It was Christmas day of 1991 when the Soviet flag flew over the Kremlin in Moscow for the last time. This marks the final stage of the demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), or more popularly known as the Soviet Union. The dissolution happens essentially due to the many number of radical reforms being implemented during the last six years. Earlier before December 25, the 11 Soviet republics, including the mighty Russian Federation, announced they will they would establish a Commonwealth of Independent States.
Russia’s history and political transitions are sometimes tumultuous, but it survives every time just like the robust empire it is since the medieval times. Now, it is one of the hottest migration destinations in the world.
Today we compare two of the most massive countries in the world to help you decide where to go.
A high-income mixed economy with state ownership in strategic areas of the economy, Russia largely rely on natural resources for revenue. Due to its massive size, it is estimated that the country has 30% of the world’s natural resources. Economic sectors include energy (oil, gas, coal, and timber), mining (minerals and gold), fishing and forestry, agriculture, aerospace, automotive, banking, and telecommunications, among others. It has an unemployment rate of 5.6% and inflation rate of 7.5%
As an expat, working here will likely to hand you high salaries and a great financial quality of life. But you have to manage your expectation, huge pay-outs are hard-earned, and jobs for foreigners are increasingly challenging to find. Foreigners mostly secure executive or senior managerial positions through Russian or international executive search offices. Locals usually fill in the Junior and middle-management positions
Like Russia, Australia too operates on a mixed market economy structure, and the 12th largest economy in the world. The economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8% with a lower inflation rate of 1.3%
There are many opportunities here both for upper and middle management, but the country focuses more on specialists, especially on fields such as accountancy, computing, electronics, engineering and mining, catering, cleaning and maintenance services. The payout can also be lucrative, as the country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world.
The Constitution of the Russian Federation mandates the right to all citizens to free health care under Mandatory Medical Insurance. For every 10,000 people, there are 43.8 doctors allotted. This is lower in rural areas at only 12.1. There are around 9.3 beds per thousand population, almost double the OECD average. The country allots 6.5% of Gross Domestic Product on health care expenditure. Approximately 5% of the population have health insurance, most of them from major cities.
Though Russia has relatively poor statistics in the health care system. Quality medical treatment in can still be found. As it has pioneered some of the most specialized fields of medicine in recent years, such as laser eye surgery. Not to mention, the many different developments and breakthroughs in heart surgery. Quality medical treatment can also be found at several health centers.
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Russian cuisine has no singular characteristics. It is a collection of the diverse cooking traditions of the people from all around the country, which is massive. It is essentially influenced by foods consumed by peasants and people of the rural population in often harsh climates, and usually includes fish, pork, poultry, caviar, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Over time, foods such as smoked meats and fish, pastries, salads, chocolate, ice cream, wines, and juice were imported from other countries and made as their own.
When dining, do not start eating until all the guests have received food on their plates and your host invites you to begin. If gravy or sauce is included, use your bread to soak some of it up. When offered a drink, always take it. Give a good excuse if you cannot drink. The more you drink, the more you will be offered. Tipping at 9% to 10% is appropriate.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
When dining, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work, unless your host initiates so. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive in straight on to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Since the early 1990s, the housing market in Russia has gone through important shifts, as the thriving economy has contributed to an increase in prices. Over the past 4 years modern apartments in the city centres have become available. Price of rentals is determined by location, condition of the flat and type of building.
The types of apartments available here include luxury apartments, elite renovation (both are built with excellent materials and modern design.), Western-style (or "evroremont," suited to more practical and comfortable tastes), above-average (or "cosmetic renovation," the most typical Russian homes, their style dates back to the Soviet era and are usually clean and simple) and standard apartments (average or poor quality).
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
To find out more how to rent a house in the country, check here.
The largest country in the world naturally is home to one of the most extensive transport network. Russia has the world's second-largest railway network, second only to that of the United States. In the capital, the metro is the most popular form of transport. The Moscow metro system serves 7 million passengers a day, while the St Petersburg system serves 2 million. This is a lot of people considering the network only has five lines. There are also underground metro systems in Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Samara and Yekaterinburg. Due to the competition between public and private bus companies and lack of centralised organization, it is challenging to find information about timetables online, so it is best just to check at the bus stops. Taxis, on the other hand, cannot be hailed off the street, they have to be called in advance.
A one way train ticket here costs US$0.43, while a monthly pass is at around US$23.00. Starting taxi tariff is US$2.06 with US$0.23 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$15,653.22. Gasoline is at US$0.53 for every litter.
The rail way system in Australia is just as extensive and efficient as it is in Russia logically due to its huge size also. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all sport expansive electric commuter rail networks which eventually have developed and expanded over time. Trams have operated extensive across the country but have since shut down in favor of cars, except in Melbourne and Adelaide. While Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have partially underground transit systems. Buses and taxis also operate in the country. However, despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. If you want to find out how commuting etiquette here works, check here.
Commuting costs here are pricier than in Russia, though. A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
Due to its size, it is quite difficult to give any sort of general description about the climate in Russia, except from the fact that summers are warm to hot, and winters get very cold in some areas. The climate in the country is highly influenced by continental climate with warm to hot dry summers and very cold winters and sometimes with heavy snowfall. Sometimes very strong easterly winds, called buran can occur, bringing freezing cold temperatures and snowstorms.
Heavyweight clothing is largely needed for the winter, no matter where your location is. Waterproof light- to medium weight is suggested for the summer. Be ready for extreme conditions in the northern and northeastern parts of Siberia in the winter.
Likewise, due to its massive size, climate also varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rain forest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Both Russia and Australia are unbelievable large countries in terms of land size and economy. Both rely on a mixed market structure to support their trade, have expansive transport services, offer a wide variety of houses to choose from, and feature a wide range of climate regions. These are just a few of their similarities. The differences, however, are just as vast.
Lifestyle in Russia features a culture unique in its own, this can be very apparent in their architectures, traditions, and food. If you are not fond of a warm climate, you’re in luck. Majority of the country has a fairly cool atmosphere. There are also lots to do with the many organizations and clubs having events everywhere. And lastly, there are so much opportunities to travel, since the country is large and landlocked with other countries. Going to Asia and Europe is easier. However, you may have to deal with the language barrier, the small space usually offered in apartments, and the crowded transport and congested traffic all the time. The winters are also very long and very cold.
Australia, on the other hand, has a mix of European and American culture, with its unique element thrown in. Everybody speaks English, so you can communicate everybody easily. The country also offers high minimum wage, and there are lots of choices with the apartments with decent spaces. Unlike in Russia, the cities aren’t really crowded and traffic congestion can be rare, especially in smaller towns. On the flip side, there isn’t much activities in the aforementioned smaller towns, as most entertainment centers are in the bigger cities. The properties can also be pricey, and driving from one city to another can take a while. Also, since it’s isolated by water, a trip to Asia, United States, or Europe can take a while.