Russia is currently considered to be one of the most expensive places to live in the world. This is especially true for foreigners, who have fewer options and are less familiar with the ins and outs of how things are done. Foreigners, especially tourists, have a perception among locals as being naive and easy to take advantage of. There is also a stereotypical belief among many Russians that all foreigners are rich. In fact, you will notice that many services, including admission to museums, train and air fare, and hotels, often have separate inflated prices for foreigners. All of these factors combine to make it difficult for foreigners to live there economically. Here are some strategies that will help you stretch your rubles.
Get to know as many locals as you can. If you are staying long term, then it pays to make some good Russian friends. They will become an invaluable source of information, and advice. Networking is as powerful a tool here as it is anywhere, and you may be surprised at how quickly you can build useful connections.
Do everything you can to avoid acting and looking like a tourist. While it is unlikely that you will succeed in truly dressing in local styles, avoid wearing clothing that overtly calls attention to you. Pay close attention to how Russians act on the street. Even you will quickly learn to identify tourists. Learn from what you see, and modify you dress and behavior.
Use public transportation as often as possible. The subway and bus systems in Russia are both practical and safe. It may take a little while to get used to the crowds, but it will save you a lot of money. If you are stay long term they buy a monthly subway pass. It will pay for itself in no time.
Avoid living and shopping in the center of major cities. The downtown areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg are chic and crowded with tourists. Therefore, the prices on everything are higher. Instead, try to find an apartment in the suburbs. This is where Russian friends can be a big help. They may know someone willing to sublet an apartment, or even just rent you a room. They will also be able to tell you which areas are safe, and which are not.
Learn as much of the language and culture as you can. If you are starting from scratch, this will not happen over night, but the more you learn, the less helpless and foreign you will feel. Even just knowing the alphabet will be a big help. At least you will be able to figure out which subway station is which.
Learn to eat Russian food, and to shop in regular Russian stores and markets. If you insist on buying a lot of foreign food products, you will end up spending a lot more money. Once again, get you Russian friends to take you shopping with them and learn from them where to get the best deals
Learn the metric system. Learn how these measures actually apply in real life. Take some time and learn what 300 g of cheese looks like. Learn what your weight is in kilograms. Learn what 100 kilometers per hour feels like in a car. Learn what 10 degrees C feels like outside, so that you will know how to dress. Not only will this help you to feel more confident, it will also help you to avoid buying more of something than you need.
