mattjloewen

I am thinking of moving to Russia. The most likely strategy is to start as an English teacher while I become familiar with the country and its people. Is it easier to find such work in a more populated area? That is the practical entrance strategy, with a transition to what I really want to do. Currently I work as a small-scale organic vegetable farmer, which I have done for the past seven years. I have found a wonderful job working with a local church, and I grow food for the poor. I would love to find a home of my own in a rural place close to nature - growing food or teaching English. Renting is just fine. I'm much more suited to the village life than the big cities. I live in a cabin in the forest here in Canada, and love to hunt. As for the general culture, a small place in Russia with honest, self-sufficient people who are community-minded would be the ideal. I also very much appreciate Russian folk traditions, so any place with a folk festival would be cooll. Somewhere near fresh water, either a river or a lake, would be excellent. As for climate, I am accustomed to the Canadian cold. I am used to gathering firewood for the winter, driving on icy roads, storing food for winter, power outages, and living with a thick snow cover - and all the other wonderful winter adaptations. I even bought myself a bekesha tulup for hunting here in Canada! So I am fairly unbiased in terms of region. Although I am open to whatever possibilities unfold - warmer may be nice for a change! I am also currently learning the Russian language to make the transition easier. Does one need to know Russian before moving there? Step by step, I'm moving in a good direction!