Quote Originally Posted by Doomer View Post
I don't think you'll like to live there, Hanna, you are from another planet called "European civilization". China would probably understand Russia better than Europe.

PS:
In other thread I said that you should move to Russia because they don't care about your fingerprints and I see you considering it. That was a joke, Hanna.
To give you a straight answer on this: Hell no f-ing way you should move to Russia or even consider it. Count your blessings and thank Christ, Buddha, Allah and Ganesha that you don't live in Russia this time.

PPS:
I really hope that Russia will be better in time, because I really miss Russian culture, language and my friends but that probably won't happen in my lifetime, sorry for the sorrow post

I take your point on this Doomer. Yeah, I certainly would not want to live in Russia on a teacher's salary, or a some average administrators salary. I realise Western Europe is better off in this respect. I don't necessarily want to live there at all, but I wouldn 't rule it out either. It's got some qualities that I like; climate, nature, people (well, some..), and cool with such a big country. St Petersburg is less than an hour by plane from where I grew up, but like 5 times bigger or something like that.

I have no idea what to make of the current government in Russia. How democratic they are, or aren't... and whether this matters a lot or not. How corrupt they are or aren't (seems to me, probably "a lot) and what their vision for the future is.

Here is why I think there might be hope for the future though:
Russia is very rich in natural assets and has a well educated population. If people can be convinced to stay in the country, if corruption can be reduced and if foreign companies are not allowed to exploit natural assets without re-investing locally (as happens in Africa etc) then the prognosis should be good. Another 10-15 years maybe.
Also, Russia isn't living above its means in the same way as Western Europe is. The debt could backfire on us any time. There are more potential Greeces, and they are in a worse shape than Russia right now.

Since Putin will probably stay in office for another 8 years, I hope he uses that time to really clamp down on corruption and stop anti-social behaviour.