going to moscow. any suggestions?

[Neonred 3,564]

In light of the fact that you speak no Russian and your fiancee's English is limited, in my opinion I think it might be wise to spend a few more dollars and stay at one of the nicer American brand hotels (I stay at the Ararat Park Hyatt when in Moscow). It is expensive (about $500 - $600 per night), but everyone at the hotel speaks very good English and they are extremely helpful (which is especially good since you don't speak Russian and have never been to Moscow).

Wow! That was our entire Moscow budget for two weeks If someone is actually going to spend $2000-$3000 for a week's stay, you can split half with me and I'll come a along and show you how to survive on the remaining $1500

My wife got a great laugh out of this one and also enjoyed (and agreed) with Satellite . We can't imagine ANYONE thinking they need to spend that much money for good English in the hotel.....of course the location is nice, BUT....

Save some of that cash and take your girl to the Bolshoi theater. You both will enjoy it and remember it forever. You can check the schedule and buy tickets online at http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/. We have done this several times and enjoyed it.

We used to stay at the Rossia Hotel next to Red Square at a great price, but it's gone now. Our last visit we stayed at the Ukraina Hotel not far from the US Embassy for $150 a night. They speak English there too!

That's because you live in Fresno and Florida.

For someone from New York City who is used to a higher standard of living and better accomodations, I guess paying $500 per night would be like $150 per night for someone from a small town. Like I implied - if you can afford it, it's worth it. If you can't afford it, then there are other accomodations available.

Higher standard of living and better accomodations?????? I don't think so. More expensive? YES.

I live in Naples FL, NOT Podunk FL!

[Satellite 1]

Jello,

If you would have spent the time to click my profile you would have realized that my AOS filing was Fresno, but I currently reside in San Francisco.

But that is besides the point. The Fresno office has a huge area of jurisdiction. Back when we were doing AOS I lived with parents and we were a good 100 miles away from Fresno and it was still our service center despite the fact San Francisco and Sacramento were only 80 miles away.

That aside, I agree with you, that if you have a good cash flow that comes in easy, then sure spend it. But to be honest with you, the amount of money I spend on rent in San Francisco for a tiny one bedroom apartment would be enough for a four bedroom home in a place like Fresno.

And for the right price, right here in San Francisco I can probably have equal if not better accommodations than you in New York. But like you said, I can't afford it.

But the way income distribution works in this country and in Russia, there are a whole lot more people who are poor like me than rich like you. So, my rant about spending $500 a day on a hotel will be more understandable to more people on VJ.

But from my experience in Russia, no matter how much money you spend you'll never be able to "buy" American accommodations. So when in Russia, why even bother? Live like a local, which is actually a lower standard of living than even our working class, and you'll better understand your fiancee and the world she comes from.

If you want to spoil your fiancee, save it for the US, that's my two cents.

Edited August 19, 2006 by Satellite

[Jello 0]

Jello,

If you would have spent the time to click my profile you would have realized that my AOS filing was Fresno, but I currently reside in San Francisco.

But that is besides the point. The Fresno office has a huge area of jurisdiction. Back when we were doing AOS I lived with parents and we were a good 100 miles away from Fresno and it was still our service center despite the fact San Francisco and Sacramento were only 80 miles away.

That aside, I agree with you, that if you have a good cash flow that comes in easy, then sure spend it. But to be honest with you, the amount of money I spend on rent in San Francisco for a tiny one bedroom apartment would be enough for a four bedroom home in a place like Fresno.

And for the right price, right here in San Francisco I can probably have equal if not better accommodations than you in New York. But like you said, I can't afford it.

But the way income distribution works in this country and in Russia, there are a whole lot more people who are poor like me than rich like you. So, my rant about spending $500 a day on a hotel will be more understandable to more people on VJ.

But from my experience in Russia, no matter how much money you spend you'll never be able to "buy" American accommodations. So when in Russia, why even bother? Live like a local, which is actually a lower standard of living than even our working class, and you'll better understand your fiancee and the world she comes from.

If you want to spoil your fiancee, save it for the US, that's my two cents.

Point taken....................my apologies.

[slim 1,525]

Even with Moscow now being the "most expensive city in the world" I still think a trip there is a relative bargain once you factor in the cost of living and seeing the sights, eating, etc. Getting there and staying there are the expensive parts, but doing things is relatively cheap.

You want an expensive vacation... just pick up your phone and dial (407) WDI-SNEY. (That's Disney World for all of you who don't know.)

[Jello 0]

You want an expensive vacation... just pick up your phone and dial (407) WDI-SNEY. (That's Disney World for all of you who don't know.)

We went to Seychelles (off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean) in February for 10 days to celebrate Valentine's Day. It was a once in a lifetime holiday for both of us - Thank God because the hotel where we stayed was $1,500 per night.

[Satellite 1]

the hotel where we stayed was $1,500 per night.

Just out of curiosity, if you can afford $1,500 a night for 10 days, why are you doing the whole K1 thing pro se? Just give an attorney a few grand and let him worry about it. Edited August 20, 2006 by Satellite

[Neonred 3,564]

the hotel where we stayed was $1,500 per night.

Just out of curiosity, if you can afford $1,500 a night for 10 days, why are you doing the whole K1 thing pro se? Just give an attorney a few grand and let him worry about it.

........."let me tell you how rich I am.........

Edited August 21, 2006 by Neonred

[Jello 0]

the hotel where we stayed was $1,500 per night.

Just out of curiosity, if you can afford $1,500 a night for 10 days, why are you doing the whole K1 thing pro se? Just give an attorney a few grand and let him worry about it.

........."let me tell you how rich I am.........

Hardly…………….

About 5 years ago I stood at my office window and watched a plane fly into my office building. While climbing down 32 flights in between lots of prayers I said to myself that I would never let money stop me from enjoying a little better life.

Sorry if I sounded snobbish.

[slim 1,525]

Jello, is your real name Bill? As in, Bill Cosby?

Just kidding. It's awesome that you decided that money would not stop you from enjoying life. I think way too many people never look at life that way and worry too much about everything else. They forget that we're not really here to go to work every day and pay for things that we don't really need. Unfortunately, like you, for most of us too, it takes something of a catastrophic event to "jump start" us into having fun.

[Satellite 1]

While climbing down 32 flights in between lots of prayers I said to myself that I would never let money stop me from enjoying a little better life

Unfortunately, like you, for most of us too, it takes something of a catastrophic event to "jump start" us into having fun.

I would love to live like Jello describes but there several practical things stopping me. One, after my credit cards reach their limit it wont be long before nobody extends me any more credit to live like money is no issue. Then what should I do?

So in the end I am not big on "saving" but rather I believe in stretching every dollar to is maximum capacity. That is the philosophy you get from living pay check to pay check.

Second, no tragic event would really change my philosophy, because even if I was a 9/11 survivor my financial position would not change one bit, unless I was to recover some money from an outside source.

[Chuckles 0]

Yep, reality bites. It makes no sense to go broke, but when you are old and have one foot in the grave, you aren't going to be thinking about how much money you saved in your life.

1500$ a night though... wow...

[iceyspots 0]

hope you have fun visiting your SO :luv:

[workin4somethin 0]

Ronnie,

Good luck on your trip and meeting. I hope you two will simply try to enjoy every minute of your time together while you're in Moscow. Maybe you can let her know your budget in advance, so she can think about what you two might do, budget-wise. There are lots of cool spots to visit and to see that don't cost much, if at all.

Remember... this meeting is really important. Don't complain to her about all the walking or about standing in an overcrowded bus with sweat pouring off of you. Life's a little different in the USA.

Best wishes!

[travlnmannn 0]

I've been to Russia a couple of times and really enjoyed it. If you get the chance although it might be too late in the game now try to take a train to St. Petersburg for a couple of days also. I'm from Chicago and I love the city life so Moscow is more fun for me and my fiance but St. Petersburg is cool to see for a couple of days. I can't say much about hotels because I get the Grand Marriott for free when I go there. I travel for work so using points is what I do. If you know someone that does travel alot talk to him/her and see if you can buy some points for your stay there. good luck and have fun

[Barry2005 0]

I like the Marriott Tverskya. It was $250 a night and really nice with english speaking employees. I'm sure there are better deals but, I felt safe there with all the guards and the security cards you have to have to use the elavators. Safety is most important for me because I want my girl to be safe. I once tried to save money by living in a poorer neighborhood in the US and after a few incidents I decided I would never sacrifice safety for money anymore. Maybe all the other hotels are just as safe.....

The subway(Metro) is the best way to see Moscow. I wouldn't be able to use it by myself because I know no Russian but with Olya it was a great way to travel. She also found a way to take a shuttle van to the subway from the airport and saved us some money.

Things to be aware of: It is funny now that I think back on it and it happened once on each trip I took....Yes twice she got on the subway just as the doors shut and was left on the other side! a train full of Russians watching me as I wrestle with the doors and stumbled onto the train. At least they didn't laugh ....a very serious country. I think I rarely saw anyone laugh or even smile.