Moscow or St. Petersburg?
A matter of personal taste
If you ask any Muscovite what they think of St. Petersburg and any Peterburger what they think of Moscow, they almost always will answer “I love it but I could never live there!” So what are the two most famous cities in Russia really like? Asking which of Russia’s two most famous cities is best is liking asking which is best: the beach or mountains? Whether or not you like Moscow or St. Petersburg more is a matter of personal taste. I would say the appeal of these two drastically different cities depends on what you value. The good news you can like both.
Moscow
Moscow and I got off to a bit of rough start. No doubt it has an aesthetically pleasing and efficient metro. No doubt there is something for everyone – parks, festivals, concerts, restaurants, shopping, churches, ancient Russian history, Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s entombed body, night life, a big expat community. But I felt overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of Russia’s capital. Plus I got lost a lot because of GPS rarely works there. And as a first-time visitor, I didn’t expect how much that issue would affect my confidence to explore new places. The GPS problem can even make it difficult to hire a taxi from your phone. I could call my first time in Moscow “Casey losing his way in Russia.” But the silver lining was I always felt safe even when I got lost, and I got better at preparing my route before I left home and asking for directions in Russian.
My second and third time there were much better. No, the GPS still didn’t know where I was most of the time, but I learned the metro pretty well my first trip and stopped needing a GPS. And I started discovering places where I could find an escape: the theater, various museums, the banya. In fact, I have taken a great liking to Moscow. The city is always fresh and exciting. It has an incredible depth and breadth that would take a lifetime to explore.
Patriarch’s Ponds in Moscow
St. Petersburg
It amazes just how much St. Petersburg and Moscow differ from each other. Yes, they are both big and developed cities in Russia (St. Petersburg has a population of about 5 million and Moscow about 13 million) where the official language is Russian. But that’s about where the similarities end. St. Petersburg feels more like a European city. That’s what Peter the Great intended when he built it. He didn’t like Moscow and wanted something totally different. But what I like the most about St. Petersburg, besides the quality and quantity of its cultural offerings, are the people. Yes, it is said that in Moscow there is a “cult of work.” Because things are more expensive there, people get caught in the rat race. It can even be difficult to find a time to schedule a meeting with someone. Most Peterburgers seem to me to live more of a balanced life.
One of my favorite memories from St Petersburg so far was giving a duet concert here this summer and feeling the love and support from the audience. They showed so much appreciation for me coming from America to share music with them. I even got three bouquets of flowers! Attendees lined up to share kind words with me and take pictures. Out of all the things they could have done that Sunday evening, they chose to come to my concert and give their full attention. This is something I will always cherish, and I give a lot of credit to the spirit and culture of St. Petersburg for this.
Overall pros and cons
Moscow
If you like modern, if you like fancy, if you like big and bold and shiny, if you like the feeling of an international city, then Moscow might be your Russian city of choice. As Russians say,
Москва – это не Россия! (Moscow is not Russia!)
- Pros: Modern, stylish, international, deep Russian history, very safe, tons of metro stops
- Cons: Expensive, mobile internet unpredictable, air quality not great
St. Petersburg
If you want a more European Russia, one that’s slower paced and full of art-lovers, then St. Petersburg may be your vibe. But be warned, the weather can be absolutely hostile. Be prepared for the wind to blow your umbrella right out of your hand.
- Pros: Art and music lover’s paradise, Russian language easier to understand, peaceful, less expensive
- Cons: Fewer metro stations, lower employee pay, weather
Which city do you think you would prefer?
