Hobo Advice

Maybe I'm just saying this because Moscow is my current home, but it is one of, if not the, most interesting big cities I've even been to. Often, especially in the media, Moscow (and Russia) is portrayed as scary and/or dangerous. It is not. I have been here for nearly two years and have never felt in danger. Even noticeably less than when I lived in New York. The some goes with the people. Bottom line, visit Moscow and don't be afraid. Even though they're a bit touristy, see Red Square and the Kremlin. Go for a stroll or bike ride in a few of the parks, take a walk down Tverskaya at night and see it all lit up, and haggle with a vendor at Izmailovsky. But most of all, and I know I say this a lot, go around and explore as much as possible. Moscow is a huge city and every area has its own unique character. You'll find something interesting anywhere you go. But I recommend learning a few phrases or familiarizing yourself with the Cyrillic alphabet before you go. English is still not that widely spoken and most of the metro stations are only in Russian.

WARNING: Some of the cops and security guards are dicks. Occasionally you're be better off asking regular people if you need help.

Highlights/Overall Impressions

Good

  • Moscow is HUGE
  • The metros are so clean and fast
  • You can see amazing history pretty much anywhere you go
  • The parks are gorgeous and seem endless
  • The city is decorated for any special occasion
  • Georgian and Uzbek restaurants are delicious
  • Anything along the river is absolutely worth going to 
  • Feels much more Russian than St. Petersburg
  • The city is amazing to see in May and June
  • Hockey games cost about 200 rubles (3$) to go see and are absolutely worth it
  • Much less of the obnoxious types of tourists than other major cities
  • There are many pedestrian only streets that are great to explore
  • Nearly every section of the city is different

Bad

  • Winter lasts forever and can be quite cold (-30 C)
  • You only see the sun about once a week in December
  • Security is often not helpful
  • There is an increasing number of McDonalds and Starbucks every day