" Hello. It is more than probable that we will be moving to St. Petersburg this autumn due to my husband''s job. We have a 5-year-old son and will have a baby. If anyone has any advice pertinent to moving to St. Petersburg, I would be extremely grateful to hear it! Do you have any info on the following issues: 1. Schools, playschools and play groups in St. Petersburg 2. Health issues when coming with small children (I''ve heard the water is polluted...) 3. Women''s groups and clubs where English or French is spoken 4. Mother-baby coffee groups for expats 5. Good Russian language instruction Thank you in advance for your time in answering, Erna Gronow "

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" Erna, while I can''t answer family oriented questions, I can tell you that yes, the water is polluted. Simply put, I would not drink it straight from the tap. Bottled water is advised. Of course, you may boil the water as many Russians do. Good language instruction is easy to find. Often, U.S. universities have adjunct programs in St. Pete and Moscow. I recommend you do some internet searching. "

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" Hi, I''m Troy. I and am considering looking for a teaching position in Russia to experience the country. Can anyone give details of websites that list visa requirements,government offices etc in English. I would like to know before I go what I am getting myself into. If there is any other info you feel I may need to know, please share it with me. Thanks in advance. Troy "

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" Hi, Erna! My name is Robert, I am from Holland, and I have lived in Saint Petersburg with my family for two years. My oldest son was three years old when we left for Russia, and my youngest was born in St. Petersburg. First I must say, that in Russia everything depends on the contacts you have. For everything you need you can find very good or very pour quality, and it is often very difficult to determine in advance which is which. After checking a lot of different kindergartens, we found The American Montessori School for my oldest son Vladimir. The leading teacher of this school, miss Karan Young, is assisted by two Russian teachers. The language in the school is English, but the children come from all over the world. Miss Young handpicks every student by visiting them at home before taking them into the group, thus garanteeing a continuing quality level of the school. As I said, my youngest son was born in St. Petersburg. As you might know, there is American health care in St. Petersburg, the American Medical Center. This center does not have the possibility to help women give birth, but they have the possibility of either transporting the women to a hospital just over the border in Finland, or organise a birth hospital in the city itself. However, it is the feeling of a lot of expats in St. Petersburg, that the services of the AMC are very expensive but bring very little. After a long search we found a birth hospital with a special department called Semejnye Rody, meaning Family Bith. For 500 dollars you can give birth the western way, together with your husband, and you get a room for you and your husband until five days after giving bith. I have never met a finer gynicologist than Ljubov Ivanovna, working in this center. In fact, giving birth in this hospital was incomparibly better than the first time in Holland. If you want any more information, or telephone numbers and adresses, you can send me a message at rj.hazeleger@12move.nl I wish you lots of luck in the beatiful city of St. Petersburg! With kind regards, Robert "

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" hi erna, I wonder what happened with your job prospect...my husband may have an offer in the works for a job in st petersburg...I have a 4 year old and will have a baby in July. Get in touch with me if you like! I have all the same questions you do and am especially worried about diapers and laundary! "

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" Troy, There are several universities here in Irkutsk, where English teachers are always needed. One in particular is the Foreign Language Institute. I don''t know what you need as far as visas, but a good place to start looking is on www.irkutsk.com. (I think that''s the right address. You can find it through a search engine.) "

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" Erna, Hello! Well, I haven''t given birth here in Russia, but, my husband and I adopted 2 kids before moving here. They are currently 18 and 11 months old. So, the run down. You can get pampers and huggies here. They are more expensive than in the States, but anything to make life here a little simpler, is great and worth the price. You can find great European washer/dryers. I recommend buying an Italian or German model. You can find Nestle formula, if you happen to need it, as well as baby cereal and baby foods. Pretty much anything you need, will be available now. As for a baby bed, you may want to look at the more expensive European stores or Ikea in Moscow, because we have not found a crib here that meets western safety standards. The slats are rather far apart. Water is polluted. You can buy American water filters that can be installed into your sink very easily, it''s just a matter of finding out where. I would look for what we call here a ""cultural broker."" It is a Russian, who speaks English, whom you can trust to help you look for these items. If you have any other questions, just email me and I would be happy to help. We know quite a few people in St. P who might also be able to help you. Lisa "

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" Hi. I live there several months a year and can tell you there is wonderful Montessori school there and get the St. Petersburg Press, and do not drink anything but bottled water. Great place. Fred "

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" Lisa, Thanks for the info. it''s really appreciated. I take it you are teaching in Russia right now. Can you give me an idea of what your experience has been like for you? How much do you earn and is that enough too live on, the weather, anything and everything if you have the time. Thanks again for the info. Troy "

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" Hello! Try the website www.sptimesrussia.com It''s the website for the St. Petersburg newspaper. You might also call the US consulate when you arrive and ask for a list of social organizations. I lived in Moscow for 3 years and we had our first baby there. I found a lot to do through the International Women''s Club and the American Women''s Club. We left nearly 4 years ago, so I imagine you''ll have even more available to you now. I wish you a happy and interesting journey; Russia is an amazing country! "

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" Hello, I can be very helpful in your settling in Russia because I grow up there. Could you ask your husband if he wants to employ a Canadian citizen who wants to work in Russia? - I have two degrees (including from a Western University) - 3 years of Western work experience in Accounting & Finance - Lived and worked in Russia - Fluent in English and in Russian - I am single I have been trying to get a position for a big international company there without any success. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Yuri My e-mail: yuri100@yahoo.com "

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Hi Lisa,
your info is so very helpful for all newcomers! I am also new to the country (2 months) and I have a young baby boy (4 months old). I am looking for a good quality crib for him, and I cant find a store (apart from IKEA).. You mention good European stores.. any suggestions? Thanks, Vickie

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