Viewing topic: To Spb Residents ,wheres your gaff?

Alright, I'm Just wondering where everyone is living, and what they think about their area?

My choices are limited because my Russian tongue is pathetic. I have about 3 options at the moment - Near Primorskaya m, Near Petrogradskaya m, or on Millionaya ul. All flat shares with all the mod-cons, inet etc - prices from 300-400 baks

Any info on these areas or anywhere within 20 mins of centre will be useful.

Cheers.

Taking each in turn, if you're asking for info...

Petrogradskaya... That's where I live, within 5 minutes of the metro station which is 2 stops from Nevski Prospect (about 10-15 minutes on the metro to the centre). I'm not biased because I now live here - but I would say that it is quite a nice area. A few "Dixie" minimarkets around - although no larger international-type supermarkets conveniently nearby. Not a problem though as you can hop on the metro and be at one pretty quickly. A nice area to walk in the summer and you can have a pleasant walk into the centre within 45 minutes or so. Also quite close to Kristovski Island, which is a popular place for a stroll or a bike ride...

Primorski.. A bit further out of town but nonetheless only two (quite lengthy) stops on the metro from Gostiniy Dvor/Nevski. I have to say that I find this region a bit windswept and bleak in the winter as the cold wind comes in across the gulf - but also has some nice places to walk nearby..

Millionaya Ul is considered to be a 'good', even 'rich' area, being quite near the centre of town and possibly not far from Palace Square - But a surprisingly longish walk to the nearest metro station (on Kanal Griboyedeva - maybe 10 minutes). It may be even longer if you live further down it away from Palace Square as, I suspect at the price mentioned, you will... It also seems to me that there may not be a vast range of convenient 'corner shops' in the area....

All the above are merely my personal observations and are not the be-all and end-all of views. Others may see each of the regions quite differently from me...

As regards any other flat 'opportunities' - I'm afraid that I don't know of any - but, there again, I'm not really looking. All I know is that the price of anything that is half-decent as regards condition and location has gone crazy in recent times...

I live at Primorskaya - I can't think of anywhere I'd rather live in St. Petersburg. Close to the Gulf, cleaner air, quieter traffic, wide streets, less claustrophobia-inducing etc. etc.

It's very much a residential area, not a lot of posh shops around - just your average corner shops. We have a Lenta (big cash & carry) not far from the metro station, a very nice sushi bar right opposite and a couple of fairly decent 'greasy spoon' cafe/bars. There are some nice buildings around this area.

Agreed - pretty grim and windswept in winter. But beautiful and green in summer.

Yep, it's only two metro stops from the centre (I think Primorskaya is actually considered part of the centre). The first stop on the way, Vasileostrovskaya, is the social hub of the island. It has a nice pedestrian street with lots of pubs, but the metro there is notorious for being impossible to get in and out of at any time even slightly close to rush hour. Traffic is a bit crazy around there as well.

A big downside to the island is that the bridges go up in summer (doesn't only affect Vasilevskiy island though) - so you can get stuck until early morning.

Millionnaya is very upmarket - anything under 800 USD per month there will probably be pretty below-standard (I'm frequently wrong, though ) The only upside to living right in the centre (in my h.o.) is if you're a hard partier and like being able to walk home from expensive central bars.

Petrogradskaya is a pretty 'trendy' part of town. Lots of boutique-type shops near the metro and on Bolshoy Prospekt. If I'm not mistaken, it also gets cut off by bridges opening in summer? I always found it bit chaotic - narrow streets, narrow pavements and too much vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

I also lived near Ligovskii Prospekt metro station, on Ulitsa Konstantina Zaslonova and on Kolomenskaya Ulitsa. Pretty bleak area, I thought, but fairly close to the centre. Not worth the bleakness though. Close to Moskovskii Vokzal - useful if you really want to go to Moscow regularly

Thanks chaps, for lowdown on the different zones, My pick of the bunch would probably be around Primorskaya, as it's out the road a touch - which is fine for a bit of peace and the odd dauner about.
The best deal was probably the Millionanya ul, I just happened to find someone there that knew someone ...and so on, its at the hermitage side of the street. As bobs said it would suit the hardcore partier, there lies the possibility of being sucked in by the close proximity to snazzy nightlife and end up blazing a hole straight through my lopatnik

Anyhoo, I've found a young chap with a decent enough place to share near Vasileostrovskaya m. The Price being, Improving his English + $180 per month, respectably.

The price being 'improving his English +180 dollars a month?... RESPECTABLY'.....?????

I say, old chap - that's dashed good show..... dashed jolly good show....