Russia - Skinheads and racism around Moscow

Does anybody here know which are the most dangerous (and which are safest) areas in Moscow and also around Moscow (Oblast, Khimki, Krasnogorsk, etc.), especially for a dark-skinned tourist?

I read on several travelguides about lots of violence and even murder in "certain suburbs", but there are no specific references to which areas, suburbs, etc. they mean.

Thanks

While racism does exist in Russia, to be honest I think you are really going to have to go out of your way to find Moscow suburbs where you might encounter serious violence and any marauding gangs of skinheads.

The city is huge, if you are going as tourist you are highly unlikely to venture beyond the city centre where ethnic diversity is common. In the times I lived there none of my 'dark skinned' friends or colleagues ever experience violence (in fact the only person I know who did was a white Scotsman!).

Yes, bad things can happen - but they do in most big cities; employ common sense and you ought to be fine.

This previous thread might also be of interest - someone who was convinced Russia would be horrible but in the end had a great time!: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/942555-blacks-russia-3.html

The city is huge, if you are going as tourist you are highly unlikely to venture beyond the city centre where ethnic diversity is common. In the times I lived there none of my 'dark skinned' friends or colleagues ever experience violence (in fact the only person I know who did was a white Scotsman!).

Thanks for the thread. Encouraged me a lot :)

The point is I might visit (and stay at) friends' who live in non-touristy areas, also far outside the city. They are locals and might take me around to all their favorite places, but they might not know which places are inappropriate for blacks. I don't want to end up putting them in danger as well ("What?! Our Russian patriots communicating with a black? Let's kill the traitors!") :D

if you are with locals, they will know which areas/establishments lean that way. most people with that bent i have seen in russia are not shy about their views and even to a casual observer it is easy to pick them out by dress, speach (if within earshot) and decoration (tatoos, etc).
however, that's for the "hard-core" ones. there are also a lot of regular people who may not rise to level of violence, but at the same time wouldn't be excited to be sharing a bar/whatever with someone not white. so, maybe chance of some looks, throwaway comments. that's harder to avoid but i wouldn't worry about it as long as you don't take it personally.

They are locals and might take me around to all their favorite places, but they might not know which places are inappropriate for blacks.

They are locals, they'll be the BEST people to know where might not be appropriate :)

Also, Khimki and Krasnogorsk are not in the wilds of the oblast in the middle of nowhere. They are basically 'sleeping districts' on the edge of Moscow, so most people probably work in the city anyway. Khimki even has an Ikea, its not quite the back of beyond :p

Have a great trip!

Does anybody here know which are the most dangerous (and which are safest) areas in Moscow and also around Moscow (Oblast, Khimki, Krasnogorsk, etc.), especially for a dark-skinned tourist?

I read on several travelguides about lots of violence and even murder in "certain suburbs", but there are no specific references to which areas, suburbs, etc. they mean.

Thanks

I'm black and I was in Moscow in april 2009. I didnt run into any racism but a lot of stares. I even went as like 2 or 3 hours outside of moscow to the "country-side". There I was treated very well. I even had a news crew come and interview me. lol Idk if that was because I was american or black but anyway u dont have anything to worry about.