The wife wants to return to Russia

[Neonred 3,451]

My wife would like to live in southern Russia during the winters and here during the summers unless we are traveling. Of course this would only be done after the little one us in college and I have retired.

We could live very cheaply there and have money to enjoy ourselves....for all the negatives about living in the US, that we both agree upon, we both can list more positives to living here than there, on a full time basis.

My wife was living in southern Russia and we still have an apartment there. Early on I had the idea (fantasy) about living there at least part time, but I can tell you it would NOT be in the winter! Of course I have lived in Florida for almost 25 years. My step daughter is still there, at least for a few more months until her immigration interview at the end of this month. She has had great difficulty getting a decent job, even with her two masters degrees. Also most all goods and services, especially groceries, are getting terribly expensive.

My wife has very little desire to go back. I wanted to go this summer or fall for a visit but she pretty much refused. She would rather stay in the US or visit some other "nice" place. I can remember the first time she went back for a visit and realized how dirty and depressing that area really was.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Neonred

[slim 1,514]

There are opportunities to work as an English teacher in most major cities.

And you could always drive a cab!

I would think one could earn a fairly decent living translating documents and "helping" along the VJ process for suckers petitioners who are using dating services, etc.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

There are opportunities to work as an English teacher in most major cities.

And you could always drive a cab!

I would think one could earn a fairly decent living translating documents and "helping" along the VJ process for suckers petitioners who are using dating services, etc.

My landlord was an Aussie that had moved to Ukraine post-perestroika and bought up a bunch of the Soviet era apartments cheap (you can still get apartments cheap in many cities, not as cheap as then but still cheap by our standards) He fixed them up and rented them either short term or long term AND he ran a marriage agency. That used to make him a very good living but it has been slow the last couple of years in both businesses.

Drivers make good money but maybe display a Union Jack or American Flag to indicate you speak English OR learn good Russian. I am sure there wouldbe plenty of business for English speaking drivers.

[1HappyGuy 45]

My wife and I have discussed the possibility of retiring to Ukraine. For me it would only be part year. I have no desire to go through a winter there. If I am going to deal with mass amounts of snow, I'll live near my daughter and granddaughters in Massachusetts.

My wife is currently in Ukraine. She will be there for six weeks, so it will be interesting to see how she reacts about returning to our home here. My bet is that she will be happy to be here.

The question of speaking Russian is important. You will need to become very fluent if you hope to have a happy life there.

[eekee 182]

The question of speaking Russian is important. You will need to become very fluent if you hope to have a happy life there.

You'd be surprised at how many people in cities with large expat communities, Moscow especially, don't speak Russian. It's quite hard, I think, especially if you're older, to get integrated into Russian social groups. It worked out for me because I'm still quite young, but I've never seen an older-ish man kicking it with his Russian buddies, unless they're the type who just really love hanging out with foreigners. If you go to St. Petersburg, Moscow, etc. I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem integrating yourself into the expat communities there, which are sizeable. If you go to your wife's hometown, you may get to know the people who she went to school with and so on, but you may be happier with other expats. (I find most of them tiresome myself, but to each their own.)

If you want to learn Russian a) well and b) fast before you go, you may want to consider doing a summer at Middlebury College. They run what is basically a Russian boot camp. It's never appealed to me (don't want to spend the summer in Vermont--sorry, Gary ), but it's very intensive and effective and everyone I know who has gone has come out with excellent Russian. You can always tell someone who went to Middlebury by their lack of gramma mistakes and proper constructions.

Edited July 1, 2011 by eekee

[eekee 182]

Also re: drivers. It's my understanding that most drivers also function as quasi-bodyguards, and do you really want to deal with the road police? I can just imagine the bribes they'd suck out of someone who is a) rich enough to have a personal driver and b) rich enough to have an AMERICAN personal driver. I really think that it's a job better suited to Russians, who understand the ins and outs better.

[slim 1,514]

Also re: drivers. It's my understanding that most drivers also function as quasi-bodyguards, and do you really want to deal with the road police? I can just imagine the bribes they'd suck out of someone who is a) rich enough to have a personal driver and b) rich enough to have an AMERICAN personal driver. I really think that it's a job better suited to Russians, who understand the ins and outs better.

Yes, but someone who is a bodyguard could probably "deal with" road police. Those guys tend to be the flunkies.

[eekee 182]

Yes, but someone who is a bodyguard could probably "deal with" road police. Those guys tend to be the flunkies.

Well, yeah, but I don't believe clueless_in_usa could function in that capacity.

The point is, American man? Already they're eyeing your wallet. American man driving with another wealthy American man in the backseat? Someone's going to be eating off your dime for a year.

[slim 1,514]

Well, yeah, but I don't believe clueless_in_usa could function in that capacity.

The point is, American man? Already they're eyeing your wallet. American man driving with another wealthy American man in the backseat? Someone's going to be eating off your dime for a year.

Even with "protection?"

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Even with "protection?"

"Protection" doesn't come free.

[sea-monkey 13]

Let her return first, tell her to get a house, find a job and then tell her you will join her thereafter.

Then wait and see how fast she comes running back to the states

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Let her return first, tell her to get a house, find a job and then tell her you will join her thereafter.

Then wait and see how fast she comes running back to the states

Edited July 1, 2011 by Why_Me

[^_^ 5,021]

What's your line of work clueless ?

I couldn't help but chuckle at the way that sounds!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I couldn't help but chuckle at the way that sounds!

Ya after I read that I went to edit it but that option was gone by then. Looks kinda messed up.

[^_^ 5,021]

Ya after I read that I went to edit it but that option was gone by then. Looks kinda messed up.

You need to get Brad or Charles make you an organizer. Then you can edit your posts whenever you want. No timeout.