What about retirees? What if you have a US government pension? Investment funds in US? Do they take older people? How do you get your government pensions and Social Security if you’re living in Russia in these days? I have not really seen this topic addressed. It’s like you want young people to come the farmers, but retirees might like to come too, and we are concerned about getting Social Security payments and federal and annuity payments once we move to Russia. Please address this.
That said, I think Russia would be a pleasant place to retire to. I've heard that some retirees have settled in St. Petersburg where they like the attractive urban living and the great culture there. Prices are lower than in Moscow and the pace is slower, more pleasant.
Currently, one could manage this, but it is definitely a risk if relations between Russia and the US worsen. The way it would work now is one can access one's bank account online from Russia, transfer funds to crypto, and send it here. The problem with that is it could be shut down in the future. If Trump gets in, things will likely be more secure and sanctions might be lifted. If not, more risky. Also best to have a relative or reliable person to deal with mail and bank issues stateside should they arise.
Mike, who runs the iEarlGrey channel, spoke about the difficulties of picking up his ex-pat paycheck post SWIFT cutoff and other sanctions, but he was able to get his UK (?) salary via some chicanery. It sounded like a bit of a hassle, but definitely doable.
I understand he is now earning directly in Russia.
Social security is protected, it will be deposited in your Russian account. For the others, you can open a third party off-shore account and transfer deposits. India, China, etc.
A dummy business account in the US that "trades" with Russia may be an option. Gazprom bank still takes dollars and euros.
I am looking forward to this series of articles. My husband and I have unseriously discussed moving to Russia for a couple of years now, but now we are seriously discussing it. We are middle aged with teenaged children. My husband is from the former eastern bloc but his country of origin’s elites have sold out to the EU and NATO. We are both Orthodox Christian and are very concerned about where the US and greater West are heading. One of our main concerns is finding employment and finding a community, especially for our children. We want a future for them.
Good for you. Since posting this I've been thinking that I really should write about how Russia is very much a land of opportunity - its potential is very much in the future. This partly explains the strong economic growth here.
I agree, Russia needs to be much more vocal about its Christianity. Just about all West-facing media coming from Russia is secular, often stale USSR tropes.
No they don't. I believe that if Trump is elected this might well change. If he isn't it isn't likely to change soon. Russia has a very modern banking and card system which works internally and with many other countries, but not US and EU. A lot of people use cryptocurrencies to send money back and forth, and that seems to be quite reliable.
When visiting, I usually buy a wad of Rubles in Thailand. (SuperRich is the best.) I also carry Euro notes which can be changed to Rubles in many banks. Sim cards are readily available although not at smaller airports. Western international roaming may or may not work. I try to do a section of the Trans-Siberian Railway each year. Email works well. People may be a bit guarded when you first meet but they open up like a flower when the ice is broken. I always look forward to me next visit to Russia. I also visit Ukraine annually on my other passport.
There are tricks to getting a Russian Visa. You need a 'letter of invitation'. However, do a websearch for the many companies giving a 'letter of invitation' for a small fee. The same travel company will arrange other insurance paperwork and any other paperwork for you. The visa form is tedious Communist style, but when you get into the country, you are as free as anybody. Get your itinerary as close as possible to realistic but the occasional change to schedule and hotel does not seem to matter too much. I think your first hotel/hostel has a bit of government paperwork to do. I rarely see another Western traveler on my travels even in hotels.
I am a third-generation Russian-American. I am fully Slavic but not religious.
Like Ellyn Nixon below, my wife and I are retired. We have financial security and are in very good health. However, I am still active as a senior software engineer with my own development projects and keep current with all the trends in my part of the profession. Would it be possible for us older professional technicians to volunteer our services to the needs of the Russian government and/or economy?
I would also like to know how those of us who currently require prescription medications could continue to have such prescriptions maintained by Russian pharmaceuticals.
Again, like Ellyn, we have questions as to how our Social Security payments could be handled along with our pension payouts. In addition, how would we transfer our investments?
Pharmaceuticals are much, much cheaper here, so to the extent that you could find the same or replacement meds, it would not be ruinously expensive like in the US. Russian health care is actually very good and very affordable, by Western standards. Maybe worth visiting and consulting with doctors here, or via skype. Skype consultations with Russian doctors is widely practices, but you would need to have at translator or find English speaking ones.
I would like to see articles on how best to learn the language, best practices as well as teaching methods that don't work that well, even if they are widely used. Also, what is driving like, especially in the cities? If one is not a big fan of cold and winter(which I'm not), where would the best parts or regions be to move to?
See above for non-cold regions. I love learning languages and have developed a system to do so, and I am convinced that they are much easier to learn than people realize because the way they are taught is generally wrong-headed. Yes, I might write about that at some point. Driving is much like in the West, no huge differences. It a great country for road-tripping.
Unfortunately yes. Who knows if he knew the real deal or not. I know a lot of senior people here who sincerely believed in the vax and the lockdowns. Higher ups don't have a lot of spare time to read dissident media.
How does Russia 2024 treat people that believe Hitler was correct? I have read Russia prosecutes hTruthers (Jew words Holocaust Deniers). There were no gas chambers for humans, Russia was posed to invade Western Europe in 1941, I'm an amateur historian that has interviewed ~200 WWII survivors of Auschwitz/Stalingrad/some Jews/Berlin/gang rape by Russian soldiers/Rhine Meadows POW camp/met David Irving ~10x, Dr. David Duke 2x, Monika Schaefer, talked with Ernst Zundel/Ingrid Zundel/many others.
Yes on Snowden, Russia's fight with Ukraine, Hamas's brave stance. I'm against the occupiers of Palestine and the Jew control of the USA.
I am 90, walk w/NO cane, drive, live alone climbing ~100 stairs/day. I.Q. SAT by U.S.gov't 170, Mensa, born again Atheist & National Socialist (jew word Nazi).
These ideas are not that well known in Russia because, yes, the government doesn't allow it in the media, including social media, but on a private level you are free to think what you want and I know plenty of Russians who question these things too. The only prosecutions I've heard of is when people promote these views on social media, youtube, etc, and its not harsh, usually fines. It is a VERY emotional issue here, and so many decades of heavy propaganda have been invested in a narrative, and that is not letting up because Russia is again at war, so most people have never heard of these ideas honestly. In this regard it is very different from the US. But no one would hassle you here for thinking these things.
I watched on a big projection screen 1 meter x 2 meters your Jan. 6 demonstration. If Trump wins in our upcoming election, guess you will be returning? I don't like either Trump or Harris as their V.P. choices are sh*t.
Most people with any intelligence do see Putin/Russia as a NATO victim.
Putin has been very cautious, as today's revealed history shows Hitler was in the 1930's. I visited Cuba, 1999/2000 and was stopped at gunpoint from entering a missile silo by a Cuban guard, so I do suspect something with the Russian ships recently in Havana harbor.
Also the attack on NYC 911 is another GR8 (great) USA lie. I live in a nation of lies upon more lies. Latest on 911 I see is no planes, holograms created, with destruction by internal explosives and rays from above the towers like in Lahania, Maui. We have our terrorists from within, with the USA media supporting them.
Thanks Charles for reading, just have to show how many people in the USA feel. 88&8's,Dave Westerlund
In short, Russia lost more than 24 million people, of which only 12 to 14 were military losses. And trust me, people are very well versed in their own history, not to mention that virtually every family was affected. You can deny Western narrative all you like, but try saying that first phrase aloud and you'll see what it brings.
The main subject of interest for me is the Ugly - most of us are considering leaving America because of the cultural rot which is frequently even worse in Western Europe. Would moving to Russia just put you out of the frying pan and into the fire?
I appreciate your article, Mr Bausman and look forward to reading more about the good in Russia as well as the bad.
It is regrettable that you feared for your liberty so much that you decided to flee the J6 persecutions. Events aren't going to improve in the next four years for Americans. That said, I am an American. I will remain an American.
Don't count on Trump. I remember the sanctions packages he placed on Russia. I will vote for him, only because I reside in a Banana Republic, not because I believe he will be transformational
"The day is short and the task is great. You don't need to complete the task, BUT you must begin it."
I think I did a hideous job paraphrasing the original quote.
Great article, a comprehensive post to show the essence of your wise choice. We also made a video about it, hope it can be useful for your serie: https://youtu.be/H78tpo0Gb1M
I worked and lived in Russia off and on from 2001-2020, assisting heavy industry in improving infrastructure and primary resource manufacturing. I loved it there and I am looking to come back to live and contribute to the country. Sometimes it is difficult to find the right opportunity, though I understand that God’s good timing is omnipotent.
Perhaps we will meet one day as I know many, many American engineers and industrial entrepreneurs that have families and have had enough of the cultural and tax / regulatory persecution in America. They often ask me about where they could go to work toward a better life, and I always suggest they take a trip to Russia. I think if a westerner’s mind is right and they have strong Christian values in themselves and their families, they can find common ground in Russia. Common ground is always the foundation of integration to a unfamiliar culture. God bless you and your family and may your work continue to open the eyes of people, particularly in the west.
Glad to hear you are thinking of moving here. Despite the war and sanctions since 2020, the country has made huge strides since then. It's really booming here. I'd be delighted to meet you.
Amazing, thanks for sharing this with us, I think that perhaps if you just write about daily things in Mother Russia 🇷🇺🇷🇺☦️☦️ things that people who never visited Mother Russia or are not familiar with - living conditions, food, transportation, school, medical, what normal people saying about present situation……. Spasiba bratan 🇷🇺☦️
I will try to do more of this. Almost on a daily basis I see things as I move around that Westerners would find interesting. It's hard to get in the habit of posting it all - for one thing, it distracts from living in the moment and behaving like a normal human. ))
I remember you from Russian insider. Of course they blocked RT as well as your site where I could get both sides on the issues. Glad to see you back providing the information again.
Thank you Charles for your most interesting article and all the information it contains about moving into Russia. I like the idea but I am not sure that an old gentleman (81) would be welcome. Additionally, I’d have to find some way to transfer my pension from Switzerland to Russia. Not mentioning learning Russian. I speak French and English with a fairly good practice of Spanish. What do you think?
I would be interested in articles on Immigration legislation, Government programs to facilitate migrants support, places to live and anything about Russia History and Orthodox religion.
Your article came to me as the first flower in Spring.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, moving here at your age without family probably isn't the best idea, but if you are up to it a visit is a lot of fun. Future article preferences noted.
What about retirees? What if you have a US government pension? Investment funds in US? Do they take older people? How do you get your government pensions and Social Security if you’re living in Russia in these days? I have not really seen this topic addressed. It’s like you want young people to come the farmers, but retirees might like to come too, and we are concerned about getting Social Security payments and federal and annuity payments once we move to Russia. Please address this.
That said, I think Russia would be a pleasant place to retire to. I've heard that some retirees have settled in St. Petersburg where they like the attractive urban living and the great culture there. Prices are lower than in Moscow and the pace is slower, more pleasant.
Currently, one could manage this, but it is definitely a risk if relations between Russia and the US worsen. The way it would work now is one can access one's bank account online from Russia, transfer funds to crypto, and send it here. The problem with that is it could be shut down in the future. If Trump gets in, things will likely be more secure and sanctions might be lifted. If not, more risky. Also best to have a relative or reliable person to deal with mail and bank issues stateside should they arise.
Mike, who runs the iEarlGrey channel, spoke about the difficulties of picking up his ex-pat paycheck post SWIFT cutoff and other sanctions, but he was able to get his UK (?) salary via some chicanery. It sounded like a bit of a hassle, but definitely doable.
I understand he is now earning directly in Russia.
Social security is protected, it will be deposited in your Russian account. For the others, you can open a third party off-shore account and transfer deposits. India, China, etc.
A dummy business account in the US that "trades" with Russia may be an option. Gazprom bank still takes dollars and euros.
I am looking forward to this series of articles. My husband and I have unseriously discussed moving to Russia for a couple of years now, but now we are seriously discussing it. We are middle aged with teenaged children. My husband is from the former eastern bloc but his country of origin’s elites have sold out to the EU and NATO. We are both Orthodox Christian and are very concerned about where the US and greater West are heading. One of our main concerns is finding employment and finding a community, especially for our children. We want a future for them.
Good for you. Since posting this I've been thinking that I really should write about how Russia is very much a land of opportunity - its potential is very much in the future. This partly explains the strong economic growth here.
The best thing to help Russia is for it to help USA to rediscover its likewise Christian roots.
Search for: pentecostnation freeforums usa
I agree, Russia needs to be much more vocal about its Christianity. Just about all West-facing media coming from Russia is secular, often stale USSR tropes.
Hi,
Could you discuss Russia being kicked out of the SWIFT system? Do American credit cards, ATM cards, money wires work?
Thanks,
Tom
No they don't. I believe that if Trump is elected this might well change. If he isn't it isn't likely to change soon. Russia has a very modern banking and card system which works internally and with many other countries, but not US and EU. A lot of people use cryptocurrencies to send money back and forth, and that seems to be quite reliable.
When visiting, I usually buy a wad of Rubles in Thailand. (SuperRich is the best.) I also carry Euro notes which can be changed to Rubles in many banks. Sim cards are readily available although not at smaller airports. Western international roaming may or may not work. I try to do a section of the Trans-Siberian Railway each year. Email works well. People may be a bit guarded when you first meet but they open up like a flower when the ice is broken. I always look forward to me next visit to Russia. I also visit Ukraine annually on my other passport.
There are tricks to getting a Russian Visa. You need a 'letter of invitation'. However, do a websearch for the many companies giving a 'letter of invitation' for a small fee. The same travel company will arrange other insurance paperwork and any other paperwork for you. The visa form is tedious Communist style, but when you get into the country, you are as free as anybody. Get your itinerary as close as possible to realistic but the occasional change to schedule and hotel does not seem to matter too much. I think your first hotel/hostel has a bit of government paperwork to do. I rarely see another Western traveler on my travels even in hotels.
Putin just offered asylum to people fleeing insane liberal policies of the West.
I am a third-generation Russian-American. I am fully Slavic but not religious.
Like Ellyn Nixon below, my wife and I are retired. We have financial security and are in very good health. However, I am still active as a senior software engineer with my own development projects and keep current with all the trends in my part of the profession. Would it be possible for us older professional technicians to volunteer our services to the needs of the Russian government and/or economy?
I would also like to know how those of us who currently require prescription medications could continue to have such prescriptions maintained by Russian pharmaceuticals.
Again, like Ellyn, we have questions as to how our Social Security payments could be handled along with our pension payouts. In addition, how would we transfer our investments?
Pharmaceuticals are much, much cheaper here, so to the extent that you could find the same or replacement meds, it would not be ruinously expensive like in the US. Russian health care is actually very good and very affordable, by Western standards. Maybe worth visiting and consulting with doctors here, or via skype. Skype consultations with Russian doctors is widely practices, but you would need to have at translator or find English speaking ones.
Would the area one would select to live in have listings of English speaking doctors?
No, one would have to search by word of mouth.
Thank you, Charles for your update...
There're certain private hospitals and medical facilities, not expensive, but with English speaking doctors. Like the "Chaika" clinics.
Social security payments will be deposited in your Russian account. Got to get creative to receive other income sources.
I would like to see articles on how best to learn the language, best practices as well as teaching methods that don't work that well, even if they are widely used. Also, what is driving like, especially in the cities? If one is not a big fan of cold and winter(which I'm not), where would the best parts or regions be to move to?
See above for non-cold regions. I love learning languages and have developed a system to do so, and I am convinced that they are much easier to learn than people realize because the way they are taught is generally wrong-headed. Yes, I might write about that at some point. Driving is much like in the West, no huge differences. It a great country for road-tripping.
Charles, I don't see your link for the non-cold regions.
https://open.substack.com/pub/arkrussia/p/a-substack-series-about-migrate-to?r=rm34q&utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=67635315
Stats on driving safety in Russia compared to West.
https://x.com/MoveToRussiaCom/status/1829800185339216127
Did Putin play the covid lie?
Unfortunately yes. Who knows if he knew the real deal or not. I know a lot of senior people here who sincerely believed in the vax and the lockdowns. Higher ups don't have a lot of spare time to read dissident media.
That's the tell isn't it?
His job is to know.
Charles:
How does Russia 2024 treat people that believe Hitler was correct? I have read Russia prosecutes hTruthers (Jew words Holocaust Deniers). There were no gas chambers for humans, Russia was posed to invade Western Europe in 1941, I'm an amateur historian that has interviewed ~200 WWII survivors of Auschwitz/Stalingrad/some Jews/Berlin/gang rape by Russian soldiers/Rhine Meadows POW camp/met David Irving ~10x, Dr. David Duke 2x, Monika Schaefer, talked with Ernst Zundel/Ingrid Zundel/many others.
Yes on Snowden, Russia's fight with Ukraine, Hamas's brave stance. I'm against the occupiers of Palestine and the Jew control of the USA.
I am 90, walk w/NO cane, drive, live alone climbing ~100 stairs/day. I.Q. SAT by U.S.gov't 170, Mensa, born again Atheist & National Socialist (jew word Nazi).
These ideas are not that well known in Russia because, yes, the government doesn't allow it in the media, including social media, but on a private level you are free to think what you want and I know plenty of Russians who question these things too. The only prosecutions I've heard of is when people promote these views on social media, youtube, etc, and its not harsh, usually fines. It is a VERY emotional issue here, and so many decades of heavy propaganda have been invested in a narrative, and that is not letting up because Russia is again at war, so most people have never heard of these ideas honestly. In this regard it is very different from the US. But no one would hassle you here for thinking these things.
Thank you Charles for the reply:
I watched on a big projection screen 1 meter x 2 meters your Jan. 6 demonstration. If Trump wins in our upcoming election, guess you will be returning? I don't like either Trump or Harris as their V.P. choices are sh*t.
Most people with any intelligence do see Putin/Russia as a NATO victim.
Putin has been very cautious, as today's revealed history shows Hitler was in the 1930's. I visited Cuba, 1999/2000 and was stopped at gunpoint from entering a missile silo by a Cuban guard, so I do suspect something with the Russian ships recently in Havana harbor.
Also the attack on NYC 911 is another GR8 (great) USA lie. I live in a nation of lies upon more lies. Latest on 911 I see is no planes, holograms created, with destruction by internal explosives and rays from above the towers like in Lahania, Maui. We have our terrorists from within, with the USA media supporting them.
Thanks Charles for reading, just have to show how many people in the USA feel. 88&8's,Dave Westerlund
In short, Russia lost more than 24 million people, of which only 12 to 14 were military losses. And trust me, people are very well versed in their own history, not to mention that virtually every family was affected. You can deny Western narrative all you like, but try saying that first phrase aloud and you'll see what it brings.
The main subject of interest for me is the Ugly - most of us are considering leaving America because of the cultural rot which is frequently even worse in Western Europe. Would moving to Russia just put you out of the frying pan and into the fire?
I appreciate your article, Mr Bausman and look forward to reading more about the good in Russia as well as the bad.
It is regrettable that you feared for your liberty so much that you decided to flee the J6 persecutions. Events aren't going to improve in the next four years for Americans. That said, I am an American. I will remain an American.
Don't count on Trump. I remember the sanctions packages he placed on Russia. I will vote for him, only because I reside in a Banana Republic, not because I believe he will be transformational
"The day is short and the task is great. You don't need to complete the task, BUT you must begin it."
I think I did a hideous job paraphrasing the original quote.
Great article, a comprehensive post to show the essence of your wise choice. We also made a video about it, hope it can be useful for your serie: https://youtu.be/H78tpo0Gb1M
Thanks!
Good article Charles.
I worked and lived in Russia off and on from 2001-2020, assisting heavy industry in improving infrastructure and primary resource manufacturing. I loved it there and I am looking to come back to live and contribute to the country. Sometimes it is difficult to find the right opportunity, though I understand that God’s good timing is omnipotent.
Perhaps we will meet one day as I know many, many American engineers and industrial entrepreneurs that have families and have had enough of the cultural and tax / regulatory persecution in America. They often ask me about where they could go to work toward a better life, and I always suggest they take a trip to Russia. I think if a westerner’s mind is right and they have strong Christian values in themselves and their families, they can find common ground in Russia. Common ground is always the foundation of integration to a unfamiliar culture. God bless you and your family and may your work continue to open the eyes of people, particularly in the west.
Glad to hear you are thinking of moving here. Despite the war and sanctions since 2020, the country has made huge strides since then. It's really booming here. I'd be delighted to meet you.
Amazing, thanks for sharing this with us, I think that perhaps if you just write about daily things in Mother Russia 🇷🇺🇷🇺☦️☦️ things that people who never visited Mother Russia or are not familiar with - living conditions, food, transportation, school, medical, what normal people saying about present situation……. Spasiba bratan 🇷🇺☦️
I will try to do more of this. Almost on a daily basis I see things as I move around that Westerners would find interesting. It's hard to get in the habit of posting it all - for one thing, it distracts from living in the moment and behaving like a normal human. ))
Spasiba
I remember you from Russian insider. Of course they blocked RT as well as your site where I could get both sides on the issues. Glad to see you back providing the information again.
Thanks, I'm glad you found our work useful. Will do my best here to share useful info about this remarkable country.
Thank you Charles for your most interesting article and all the information it contains about moving into Russia. I like the idea but I am not sure that an old gentleman (81) would be welcome. Additionally, I’d have to find some way to transfer my pension from Switzerland to Russia. Not mentioning learning Russian. I speak French and English with a fairly good practice of Spanish. What do you think?
I would be interested in articles on Immigration legislation, Government programs to facilitate migrants support, places to live and anything about Russia History and Orthodox religion.
Your article came to me as the first flower in Spring.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, moving here at your age without family probably isn't the best idea, but if you are up to it a visit is a lot of fun. Future article preferences noted.