Experience in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation by Faruh

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What is it like to live in Saint Petersburg? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Saint Petersburg is being part of the history. The architecture of the city is amazing and the nature is neat. There are many places, which have been under the siege (the whole city was in a blockade). The museums are amazing and have many things to show you. If you have been to another Russian city, forget about it, because Saint Petersburg is different. It is a small heaven, which is partly european and partly a place from another universe. Saint Petersburg has many things to show you. If you have been to Saint Petersburg, you will come back.

What is the student lifestyle like in Saint Petersburg?

Students can get in the museums and parks for free, which is great, because the museums in Saint Petersburg are amazing. The transport and accommodation is very cheap for students. Students get discounts in many places. Normally, in the summer we would go to the forest and cook shish-kebabs with some friends. There is a Finnish bay near the city (in the woods), you can sit there with a beer.

How much does it cost to live in Saint Petersburg?

Accomodation and transport is pretty cheap, but everything else is expensive. You spend a lot of money on food and groceries, (this is because the weather in Saint Petersburg won't allow you to grow anything, so the groceries are normally exported). It costs around 200 euros per month, without spending money on the accommodation and transports.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Saint Petersburg? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not hard to find the accommodation, but if you want to live in a centre, I would advise you Dom Benua (hostel for students), which is situated on Galernaya str. 75 (but please, stay away from apartment 42 and 43). Renting an apartment in centre is very hard and expensive, considering that the city is really big, try to find something between cheap and in centre.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

I don't really like the Russian cuisine, I would eat mostly foreign food or cook my national dishes, which I am great at. I ate sushi and pizza in Russia. My favourite is shish-kebab, when we do it by ourselves on the finnish bay shore. Try georgian food (Hachapuri).

What places would you recommend visiting in Saint Petersburg?

Visit State Hermitage, Russian National Museum, Peterhof Palace and Fountains. Actually, every single corner of the city is a miracle, because the architecture of the city is amazing. I can't explain it in words, you have to be there to witness all the beauty of the city. Don't forget to go and see the bridges, which are also neat. At 1:30 a. m. you should go to the main bridges and see what happens. (Blagoveshenskiy Bridge, Troickiy Bridge... )

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Is it good to eat out in Saint Petersburg? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

There are many nice places in Saint Petersburg (food places). Try Eurasia, which has central Asian food, eastern food and some western also. The best bar in the city is Munhel, where you can get a great cup of Guinness Stout and a nice steak or a burger. Try "BGL" which has great bagel with fillings. Go to a place called "Tefsi" it's where my friend works (Georgian cousine), order Hachapuri and Harcho.

Is the nightlife good in Saint Petersburg? Where is good to go?

Nightlife in Saint Petersburg is amazing. City does not sleep, city is very beautiful at night, try taking the canal tours, which are available on every corner of the street. Go to the "walking on the roofs" tour at night.

What advice would you give future students heading to Saint Petersburg?

Bring an umbrella with you.