Renting or buying in Moscow

[Nidan]

All,

I am considering taking a postion in Moscow and am investigating the options of either renting or buying an apartment in Moscow. I am a US citizen, if this makes a difference.

Should I have any concerns over buying in Moscow? Legal issues? Taxes? If I accept the position, I will be in moscow for at least 1 year, adter which I would rent out the apartment.

What does it cost to buy an apartment? 10K, 20K USD? What is the best way to investigate the posibilites?

Thank you for your assistance.

Regards,

-Nidan

[PhilinRusia]

You will pay alot more more then 10-20 if you want something half decent and if you go through the English language newspapers you will get properly ripped off.

Better to get ripped off while renting and see what you can learn. I have freinds (american and English) who bought places in St-P for $40,000+, in nice areas and they got a great bargain. They wouldn't rent them, not unless they spent another $40,000 renovating then they could get proper Western rent money and not

and what the hell are you doing, going to Russia for a year when you don't know anything about the place.

Good Luck!

[Nidan]

To say I do not know anything about the place may be a little strong, but it is fair to say I have much to learn. Let's just say I enjoy the adventure.

If the English newspapers are a rip off (not surprised), any suggestions on a method which is not? Based on $40K, I will likely rent. Do you define "half decent" as western, or safe and clean? DSL is a must, but I understand it is readily available in Moscow now.

Thanks,

-Nidan

[PhilinRusia]

I don't know what you know...

Do you speak Russian?

I moved about in St-P alot but I had a thrifty Russian g/friend and she had friends.

There are good real Estate agents around. Many will bump0 up the prices as soon as they know where you are from or they might just ignore you because you don't know how to pay commission the Russian way etc.

Most places are really really bad! There are really nice areas in St-P and Moscow should even have more. It is not unsafe thougfh you stand out sometimes so be carefull. Good areas are really nice places to live. Expect to find a place needing some repair or at least w/out any semblence of interior decoration. $40k will do OK for you. In St-P I have a friend on a canal with a view and CLOSE and another freind near a great cathedral in a great area. they will be renovating. They had both been in Russia a long time.

Good luck - especially if can't speak Russian and can't speak the language

[RUSSIARULES]

IS HARD if you want to find a good one with a resonable price.

[Nidan]

I start the search in a couple of week. I will be back in Moscow on the 7th. I will post to the group and let everyone one know how it goes.

I do speak a little Russian and am working every day on improving. I have some friends in Moscow who will help me with the search also. If nothing else, it will be fun.

[willka]

Try http://www.expat.ru

Special site for expats in Moscow, they have quite an excellent section on real estate in which you can find where to go, what to do and everything you want to know :-)