Moscow - Post Report Question and Answers
Can you save money?
Not really. - May 2016
It's possible, but you need some discipline, as there are many ways to live extravagantly in Moscow! - Sep 2015
Yes and no - travel can be cheap, local cost of living is a bit high. - Jun 2015
It depends. We certainly were able to save money, but we had two incomes and didn't travel or go out every weekend. It might be a little tight with a family. - Oct 2014
If you don't always shop at the most expensive grocery stores and eat out that frequently, you can probably save some money. - Nov 2013
With the high COLA, yes, but this would mean not traveling, which is necessary, especially during the dark winter. Going out is quite pricey. - Jul 2013
Many people say no, but we have saved quite a bit. We just don't go out to dinner as often as we have at other posts. If you want to go out to eat a couple of times a week, you'll spend a lot of money. - Jul 2013
Yes. We save a ton of money by not eating out very often and shopping on Amazon for cheap staples. Even with the occasional trips, we can save money. - Jan 2013
Depends, I did, but I can see where some people wouldn't. - Mar 2012
Yes, if you do not eat out frequently and if you are willing to shop for local items and forgo pre-packaged food. - May 2011
No. It's even more expensive than large cities in western Europe. - Jan 2011
Not really. I understand it's possible, but you take a serious quality-of-life hit. - Jul 2010
Only if you stay home and don't eat out. - May 2010
No. If you buy things to live your normal day-to-day life, there is no chance. Flights to places like Sharm El-Sheik, Istanbul, Prague, etc., are very cheap sometimes and are short flights. One often spends a lot of their money on weekend travel. Also, be prepared to spend a lot of money on food. - May 2010
You can, on daily items, but the high cost of imported items tends to cancel them out. It is easier for women, since men pay for all social outing costs, and not just on dates. - Feb 2010
Only if you have a very good salary and limit going out for entertainment and shopping. About the only inexpensive things in this city are vodka and potatoes. However, the COLA and differentials are high, and if you economize you can save serious money. - Jan 2010
Not really. I mean, if you are dilligent and do little for entertainment, then yes. But it's a pricey city and the dark winter will make vacations to warmer, sunnier places seem critical. There goes your savings! - Nov 2009
You'd think you'd be able to, the hardship is what at least 15% and the cola is at least that, but we haven't. Maybe it's us. - Oct 2009
Yes, if you don't go to restaurants or shop locally for clothes or anything else but food... most everything is more expensive here. - Aug 2009
Yes, things are expensive, but we managed to save quite a bit of money in Moscow. - Aug 2009
No. - Jul 2009
Yes!!! - Sep 2008
NO!! - Aug 2008
