Traveling to Moscow, Russia (from Virginia)

Traveling to Moscow, Russia (from Virginia)?
So, in the summer of 2013, I wanted to travel to Moscow and stay there for a month or two (just vacationing for now), and I have some questions I want to ask: How much is it to rent an apartment (per month) in the Moscow oblast (that's what I've heard it called anyway)? Is it cheaper to rent a car, take a train, or take a taxi? How much would it cost to fly from, say, Richmond, Virginia (and/or Washington D.C., seeing as I'm hoping to go to college up there) to Moscow, and how long would the flight be? Would it be safe for a girl to travel there alone? So many more questions...those are at the top of my list though. I don't care what currency is given, I'll just convert it to whatever I need to. Thank you :D
Russia - 4 Answers
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1 :
never travel alone
2 :
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the world. A global city, Moscow is the most populous city on the continent of Europe and the seventh largest city proper in the world. Its population, as of 1 January 2010, is 10,563,038. Based on Forbes 2011, Moskow had 79 billionaires as the city with greatest billionaires number displaced New York. Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia. In the course of its history the city has served as the capital of a progression of states, from the medieval Grand Duchy of Moscow and the subsequent Tsardom of Russia to the Soviet Union. Moscow is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, an ancient fortress that is today the residence of the Russian President and of the executive branch of the Government of Russia. The Kremlin is also one of several World Heritage Sites in the city. Both chambers of the Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) also sit in Moscow. The city is served by an extensive transit network, which includes four international airports, nine railroad terminals, and the Moscow Metro, second only to Tokyo in terms of ridership and recognized as one of the city's landmarks due to the rich and varied architecture of its 182 stations. Over time, Moscow has acquired a number of epithets, most referring to its size and preeminent status within the nation: The Third Rome (Третий Рим), Whitestone (Белокаменная), The First Throne (Первопрестольная), The Forty Forties (Сорок Сороков). The demonym for a Moscow resident is Moskvitch, rendered in English as Muscovite.
3 :
You are asking for prices of something 27 months into the future? In a place where the concept of "price stability" causes locals to fall off their chairs laughing themselves silly??? Where the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Russian ruble is very much open to conjecture in the next MONTH - to try to forecast it 27 months in in today's chaos is ludicrous. The only things anyone can tell you with any level of certainty now - 18 March 2011 - is the following: 1. There will not be non-stop air travel from Richmond, Virginia to Moscow - or for that matter any other destination overseas - in your lifetime. While Dulles is the closest gateway city to Richmond, You would be VERY wise to be more open-minded about your local departure city. There are more than a dozen in the USA - and the American gateway airport you depart from should be chosen based on (1) total cost of return-trip between your point of origin and your destination, and (2) on the convenience of the total itinerary's schedule to you. Where it is relative to your origin should be totally irrelevant. 2. The cost of renting an apartment (you didn't specify but I assume you mean furnished apartment) in the city named 'the most expensive city on the planet' will not be exactly what it is today - but it is guaranteed to induce shock to any American who inquires. 3. The cost of using an automobile in Moscow is obscene to anyone living in North America. Combine that with Muskovites' habit of terrorizing the highways and you would be VERY wise to hire a taxi, tell them where you want to go, and COVER YOUR EYES!!! 4. If you were my daughter, I would permit you to travel to Moscow ONLY if someone I trust there was available to look after you. Otherwise I would lock you into your room until you are 30 years old. While relatively safe by Earth standards, it is still a large city - and ALL large cities have been dangerous for teenage girls travelling alone since Babylonians' time.
4 :
Current prices 1. Return trip Houston-Moscow-Houston via NYC = USD 900, so it will be approximately the same for you. It takes 10-11 hours from NYC to Moscow. 2. Rent a studio in Moscow per month = from $700, 1 bedroom = from $900 3. The cheapest and the most effective way to travel around Moscow is underground system = $1 any destination. Road traffic is a disaster so you'd better not use the car or taxi - you will never make it anywhere, and driving by yourself in Moscow is simply dangerous. 4. Moscow is RELATIVELY safe, though you might come across some scams and touts - just walk away. Be reasonable - don't walk dark alleys drunk at night of course etc. It is a huge megapolis and has its dangers as any megapolis.