladies to comment or tell you that your child should be dressed properly.

At my children’s international school, they always have outdoor play unless it is very wet or if the temperatures are colder than -15 °C.

switch footwear when they arrive at the office.

It is a good idea to follow the Russian habit of changing into household footwear as soon as you come home – both in winter and summer. This prevents carrying the ‘street’ dirt into your apartment. Many working people (women in particular) keep a second pair of shoes at work and in the winter months,

Since moving to Moscow I have felt it necessary to buy many pairs of heels as well as evening and cocktail dresses but this is also because life as an expat does offer plenty of opportunities for parties and charity balls.

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I have heard that it is impossible to be overdressed in Moscow! It's obvious that Russian ladies love dressing up and they are perfectly turned out whether going out for dinner or even on the school run! It is important in Moscow to appear ‘well-groomed’ with manicured nails, perfect hair and make-up!

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RUSSIAN Language Don’t be put off by the Cyrillic alphabet!

It isn’t so difficult to learn. If you can read Greek it may help – the Cyrillic alphabet was named after St. Cyril and it is based on the Greek alphabet.

A working knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet is a definite advantage especially when reading place names. Street signs (blue) on buildings are only ever in Cyrillic but in the city centre the white signs on lampposts with street names have both Roman and Cyrillic letters. One common error is that some letters look like English but sound totally different, the letter ‘H’ sounds like ‘N’, ‘C’ sounds like ‘S’ and ‘P’ sounds like ‘R’ as in Ресторан which is RESTAURANT. It is also

‘Initially Russian seems completely incomprehensible with having a completely different alphabet however, it doesn’t take very long to learn and then reading necessary signs etc. is not so difficult. Newcomers to Moscow often have to count the number of stops they need to make on the Metro before they can read the station names in Russian! English isn’t commonly spoken so you will need to learn at least some Russian to be able to communicate. It’s great, on Rosinka there is a Russian resident who runs conversation classes a couple of times a week – a quick way to start using the language and meet other people’ Sarah Carton

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helpful to learn a few basic phrases to give you confidence when you are out and about.

Private tuition is easy to arrange and just ask for recommendations from other expats.

There are many Russian Language Schools advertised in the local press and the Moscow Business Guide. Schools offer a great way to meet other people.

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

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TRANSPORT

Moscow is the largest city in Europe with a population of over 10 million and an area of 386 square miles (878 square km) so with the number of cars increasing daily, the traffic is always going to be problematic. If you travel by car then it is inevitable that you will spend a significant proportion of your time in traffic. Rather than get stressed and frustrated, it is more productive to be prepared and have books, games, music, DVD player or work to keep you busy (assuming you aren’t actually driving). It is also very common for the traffic to be stopped for a while in order to shut the road for a VIP to pass by. You have to factor in this possibility when planning journeys. Remember also to

have some water and snacks handy.

is normal.

Also, if you are driving yourself, keep an ice-scraper, a lighter and antifreeze for the car in winter.

Many expatriates hire drivers or they are provided with a company driver. You can hire a driver full or part time to drive his car or your car. If he drives your car then he needs a notarised Power of Attorney for your car and your car needs to be insured for him.

DRIVING IN MOSCOW

One of the most useful websites you will use in Moscow is www.yandex.ru where you can look up the route you are taking and it will colour code the roads depending on the speed of the traffic. You can then either change your route, change your plans to go out or leave extra early!

Driving is not easy in Moscow and most expats are intimidated by the volume of traffic and the irregular and aggressive driving style. There is no lane discipline – even on the major 6 lane roads in the city and you will see cars weaving across lanes and diving into tiny gaps in the traffic. I haven’t seen any incidences of ‘road rage’, perhaps because everyone understands that driving aggressively

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If you are driving you need to be aware that most of the street signs are only in Russian and there are often complicated and

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

unofficial ways to navigate through junctions.

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little more expensive. You will probably need some guidance for your first journey.

Some things to note, if you are driving:

BY METRO Using the metro is an excellent alternative to being stuck in the traffic. The entrances are marked with a large red ‘M’. It’s a shame but I’d been in Moscow for 10 months before I used it. Once you can read the names of the stations in Russian it is easy – oh and once you realise that the same station could have several different names depending on which line it is on! The stations are certainly not what you would expect – chandeliers, marbles, statues and symbols of grandeur.

It isn’t so much fun at rush hour as you are crammed in like sardines but then again, it isn’t much fun being stationary in traffic.

To plan your route by metro then go to www.mosmetro.ru. This website will show you the quickest route to get to your destination and will tell you exactly how to get there.

There are 185 stations and so it is worthwhile planning your journey so you don’t get lost.

The average time between trains is 90 seconds – fast and efficient. The metro is also an inexpensive way to travel – the cost of a ticket is 28 rubles – irrespective of how far your journey is.

Patriarshy Dom organise tours of the metro.

BY 'MARSHRUTKA' (MINIBUS) There are hundreds of routes covered by these minibuses. If you want one then you flag it down like a taxi and then when you wish to get off you have to shout out stop! The route normally starts near a metro station and has a map of the journey on the window.

These minibuses usually cover areas not normally serviced by the normal buses and are a

• You always need to carry the appropriate car registration documents and your international driving licence. There are penalties for not following these rules - your car may be towed and you will have to pay to have it released.

• Remember not to leave these documents in your car.

• Seatbelts are compulsory. Children under the age of 12 aren’t allowed to sit in the front seat and require special children seating.

• There are a lot of police on the roadsides and frequently wave drivers over (with a baton) for a document check.They may also check that you are carrying a full first aid kit, fire extinguisher and a sign in case of emergencies.

• Speed limits are 60 km per hour in the city, 90 km outside the city and in towns and 110 km on the highway.

• There is zero tolerance for alcohol so don’t drink and drive.

• You must always drive with your headlights on.

• Use only a hands-free device if you need to speak on a mobile phone whilst driving.

• If you have an accident it is illegal to leave the scene even if it is in the worst place possible. You have to wait until the GIBDD (traffic police) arrive.

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BY BICYCLE There is a reason you won’t see many people cycling along the roads in Moscow ... they are only likely to do it once! It really isn’t the safest mode of transport unless you live somewhere like Serebryany Bor where the traffic is restricted and the roads are good.

However, bicycles and rollerblades are very popular in the summer months but usually in parks or along the river (Victory Park and Gorky Park are very popular destinations). It is not generally very safe to leave bikes in the street – even if chained up.

BY TAXI There are a couple of different ways of getting around.

Many Muscovites take what are called ‘Gypsy Cabs’ where they stick out their hand and any car may stop for them. You tell them your destination and agree the rate before you get into the car. I know many expats use this type of transport (and I have too) although expats are discouraged for safety reasons. Official taxi firms normally don’t speak English. See listings page 111.

ON FOOT Drivers generally aren’t very considerate towards pedestrians and so you need to be very careful and don’t attempt to cross roads without using a pedestrian crossing or an underpass. They are clearly marked on blue and white signs on posts with a picture of a person walking down stairs.

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Personal SAFETY

Moscow is cosmopolitan city of many millions of residents so all the rules you would normally apply in New York, Paris or London apply here. Yet given the size of the city, many tourists and expats are quick to comment on how safe Moscow feels. However, while you may feel safe, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings.

Watch out for pickpockets while travelling on public transport and in busy shopping areas. It is advisable not to walk alone late at night and strongly recommended not to take a taxi if there is more than one person in the vehicle. Registered taxi companies are always the preferred option.

Car theft happens rather often. Please ensure that no personal items are left in sight.

While driving, do not pick up strangers or stop the car for anyone (unless it’s a policeman). When at home, do not open the door to any unexpected visitor (including people

Useful tips • Make a list of emergency telephone numbers (include the home telephone number of some friends or colleagues who speak Russian).

• Register with your embassy. Registration ensures the embassy can contact you with emergency bulletins about safety, emergency and travel issues.

• Good advice applies as in all large cities – don’t walk alone in the city late at night.

• Do not keep all your credit cards, money and ID in one place.

• Always keep copies of your visa and passport, both at home and in the office. You need to carry your ID with you at all times. The police can stop and ask for them at anytime.

• Respect the laws of the land.

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in police uniforms).

If you do suffer misfortune and find yourself the victim of extortion, a car accident or any other sort of trouble, do not conduct negotiations or make any promises. The types of locations that are problematic in other cities of the world are also problematic in Moscow. Whenever you are in doubt about a location, check it out with a local. Train travel is potentially dangerous.All railway stations are known to be centers of smuggling, pick pocketing and even extortion. Avoid carrying large luggage which will make you less mobile, independent and will attract the attention of criminals. It is best to prearrange your transportation to and from the airports and railway stations.

When in your car, always have the doors locked. Inform family and/or coworkers of your whereabouts and travel schedule.

Spa, wellness and FITNESS

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

SKIING If you like downhill skiing or snowboarding, go to 2 Krylastskaya Str., situated between the Krylastskoye and Molodiozhnaya metro stations. Take either bus number 229 or 829 (the latter will take you straight to the ski lift). The slope is 400 meters high. Good ski instructors can be found at the Mountain Ski School where you can rent skis.

Alternatively, try Volen ski slope, also in the Moscow region: www.volen.ru.

Besides these two slopes, Moscow offers a wealth of possibilities for cross-country skiing, especially in parks in the outskirts of the city including Sokolniki, Bitsevskiy Park, Kuzminki, Vorobievy Gory, Yakhroma.

TENNIS There are many clubs offering excellent tennis facilities. Note of caution – Tennis is expensive in Moscow. For better prices try out CSK stadium, Zhemchuzhina Tennis Club in Krylatsky Velotrack Stadium or Sport Venture club near Moscow City – you will need help of Russian-speakers to book courts there.

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WORLD CLASS

DON SPORT

There are numerous locations across the city. The centres offer excellent cardio and weights equipment, swimming pools (in some locations), saunas, solaria, spas and dance studios. Qualified instructors give classes throughout the day.

Chain of gyms located in elite residential complexes in Moscow (for instance in Alya Parusa complex and Novaya Ostozhenka complex). Have large swimming pools and wide range of fitness services. www.donsport.ru (Russian only)

www.wclass.ru (English version available)

PLANET FITNESS Again there are numerous locations throughout Moscow. These exclusive centres offer swimming pools, jacuzzi, cardio exercise equipment, aerobics and martial arts, games room for children, Russian steam baths and beauty salons.

www.mcgc.ru (Russian only)

This is an exclusive private members resort with an excellent 18 hole golf course, a wonderful sports complex and fine dining, all just a 40-minute drive from the city.

www.multisport.ru (Russian only)

RUGBY

Very popular with expats due to its proximity to Serebryanny Bor (workout rooms and aerobics, indoor and outdoor tennis courst, 4 swimming pools, gym, spa parlor, children’s club, saunas and banya).

Moscow Dragons Rugby Club The club’s growth has contributed to the growth of the sport in the country, with many young Russians joining the club to reap the benefit of regular training. The Dragons now have more than 230 members from more than 17 different countries, although not all of them joined for the rugby. The club has a strong social side, with a constant calendar of events, usually involving substantial quantities of alcohol. Such events are usually devoted to raising money for charity or the development of the club.

www.elseclub.ru (Russian only)

Situated in the city centre it offers a 9 hole course, practice area, tennis courts, spa, restaurant and shop.

Le Meridien Moscow Country Club

VITA SPORT

Another club which is popular with expats due to its location in Alisa residential complex near the Anglo-American school and Pokrovsky Hills. Excellent state of the art facilities, large swimming pool, restaurant.

Moscow City Golf Club

MULTISPORT

www.fitness.ru (English version available)

ELSE CLUB

GOLF

Located on the territory of famous Luzniki stadium, this centre justifies its name with its 14000 sq. m of sport facilities. One of the best tennis and squash facilities in the city.

In addition all of the best hotels have gyms and spas which you can join. They may be one of your most convenient options.

www.vitaclub.ru (English version available)

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www.moscowdragonsrfc.com

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www.lemeridienmoscowcountryclub.ru (Engish)

‘If you are thinking of joining the Country Club – it is very expensive (approximately 6000 USD for annual membership) and you only can play 6 months of the year. However it is a wonderful antidote to the long cold winter and long hours spent in the office’.

Carole Lawlor

Other popular golf clubs are: • Krylatsky Golf Club: www.golf.ru (English) • Pestovo Golf Club www.pestovogolf.ru (English)

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

Restaurants You can find everything in Moscow! From the international chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Express and TGI Fridays) to exclusive fine dining to the current most popular choice – sushi.

As new restaurants are coming up all the time, we are not going to list them – you are better to look at numerous Restaurants Guides for the most recent reviews (available around the city free of charge).

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Food and Houshold Shopping You can find everything in Moscow – at a price.

There are huge shopping malls in and around the city as well as individual and boutique shops.

French Hypermarket. Remember to take cash as you can’t pay by credit card except Visa. Don’t even consider going to Auchan on a Friday night or Saturday! It is unbelievably busy with huge queues at the cash desks.

Open from 8.30 am to 10 pm.

A middle of the range supermarket located around the city. They offer a delivery service from their catalogue: www.dostavka.7cont.ru.

Most supermarkets of this chain are open 24 hours.

Finnish department store and food section. You can find quite a lot of international brands of food here (including cereals). It is usually well stocked, good quality and easy to shop here as it is quiet although significantly more expensive than Auchan. There are 4 Stockmann stores.

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This is where many of the expats do their big shop. It is a ‘cash and carry’ and only available to those who have a membership card through their company.Although items are available in bulk, it is also possible to purchase many products seperately. METRO is open 24 hours and is available in 10 locations around Moscow.

Top quality supermarkets with prices to match. Open 24 hours.

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

A new chain in Moscow offering a fantastic selection of fresh produce. It is a pleasure to shop here although expensive.

A truly beautiful shop on Tverskaya which opened in 1901. It is worth a visit for the interior alone.

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A supermarket chain with stores over Moscow. It is good for general food shopping and average prices.

Shopping Centres Moscow has many shopping centres and if you’re prepared to pay the price, you can buy almost anything that you would find abroad. Most malls have a number of clothing and shoe stores, along with electronics and appliances, optical, toy and perfume stores, as well as pharmacies, etc. Most of

Leningraskoe shosse, 16, metro Voikovskaya ‘Metropolis is a large shopping mall located

them are open daily from 9–10 am till 9–10 pm.

Below we list shopping centres most popular with expats though Moscow has many more.

The biggest shopping centres are three MEGA malls. All three MEGA Shopping Malls have

on Leningradsky in Moscow. The mall consists of major high street shops including Zara, Monsoon, Mothercare, H&M and GAP. Many of the shops have English speaking staff and they are generally very helpful. The Mall also has a variety of sports shops and cosmetics stores. On the 2nd floor there is a food hall and there is also a TGI Friday in the same place. There are two Starbucks and many other coffee shops. The supermarket in Metropolis is called Carousel and there is also a grocery department in a store called Stockmans. Both grocery stores are located on the ground floor. There is underground parking and as with all large shopping malls, weekends are very busy periods for shopping there’, – Сarol.

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over 220 shops, small ice skating rink, children’s entertainment center and several restaurants and cafes. Adjacent you can find IKEA, Auchan, OBI, Stockmann and M.Video (Electronics and appliances).

‘I always have a pad and paper in my bag. My Russian isn’t very good but I can draw! I find this is the easiest and quickest way to communicate what I need. In my experience, I have found the sales staff very helpful (although surprised) when I start drawing!’

Lynda Van Zyl

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MEGA Belaya Dacha (South-East) Moscow region, Kotelniki. No metro. Accessible by free MEGA buses from metros: Lublino, Vikhino, Kuzminki.

MEGA Tyopli Stan (South of Moscow) Intersection of the MKAD and Kaluzhskoye Shosse. No metro. Accessible by free MEGA buses from metros Yasenevo and Annino.

All three MEGA Shopping Malls have over 220 shops, small ice skating rink, children’s entertainment center and several restaurants and cafes. Adjacent you find IKEA, Auchan, OBI, Stockmann and M.Video (Electronics and appliances).

MEGA Khimki (North of Moscow) Moscow region, 23 km on Leningradskoye Shosse. No metro. Accessible by free MEGA buses from metros Planernaya and Rechnoy Vokzal.

(Krasnaya ploschad 3, Metro Okhotny Ryad) and TSUM (Petrovka 2, Metro Kuznetsky Most). www.gum.ru Multi-brand department stores with expensive brands, located in historical buildings.

Both house premium class supermarkets with lots of delicacies – GUM – ‘Gastronom 1’ and TSUM – ‘Globus Gourmet’.

For more shopping centres see Chapter 10!

European

Afimall City

‘European’ Shopping and Entertainment Centre.

Presnenskaya Vistavoshnaya.

Metro

Manezhnaya Ploschad 1, Metro Ohotny Ryad.

Ploschad Kievskogo Vokzala 2, Metro Kievskaya.

Afimall City is located in the heart of the largest and most ambitious investment project in Europe — Moscow City Business District. The mall is unique in its own set of stores — all the most popular brands are here and some of them were opened in Moscow and Russia for the first time (Banana Republic, American Eagle, Pinkberry etc).

Centrally located in front of Red Square and Aleksandrovsky Sad (The Alexander Gardens), this large underground shopping centre features three floors full of stores, mostly of moderately priced brands. Worth a visit for its location and the architectural design.

A large and beautiful shopping centre with everything you can possibly imagine, Internet café, dry cleaners, spa with pool, a skating rink and even more – along with the standard array of stores and restaurants.

Ohotny Ryad

naberezhnaya

2,

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Main Shopping Streets

Tverskaya Visit Tverskaya for standard everyday clothing, designer clothes, restaurants and cafes and of course the Eliseevsky store.

Stary Arbat

Novy Arbat Apart from the shopping centres and malls listed above, the following streets in the city centre are particularly good for shopping

Visit Novy Arbat for clothes stores from medium priced to up-market (Shop ping centre Vesna), and the famous Dom Knigi (‘House of Books’).

Stoleshnikov pereulok

Visit Stary Arbat (pedestrian street) for souveniers and antique stores, small boutiques.

Visit Stoleshnikov Pereulok (pedestrian street), Tretyakovsky Proezd, Petrovka street for expensive haute-couture boutiques.

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It is possible to find gluten free products in Moscow though not always easy.

Gluten Free Products

There is a shop called ‘Maria’ which caters for special diet food and has a celiac food department. Good for bread rolls, bread mix, crackers, cake products, pretzels and well known brand biscuits. It is very expensive.

Leninsky Prospekt, 78.

Stockmann have Rice pasta (gluten free pasta), rice flour, potato starch, corn flour and various naturally gluten free foods and some well known brands.

AWAN is a brand of gluten free biscuits sold here.

‘I would recommend that you bring to Russia: Gluten free flour, Gluten free baking powder, Vanilla essence, Xanthan gum, Egg white powder, Lasagne sheets, Stock cubes, Gravy powder’.

Jane Horne

Grocery Markets

The Russian word ‘rynok’ simply means market and traditionally refers to the oldfashioned type of open-air markets which have existed in Russia for centuries. The larger markets are typically enclosed, while the smaller ones may simply consist of number of kiosks or stalls nestled in a circle or arranged in rows. Find out from friends and

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neighbours where your closest market is and go have a look. Market shopping can be a fascinating experience with price bargaining welcomed. Dorogomilovsky market located at Mozhaisky Val. 10 (near Kievskaya metro station) is a very popular place with expats and some vendors speak basic English.

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PETS ‘I have heard many recommendations for the following vet whose wife speaks fluent English and they make house calls together.

Many expatriates use their services – they have just been to check the kitten we have adopted – we've had to quickly change it's name as they spotted it was a male not female!’ – Dr. Yuri and Valeria Shishmaryov Tel: 8 916 044 63 33 e-mail: yuriandvaleria@gmail.com There is no quarantine for bringing cats and dogs to Russia but you will need proof of vac-

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cinations and a health certificate. Although it isn't a legal requirement, I would recommend that you get your pet microchipped.

Please use the following website as the main source of information for information about svets and pets: www.moscowanimals.org (English) – select ‘Advice’ and then select ‘Importing and Exporting Pets to and From Russia’ and ‘Vet Services in Russia’.

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Religion There are many places of worship around the city; the following represent the major denominations. The Community pages of both The Moscow Times and The Tribune carry the weekly schedule of service.

Calvary Chapel (Protestant) Yakovoapostolskiy per., 15.

Metro: Kurskaya. www.calvary-moscow.narod.ru

Catholic Church of St. Louis Malaya Lubyanka ul., 12.

The nearest metro is Lubyanka.

Tel.: 8 495 625 46 65

International Baptist Fellowship Druzhinnikovskaya ul., 5.

Metro: Krasnopresnenskaya.

Tel.: 8 495 631 35 58

International Christian Assembly (Protestant) Stromynka ul., 11.

The nearest metro is Sokolniki.

Tel.: 8 495 268 49 20

Moscow Bible Church (Protestant)

Spasoglinishchevsky per., 10.

Nametkina ul., 15.

The nearest metro is Kitai-Gorod.

Tel.: 8 495 710 77 79, ext. 230, 8 495 719 77 79

Tel.: 8 495 940 55 56

Muslim Mosque Moscow Catholic Chaplaincy

Located at Vypolzov Per., 7.

Kutuzovskiy Prospekt, 7/4, bld. 5.

Metro: Prospect Mira.

Metro: Kievskaya.

Tel.: 8 495 681 49 04, 681 38 66

Tel.: 8 499 243 96 21

Moscow Charismatic Church

Polyakova Synagogue-Chabad Lubavitch

Krasnobogatyrskaya ul., 38/2.

Located at Bolshaya Bronnaya ul., 6, bld. 3.

The nearest metro is Preobrazhenskaya Ploschad.

The nearest metro is Pushkinskaya.

Tel.: 8 495 695 45 30

Tel.: 8 495 461 98 74, 963 35 11

St. Andrew’s Church (Anglican) Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy

Located at Voznesensky Per., 8/5.

Located in Voznesenskiy per., 8/5.

The nearest metro is Pushkinskaya, Okhotny Ryad.

Prospect Mira, 36.

The nearest metro is Pushkinskaya, Okhotny Ryad.

Tel.: 8 499 143 35 62

Tel.: 8 495 629 09 90

St. Catherine’s Church (Orthodox) Located at Bolshaya Ordynka, 60/2.

Moscow Synagogue

The nearest metro is Dobryninskaya.

Located at Bolshoy

Tel.: 8 495 959 12 96

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PRACTICALITIES OF LIVING IN MOSCOW

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Telephones HOW DO I DIAL?

MOBILE PHONES

The Moscow telephone code is 495 or 499.

If you are in the same code you can just dial the number. If you are in a different area then dial 8, wait for a long tone, then dial the city code and the number.

The most widely used standard for mobile phones in Moscow is GSM-900 and GSM-1800, which are primarily European standards.

For calling internationally from a landline – dial 8, wait for tone, then 10 followed by the country code, city code and phone number.

Making calls to Moscow from abroad requires the prefix +7 then 495 or 499 then the 7 digit phone number.

The three main Moscow and Russian mobile operators are:

MTS www.mts.ru (Mobile TeleSystems)

Beeline www.beeline.ru (Vympelkom)

Megafon www.megafon.ru

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While the choice of mobile communications providers is limited, the range of available phones and payment plans is vast. Mobile phones are available through numerous stores and kiosks all over town and you can usually get your phone connected to the provider of your choice on the spot. In Russia, mobile phones and payment plans are almost always sold separately unlike in Europe or the United States, where you often buy your directly from the provider. If you plan on using your phone while travelling, make sure to mention this to the sale clerk. Not all tariff plans allow for roaming.

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Moscow international schools map

1

BIS #1 AAS

BIS #8

BIS #2

2 3

4

BIS #7 EIS 5

ISM

DS BIS #5 BIS #3 BIS #4

1

— Angelovo

2

— Rosinka

3

— Pokrovsky Hills

4

— Chaika

5

— Serebryany Bor

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Chapter Six: Schools and Children’s Section

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SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN’S SECTION

Moscow has a wide choice of schools including international schools.It is an amazing place to be a child with so many activities available within the area. Choosing a school takes priority over choosing a property for expatriates with children.

I’d advise you to research the schools from their websites and then visit all the options. It is very different to visit a school when it is a normal school day so you see the students and teachers interacting. If you are booking a Look-see then make sure that it isn’t the school holidays!

Please do speak to other parents and children to get an idea of their impressions of the school.

What may suit one child may not suit another.

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Schools available For your convenience we have listed kindergardens and schools with residential areas.

Detailed address of the school you can find at page 111.

KINDERGARTENS Note that in addition to those mentioned there will probably be Russian kindergartens (private or state-run) near to where you are living. Most international schools also have kindergardens or nursery groups – see page.

The admissions to state-run kindergardens are done through government committees (different for each Moscow district) and there is usually a waiting-list, so the earlier one applies the better. If you are in Moscow for a long assignment and especially if you are planning to live in the centre it is worth considering this option (please ask your Intermark Relocation consultant for more information).

American Day-Care Centre and Pre-School Central Moscow, Krasnopresnenskaya area (see page 38 for more info on this area).

Half of the places are reserved for US Embassy Employees only. Other places may be available to children of US citizens, other expatriate children and affiliate members.

They offer summer camps for 3–5 year olds and 6–12 year olds.

CREF (French, Russian and English kindergarten) www.ptitcref.ru

in Russian but most children attending it are international.

‘My two children have had a very happy time in the Russian Nursery near to where we live.

My youngest 'graduates' this summer having spent 4 years in the nursery. They now eat all kinds of food; know how to dress for the cold Moscow winters and are very polite to adults. And of course, above all, they speak Russian without an accent’.

Catherine Staples

Cental area.

Moscow,

Arbat-Kropotkinskaya

Conveniently located close to Arbat, this trilingual kindergarden accepts kids from 2 to 7 years old. Half and full days. Groups are by age (10–11 children per group). Teachers are native speakers. Main Nationalities of children attending: French, Americans, Spanish, German, English, Russians. Extracurricular activities every day from 4:30 to 6:00 including arts and crafts, music, theatre, Russian folklore, karate and Yoga.

Sad Sam’s Pre-school Central Moscow, Patriarshy ponds/Tverskaya area.

Sad Sam’s is a private pre-school for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The name comes from the school previous location on Sadovay-Samotechnaya. The program is a mix of British, Montessori and Russian copyrighted methods. Instruction is mainly

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English Nursery School www.englishnursery.ru 3 locations: Central Moscow, Dobryninskaya metro station; South of Moscow, Outside of Moscow, North Novorizhskoe highway (shuttle buses from Alye Parusa) Accepts children from 3 to 6 years old. The English Nursery School (ENS) was founded in 2004. The programme is based upon the British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. ENS provides a completely English learning environment where children gain an understanding of the English language simply by going about the daily classroom routine. Native English speaking teachers encourage the children to repeat new words and to communicate and express themselves using their newly acquired vocabulary.

Tapuz and Tapuzik Jewish Childcare Center Jewish Cultural Сenter www.jjc.ru/tapuz/tapuz.php (Rus/Eng) Central Moscow, Arbat-Kropotkinskaya area/Patriarshy Ponds area Daycare center for children aged 1,5 to 7.

Instruction is in Russian, with English and Hebrew part of curriculum.

Moscow Montessori Pre-school South West of Moscow, Kutuzovsky prospect area (see page 44 for more info on this area). www.mosmontessori.ru

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SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN’S SECTION

For children from 14 months to 6 years old.

‘Our schools curriculum is based on the educational principles elaborated by Maria Montessori in early 1900s. We rely on recommendations set by Association Montessori International. Before opening our school, we have visited Montessori schools in other countries and connected with professionals worldwide to study best practices available.

We are dedicated to continued integration into the international community of Montessorians. To ensure that, we hire international staff and stay visible outside of Russia. Besides that, it is very important for us to keep our fees at a moderate level to ensure accessibility of our programs to as many families as possible.’

nationalities including Japanese, Americans, Koreans, Russians, Portuguese and others.

others in organized activity where each child has a different status and role to play.

Little Angels Kindergarten

Pokrovsky Hills Child Care centre

www.littleangels.ru (Eng/Rus)

Situated in the gated residential compound Pokrovsky Hills. Priority for the residents of the compound.

South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area Little Angels is an international English language kindergarten for children aged 18 month to 6 years (baby group to pre-school), with optional French/Russian language instruction. International staff. Summer classes. Discounts apply if you enroll more than one child.

South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

Children are accepted from 2.5 years to 6 years. It currently has children from over 20 countries and operates from September to June, with summer camp offered in July.

Principal language: English. Great variety of

FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS The International School of Moscow www.internationalschool.ru

Park Place Moscow Child Care Centre South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

English Playschool

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The toddler class is designed for children from 18 months to 3 years. The program includes sensorial education, practical life activities, language, physical education, arts and music. The multi-age classroom for children from 3 to 6 years (pre-primary class) follows the child’s natural desire to be with

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North-West, Krylatsky Hills area British curriculum for students from 2 until 15.

This is one of the few schools in Moscow where the children need to sit an entrance examination. The school places a great deal of importance on academic standards. The children are expected to have a native or near native level of English as the school follows the English National Curriculum. Applicants above Year One are invited to spend

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SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN’S SECTION

a day at the school, complete the examination and meet their peer group. In some cases it is possible to do the entrance exam remotely but that can be discussed with the Admissions Tutor.

If this is your school of choice, some of the options we recommend you look into housing options in Serebryany Bor, Myakinino, Rosinka and apartment options in Krylatskoe as well as in the centre of Moscow.

‘I really enjoy the lessons and I learn a lot.

Most importantly the teachers are really nice and always help when you need help.

The school buses take you to school and back each day.’

Zwenneken, 11

The Anglo-American School of Moscow www.aas.ru North of Moscow, Leningradsky prospect area.

Lower, middle and upper school for children from 3 to 18 years old.

AAS has a clearly defined structured plan for admissions. Priority is given to the children of diplomats from the American, Canadian and British Embassies. Following this, priority is given to those with American, Canadian or British passports. There are waiting lists for all year groups. Children with siblings at the school also have priority on the waiting list. If this is your school of choice, we recommend you look into housing options in Pokrovsky Hill and Rosinka and apartment options in Leningradsky prospect area (Beregovaya street, Alisa, and others).

‘AAS is a real community gathering place.

It is very easy to get involved in sports, community service projects and other activities. The HS uses the IB curriculum and prepares graduates for entry into colleges throughout the world. I believe the faculty are truly committed to seeing AAS students succeed. I have had the opportunity to travel

to many destinations for sports tournaments and MUN. I received Red Cross lifeguard training at school. This has enabled me to earn money by lifeguarding after school for swim lessons and special events. This is a real benefit as living overseas you don't often get to have an "after school" job’.

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Serebryanny Bor, apartment options in Leningradsky prospect area.

For Southern Campus housing options in Dubrovka, Syetun and apartment options in Leninsky prospect area.

BIS #7.

Emily, 17 Personally, I find the school and the school environment to be very welcoming, not only for parents, but also for students. Also, throughout my 2 and half years of attending AAS i have had the pleasure of being taught by some fantastic teachers. Some are not so fantastic, but that is what one should expect when enrolling in any school. The cafeteria offers a wide range of good food for a very fair price. The after school activites that are offered by the school are phenomenal. I have had the opportunity to travel within Russia as well as to other destinations throughout Europe during my time at AAS. Evan, 14

British International Schools www.bismoscow.com North of Moscow, Leningradsky prospect area, Schools 1, 2, 7, 8 South-West of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area, Schools 3, 4, 5.

Rosinka Campus, School 9 (please note that this school is only for Rosinka and Angelovo residents).

Eight schools for children from 18 months to 18 years old. Schools are numbered from 1 to 9 (note – there is no school number 6) and are divided by age of children. The schools in the North and South are located quite close to each other to make the logistical arrangements easier for parents who have children attending various schools. With the exception of school 5, all schools follow the English National Curriculum.

If this is your school of choice, some of the options we recommend you look into following: For Northern Campus housing options in

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‘I joined British international school number 7 in year 9, I am really enjoying this school. The teachers are all very good and most of them are English, my French teacher is Russian but I think she teaches French very well. I have good friends through all the year groups. And generally I recommend this school’.

Julia, 13.

Rosinka (BIS) ‘The things that attracted us to this school Proximity to where we live. Kids walk to and from school whatever the weather, get some fresh air even in deepest, darkest winter. Their friends live close by, easy socializing after school. They don't spend a lot of time traveling. Nice, reasonably new attractive building, including use of Rosinka sports centre. British curriculum with small classes and plenty of teaching/ support staff. In general, the children are very happy there, have made friends easily and love going to school. We are pleased with the quality and standard of education.

All the teachers I've met have been hard working and committed, and love the job!!!’

Sarah Carton

The English International School www.englishedmoscow.com East of Moscow A quality International School for students 3 to 18 years. British standards & curriculum. Experienced British management If this is the school of choice, some of the options we recommend you to check are: housing options in Kuskovo and apartment options in the centre of Moscow. Keep in mind that there are few apartment options near the school.

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Atlantic International School

Hinkson Christian Academy

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British International Schools

The Anglo-American School of Moscow

The English International School

The English International School

The International School of Moscow

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EIS takes children all the way to 18. It follows the English National Curriculum. Please see their excellent website for the Admission Forms. Although it is not compulsory, the Headteacher welcomes prospective parents and children to come and see the school in action, meet the pupils and the teachers.

Claire Geddes.

This guides lists the largest national schools in Moscow. If you can't find the school you are looking for here please check with your Intermark Relocation consultant.

Lycee Francais www.lfm.ru Central Moscow, Zamoskvorechie area – Primary school.

Central Moscow, Chisty ponds area – secondary school 3 years and up.

1-Spasonalivkovskiy per., 12/16

Atlantic International School www.atlanticschool.ru North of Moscow, Leningradsky prospect area for Primary school.

South-East of Moscow For Secondary school.

This is a new and developing school following both English and Russian State Curriculums. Prospective pupils come in to school for an assessment. Children entering both primary and secondary should expect to undertake a 45 minute written test.

Hinkson Christian Academy www.hinkson.ru South of Moscow, Varshavskoe highway area.

Christian school, kindergarten to grade 12, American diploma. Main nationalities of students attending – American and Korean.

NATIONAL SCHOOLS. There are many national schools in Moscow in the majority of cases run by the Embassies.

Some National schools in Moscow offer full educational programme for children of all ages (for instance Lycee Francais, Deutsche Schule). Others offer native language studies and selected subjects on Saturdays or evenings and can be an addition to an international programme (for instance Bulgarian).

Milutinsky per., 7a Tel.: 8 495 514 15 46, 980 50 99

Deutsche Schule www.deutscheschulemoskau.de South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

The German School at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Moscow is a German-speaking School acknowledged by the Conference of the Ministers of Culture and Education. Grades 1–12.

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ish education program.

Swedish School www.sveskolmoskva.com South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

Private school in Swedish, 1–12 grades, Swedish education program, education in Swedish language English and Russian taught as foreign languages, admission from age 2.

Polish School Central Moscow, Tverskaya area.

School with education in Polish, admission from age of 6. Since 2011 the school has classes only on Saturdays.

Indian International School Central Moscow, Krasnopresnenskaya area.

School at the Indian embassy, admission from age 5.

Bulgarian School South of Moscow.

Japanese School South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

Education in Japanese for children from 1 to 9 grades.

Education in Bulgarian with an emphasis on Bulgarian language studies, literature and history.

Hungarian School South of Moscow.

Italian School www.italianschool.ru

Grade 1–8 private education in Hungarian.

South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

Elementary school 1–5 grades; middle school 6–8 grades. Education in Italian according to program approved by the Italian government. There's also a Kindergarden.

Finnish School www.finnschoolmoscow.com South of Moscow, Leninsky prospect area.

Grades 0–9. admission from age of 6, Finn-

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Iranian School Central Moscow, Chisty Ponds area.

Grades 1–9 by the embassy of Iran. Education in Persian.

What do the Children Think?

Thanks to Year 7 pupils at International School of Moscow for giving their views on being an expatriate child in Moscow.

What do you like about Moscow?

To me Moscow is a very exciting place. It is where all famous stars come by on their European tours!

One of my favourite landmarks is St. Basil’s Cathedral. The bright colours and stripes make for an amazing view. Remember to make it there on New Year’s Eve as it is beautiful!

I like it here because of the weather. There is hardly any rain and the snow is mostly fresh.

There are some really interesting museums to go out and visit. The Space Museum is a definite go-see and so are the Kremlin and Red Square - at Christmas they put up a huge tree to celebrate.

I like the way the snow makes the forest look beautiful. The forest is good for walking in all through the year.

I like the beautiful buildings in the centre of Moscow and the squirrels in Serebryany Bor!

There is always something to do in Moscow - for example, going to restaurants (there is a very big choice), go to the cinema, circus, ballet, concerts and lots more! In addition, there are lots of beautiful sightseeing places.

I like the fact that REAL honey is sold somewhere in Moscow directly from the farm in July - September.

I like how the weather changes - it is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I would recommend you to come and live in Moscow, it’s great!

Moscow is a very culturally active city, there are many world famous paintings in the galleries also performances from the famous Russian ballet, classical music and rock concerts.

Bands like 30 seconds to Mars and U2 were here. Also, if you are not familiar with snow, you will be pleased because we get a lot of it!!

My personal favourite thing to do in Moscow is winter sports. There are also lots of interesting tourist attractions.

I like living in Moscow because you can play ice hockey and do other winter sports for example ice skating, skiing and sledging. The people are helpful and the weather is nice all year round.

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lots of snow and you can have great fun playing in it even if the temperature is very low.

I like Moscow because it is a beautiful city, it has lots of good restaurants and lots of places to have fun like Moscow Zoo.

I like the skiing and the snow in Moscow. There are a lot of skating rinks scattered around the city so it is easy to get to one.

Dislikes The worst thing for me is cigarettesmoke it is everywhere. There are a lot of wild dogs (although they don’t hurt you!) and wearing fur is unfortunately very popular.

If you crash your car you need to wait for the police and that can take 6 hours! Then you have to pay them lots of money!

I don’t like the smell in Moscow - because of all the cars and pollution but it is OK if you live in a place like Rosinka.

The food here is very good but very expensive!

I dislike traffic, prices and pollution in Moscow. It is one of the most expensive cities in the world. world

In Moscow the traffic is terrible. The rudeness of some people can be incredible red re diibl ble too. too to

I dislike that people never smile and a lot of people think that smiling is bad!

In winter the snow piles up on the roads and it is difficult to go places.

Another hazard is the ice. You slip and slide on it. I find learning Russian really - the different letters drive me crazy!

Advice to Children new to Moscow

I would tell you to explore Moscow because it is full of interesting surprises. You should definitely visit the Moscow Metro because some of the stations are really beautiful. Also, you should always leave early when planning to travel by car as the is h orri or orr rib ribl bllle! e!! traffic is horrible!

The best thing to do in Moscow is to visit the parks. It is great to escape the noise and the smell of the city. Parks are pleasant all year round. In winter you can go sledging, in summer you can he beaches. beach be hee enjoy the

Not many speak English so it is a good idea to learn some Russian before you come!

When you get on the plane to fly into Moscow, try and sit near the front as there is always a big queue at sp po orrt t C ont on trr Passport Control.

When you move to Moscow you have to really explore If you don’t, you will be living in a truly beautiful country but you wouldn’t know the beauty.

Russia is such a magnificent country and you won’t know that unless you explore!

Always take your passport with you otherwise the police may charge you! Go and see museums, monuments and all the sights as soon as possible. Explore the area around y your ou r h ou ho home. ome me

There is a good cinema showing films in English - called the Dome at the front of the Renaissance Hotel.

Don’t be nervous and try to see things in a good way instead of a bad way. You should try and learn Russian as soon as possible.

The first thing you should do is to see all the sights One place I can really recommend is the Bolshoy Theatre which is famous for their ballets. It may be expensive but it is once in a lifetime experience.

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Things to do with Children

in

RESOURCES

Moscow

SPORT FOR CHILDREN

www.childreninmoscow.ru

Moscow Youth Soccer League

Run by the British Woman’s Club Family Network detailing places to go and things to do.

One great way for your children to play sport and also for the parents to meet other expat families is to sign up for the MOSCOW YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE. This starts about the end of August and lasts 8 weeks.

Children between the ages of 5 – 18 can sign up. Last year (2010) it cost 4,000 rubles per child and this included a team strip. The children play a match each week and really enjoy it. As long as the weather is good, the parents enjoy it too!

Cat Theatre www.kuklachev.ru Dolphinarium www.delfinary.ru Moscow Zoo www.moscowzoo.ru Kva Kva Aquapark www.kva-kva.ru Don’t forget also the Moscow Circus and the Bolshoy Ballet – unforgettable experiences for your children.

Another good place to take the family for a special treat is Sunday Brunch at one of the big hotels in the centre. There is usually a children’s room with entertainment so the whole family gets to have a good time.

The Dome Cinema (outside the Radisson hotel) shows films in English.

You will find details of how to register in the Moscow Times a month or so beforehand.

Moscow Youth Basketball League.

During the winter months there is the MOSCOW YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE, which takes place at the Anglo American School from November until March. Though it is quite a commitment on the side of the parents to get them there for 9 am each Saturday during term time, the children love it

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and they get to mix with plenty of other children from other schools.

Moscow Youth Baseball League At the end of April, the MOSCOW YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE starts at AAS ― more sporting fun for children and a chance for parents to meet up on the sidelines!

Most of the International Schools offer sports activities after school or at the weekends. It is possible to find dancing classes, tennis lessons, swimming, etc. outside school but it is not normally in English. Ice rinks are available all around the city – including Red Square in the winter months!

Compounds like Rosinka offer many different sports coaching – some run by parents like football, rugby and hockey and then others offered by the management e.g. karate, tennis, swimming, ballet and ballroom dancing. Rosinka also has it’s own floodlit ice rink in the winter.

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MEDICAL CARE

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MEDICAL CARE

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Chapter Seven: Medical Care

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CLINICS European Medical Centre (EMC) www.emcmos.ru American Medical Centre (AMC) www.amcenter.ru IntermedCenter American Clinic www.intac.ru International SOS Clinic www.internationalsos.com (also website address for medical evacuations) GMS Clinic www.gmsclinic.ru

There is quite a lot of scaremongering about health in Russia. There are risks and dangers but most newcomers to Russia will be given information about what is medically required before coming here.

Please make sure that you are fully insured before coming to Moscow including insurance for medical evacuations if necessary. If you are taking any regular medication then it

MEDICAL CARE

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is important that you bring a supply with you.

Most medicines will be available in Moscow but the brand and the name may be different so be sure to make a note of the generic name. Actually, most medicines are available without a prescription and are cheaper than in a lot of other countries.

The majority of expats in Moscow go to one of the international medical centres. These are well run and organised with good levels of medical care and spoken English. Pokrovsky Hills and Rosinka have satellite EMC clinics (European Medical Centre) and there is a pediatrician or general practitioner there 6 days a week. Without this it would bea very long and torturous journey into the city if you had a sick child. However, having said this, the doctors frequently send you to one of the city’s EMC clinics for further tests.

I have friends who have had operations or emergencies in Moscow and they have beentreated by the international clinics in the city and they have been satisfied. I know others who would rather not ‘risk’ it and travel back to their country or elsewhere to be treated.

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DENTISTS American Clinic ‘Dental Art’ www.dentalart.ru American Dental Center www.americandental.ru European Dental Center www.emcmos.ru/eng/edc French Dental Center www.fdc-vip.ru German Dental Care www.gdcare.ru US Dental Care www.usdentalcare.com

DENTISTS Dental care is extremely expensive as in many other countries these days. I would advise that you have a check up at home before moving to Moscow so if you need work doing you can assess where it will be cheaper! Having said that, the dentists are skilled and, in my experience, do a good job. I still don’t like going though!

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MEDICAL CARE

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Giving birth in Moscow I have friends who have given birth in Moscow and, although it was a different experience from what they had been used to, it was not a bad experience considering the language and cultural differences. It is worth considering that if you wish to give birth in your own country then you will have to fly quite a few weeks before your due date (and have a medical certificate saying you are fit for flying) and then you will need to travel back with a newborn. Additionally, you will need to plan for your husband to be at the

birth which may also be problematic!

champagne and internet access!

Maternity services, by law, can only be provided in Russian hospitals. There is one new hospital that the majority of expat women choose.

You can look on websites such as www.expat.ru where expats have posted their experiences and you can ask questions. You can also contact the woman’s groups and ask to be put in touch with someone who has recently given birth.

PERINATAL MEDICAL CENTRE (PMC) www.perinatalmedcenter.ru They offer a VIP service – if you look at the photos on their webpage they have glasses of

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TRIPS AND TOP TOURIST SPOTS

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TRIPS AND TOP TOURIST SPOTS

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Chapter Eight: Trips and Top Tourist Spots

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TRIPS AND TOP TOURIST SPOTS

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If you are in Moscow on your looksee and you have some free time then I would suggest some of the options below...

THE KREMLIN

RED SQUARE One of the most famous places in the world.

Great photo opportunities with the stunning St. Basil's Cathedral in the background. To see Red Square lit up at night is pretty special – a great place to view this is from the ‘O2 Lounge’ at the top of the Ritz Carlton – sipping (expensive) cocktails! The GUM shopping centre by the side of the square is also somewhere worth visiting whilst you are there. It is an amazing shopping centre formerly a market place built in 1889. GUM is full of elegant shops amidst the fountains, wrought iron balconies and glass.

The beautiful and ancient ensemble of the Moscow’s Kremlin stands high on the hill over the left bank of Moskva-River. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of the power and might of the Russian state, the national idea expressed in stone.

Each era of Russian history has left its own architectural trace in the Kremlin. Once inside the Kremlin walls, you can explore the territory that was once a walled city. The Kremlin still remains the focal point for the Russian Federation Government offices, including the President’s office. The Kremlin is open every day except Thursday, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. There are four churches built in the 14th and 15th centuries within the grounds.

It is definitely worthwhile visiting the Armory and Diamond Fund Exhibition. It is a stunning display of clothing, furniture, jewellery, gold, diamonds and carriages.

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LENIN MAUSOLEUM Opposite GUM is a red granite and black labradorite building housing the body of the former leader of the Soviet state who died on 21 January 1924. There are often long queues and visitors must file past in silence without hands in their pockets. (My brother-in-law had his hand yanked out of his pocket by a guard). There are plenty of guards around who will push you on if you are walking too slowly! Cameras and bags have to be left in a special area near the mausoleum.

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CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR A spectacular gold topped building with an interesting history. It was built over 44 years to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon (1839–1883). In 1931 it was destroyed on Stalin’s orders. Stalin wanted to create a Palace of Soviets but the scheme was abandoned as the ground was too boggy.

Used for many years as a swimming pool, the new cathedral was build between 1994 and 1997. In 1998 a small museum and a church on the ground floor were opened to the public.

PUSHKIN FINE ARTS MUSEUM This museum houses an extensive collection of work from the Old Masters, Art of Ancient Civilisations, European Art (from 13th Century) and Post-Impressionist and 20th Century European Art. We spent 3 hours here and still didn’t see it all. The children enjoyed it too. Disappointing that very little is in English and although they have audio guides in English I couldn’t get it to work very well!

TRIPS AND TOP TOURIST SPOTS

TRETYAKOV GALLERY This gallery is dedicated to 20th Century Russian art. A large amount of the exhibits have English texts and an audio guide is available. The children have all been on school trips to this museum so it is obviously one of the child-friendly ones!

OLD ARBAT This is an interesting area that is pedestrianised and so offers a more relaxing stroll down an area lined with cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops. If you haven’t got time to go to Izmaylovo Market to pick up some souvenirs and gift shops then the shops on Stary Arbat are a better option than the airport.

There are also many artists and street sellers in this area. One interesting place to look at is the ‘Wall of Peace’ with its tiles decorated by children in the 1980s, and now covered with post Soviet graffiti.

RIVER TRIP I can thoroughly recommend this as an option for lunch or dinner – I’ve done both!

During the winter months, the ‘Icebreaker Cruises’ are amazing as the boats crunch

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through the fairly solid river. It is also a lovely way to spend a summer’s evening, seeing Moscow from another side and enjoying a reasonable dinner at the same time. http://radisson-cruise.ru You board the boat outside the Radisson Hotel (formerly the Hotel Ukraina – one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters). It is pleasant to have a pre or post dinner drink in the rooftop bar in the hotel for some stunning views.

CITY TOURS Organised bus tours are a good idea to see many parts of the city in a short time (depending on traffic!) and to get your bearings in Moscow.

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OF THE T H E DI VE RSIT Y A LCI T Y, T H ER E IS T H AT G IN WAYS S O M ET H DO YO U CA N FIN D TO Y. IL M FA FO R A LL T H E AT IT A LS O I LI KE T H N CI T Y IS A VE RY CL EA LY G ET A N D YO U CE RTA IN H ER E. T H E 4 S EAS ON S SUZANN E FO L

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I LI KE T H E CO LD S UN N Y W IN TE R DAYS, G ET T IN G O UT IN T H E CO UNTR Y SI DE. T H E M ET RO SYST EM, LI VIN G ON RO SIN K A, S O CIA L LI FE A N D FR EEDO M FO R K ID S, CH EA P VO DK A!!!

SARA H CARTON

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C ath e rin e Stap les

Com e with an ope n mind nothhaving learned virt ually from ing abo ut Russia/Moscow erent diff very is it od, dho chil look from expectatio ns. If you grey beyo nd the climate and the a vast blocks of flats there is /history/ amo unt to learn/cult ure ting. cina fas ts tha re architectu Becky Zucco

DIS L I K ES THAT I DISRY LI TT LE VE IS E N ER TH T TH E MAI M OSCO W BU T OU AB OST M LIKE ON E THAT THIN K TH E I D AN E UNG, TH THIN TE TO, IS TS CAN RE LA PA EX E PR EDICTUN TH OF C. IT IS TH E TR AFFI OF Y D SO YO U T N AN AI CE RT EY CAN TAKE N UR JO A G N CAUT ION TO AB LE H OW LO TH E SIDE OF ON R M E, ER S AY W AT ION ON TI HAV E TO AL YO UR DEST IN TO ET G U YO MAKE SU RE M E! UL LY ON TI EF OP H L W EL L SUZ ANN E FO

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D IN O R RY HAR E V E B COULD H NGUAG E LTHROUG THE LA R E O F VO U WAY O Y D N B EC AUS I F D A O B T Y DER IN G. RY V E R OF DRIV C IS V E Y WAY T R AFFI K S E I H R T THE AND DA IUSE O F LL ON D B ECA T AT A N A S A U M E AN E OT P L N BE N GE TRO CA R S. O CHAN H THE ME TURN T S HOU U R ’T N T A A C S AND S YO U H IC H LY B AS I C AS I O N R T S, W AN Y OC A I N PA T M O N. R E N C I D I R E CT I D ON R I V IN G “U” A N WRONG N E W H EN D I H T Y L N N I O AT H S ON BUT LONG P D I R E CT I V E FO R I R A L L. D U YO A N T AT MA K ES T P L E AS O N E R E A C P O L IC T R AFFI ER A F E SS PAT R IC I

culPiece of advice, see all the bit abo ut tural things and learn a resting russian history, very inte going to 're you if as and it's not day!!! com e back here for a holi Sarah Carton

A very good piece if advice that I got shortly af ter arriving here from another expat friend, was !not! to make too many! plans in any one given day. If you do you are likely to end up getting stuck in traffic and stressed as a result, hence making life difficult. We took that advice on board fairly quickly and it works for us as a family.

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LES N E STA P

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T R A F F IC SA R A H

C A R TO N

Chapter Ten: What Intermark Relocation Can Do for You!

If you are reading this relocation guide, most probably you are already in Moscow and our customer. Thank you for trusting us with one of the most important things – finding your home in our city! This chapter is written to give you a more detailed understanding of how we can help you on every step of the way in this process.

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WHAT INTERMARK RELOCATION CAN DO FOR YOU

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Before You Arrive VISA & IMMIGRATION SUPPORT:

‘FRIENDS OF INTERMARK’:

Working in Russia, traveling to Russia or bringing your friends and family won’t be a problem! We can take care of arranging visas and other immigration requirements.

Moving to a new city you surely have thousands of questions to answer. You can address them to the person who has already gone through the process of relocation, finding the school and place to live, dealing with Moscow weather and traffic. Friends of Intermark are expatriate mothers living in different locations who will be glad to share their experience of Moscow.

LOOK-SEE ORIENTATION TOUR:

Irina Yakimenko

Moscow is a huge city with lots of myths surrounding it! Pre-decision orientation will help you explore:

Director, Relocation and Immigration Services

• Different areas to live in, their pros & cons;

‘Sending people to Russia can be a challenging experience. But quite simply, it does not have to be. We break the process down into simple steps.

• International Schools & kindergartens; • Typical apartments & houses; • Metro, the most convenient transport in Moscow: we will show you how to find your way, buy a ticket & will join you on a mock ride; • Shopping-malls, groceries, open-air markets – what, when & how to buy; • International Medical Centers: visit & have your questions answered;

We stay on top of every stage of the relocation process and work with you as one team to achieve our common objectives. You’ll find our team driven and proactive, and always professional. Our ethos is “always go the extra mile, and then some”. In this short guide, we’ll highlight some simple reasons to work with Intermark Relocation’

• Sports in Moscow; • Anything else you want to see? Stables, Ballet, hockey, golf, Harley Davidson club – we will show you how you can make Moscow your home!

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SHORT-TERM RENTAL / SERVICED APARTMENTS: Moscow’s serviced apartments are quality apartments offered for short-term and medium-term rental in central Moscow.

Each short-term apartment in Moscow offered by Intermark Serviced Apartments is carefully selected in terms of secure location and convenience to ensure our guests’ maximum comfort and safety.

The apartments are called ‘serviced’ because they are cleaned, maintained and managed for you just as a hotel room would be. At the same time, a serviced apartment provides you with all the facilities you need to make you feel at home, like a living room, a bedroom(s), a bathroom and a kitchen.

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WHAT INTERMARK RELOCATION CAN DO FOR YOU

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While You are Here HOME FINDING SUPPORT

• Provision of Legal support: reviewing landlord ownership rights, third party claims to the property, contract preparation, etc.

need and organize the delivery to the apartment. Alternatively, we can arrange rental furniture for you.

• Negotiating favorable lease terms: rent, amount of deposit, repairs or improvements, pets, etc.

SETTLING IN SUPPORT

• Inspection and Inventory Check • Checking condition and noting all obvious defects, making notes as appropriate, signing and dating inventory to prove the record Finding the right place to live in is key to making Moscow your home. Our experienced and professional consultants will guide you through the whole process until you and your family are happily settled:

FURNITURE PROCUREMENT

• Setting up Internet and satellite or cable TV • Payment instructions and clarification • Tour of the neighborhood: local shops, dry cleaners, entertainment, etc.

LEASE RENEWAL • Track lease dates and notify you in a timely manner

• Reviews of all properties offered by city estate agencies and private agents reviewed

• Carry out lease negotiations to renew the lease

• Daily updates on new properties • Accompanied property viewing and company car with experienced full time employee drivers provided

We will be happy to get you settled in your new home and new neighborhood:

agreement • Re-negotiate best possible terms Our consultant will accompany you to necessary shops, help you to buy everything you

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• Coordinate lease renewal signature

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WHAT INTERMARK RELOCATION CAN DO FOR YOU

HELP DESK & TENANCY SUPPORT

their new country after home leave. Expatriate Coaching Programme is designed to be a fun and interesting session for new and experienced expats. It will help you to speed up the integration process when you learn to:

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CAR LEASING

• Manage each stage to get you to a positive outcome as quickly and painlessly as possible

IAL offers a comprehensive range of fleet and driver services, inclusive of fully outsourced operational auto leasing to specific fleet management programs, whether for large volume sales representative cars or a more ‘intensive’ fleets for senior management and expatiate families.

• Meet new people, share ideas and cultural experiences

INSURANCE

• Recognize the different stages of Culture Shock

REGISTRATION UPON ARRIVAL Our experienced English speaking consultants will take care of and ensure that all your maintenance and daily issues are managed and resolved efficiently.

• Liaison with landlord • Coordination and control of property repairs

Every foreign national is required to be registered at the place of stay within 7 days upon arrival. We will be happy to take this hassle off your shoulders.

WORK PERMIT ASSISTANCE

• Timely and regular updates on the progress • 24/7 Support and Hot line available

While it is the landlord’s responsibility to insure the property, it is highly recommended to insure your personal belongings and third party liability. In partnership with Renaissance Insurance we are able to do it quickly and efficiently – please ask your Intermark consultant for more details.

SPOUSAL SUPPORT & COACHING Even the most experienced and positive minded expatriate may go through the Culture Shock process whether they are moving to another country or even coming back to

LEASE TERMINATION & DEPARTURE SUPPORT • Proper and timely actions are critical for easy and smooth lease termination and departure from Moscow

Before You Leave

• Prepare necessary documents for lease termination • Provide inspection and inventory reports • Carry out dilapidation negotiations and return of security deposit • Coordinate house cleaning and repair services

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Expatriate Coaching and Workshops

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Why Hire an Expat Coach?

The benefit of coaching is to get the Expatriate family settled in to new posting as quickly as possible and to ensure the placement is a fulfilling, positive, enjoyable and successful experience for all. Relocating an employee costs around 10 times their basic salary therefore it is important for the employer that the placement works.

Living in a foreign country can be challenging for anyone, even experienced expats. An expat coach can be your best ally and a key partner in a successful relocation.

You are a first-time expat and you want to ensure a successful relocation As a soon-to-be expat, you likely have a lot on your mind: excitement, uncertainty and a long to-do list. Save yourself stress and time by hiring an expat coach who will bring you

emotional and practical support, while helping you plan ahead and prepare for your life abroad.

You have ambitious goals and you need support to reach them You want to put your time overseas to good use. Maybe you want to write your first book, or start an online business. Consider partnering up with a coach who will support you every step of the way, from brainstorming with you to keeping you accountable to your goals and making sure you celebrate your accomplishments!

You feel isolated Being away from friends and family is tough, especially if you cannot meet local friends easily because of language or cultural barriers.Your expat coach cannot replace your best friend, but he or she can wear many hats: supporter, sounding board and mentor.

You are suffering from culture shock or homesickness If you find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed, angry at your host country or

Coaching Workshops

anxious to leave the house, an expat coach will help you get through this rough patch.

Together, you will work through these negative emotions so you can move forward and enjoy life again.

You are an accompanying partner and you need help adjusting to your new life and recreating your identity As an accompanying partner, you are faced with specific challenges: isolation, lack of recognition, career interruption.An expat coach understands what you are going through and will help you design a life that fits you and your unique situation.

Expatriation is taking a toll on your family or your couple International relocation can put a lot of strain on your closest relationships. Don’t let tensions and resentment build up; hire a coach who will help you assess the situation objectively and give you tools to keep your home life harmonious.

Workshops offered are: • Recognising and dealing with Culture Shock • Creating your Identity – goal setting and achieving success • Bringing up Expatriate Kids – Challenges and Rewards

A good way to meet other expatriates, network and learn about other people’s experiences is to enrol on one of the Coaching Workshops.

• Repatriation and Reverse Culture Shock

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USEFUL ADDRESSES

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Appendix: Listings of Useful Addresses and Websites.

All telephone numbers below can be dialed from the landline or cell phones on the territory of the Russian Federation only. To make calls from other countries please use Russia country code '7' instead of domestic code '8'.

AIRPORTS Sheremetyevo Call Center 8 495 578 65 65 or 8 800 100 65 65 Flight status info 8 495 956 46 66 Domodedovo Call center 8 495 933 66 66 or 8 800 200 33 66 Automated Inquiry Desk 8 495 720 66 66 Vnukovo Call center 8 495 937 55 55

AIRLINES Aeroflot (Russian International Airlines) 8 495 223 55 55 British Airways ticket office 8 495 363 25 25 Delta AirLines ticket office 8 495 937 90 90 Lufthansa ticket office 8 495 980 99 99 Transaero ticket office 8 495 788 80 80 Air France 8 495 937 3839 / 937 38 37 Finnair ticket office 8 495 933 00 56 / 58

Austrian Airlines ticket office 8 495 995 09 95

Bank of Moscow 8 495 925 80 00

Swiss Air ticket office 8 495 937 7767 / 787 16 80

BSGV 8 495 789 88 77

BMI 8 495 363 00 36

BNP Paribas 8 495 729 52 00

Air Berlin 8 800 555 07 37 (free)

Citibank 8 495 775 75 75

Alitalia 8 495 221 11 30

Raiffeisen Bank 8 495 721 91 00

BANKING SERVICES Alfa Bank 8 495 788 88 78 American Express Bank 8 495 543 94 00

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Sberbank 8 495 500 55 50 8 800 555 55 50 VTB Bank 8 495 739 77 39

| TAXI Taxi Moscow 8 499 995 06 54 www.taxi-in-moscow.com (rus/eng) Taxi 956 8 495 956 89 56 www.taxi956.ru (rus/eng) Gorodskoye Taxi 8 495 500 05 00 www.500-0-500.ru (rus/eng) New Moscow Taxi 8 495 780 67 80 www.newmoscowtaxi.ru (rus/eng) New Yellow Taxi 8 495 940 88 88 www.nyt.ru (rus/eng)

RENT-A-CAR AVIS Metro Prospect Mira 39 Prospect Mira, Bldg. 2 8 495 775 39 20 www.avis-russia.ru (rus/eng) Europcar Metro Dobrininskaya 8 4th Dobrininsky Pereulok, Office 211 8 495 926 63 73 www.europcar.ru (rus/eng) Hertz 8 495 775 83 33 www.hertz.ru (rus/eng) Raiden Metro Rechnoy Vokzal 63b Leningradskoye Hwy. 8 495 788 58 88 www.raidenrent.ru (rus/eng)

USEFUL ADDRESSES

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9 Devyatinsky Pereulok American Embassy 8 495 728 50 00

Sixt 8 495 589 11 11 www.sixt-rent.ru (rus/eng)

RUSSIAN LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Ruslingua Metro Polyanka 3/5 1st Spasonalivkovsky Pereulok., office 403 8 495 748 31 85 www.ruslingua.com (rus/eng) CREF Metro Lubyanka 16 Malaya Lubyanka St. 8 495 545 47 45 www.cref.ru (rus/fr/eng) Russian Village Country Educational Resort (this is a residential school) 16 Flotskaya St., Zeleny Mys settlement, Moscow region (Dimitrov direction) Fax 8 495 225 50 01 www.rusvillage.com (rus/eng) Language Link Metro Novoslobodskaya 3 Novoslobodskaya St. 8 495 730 63 99 www.languagelink.ru (rus/eng) Moscow State University Centre for International Education Metro Profsoyuznaya 24/35 Krzhizhanovskogo St., Bldg. 1 8 499 124 84 88 www.cie.ru (rus/eng

KINDERGARDENS American Day-Care Centre and Pre-School Metro Barrikadnaya

Moscow Montessori Pre-school Metro Slavyansky Bulvar 1 Nezhinskaya St., Bldg. 2 8 495 721 50 04 English Playschool Metro Noviy Cheryomushky 87a Leninsky Ave. 8 499 134 20 06 Little Angels Kindergarten Metro Profsoyuznaya 49 Novocheryomushkinskaya St. Office 12, 13 8 499 120 00 76 Petit Cref Metro Arbatskaya 41 Bolshoy Afanasievsky Pereulok 8 495 697 20 06 Tapuz and Tapuzik - Jewish Childcare Center Metro Barrikadnaya 47/3 Bolshaya Nikitskaya St., Bldg. 2 8 495 787 45 60 Park Place Moscow Child Care Centre Metro Belayevo or Yugo-Zapadnaya 113/1 Leninsky Ave. 8 495 956 52 72

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS The International School of Moscow Metro Krylatskaya 12 Krylatskaya St., Bldg. 5&6 8 916 922 04 54

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The Anglo-American School of Moscow Metro Tushinskaya 1 Beregovaya St. 8 495 231 44 70 British International Schools School #1 Metro Voikovskaya 24 Bolshaya Academicheskaya St. School #2 Metro Sokol 9 Priorova St. School #7 Metro Sokol 12a Priorova St. School #9 Moscow rural, Krasnogorskiy region, village Angelovo, IRC Rosinka 8 495 730 33 66 / 987 44 86 The English International School Metro Novogireevo 66a Zeleniy Ave. 8 495 301 21 04 / 301 91 16 Atlantic International School Metro Dubrovka 30a Sharikopodshipnikovskaya St, Bldg. 1 8 495 661 86 91 Hinkson Christian Academy Metro Nagatinskaya 37 Varshavskoe Hwy. 8 495 733 97 40

| NATIONAL SCHOOLS Lycee Francais: Primary School Metro Oktyabrskaya 12/16 Spasonalivkovskiy Pereulok Secondary School Metro Lubyanka 7a Milyutinskiy Pereulok 8 495 514 15 46 Deutsche Schule Metro Yugo-Zapadnaya 103 Vernadskogo Ave., Bldg. 5 8 495 433 41 11 / 434 31 41 Japanese School Metro Universitet 78a Leninsky Ave. 8 499 131 87 33 Italian School Metro Universitet 78a Leninsky Ave. 8 499 131 87 00 / 131 87 56 Finnish School Metro Universitet 78a Leninsky Ave. 8 495 514 18 20 Swedish School Metro Universitet 78a Leninsky Ave. 8 495 980 50 49

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Bulgarian School Metro Universitet 66 Mosfilmovskaya St., Bldg. 2 8 499 143 62 45 (after 3 p. m.)

Hungarian School Metro Arbatskaya 21 Povarskaya St. 8 495 691 18 46

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DENTISTS American Clinic Dental Art Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 15 Druzinnikovskaya St. 8 495 540 43 83 www.dentalart.ru American Dental Center Metro Mayakovskaya;5 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 495 730 43 34 www.americandental.ru

Iranian School Metro Kitai-Gorod 7 Pokrovskiy Blvd.

8 495 917 30 92

French Dental Center Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 13 2nd Zvenigorodskaya St. 8 495 234 58 58 www.fdc-vip.ru

CLINICS European Medical Centre (EMC) Metro Barrikadnaya 5 Spiridonievsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 933 66 55

German Dental Care Metro Mayakovskaya 11/13 Yuliusa Fuchika St. 8 495 926 15 20 www.gdcare.ru

Metro Prospect Mira 7 Orlovskiy Pereulok 8 495 933 66 55 www.emcmos.ru (rus/eng)

German Dental Centre Metro Kurskaya 2/1 Volochaevskaya St. 8 495 737 44 66 www.germandentalcenter.ru (rus/ger/eng)

American Medical Centre (AMC) Metro Prospect Mira 31 Grokholskiy Pereulok 8 495 933 77 00 www.amcenter.ru

European Dental Centre Metro: Smolenskaya 6 1st Nikoloshepovsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 933 00 02 www.emcmos.ru (rus/eng)

Polish School Metro Belorusskaya Bolshoy Tishinskiy Pereulok 8 495 231 17 01 / 231 17 02

IntermedCenter–American Clinic Metro Prospect Mira 26 Prospect Mira, Bldg. 5 8 495 937 57 57 www.intac.ru

Indian International School Metro Kievskaya 10/2 Dolgorukovskaya St. 8 499 917 08 20

International SOS www.internationalsos.com (also website address for medical evacuations)

US Dental Care Metro Okhotny Ryad or Teatralnaya 7/5 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., Bldg. 2 8 495 933 86 86 www.usdentalcare.com (rus/eng)

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VETS Dr. Yuri Shishmaryov and Valeria Shishmaryova 8 495 694 03 88 8 901 539 39 56

SATELLITE TV / INTERNET PROVIDERS AKADO www.akado.ru 8 495 231 33 33 / 231 44 44 English spoken NTV Plus www.ntvplus.ru 8 495 755 55 45 Stream www.stream.ru 8 800 250 08 90

DRY CLEANERS Diana (multiple locations) Metro Chehovskaya 21 Petrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 623 08 62 Metro Barrikadnaya 12 Zoologicheskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 363 62 60 Metro Tverskaya 16/4 Voznesensky Pereulok 8 495 692 29 53 www.dryclean.ru California Cleaners (multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya 32 Sadovo-Kudrinskaya St. 8 495 699 83 14 Metro Arbatskaya 28 Noviy Arbat St.

| 8 965 135 30 74 www.california-cleaners.ru

WATER DELIVERY Kingwater 8 495 937 50 15 www.kingwater.ru (rus/eng) Guchkovskaya Water 8 495 225 30 55 www.guchkovskaya.ru (rus/eng) Nestle WaterCoolers 8 495 980 59 80 www.nestle-purelife.ru (rus/eng)

RELIGIOUS SERVICES Catholic Church of St. Louis Metro Lubyanka 12 Malaya Lubyanka St. 8 495 506 23 34 International Baptist Fellowship Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 5 Druzhinnikovskaya St. 8 495 631 35 58 International Christian Assembly (Protestant) Metro Sokolniki 11 Stromynka St. 8 495 268 49 20 Moscow Bible Church (Protestant) Metro Novie Cheremushki 15 Nametkina St. 8 495 710 77 79 (ext. 230) Moscow Catholic Chaplaincy Metro Kievskaya 7/9 Kutuzovskiy Ave., Bldg. 5 8 499 243 96 21

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Moscow Charismatic Church Metro Preobrazhenskaya Ploschad 38/2 Krasnobogatyrskaya St. 8 495 461 98 74 Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy Metro Pushkinskaya 8/5 Voznesenskiy Pereulok 8 929 646 87 21 Moscow Synagogue Metro Kitai-Gorod 10 Bolshoy Spasoglinishchevsky Pereulok 8 495 940 55 56 Muslim Mosque Metro Prospect Mira 7 Vypolzov Pereulok 8 495 681 49 04 / 681 38 66 Polyakova Synagogue-Chabad Lubavitch Metro Pushkinskaya 6 Bolshaya Bronnaya St. 8 495 695 45 30 St. Andrew’s Church (Anglican) Metro Pushkinskaya 8/5 Voznesensky Pereulok 8 495 629 09 90 St. Catherine’s Church (Orthodox) Metro Dobryninskaya 60/2 Bolshaya Ordynka St. 8 495 959 12 96

BEAUTY SALONS The Expat Salon Haircut & styling, coloring, makeup, massage, Manicure & pedicure, cosmetology, tanning.

English speaking staff.

Metro Mayakovskaya

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3 Maliy Patriarshiy Pereulok 8 495 650 37 49 www.expatsalon.ru

22 Rochdelskaya St. 8 495 780 00 78 www.wellness-center.ru

Yves Rocher Metro Okhotniy Ryad 4 Tverskaya St. 8 495 692 76 94

Chistiye Prudy Welness&Fitness club Metro Chistiye Prudy, Turgenevskaya 12 Chistoprudny Blvd., Bldg. 1 8 495 644 44 99 www.prudi.ru

Jacques Dessange Metro Mayakovskaya 7 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 495 694 57 44 www.dessange.ru Wella Dolores Metro Kroporkinskaya 12 Bolshoy Afanasyevsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 690 51 37 Infanta Metro Paveleckaya 22 Zacepa St. 8 495 332 14 43 www.infanta.ru Lait-Svet Metro Kitai-Gorod 2/9 Maliy Zlatoustinsky Pereulok, Office 17 8 495 628 01 63 / 628 61 33 www.light-svet.ru

FITNESS CLUBS Biosphere Metro Oktyabrskaya, Shabolovskaya 15 Malaya Kaluzhskaya St., Bldg. 4 8 495 955 90 40 8 499 408 52 39 www.biosfera-club.ru Cascad Metro Krasnopresnenskaya, Barrikadnaya

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Don Sport (multiple locations) Metro Kropotkinskaya 5 1st Zachatyevsky Pereulok, Novaya Ostozhenka complex 8 495 221 47 14 www.donsport.ru Dr. Loder (multiple locations) Metro Academicheskaya Dmitria Ulyanova St., Bldg. 21 8 495 987 30 00 Metro Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya 10/1 Strastnoi Blvd.

8 495 775 74 74 Metro Park Kultury 25 Ostozhenka St. 8 495 637 40 76 www.loder.ru Enjoy Metro Paveletskaya 7 Derbenevskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 6 8 495 744 17 44 www.enjoy-fitness.ru Fitness Mania Metro Yugo-Zapadnaya 146 Leninsky Ave. 8 495 981 42 42 www.fitnessmania.ru Fizkult (multiple locations)

| Metro Novoslobodskaya 9 Seleznevskaya St. 8 495 609 58 27 Metro Park Pobedy 70 Mosfi lmovskaya St. 8 495 232 00 44 www.fizkult.ru Gold’s Gym Metro Dynamo 31 Leningradsky Ave., Bldg. 30 8 495 931 96 16 www.goldsgym.ru Marriot Grand Health & Fitness Club Metro Mayakovskaya, Tverskaya 26 Tverskaya St. 8 495 937 00 48 www.grandfitness.ru Gymnastika Metro Prospekt Vernadskogo 53 Vernadskogo Ave. 8 495 225 23 07 www.gym-nastika.ru Janin Fitness Metro Strogino 65 kilometr of the MKAD, Ryblyovo complex 8 495 995 15 15 www.tobefit.ru La Salute Metro Taganskaya, Marksistskaya 77 Zemlyanoi Val St. 8 495 911 11 22 www.lasalute.ru L’Orange Gym Atlantis Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 12 Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya 8 495 967 00 55 www.lorangegym.ru

USEFUL ADDRESSES

8 495 933 5260 www.premier-sport.ru

Mango Metro Mendeleyevskaya 16 Novoslobodskaya St. 8 495 787 63 25 www.clubmango.ru

PRO Metro Prospect Vernadskogo 120a Lobachevskogo St. 8 495 971 03 45 www.club-pro.ru

Marina Club Metro Voikovskaya 25a Leningradskoye Hwy., Bldg. 4 8 495 363 60 61

Swim & Gym Metro Prospect Vernadskogo 40 Udaltsova St.

www.marina-club.ru Multisport Metro Sportivnaya, Universitet 24 Luzhniki St., Bldg. 10 7495 788 16 98 www.multisport.ru Onegin Metro Polyanka 2 Malaya Polyanka St. 8 495 221 41 22 www.oneginclub.ru

Planeta Fitness (multiple locations) Metro Belorusskaya, Savyolovskaya 21 Ulitsa Pravdy St., Bldg. 2 8 495 933 45 99 Metro Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya 6 Malaya Dmitrovka St. 8 495 933 11 24

Premier Sport Metro Park Pobedy 5 Ulofa Palme St., Bldg. 1-2

8 495 432 96 96 www.swimgym.ru Terrasport Metro Oktyabrskaya 22 Bolshaya Yakimanka St., Bldg. 3 8 495 225 80 80 www.terrasport.ru Vodolei Metro Kitai-Gorod 14 Varvarka St. 8 495 698 46 10 www.vodolei-sport.ru

Orange Fitness Metro Sokolniki 24 Rusakovskaya St. 8 495 642 79 97 www.orangefit.ru

Metro Sokolniki 8 Korolenko St. 8 495 964 24 05 www.fitness.ru

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World Class (multiple locations) Metro Biblioteka Imeni Lenina 4 Romanov Pereulok 8 495 772 75 45 Metro Kurskaya 9 Zemlyanoi Val St. 8 495 229 95 95 Metro Krylatskoye 1 Zhukovka-Ilinskoye, Moscow Region 8 495 933 24 94 Metro Mezdunarodnaya 8 Presnenskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 1 8 495 232 02 30 Metro Oktyabrskaya 14 Zhitnaya St., Bldg. 2

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8 495 788 00 00 Metro Prospekt Vernadskogo 6 Vernadskogo Ave. 8 495 644 06 00 Metro Prospekt Mira 16 Olimpiisky Ave., Bldg. 2 8 495 980 67 30 www.wclass.ru World Class Lady’s Metro Profsoyuznaya 31 Profsoyuznaya St., Bldg. 5 8 495 510 64 53 www.wclass.ru X-Fit. Fusion Metro Frunzenskaya 2 Ulitsa Usacheva St., Bldg. 3 8 495 792 30 96 www.xfit.ru Yoga Practica Metro Chistiye Prudy 10 Potapovsky Pereulok 8 495 623 66 88 www.center.yoga.ru Yuna-Sport Metro Voikovskaya 38 Bolshaya Akademicheskaya St., Bldg. 11 8 495 981 00 71 www.junasport.ru

RESTAURANTS American American Bar & Grill (multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya 2/1 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 499 250 95 25 Beverly Hills Diner (multiple locations) Metro Turgenevskaya

| 1 Sretenka St. 8 495 625 42 21 Chili’s Metro Arbatskaya 17 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 695 50 92 Corner Burger Metro Belorusskaya 76 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya St. 8 495 926 83 98 Frendy’s Metro Chistiye Prudy 28 Pokrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 917 47 95 Hard Rock Café Metro Smolenskaya 44/1 Arbat St. 8 499 241 43 42 Starlite Dinner (multiple locations) Metro Universitet 6 Vernadskogo Ave. 8 495 783 40 37 T.G.I. Fridays (multiple locations) Metro Pushkinskaya 18 Tverskaya St., Bldg. 2 8 495 694 56 53 Beer Bavarius (multiple locations) Metro Frunzenskaya 21/10 Komsomolsky Ave. 8 499 245 23 95 Beerhouse Metro Tverskaya 12/2 Tverskaya St. 8 495 629 08 47 BeerStrasse (multiple locations)

USEFUL ADDRESSES

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Metro Turgenevskaya 2 Turgenevskaya Sq. 8 495 641 34 44

Bulgarian

Durdin (multiple locations) Metro Sokol 80 Leningradsky Ave. 8 495 780 54 35

8 Gogolevsky Blvd.

Baba Marta Metro Kropotkinskaya 8 495 232 92 09

24 Pyatnitskaya St. 8 495 959 58 62 Tinatin Metro Park Kultury 58 Plyuschikha St., Bldg. 1a 8 495 761 38 00

Caucasian Chinese

3/18 Sitsev Vrazhek St. 8 495 697 68 41

Ajika (multiple locations) Metro Novokuznetskaya 8 Pyatnitsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 951 70 16

Kolbasoff (multiple locations) Metro Marksistskaya 21 Taganskaya St. 8 495 258 59 00

Barashka (multiple locations) Metro Okhotny Ryad 20/1 Petrovka St. 8 495 625 28 92

Munchen Metro Kuznetsky Most 10/7 Rozhdestvensky Blvd.

8 495 628 28 00

Chernomorskaya Riviera Metro Leninsky Prospect 8a Leninsky Ave. 8 499 783 33 01

Mama Tao (multiple locations) Metro Dobryninskaya 56/1 Pyatninskaya St. 8 495 953 42 49

Pilsner

Genatsvale Metro Park Kultury 12 Ostozhenka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 695 04 01

Mr. Lee Metro Kuznetsky Most 7 Kuznetsky Most St. 8 495 628 76 78

Kavkazskaya Plennitsa Metro Prospect Mira 36 Prospect Mira 8 495 680 51 11

Pekinskaya Utka Metro Mayakovskaya 24 Tverskata St. 8 495 755 84 01

Kelya Metro Kropotkinskaya

(multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya 1 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 499 251 20 23 Pivnaya Shtolnaya Metro Paveletskaya 6/3 Zatsepsky Val St. 8 495 953 42 68 Starina Mueller (multiple locations) Metro Pushkinskaya 18a Malaya Dmitrovka St. 8 495 699 84 34 Tinkoff Metro Smolenskaya 11 Protochny Pereulok 8 495 780 58 88

Lavash Metro Trubnaya 7 Tsvetnoi Blvd.

8 495 625 82 85 Sandyk (multiple locations) Metro Dobryninskaya 2 1st Schipkovskiy Pereulok 8 499 235 55 35 Shesh-Besh (multiple locations) Metro Tretyakovskaya

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China Club Metro Mayakovskaya 21 Krasina St. 8 495 232 27 78 Druzhba Metro Novoslobodskaya 4 Novoslobodskaya St. 8 499 973 12 34

English John Bull Pub Metro Smolenskaya 9 Karmanitsky Pereulok 8 499 241 06 44 John Donne Metro Arbatskaya 12 Nikitsky Blvd.

8 495 627 69 07

| European Buffet Metro Ploschad Ilyicha 46 Alexandra Solzhenitsyna St. 8 495 988 28 57 Ded Pikhto Metro Chistiye Prudy 37/3 Myasnitskaya St. 8 495 915 83 83 Delicatessen Metro Tsvetnoi Blvd.

20 Sadovaya-Karetnaya St. Bldg. 2 8 495 699 39 52 Discovery Metro Novokuznetskaya 24 Novokuznetskaya St., Bldg. 2 8 495 953 38 63 Kvartira 44 (multiple locations) Metro Polyanka 24/8 Malaya Yakimanka St. 8 916 452 45 06 Manon Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 2 1905 Goda St. 8 495 651 81 00 Night Flight Metro Tverskaya 17 Tverskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 629 41 65 Ragout Metro Belorusskaya 69 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya St. 8 495 728 64 58 Sweet Home Café Metro Lubyanka 14/2 Myasnitskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 624 87 50 Syrnaya Dyrka

USEFUL ADDRESSES

(multiple locations) Metro Kitay-Gorod 15 Bolshoy Cherkassky Pereulok 8 495 627 07 08 Yar Metro Dinamo 32/2 Leningradsky Ave. 8 495 960 20 04 Zhitnaya 10 Metro Oktyabrskaya 10 Zhitnaya St. 8 499 238 11 07 Zolotoi Metro Kievskaya 5/3 Kutuzovsky Ave. 8 499 243 65 40 Fast Food Burger King (multiple locations) Metro Voikovskaya 16a Leningradskoye Hwy., Bldg. 4 Metropolis Mall 8 495 792 37 87 KFC (multiple locations) Metro Pushkinskaya 5 Pushkinskaya Sq. 8 495 650 52 87 LunchBox (multiple locations) Metro Tverskaya 24 Bolshaya Nikitskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 697 60 88 McDonald’s (multiple locations) Metro Pushkinskaya 29 Bolshaya Bronnaya St. 8 495 694 16 55

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Papa John’s (multiple locations) Metro Prospect Vernadskogo 8/6 Kravchenko St. 8 495 995 00 65 Pizza Hut (multiple locations) Metro Tretyakovskaya 29/8 Pyatnitskaya St. 8 495 959 53 83 Prime Star (multiple locations) Metro Belorusskaya 4 4th Lesnoy Pereulok 8 495 664 23 63 Wendy’s (multiple locations) Metro Smolenskaya 16/2 Arbat St. 8 495 695 67 04 French Café Michael Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 13 Krasnaya Presnya St. 8 499 252 50 44 Canaille Metro Mayakovskaya 11 Bolshaya Bronnaya St. 8 499 391 01 78 Carre Blanc Metro Novoslobodskaya 19/2 Seleznyovskaya St. 8 495 258 44 03 Gavroche Metro Park Kultury 11 Timura Frunze St., Bldg. 19 8 499 558 08 38 Maison Baccarat Metro Lubyanka

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19–21 Nikolskaya St. 8 495 933 33 89 The Most Metro Kuznetsky Most 6/3 Kuznetsky Most St. 8 495 660 07 06 Vanil Metro Kropotkinskaya 1 Ostozhenka St. 8 495 637 10 82 Indian Darbar Metro Leninsky Prospect 38 Leninsky Ave. 8 495 930 29 25 Devi Café Metro Yugo-Zapadnaya 21a Miklukho-Maklaya St. 8 495 544 46 40 Maharaja Metro Kitai-Gorod 2/1 Pokrovka St. 8 495 621 98 44 Studio Basmati Metro Mayakovskaya 20 Malaya Dmitrovka St. 8 495 982 55 22 Irish Katie O’Shea’s Metro Prospekt Mira 26 Grokholsky Pereulok, Bldg. 5 8 495 792 51 88 Mollie’s Irish Pub Metro Chistiye Prudy 13 Myasnitskaya St., Bldg. 3 8 495 624 46 96 Sally O’Brien’s Metro Polyanka

| 1/3 Bolshaya Polyanka St. 8 495 959 01 75 Silver’s Metro Okhotny Ryad 5/6 Nikitsky Pereulok 8 495 690 42 22 Italian Akademia (multiple locations) Metro Okhotny Ryad 2 Kamergersky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 692 96 49 Assaggiatore Metro Park Kultury 26 Ostozenka St. 8 499 766 98 58 Bocconcino (multiple locations) Metro Chekhovskaya 7 Strastnoi Blvd.

8 495 699 73 59 Centrale (multiple locations) Metro Kievskaya 17 Kutuzovsky Ave. 8 499 243 54 57 Cherry Mio Metro Alekseyevskaya 99 Prospect Mira 8 495 602 46 55 Chianti Classico Metro Aeroport 48 Leningradsky Ave. 8 495 612 56 12 Donna Margarita Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 2 Ulitsa 1905 Goda St. 8 499 682 70 00 L’albero

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Metro Tsvetnoi Bulvar 7 Delegatskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 650 16 74 Mi Piace (multiple locations) Metro Novoslobodskaya 22 Chayanova St., Bldg. 4 8 499 250 08 93 Palazzo Duccale Metro Pushkinskaya 3 Tverskoy Blvd.

8 495 789 64 03 Pasta i Basta Metro Turgenevskaya 4 Sretensky Blvd.

8 495 624 52 52

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11 Osennyaya St. 8 495 781 16 97 Planeta Sushi (multiple locations) Metro Arbatskaya 1 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 790 71 70 Seiji Metro Park Kultury 5/2 Komsomolsky Ave. 8 499 246 76 24 Yakitoria (multiple locations) Metro Arbatskaya 10 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 690 43 11

Pronto (multiple locations) Metro Teatralnaya 9 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 692 61 51

Zholtoye More Metro Leninsky Prospect 43 Leninsky Ave. 8 499 135 55 55

Trattoria Simplice (multiple locations) Metro Chistie Prudy 6 Chaplygina St. 8 495 623 1510

Beef and Reef (multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya 20 Malaya Dmitrovka St. 8 495 609 64 14

Japanese Dve Palochki (multiple locations) Metro Turgenevskaya 24/7 Myasnitskaya St., Bldg. 1 8 495 625 11 24 Ichiban Boshi (multiple locations) Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 22 Krasnaya Presnya St. 8 499 790 03 79 Kinki Metro Krylatskoye

Meat

Braziliero Metro Arbatskaya 10 Arbat St. 8 495 933 72 92 Chicago Prime Metro Tverskaya 8a Strastnoi Blvd.

8 495 988 17 17 El Gaucho (multiple locations) Metro Paveletskaya 6/13 Zatsepsky Val St. 8 495 953 28 76 Louisiana American Steak

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House Metro Novokuznetskaya 30 Pyatnitskaya St., Bldg. 4 8 495 959 55 06 Torro Grill Metro Belorusskaya 5 Lesnaya St. 8 495 640 10 20 Mexican Amigo Miguel Metro Aeroport Leningradsky Ave. 8 495 660 73 42 Pancho Villa Metro Oktyabrskaya 52 Bolshaya Yakimanka St. 8 499 238 79 13 Papa Joe’s Metro Taganskaya 26 Nikolo-Yamskaya St. 8 495 775 27 10 Middle Eastern Damas Metro Kitai-Gorod 8 Maroseyka St. 8 495 628 81 81 Ketama Metro Teatralnaya 5/6 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., Bldg. 5 8 495 692 92 68 Marocana Metro Taganskaya 1/15 Kotelnicheskaya Naberezhnaya., Bldg. 3 8 495 915 35 00 Sherbet (multiple locations) Metro Teatralnaya

| 15 Petrovka St. 8 495 628 15 97 Tel Aviv Metro Tsvetnoy Bulvar 30/1 Tsvetnoy Blvd.

8 495 694 01 45 Mixed

USEFUL ADDRESSES

BlackBerry Café Metro Chistiye Prudy Akademika Sakharova Ave. 8 495 926 16 45

Vogue Café Metro Kuznetsky Most 7/9 Kuznetsky Most St. 8 495 623 17 01

Casino Café Metro Smolenskaya 21 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 226 77 66

Russian

Luce Metro Belorusskaya 21 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 495 797 63 08 Mechta Metro Paveletskaya 84 Sadovnicheskaya St. 8 495 633 21 11 Piccadilly Metro Oktyabrskaya 1 Kaluzhskaya Sq., Bldg. 3 8 495 795 24 06 Prostiye Veshchi (multiple locations) Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 32 Konushkovskaya St. 8 499 255 63 62

Moo Moo (multiple locations) Metro Lubyanka 14/2 Myasnitskaya St. 8 495 623 45 03

Sky Lounge Metro Leninsky Prospect 32a Leninsky Ave. 8 495 781 57 75 Tchaikovsky Metro Mayakovskaya

Dandy Café Metro Smolenskaya 28 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 690 05 38

10a Spiridonyevsky Pereulok 8 495 650 65 00

Revolution Metro Paveletskaya 40 Novokuznetskaya St. 8 495 951 22 88

Aist Metro Tverskaya 8 Malaya Bronnaya St., Bldg. 1 8 499 940 70 30

Moskvich Metro Frunzenskaya 2 Usachyova St., Bldg. 1 8 495 720 55 14

31 Tverskaya St. 8 495 699 91 14

Oblomov Metro Dobryninskaya 5 1st Monetchikovsky Pereulok 8 495 953 68 28 Petrovich Metro Chistiye Prudy 24 Myasnitskaya St., Bldg. 3 8 495 623 00 82

Chaika Metro Marksistskaya 7 Marksistskaya St. 8 495 911 79 89

Pushkin Metro Tverskaya 26a Tverskoi Blvd.

8 495 793 00 33

Godunov Metro Teatralnaya 5 Teatralnaya Sq. 8 495 698 44 80

Stolovata No. 57 Metro Ploshchad Revolyutsii 3 Krasnaya Sq., GUM Mall 8 495 788 43 43

Grabli (multiple locations) Metro Alekseyevskaya 99 Prospect Mira 8 495 602 46 55

Tsarskaya Okhota Zhukovka, 186a Rublyovo-Uspenshoye Hwy. 8 495 635 79 82

Gusyatnikov Metro Taganskaya 2a Alexandra Solzhenitsyna St. 8 495 632 75 58 Lucien Metro Rizhskaya 65 Gilyarovskogo St., Bldg. 1 8 495 997 76 65 Mari Vanna Metro Tverskaya

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TsDL (Central House of Writers) Metro Barrikadnaya 50 Povarskaya St. 8 495 651 81 91 Traktir Chyornaya Koshka Metro Taganskaya 6 Vorontsovskaya St. 8 495 911 76 01

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Varvary Metro Chekhovskaya 8a Strastnoi Blvd.

8 495 229 28 00 Yolki-Palki (multiple locations) Metro Tretyakovskaya 14 Klimentovsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 953 91 30 Seafood Bouillabaisse Metro Leninsky Prospect 37 Leninsky Ave. 8 495 633 88 88 Gastronomica Fish Metro Oktyabrskaya 57 Leninsky Ave. 8 495 641 11 43 La Cipolla Metro Teatralnaya 5 Teatralnaya Sq., Bldg. 2 8 495 698 32 54 La Maree (multiple locations) Metro Kuznetsky Most 28 Petrovka St., Bldg. 2 8 495 694 09 30 Lamgust Metro Taganskaya 21 Goncharnaya St. 8 495 995 29 09 Rybny Bazar Metro Pushkinskaya 10/2 Tryokhprudny Pereulok 8 495 650 54 44 Sirena Metro Sukharevskaya 15 Bolshaya Spasskaya St. 8 495 608 02 00

| Thai

USEFUL ADDRESSES

|

7 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 499 251 67 61

Wine Restaurants

Metro Lubyanka

8 499 240 05 97

Khodzha Nasreddin v Bukhare Metro Novoslobodskaya Novoslobodskaya St. 8 499 973 05 14

Taisky Slon Metro Polezayevskaya 25 Khoroshevskoye Hwy., Bldg. 1 8 495 974 84 01

Kishmish (multiple locations) Metro Arbatskaya 28 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 290 07 03

La Bottega Metro Belorusskaya 5 Lesnaya St. 8 495 213 30 88

Baan Thai Metro Kievskaya 11 Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya St.

Thai-Thai (multiple locations) Metro Kitai-Gorod 4 Pokrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 510 18 13 Ukrainian

Vegeterian Avocado Metro Chistiye Prudy 12 Chistoprudny Blvd., Bldg. 2 8 495 621 77 19

Shinok Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 2 Ulitsa 1905 Goda St. 8 495 651 81 01

Jagganath (multiple locations) Metro Kuznetsky Most 11 Kuznetsky Most St. 8 495 628 35 80

Taras Bulba (multiple locations) Metro Smolenskaya 12/19 Smolensky Blvd.

8 499 246 19 23

Sok Metro Tretyakovskaya 15 Lavrushinsky Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 953 79 63 Vietnamese

Art-Chaikhana Metro Pushkinskaya 11/13 Tryokprudny Pereulok, Bldg. 2 8 495 699 14 06

Shanti Metro Krasniye Vorota 2/1 Myasnitsky Proezd 8 495 783 68 68

Chaikhona No. 1 (multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya

25 Nikolskaya St. Nautilus Mall 8 495 500 27 67

Le Sommelier Pinot Noire Metro Tverskaya 30/7 Petrovka St. 8 495 782 63 63 Rosso i Bianco Metro Mayakovskaya 27 Oruzheiny Pereulok 8 499 973 34 52 Vinosyr Metro Puskinskaya 6 Maliy Palashevsky Pereulok 8 495 739 10 45 Vinoteka.ru & Whiskey Bar Metro Chistiye Prudy 10 Chistoprudny Blvd., Bldg. 1 8 495 623 54 56 Cafes

Uzbek

Beloye Solntse Pustyni Metro Trubnaya 29 Neglinnaya St. 8 495 625 25 96

Dessident

Viet Café (multiple locations) Metro Okhotny Ryad 3 Gazetny Pereulok, Bldg. 1 8 495 629 11 04

Aerocafe Metro Krasniye Vorota 22/1 Sadovaya-Chernogryazskaya St. 8 495 917 53 04 Artefaq Metro Chekhovskaya 32 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 650 39 71 Baskin Robbins Metro Arbatskaya

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17 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 695 61 86 Beard Papa’s (multiple locations) Metro Kropotkinskaya 6 Gogolevsky Blvd.

8 495 961 77 18 Bublik Metro Pushkinskaya 24 Tverskoi Blvd., Bldg. 1 8 495 629 13 42 Cinnabon (multiple locations) Metro Tverskaya 19a Tverskaya St. 8 495 699 59 69 Coffee House (multiple locations) Metro Pushkinskaya 3/10 Malaya Dmitrovka St. 8 495 699 97 28 Coffemania (multiple locations) Metro Barrikadnaya 46/54 Kudrinskaya Sq., Bldg. 1 8 495 721 83 77 Double Coffee (multiple locations) Metro Tverskaya 17 Tverskoi Blvd.

8 495 697 99 99 Dunkin’ Donuts (multiple locations) Metro Arbatskaya 17 Novy Arbat St. 8 495 664 28 22 Jean Jacques (multiple locations) Metro Tsvetnoi Bulvar, 24 Tsvetnoi Blvd., Bldg. 1 8 495 608 58 10

| Khleb & Co (multiple locations) Metro Kropotkinskaya 3 Ostozhenka St. 8 495 695 27 31 Look in Metro Teatralnaya 9 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 692 62 95 Myata Metro Sportivnaya 1a Luznetsky Proezd 8 499 245 22 45 Pinkberry (multiple locations) Metro Vystavochnaya 10a Presnenskaya Naberzhnaya, Afimall City 8 495 745 09 28 Shokoladnitsa (multiple locations) Metro Oktyabrskaya 58/2 Bolshaya Yakimanka St. 8 495 238 27 34 Skromnoye Obayaniye Bourgeoisie Metro Lubyanka 24 Bolshaya Lubyanka St. 8 495 623 08 48 Starbucks (multiple locations) Metro Kitai-Gorod 5 Pokrovka St. 8 495 789 68 46

BARS All-Time Bar Metro Teatralnaya 7/5 Bolshaya Dmitrovka St.,

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Bldg. 2 8 495 629 08 11

Rolling Stone Bar Metro Kropotkinskaya 3 Bolotnaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 1 8 495 504 09 32

Aloha Bar Metro Chistye Prudy 38 Myasnitskaya St. 8 495 741 22 03

Strelka Metro Kropotkinskaya 14 Bersenevskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 5 8 495 771 74 16

Bar Klava Metro Pushkinskaya 26/1 Malaya Bronnaya St. 8 495 626 85 63

Tommy D Lounge Bar Metro Lubyanka 1 Tretyakovsky Proyezd 8 495 784 07 07

Bosco Bar Metro Ploshchad Revolutsii 3 Krasnaya Sq., GUM mall 8 495 627 37 03 City Space Metro Paveletskaya Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 6 Swissotel Krasnye Holmy 8 495 787 98 00 Darling, I’ll Call You Later (multiple locations) Metro Mayakovskaya 10 2nd Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. 8 926 520 77 80 Denis Simachyov Bar Metro Teatralnaya 12/2 Stoleshnikov Pereulok 8 495 629 80 85 GQ Bar Metro Novokuznetskaya 5 Baltschug St. 8 499 356 77 75 Kalina Bar Metro Smolenskaya 8 Novinsky Blvd., Lotte Plaza 8 495 229 55 19 Rock’n’Roll Bar Metro Turgenevskaya 1 Sretenka St. 8 495 233 76 97

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DANCE CLUBS Barkhat Metro Krasnopresnenskaya 15 Druzhinnikovskaya St. 8 495 998 28 38 Coyote Ugly Metro Teatralnaya 6/3 Kuznetsky Most 8 917 692 03 97 Denis Simachyov Bar Metro Teatralnaya 12/2 Stoleshnikov Pereulok 8 495 629 80 85 Discodome Metro Mayakovskaya 15a Oruzheny Pereulok 8 495 740 60 40 Duma Metro Okhotny Ryad 11 Mokhovaya St., Bldg. 3 8 495 692 11 19 Fabrique Metro Paveletskaya 2 Kosmodamiyanskaya Naberezhnaya 8 495 953 65 76

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Famous Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda 15 Rochdelskaya St. 8 495 507 77 70 FM Club Metro Taganskaya 60/28 Zemlyanoi Val St. 8 495 502 99 21 Gaudi Arena Metro Savyolovskaya 1 Skladochnaya St., Bldg. 6 8 495 508 80 60 Gipsy Metro Kropotkinskaya 3/4 Bolotnaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 2 8 495 669 86 93 Krizis Zhanra Metro Chistiye Prudy 16 Pokrovka St. 8 495 623 25 94 London Metro Prospekt Vernadskogo 14 Vernadskogo Ave. 8 495 749 49 59 Pacha Metro Lubyanka 10 Nikolskaya St. 8 495 798 57 77 Propaganda Metro Kitai-Gorod 7 Bolshoy Zlatoustinsky Pereulok 8 495 624 57 32 Soho Rooms Metro Frunzenskaya 12 Savvinskaya Naberezhnaya, Bldg. 8 8 495 988 74 74 Solyanka Metro Kitai-Gorod

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USEFUL ADDRESSES

11/6 Solyanka St., Bldg. 1 8 495 221 75 57

17 Yermolayevsky Pereulok 8 495 694 28 90

The Most Metro Kuznetsky Most 6/3 Kuznetsky Most St. 8 495 660 07 06

Museum of Contemporary Russian History Metro Pushkinskaya 21 Tverskaya St. 8 495 699 67 24

The Real McCoy Metro Barrikadnaya 1 Kudrinskaya Sq. 8 495 255 41 44

MUSEUMS Artplay Design Center Metro Park Kultury 11 Timura Frunze St., Bldg. 34 8 495 105 50 01 Christ the Savior Cathedral Metro Kropotkinskaya 4 Volkhonka St. 8 495 637 28 47 Darwin Museum Metro Akademicheskaya 57 Vavilova St. 8 495 783 22 53 Garazh Center for Contemporary Culture Metro Novoslobodskaya 19a Obraztsova St. 8 495 645 05 20 Kremlin Museum Metro Aleksandrovsky Sad 1 Krasnaya Sq. 8 495 697 37 76 Moscow Museum of Contemporary Art Metro Chehovskaya, Pushkinskaya 25 Petrovka St. 9 Tverskoy Blvd.

Metro Mayakovskaya

Museum of the History of Moscow Metro Kitai-Gorod 12 Novaya Sq. 8 495 624 80 58

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Tretyakov Gallery Metro Tretyakovskaya 10 Lavrushinsky Pereulok 8 495 951 13 62 Tsaritsyno Estate Museum Metro: Orekhovo 1 Dolskaya St. 8 495 321 07 43

Museum-Panorama of the Battle of Borodino Metro Park Pobedy 38 Kutuzovsky Ave. 8 499 148 19 27 New Tretyakov Gallery Metro Park Kultury 10 Krymsky Val St. 8 495 951 13 62 Novodevichy Monastery Metro Sportivnaya 1 Novodevichy Proezd 8 495 246 85 26 Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts Metro Kropotkinskaya 12 Volkhonka St. 8 495 697 56 91 St. Basil’s Cathedral Metro Kitai-Gorod Red Square 8 495 698 33 04 State Center of Modern Art Metro: Krasnopresnenskaya 13 Zoologicheska St. 8 495 254 85 83 State Historical Museum Metro Teatralnaya 1/2 Krasnaya Sq. 8 495 292 40 19

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OUR TEAM

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OUR TEAM

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