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About Moscow

Overview
 
Moscow is the capital city of the Russian Federation, the administrative centre for the Moscow Region and a city of federal importance. 
According to the 2012 census, 11,612,943 people reside in Moscow.  In addition to this, workers, students and even school children come to Moscow from the neighbouring regions on a daily basis. For the first half of 2012, Moscow was visited by over 2.5 million tourists. Therefore, the average daily population of the city adds up to over 20 million people.  According to statistics, 91% of the population is Russian; the remaining 9% is divided among Ukrainians (1.42%), Tatars (1.38%), Armenians (1.28%), Azerbaijanis (0.53%), Jews (0.49%), Belarusians (0.36%), Georgians (0.36%) etc.
The Religious composition of the city is also very diverse.  The largest of religious organization is the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) - it includes about 500 associations and organizations, 711 Orthodox churches and chapels, 6 male and 6 female monasteries belonging to the Moscow City diocese.  There are about 10 Orthodox Old Believers' associations and organizations in the city. There are 25 Islamic associations and organizations and worship is conducted in four mosques, the largest of which is the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.

Other religions are also practised in Moscow such as Judaism (21 associations and organizations, synagogues 5), Buddhism (16 associations and organizations, 4 religious premises, 1 temple) the Armenian Apostolic Church (3 associations and organizations, 2 churches), Catholicism (12 associations and organizations, 3 churches),  Lutheranism (10 associations and organizations, 3 temples), Protestantism (about 260 associations and organizations, 42 prayer houses) and other denominations having about 15 places of worship. 
Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia and borders with Moscow and Kaluga regions. Over a period of time, Moscow has acquired a number of epithets: The Third Rome, The Whitestone One, The First                                       Throne, the Port of five seas etc.
History of Moscow

The first mention of Moscow is found in the annals of the XII century.  It is generally accepted that Moscow was founded in 1147 by Yuri Dolgoruky. An important event for the state was the coronation of the first Russian tsar, who was the young Duke of Moscow, Ivan IV (the Terrible).  This event took place in 1547 in the Cathedral of the Kremlin.  At the beginning of 1614 in Moscow saw the beginning of a new Romanov dynasty, whose members ruled Russia for 300 years.  The first of the Romanovs was sixteen year old Fyodor Mikhailovich. 
 
During the reign of Peter I, Moscow remained the spiritual and cultural center of Russia but lost its status as the capital.  In 1712, a decree of the king declared St. Petersburg as the capital of Russia. 
 
Following the Battle of Borodino in 1912, Napoleon’s army invaded Moscow. In remembrance of the victory over Napoleon in 1839, it was decided to build the Cathedral of Christ The Saviour on the site of Alexis Convent. The construction of the Cathedral was completed in 1880. Triumphal Arch near the Tverskie Gates was constructed in 1814 for meeting of the Russian armies which were coming back from Paris after the victory over Napoleon.

In 1918, the Government of the Socialist Republic moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow and the city regained its status as the capital of the country – now Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic and later the USSR.
 
During World War II, Hitler’s army suffered its first major defeat in the Battle of Moscow and this was the beginning of the defeat of the Nazi troops.  In 1965, Moscow was awarded the title Hero City. 
In 1991, after the Soviet Union ceased to exist, Moscow became the capital of Russia, and in 1993 - the city of federal significance. 
 
The cost of living for a student 
 
Many feel that Moscow is an expensive city to live in. Aspects like cost of owning /renting an apartment is expensive. However, there are several significant advantages in cost of living compared to other countries.  
 In 2012, the average cost of rental housing in Moscow was: 
 Room - 10 000 - 15 000 rubles. \ Month.  ($ 350-500) 
 Studio apartment - 25 000 - 30 000 rubles. \ Month.  (800-1000 $) 
 One-bedroom apartment - 30,000 - 40,000 rubles. \ Month.  (800-1300 $) 
 Two-bedroom apartment - from 40 000 rubles. \ Month.  (From $ 1300) 
 
The cost of housing depends on many factors like the condition of the building / apartment, the interiors, the location, proximity to metro and other public transport etc. Cost of housing outside Moscow is much lower but the time taken to get to the place of work or study is much longer. 
 
For students the most convenient and cost effective option is staying in a hostel. The cost of the living space in the hostel is decided by the University. For eg. In the People's Friendship University, the price of a dorm room depends on the block (five-story or multi-storey block of flats), the number of roommates (two or three), or, in the case of apartment blocks, the number of rooms in the apartment.  The average price ranges from 1,500 to 10,000 rubles. \ Month  ($50-350/month). In MAI’s hostel, the cost ranges from 2500 to 3500 rubles/Month.  ($80-120/month) 
 
Despite the high cost of housing, utilities in Moscow is much lower.  In the tables below is a comparison of costs of utilities in Moscow and other European capitals is given: 
 

 Cost of Living in Moscow

 

 Berlin

 Moscow

 Electricity

 0.39 Euro / kW (15.6 Ruble)

 2.81-4.02 Ruble / kW

 Gas

 0.625 euro/cubic metre (25 ruble)

 3.37 ruble / cubic metre

 Water

 1.79-2.15 euro/cubic metre (71.6-86 ruble)

 25.61 ruble/cubic metre

 Train Fare

 1.4 - 3 euro (55.7-119.4 ruble)

 28 ruble

 Bus Fare

 1.4 - 3 euro (55.7-119.4 ruble)

 26-28 ruble

 Petrol (95 Grade) per litre

 1.61 euro (64 ruble)

 31 ruble
 
 

 Cost of Living in Moscow

 

 Paris

 Moscow

 Electricity

 0.1299 Euro / kW (5.2 Ruble)

 2.81-4.02 Ruble / kW

 Gas

 0.67-0.84 euro/cubic metre (26.8 –  33.6 ruble)

 3.37 ruble / cubic metre

 Water

 3.08-5.40 euro/cubic metre (123.1- 216 ruble)

 25.61 ruble/cubic metre

 Train Fare

 1.7 euro (68 ruble)

 28 ruble

 Bus Fare

 1.7 euro (68 ruble)

 26-28 ruble

 Petrol (95 Grade) per litre

 1.54 euro (62 ruble)

 31 ruble
 

 Cost of Living in Moscow

 

 Rome

 Moscow

 Electricity

 0.14 Euro / kW (5.6 Ruble)

 2.81-4.02 Ruble / kW

 Gas

 0.45 euro/cubic metre (18 ruble)

 3.37 ruble / cubic metre

 Water

 1.85-2 euro/cubic metre (74-86  ruble)

 25.61 ruble/cubic metre

 Train Fare

 1.5 euro (59.9 ruble)

 28 ruble

 Bus Fare

 1.5 euro (59.9 ruble)

 26-28 ruble

 Petrol (95 Grade) per litre

 1.83 euro (73 ruble)

 31 ruble
 
The recommended amount required for a student to live in Moscow including food, personal care items, educational material, entertainment etc is 10,000 – 15,000 rubles/Month. ($350-500/month). This could be reduced to 7000-8000 rubles / month ($230-260 / month) by being a bit thrifty. In both cases, additional money will be required to purchase clothes, appliances and other expensive items.
 
Students enjoy lots of benefits in Moscow like discounts at museums, exhibitions, theatres and concerts. Groceries and pharmacies also offer an additional 5% discount against a student’s identity card. The Social Security card issued by the University also entitles a student to discounted fares on the city’s public transport.
 
Cost of Travel for a student on the subway – 350 rubles / month ($11 / month)
Cost of Travel for a student on other public transport (bus, trams etc) – 250 rubles / month ($8 / month)
Single Trip on the metro – 28 rubles ($0.91)
Single Trip on other public transport (bus, trams etc) – 20-50 rubles ($0.65-1.62) / month)
 
Places to visit
 
Moscow is the centre of art and culture of Russia.  Every week, there is something new in the city – open exhibitions, stage performances, cultural festivals etc. Moscow has several architectural monuments that are worth seeing. Below is list of well-known places in Moscow that should not be missed:
 
1.  The Kremlin and Red Square - the oldest part of town, first mentioned in 1480. Kremlin is a historical, cultural, social, political, spiritual and religious centre of the capital.  The walls of the Kremlin have a length of 223 meters and 20 towers including the highest – Trinity Tower (79.3 m) are located along the walls of the Kremlin. Inside the Kremlin there are several monuments such as Belshoy Kremlin Palace, the Cathedral Square, Ivan The Great Bell Tower, the Armoury Chamber, the the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.  In the Red Square, the St. Basil's Cathedral is located. It also has the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the State Historical Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum and GUM. 
 
2.  Museums in Moscow.  The State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Borodino Battle Panorama Museum, the Polytechnical Museum, the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Central Museum of the Armed Forces etc.
 
3.  Churches and Monasteries. The Kolomenskoye Church of the Ascension, the Novodevichy Convent, Cathedral of Christ The Savior and many more. 
 
4.  Theatres of Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre, Maly Theatre, Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre etc. 

5. Monuments in Moscow - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument To the Conquerors of Space,  Victory Monument, Sculptures ‘Children are the victims of adult vices, Monument to Marshal Zhukov, Monument to Cyril and Methodius, Monument to Peter I, Monument to Pushkin on Pushkin Square, Sculpture ‘The Worker and Collective Farm Woman’.
6.  Famous Streets and Qquares of Moscow: China Town, Tverskaya Street, Manege Square. 
 7.  Moscow Zoo 
 8.  Moscow International House of Music 
 9.  The Great Moscow State Circus  
10.  Moscow circus on Tsvetnoi Boulevard 
11.  Tsaritsyno Palace
12.  Kolomenskoye 
13.  Ostankino Tower
14.  Stalin Skyscrapers 
15. The Moscow Metro
And also several architectural buildings, mansions, hotels, theatres, gardens, parks etc.
 
 Useful Online Resources: 
 http://mos.ru 
 http://www.moscow.ru 
 http://www.kudapoiti.info 
 http://yourmsc.ru 
 http://all-moscow.ru 
 http://www.in.msk.ru 
 http://fotomoscow.homefree.ru 
 
Call to: 007-499-682-95-05  |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.