I've looked for the numbers, but it's hard to find them because a) the US and Canada don't want to admit that any Americans are moving there, and b) most of the Russian data I could find is several years old and not recent enough to pick up these trends.
But I've seen allusions to this issue in several places, including the referenced substack, and thought it would be fun to write about.
I had a friend who spent time there demonstrating an American tractor on a touring agricultural exhibit for the US Information Agency during the Cold War, and I know people who went there as university exchange students after the fall of the Soviet Union, and they said they loved the people and enjoyed the country. So it's not a far-fetched idea.
But it would be good to know how many people we're talking. If you run across any numbers, please do let me know.
With my former career in the military, the DOD would have kittens if I thought about relocating there. Not that I am anything like Edward Snowden, but I know things the Russians would like to take a look at. Interesting idea about North Americans looking for a better place. They are leaving their respective countries in dribbles and small droves these days but most seem to be heading for western Europe, the Caribbean or Mexico, rather than Russia.
Good idea to stay away with your background! I remember being followed from my hotel in Uzbekistan just because I was American. Really creeped me out and ruined my stay. Plus the hotel insisted on keeping our passports, which kind of has a way of making you nervous.
I can see the appeal of warmer climes myself. The older I get, the more I feel the cold. A pina colada or margarita on a beach, and the warmth the tropical sun, does sound pretty good at the moment.
I remember getting off the military plane at Karshi Khanabad and seeing the Uzbek officer at the bottom of the ladder wearing a russian military uniform. It made me question where I was at. Then the Migs taking off from the runway was a little unerving as well. The younger guys on my team were too young to remember the cold war days but I most certainly did.
I looked through this AND the article about the village in Russia, and didn't see one single number of Americans actually moving there. Did I miss it?
I've looked for the numbers, but it's hard to find them because a) the US and Canada don't want to admit that any Americans are moving there, and b) most of the Russian data I could find is several years old and not recent enough to pick up these trends.
But I've seen allusions to this issue in several places, including the referenced substack, and thought it would be fun to write about.
I had a friend who spent time there demonstrating an American tractor on a touring agricultural exhibit for the US Information Agency during the Cold War, and I know people who went there as university exchange students after the fall of the Soviet Union, and they said they loved the people and enjoyed the country. So it's not a far-fetched idea.
But it would be good to know how many people we're talking. If you run across any numbers, please do let me know.
Definitely a fun article.
Although I avoid countries where I'm likely to be kidnapped or thrown in prison.
With my former career in the military, the DOD would have kittens if I thought about relocating there. Not that I am anything like Edward Snowden, but I know things the Russians would like to take a look at. Interesting idea about North Americans looking for a better place. They are leaving their respective countries in dribbles and small droves these days but most seem to be heading for western Europe, the Caribbean or Mexico, rather than Russia.
Good idea to stay away with your background! I remember being followed from my hotel in Uzbekistan just because I was American. Really creeped me out and ruined my stay. Plus the hotel insisted on keeping our passports, which kind of has a way of making you nervous.
I can see the appeal of warmer climes myself. The older I get, the more I feel the cold. A pina colada or margarita on a beach, and the warmth the tropical sun, does sound pretty good at the moment.
I remember getting off the military plane at Karshi Khanabad and seeing the Uzbek officer at the bottom of the ladder wearing a russian military uniform. It made me question where I was at. Then the Migs taking off from the runway was a little unerving as well. The younger guys on my team were too young to remember the cold war days but I most certainly did.
Things changed so quickly and Americans poured into the former Soviet Republics. Surprising bedfellows! Iagree, it was rather disconcerting.
I never got to Karshi but visited Samarkand on the Silk Road. Amazing history and architecture.
Yes. We went to Samarkand while we were there in early 2002 on a tourist bus sponsored by the Army MWR. I still have lots of pictures.