Moscow vs. Saint Petersburg (how much, theatre, luxury)
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The FIFA World Cup recently concluded. Of course, I did an earlier thread on other Russian host cities that was moved perhaps to allow for a better niche audience to respond to it. I got some excellent thoughts and details on the cities from other posters, particularly grega94 and mrconfusion87 for his firsthand account of Kazan. Sochi was unsurprisingly ranked as the most popular city in the poll, followed by Kazan, and Nizhny-Novgorod. For those ever planning a trip to Russia at some point in time, do with that information what you will.
I wanted to post a poll regarding Moscow and Saint Petersburg since they are clearly Russia's Big 2 by almost any indicator, and I don't think they are discussed much on here apart from perhaps in comparison to certain other world cities in which case they generally lose (Moscow especially is not very well regarded in relation to it's size, on CD or in general, and I think based on how much it has to see, it may be one of, if not the most underrated cities in the world). I had the chance to visit Saint Petersburg (albeit only for 2 days), last summer, and was blown away. Of course, I generally saw the touristy parts (as there are MANY). The canal/waterway system was shockingly expansive, there was a level of preservation on display citywide that would be hard to match, and the palaces and cathedrals and museums (just the Hermitage, though I know there are more), would take weeks to fully appreciate. If were just talking about which city has the best collection of palaces, cathedrals, etc. from an aesthetic standpoint, Saint Petersburg would certainly be at the forefront, if the not THE centerpiece of the discussion. It had some interesting new construction closer to the port also (signs of an economy emerging from it's post Soviet collapse), and some very lovely parks.
Honestly, I don't think there's really a right answer to this question about preference. Mainly I'm asking which one would be more desirable to the first time visitor, though if you all want to discuss living to then by all means. I don't know if I'd agree they are THAT high in the global echelon, but Saint Petersburg ranks 4th in the world in number of total attractions according to T.A. and Moscow 2nd, so clearly they are up there. Moscow is actually opening a Universal Studios in 2022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Moscow
which will perhaps enhance it's profile on an international level and make it more friendly to families. Personally, at this point since I got a very good idea of Saint Petersburg on my last trip (almost like a city museum, analogous to some mix of Paris and Amsterdam), so I'd much prefer to visit Moscow (which I have not seen) at this point. I'll hold out on voting though, because I feel like either way I vote, it will be colored. I think that if you like a more modern city that is full of locals doing local things, but also has a blend of stunning impressive historic attractions, Moscow would be more your taste, as it has more variety, and also probably has more stuff like nightlife, etc. Saint Petersburg would be your option if your initial inclination to a major city is to be intimidated by it, as though it is quite large, there is a minimal amount of highrises around the center, plenty of parks, things are very compact and connected, and overall their might be more "tourist friendly" things to do. Saint Petersburg is more of a door to Europe, you can get there by cruise, ferry from Helsinki, etc., and thus it is easier to get to in that sense. But I would guess Moscow has more international and domestic airport destinations overall, and so it would be more convenient for getting around to other places around the world, or in Russia. I think both are worth seeing (near life list cities for those that enjoy visiting them), but I'm curious to see everyone else's opinion.
Also, hats off indeed to Russia for throwing a wonderful World Cup that went off with minimal error and disturbance!
Edit: I actually forgot to add a poll, but honestly, I prefer it that way. No real reason to be competitive with these ones here as they are such a contrast. I would prefer to get anecdotal details and experience from those that have been, and what others think, about both of these places anyways, and a poll would really distract from that.
I not been there but from the friends and family that have been to both of those cities, it is St Petersburg is better. I believe most people post here would state St Petersburg
Seriously? St. Petersburg all the way, I do not see how anyone could compare. As they say; there is Russia and there is Moscow.
Moscow is the only city (major at least) in Russia I just cannot stand to be in. St. Petersburg on the other hand is one of my favorite cities in the world.
So two solid votes for Saint Petersburg, appreciate the feedback.
boxus: What specifically is it about Moscow that you don't like? I gather that it is perhaps more dirty and perhaps more crowded than Saint Petersburg is, but it still has
-Verdant green spaces within the core, and near surrounding areas.
-A great transit system, and core areas that at least look relatively walkable.
-Tremendous cultural and historic (over 800 years) depth. Loads of offerings, at least per TripAdvisor.
-Showstopping, unique architectural works (Moscow State University, Saint Basil's, The Kremlin and more)
-Great shopping, some interesting nightlife venues, most forms of general entertainment offered including a Universal soon
-It appears to be relatively safe, by global standards for a major city despite being more unsafe than many other Europe spots
-Hub city with the ability to fly all over Russia, and to/from numerous destinations on 4 continents.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Saint Petersburg still can't be better, I loved it and it probably could be. It does have (in all likelihood, at least):
-Better Immediate Setting (on Baltic, with Canals and parks interspersed)
-More universally appealing historic aesthetic (within the core, though I understand Moscow's is more decentralized, and that Saint Pete has some not so great or safe looking sections away from it's center)
-Perhaps more visual art, a higher quantity of magnificent cathedrals, palaces etc. on display.
-Might be safer overall, cleaner, more visitor friendly (whereas Moscow is perhaps more bureaucratic/strictly Russian in form
-Perhaps more walkable overall, more of a cafe culture, etc.?
That said, I still would like to visit Moscow at some point. I'm just guessing that similar to Beijing, a place I found as enthralling as any I've ever visited, it's charms may not be as obvious at first glance, and you might also have to look back certain negative aesthetic elements that are owed to it seeming to be much more of a presently developing, evolving city.
So two solid votes for Saint Petersburg, appreciate the feedback.
boxus: What specifically is it about Moscow that you don't like? I gather that it is perhaps more dirty and perhaps more crowded than Saint Petersburg is, but it still has
-Verdant green spaces within the core, and near surrounding areas.
-A great transit system, and core areas that at least look relatively walkable.
-Tremendous cultural and historic (over 800 years) depth. Loads of offerings, at least per TripAdvisor.
-Showstopping, unique architectural works (Moscow State University, Saint Basil's, The Kremlin and more)
-Great shopping, some interesting nightlife venues, most forms of general entertainment offered including a Universal soon
-It appears to be relatively safe, by global standards for a major city despite being more unsafe than many other Europe spots
-Hub city with the ability to fly all over Russia, and to/from numerous destinations on 4 continents.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Saint Petersburg still can't be better, I loved it and it probably could be. It does have (in all likelihood, at least):
-Better Immediate Setting (on Baltic, with Canals and parks interspersed)
-More universally appealing historic aesthetic (within the core, though I understand Moscow's is more decentralized, and that Saint Pete has some not so great or safe looking sections away from it's center)
-Perhaps more visual art, a higher quantity of magnificent cathedrals, palaces etc. on display.
-Might be safer overall, cleaner, more visitor friendly (whereas Moscow is perhaps more bureaucratic/strictly Russian in form
-Perhaps more walkable overall, more of a cafe culture, etc.?
That said, I still would like to visit Moscow at some point. I'm just guessing that similar to Beijing, a place I found as enthralling as any I've ever visited, it's charms may not be as obvious at first glance, and you might also have to look back certain negative aesthetic elements that are owed to it seeming to be much more of a presently developing, evolving city.
Outside the few (now has become) tourist areas, Moscow is just dull. But I do not even care or place aesthetics as a highly weighted factor, what puts Moscow way down on the list are the people. I do not know if Moscow breeds these idiots, or attracts them, combination of both, but people there/from there are among the worse "city" people of any city I have ever experienced. It is like if you take the worse Russian stereotypes and apply it, you have a person from Moscow. Additionally, Moscow attracts the worse immigrants, with any decent one being rare, or fleeing to other cities. But this is why even going back hundreds of years, people say "there is Moscow and there is Russia" implying they are two separate things.
As for the other things, Moscow and St. Petersburg have green spaces, plenty of great mass transit and walkability, nightlife is great (aside from the difference in people I just mentioned), etc. St. Petersburg has more of a "small town" type feel to it, while Moscow has the feel of a giant metropolis, which is what it is.
But this goes way, way back to tsar times. You can read literature and the characters will display their negative attitude towards Moscow, it has always been like this it seems dating back before Russia was Russia, lol.
But it is definitely worth visiting Moscow though, I sure would not ever avoid a a trip there, but I am just stating things in regards to its comparisons to St. Petersburg. As I previously mentioned; St. Petersburg is one of my most favorite cities in the world, but you could not pay me to live in Moscow, I really will not even go out of my way to visit (having been there several times already).
Outside the few (now has become) tourist areas, Moscow is just dull. But I do not even care or place aesthetics as a highly weighted factor, what puts Moscow way down on the list are the people. I do not know if Moscow breeds these idiots, or attracts them, combination of both, but people there/from there are among the worse "city" people of any city I have ever experienced. It is like if you take the worse Russian stereotypes and apply it, you have a person from Moscow. Additionally, Moscow attracts the worse immigrants, with any decent one being rare, or fleeing to other cities. But this is why even going back hundreds of years, people say "there is Moscow and there is Russia" implying they are two separate things.
As for the other things, Moscow and St. Petersburg have green spaces, plenty of great mass transit and walkability, nightlife is great (aside from the difference in people I just mentioned), etc. St. Petersburg has more of a "small town" type feel to it, while Moscow has the feel of a giant metropolis, which is what it is.
But this goes way, way back to tsar times. You can read literature and the characters will display their negative attitude towards Moscow, it has always been like this it seems dating back before Russia was Russia, lol.
But it is definitely worth visiting Moscow though, I sure would not ever avoid a a trip there, but I am just stating things in regards to its comparisons to St. Petersburg. As I previously mentioned; St. Petersburg is one of my most favorite cities in the world, but you could not pay me to live in Moscow, I really will not even go out of my way to visit (having been there several times already).
Yes, it's been a case since Soviet times, I can attest to that.
Moscow attracts intellectuals and morons. But intellectuals stay within their own circle, while you have to deal deal with morons everywhere else, while in Moscow)))
If I were a tourist, ( particularly on a short trip,) I'd definitely prefer St. Petersburg.
But if I were a journalist/politician/wheeler and dealer overall, I'd head to Moscow.
Because that's where things are happening, that's where the social life of the country is, people that matter, night life and all. Moscow is a pulse of social life in Russia, for better or for worse.
St. Petersburg is mostly dead in this respect. It's a city-museum for the most part.
It was revived may be 15-20 years ago, but it all went back to "normal," unfortunately so.
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Yes, it's been a case since Soviet times, I can attest to that. 
