Moscow

Moscow gets a surprisingly enthusiastic reaction from many residents: people call it fantastic, safe, convenient, technologically advanced, and full of things to do. For a Russian-speaking software engineer, the city has a serious domestic tech market, good local compensation, low taxes, excellent transport, and a lifestyle that can feel far richer than the headline salary suggests.

But the Reddit sentiment has a sharp caveat: Moscow is not an easy international tech relocation city. The most repeated warning is language—English-only programmers struggle badly, and several commenters say remote foreign work is the only realistic path if your Russian is basic. Add geopolitical risk, banking complications, weaker global pay, expensive housing, long commutes, grey winters, pollution, and a socially reserved culture, and the city becomes much less attractive for a typical foreign SWE.

Overall, Moscow is a high-upside city for people already connected to Russia or fluent in Russian, but a high-friction and strategically risky move for most foreign engineers.

Strong domestic tech market: Redditors mention many firms in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, from startups to enterprises, with big tech, banks, backend/highload roles, and senior positions paying very well locally.

Comfortable lifestyle on an IT income: locals repeatedly say software engineers can live well in Moscow, especially compared with ordinary Russian salaries and especially if earning remotely from abroad.

Excellent public transport and low car dependence: residents praise the metro, taxis, safety, and convenience, with some saying a car is unnecessary or even slower.

Very safe, developed, and 24/7: multiple commenters describe Moscow as safe, well-serviced, and comparable to a polished European capital where you can find almost anything at any time.

Rich cultural and daily-life infrastructure: people love the restaurants, delivery, supermarkets, nightlife, parks, museums, theaters, children’s services, and constant things to do.

Low tax burden and moderate day-to-day costs: city data supports Reddit’s view that Moscow can feel affordable relative to many Western capitals, particularly for high earners or remote workers.

Russian is effectively mandatory: Redditors repeatedly warned there is “no market” for English-only programmers, even in Moscow tech companies.

Local SWE pay is good for Russia but weak globally: residents say IT salaries are comfortable locally, yet noticeably below world-market compensation, and the data places purchasing power in the lower half of major tech cities.

Rent and ownership are painful: commenters complain Moscow rent has risen sharply, while the data shows buying a normal family flat is among the least affordable outcomes versus engineer income.

Huge-city friction is real: long distances, crowded streets, traffic jams, noise, and one-way commutes of an hour or more are described as normal.

Weather and environment wear people down: people mention grey muddy winters, freeze-thaw slush, low sunshine, dirty air, and pollution despite Moscow’s attractive holiday season.

Relocation is unusually risky right now: commenters warn foreigners to think hard before moving, remote workers may face banking/payment issues, and the current geopolitical environment reduces international career optionality.

For a foreign software engineer, Moscow is a hard relocation unless you already speak Russian, have citizenship, or arrive with a confirmed employer. Russia has work-permit and specialist pathways, and Reddit even mentions newer visa routes for ideologically aligned Westerners, but commenters are clear that a visa does not solve the main issue: finding a good job without Russian is very difficult.

English exists in tech teams, but Redditors say it is not enough for hiring, office life, paperwork, apartments, healthcare, and daily administration. The expat community exists but is smaller and more complicated than in typical global tech hubs, and sanctions/geopolitics can make banking, foreign remote pay, travel, and long-term planning awkward. Socially, Moscow is not described as hostile, but people warn that making friends requires a shared environment like work, university, or hobbies; strangers generally will not initiate contact.

Best for Russian-speaking engineers, people with Russian citizenship or a secure local offer, and remote workers who can legally and practically bring in foreign income. Avoid it if you need an English-speaking job market, easy international mobility, warm weather, low bureaucracy, or a soft landing socially.

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