Cost of Living in Minsk

As an internationally educated Minsk native who has lived both to the east (Moscow) and to the west of Belarus (EU), I can say that Minsk is by far not the worst place to live in, but it has its fair share of drawbacks, some of which may be critical for expats and foreign visitors. As far as local prices are concerned, Thomas's comment below sums up the situation nicely, and his assessment is still valid today, though the prices keep creeping up and many goods, especially durables, are now cheaper in Moscow - where salaries are on average much higher. While most staples and FMCGs are quite affordable by global standards, you're likely to get poor assortment, especially when it comes to imports (no Amazon here for you!) and subpar customer service - and I mean it, it can be abysmal at times. Locals are known to be eager to rip off any guest from the West: it's not uncommon to hear about a taxi driver charging an exorbitant fee from a foreigner for a ride to the airport, for instance. And don't get me started on renting accommodation: once the agent learns their future customer is an expat, the price shoots through the sky. Another issue most expats would find troublesome is that an overwhelming majority of people don't speak English - which, paradoxically, often includes designated government officials who deal with foreigners in their line of duty (e.g. immigration officers). For this reason, instead of asking a random passer-by for destination, you'd better consult Google Maps. On the positive side, Google Maps will work just fine: the country has nearly ubiquitous 4G/LTE coverage, legitimately cheap Internet and unrestricted access to all foreign web resources (unlike Russia). Private healthcare is quite affordable and of decent quality, but again, finding a medical practitioner with a good grasp of English may prove difficult. Private education is virtually nonexistent; to the best of my knowledge, there's just one international school in Minsk with English-language instruction. The same problem arises when it comes to your pastime: there are but a couple of cinemas where they show movies in English, and probably not a single theatre with performances in English (well, at least the city has a good opera & ballet theatre where language is a non-issue), and - most sadly - no English-language pub quizzes. The international community here is generally quite small, which hampers your chances of establishing a social circle - unless you decide to learn some Russian and blend into the local crowd. Returning to the positives, I'll admit that Minsk is a generally safe place (though petty crime is still common, and quite a few people drink too much and become rowdy) with a decent and cheap public transport system (the cycling infrastructure is an entirely different story, 'cause it's nowhere to be found) and a growing number of places to spend your time and money (just 15 years ago there were literally no modern-format shopping malls, Western fast-food chains or fancy bars - now there are plenty). On balance, Minsk, though cheap, is hardly a friendly place for the average expat, but if you're willing to invest some effort into connecting with the right people, as K suggests below, it may make your time in Minsk much more vibrant.

I am relocated to Minsk about 6 month ago with my family. My family consist of 3 members.
Advantages:
- Clean city with forests
- Public transport just works as expected.
- Have a lot of kind people

Disadvantages:
- Products are not so fresh in shops as I used to see. But there are some Bazars where you can but fresh fruits if you like fresh fruits and vegetables
- Private kindergartens are very expensive if you are comparing it with average salary of citizenship. And it is not easy to take place in government kindergartens. Really cost for 1 month for per child private kindergartens not less than 300$ )
- If you love east cuisines, it will be unhappy with meals cooked here. But you can find restaurants which was opened with east traditions.

I bet all bad comments from russian people. They think if they vilify neighboring countries they do a good job for their country

The new currency rate of New Belarusian Ruble or (BYN) 1:10000 Old Belarusian Rubles 1BYN:.50US$ and 1US$:1.98BYN

You need at least 600$ per month to rent room and to buy food. (300+300)

Around 50% of the lines should be revised downward as cost of living and and average income have significantly decreased in Minsk in 2016 due to slowdown in the economy.

The problem is in currency rates. Everything, what was entered a few month ago are now cheaper if to convert to $. Also, there is no sense to check prices of half a year and more ago.
Safe, clean. Good place to raze kids. Huge problem is health of kids in winter. Usually, it's one week per month at home, because of flue or cough.

I am a Westerner who lived in Belarus for over a year. Most comments I read here were complete bogus. Belarus isn't as bad as often portrayed by the media. However, living in this country might be a bit of a (financial) challenge to some. The fairly frequent devaluations often only hit a part of the population. Go local and save money in Dollars or Euro.

First a general note: people in Belarus often look a bit grumpy and closed, but once you get to know them I find most people very trustworthy and helpful. I have never ever been cheated in Belarus.

On a Western European salary Minsk isn't an expensive city, but on a local salary things change significantly. Due to the quasi-command economy that Belarus still is, imported goods can be outrageously expensive. Hefty taxes are levied on imported goods and due to the lack of competition among retailers (and corruption) clothing, fruits and vegetables and many others goods are expensive. The housing market isn't that great either. Most apartments are in an appalling state and renting a place is expensive. Landlords in Belarus are the worst I ever encountered. Salaries in Vilnius, Lithuania are significantly higher and pretty much everything is cheaper in Lithuania (with the exception of vodka, cigarettes and bus tickets).

What is cheap in Belarus?: public transport, potatoes, vodka, cigarettes, bread, most dairy products, taxis)

What is expensive in Belarus?: housing, everything imported (and despite the state-led economy, Belarus doesn't produce that many consumer products)

Average salary in Minsk (2012): $400 (I think its inching towards $500). Some people make as little as $200 a month, but I met many that earned around $1000 a month. Most of those worked for a foreign (often Russian) employer, though.

Mr. Rich Canadian working for UN wrote on Feb 08, 2015 that the Minsk is Afghanistan of Eastern Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Firstly I would like to say that though Afghanistan is made by you people as a hell on the earth but it is still better than your place of living. You and your people are under the absolute control of a Mafia group for which you live and die now as a result of which you have lost your free choice of living and you now need to live only the way you are instructed by the group and must keep paying to the group so that they become Trillionire. All your life is dedicated for them and you have already lost your freedom which can not be restored till the end of the earth life, and your Mafia group think that if you are not removed from the earth then the end of earth life will be rapidly arriving soon. Please know You have been used as the Mafia weapons to expand the span of their control on the earth even to Afghanistan for the purpose of making a one world Government.

You have mentioned that there is no food, no milk no export and ..... in Belarus and prostitute women are only export, as a rich diplomat working for UN and used to stay in Belarus several years, what nonsense you are talking about???? As an Afghan I would advise you to go the see Canada once again, and Thailand, Holland and other countries as well, and then to Judge on Afghanistan and Belarus and other self helped countries and Nations. I know well that you don't know any Nation in the world as you are being a victim of one world Government agenda as a result of which you will also be scarified on a wrong way for no benefit to your self even.

Hi all
Iwant to study medicen in minsk but i dont have enough informtion about thire univer city please help and give sejestion.thanks

Awful country! Poorer then most of african countries! People are almost starving - usually they look so skinny. But very stubborn. Some of them really think that their country is the best - similarity with North Korea! Very bad education and medicine! Women are so cheap and men are so stupid, almost all the time they are drunken (even at work).
Average salary described above is not true. It's governmental statistic (in reality average salary is about 100 - 150 dollars), but some prices is even higher. I've been in Nepal several times and comparatively to Belarus Nepal is really rich country.
In their capital they have some McDonalds restaurants. So almost 90 percents of youth want to work in there.

People in belarus are extremely poor ... to find basis need is hard... people are not trust worthy... if you invite a local to your home search them before they leave your home... be sure they stole something from your home... it is not there fault this is what they learn by ther family since they are child. ... most women are prostitute... men are always drunk... try to bring food with you to the country... there food is really bad no variety at all .... the have this thing they call it food called borch... it looks & taste really bad... most people are uneducated... a lot of pickpockets all over the cities.... there main exports are there woman as prostitute... no beef , no milk ... people's have nothing to eat but they are always bragging about Russia... as a canadian working for UN in poor area I think if I like to compare to any other country ... I just can think of Afghanistan.... l personally call belarus Afghanistan of estern Europe

hi
i am planned to go to minsk. what is the condition of jobs over there. is this country has low crime rate and good to live. please any one ans me. thanx