Moscow is very expensive (now the most expensive city in the world) and a decent hotel will cost you big bucks. The traffic is terrible and the cab drivers will rip you off, even if you do speak a little Russian (but at least you can argue with them if you speak some Russian). Moscow does have a very good metro system (subway) but you do need to at least become familiar with Cyrillic letters to get around a bit. I would recommend using it to get around and some of the metro stations are quite beautiful - the Novoslodoskaya Station has beautiful stained glass. I lived in Moscow for 8 months (and in Siberia for 18 months) and found very few people spoke English, aside from my co-workers. Be observant in your wanderings about, as in any big city there are pickpockets and thieves. I never felt unsafe there, but I do have a purposeful walk so I look like I know where I am going when I often do not. Be very careful crossing streets as pedestrians do not have the right of way.

Do go see Christ the Savior Cathedral - it is amazing. Of course, tour Red Square and see St. Basil's Cathedral. There are some very nice churches in the Kremlin. See a ballet at the Bloshoi Theater. There is plenty to see in Moscow for 4-5 days. Try Georgian food - I like it better than Russian food. Vodka is very inexpensive - buy it in a grocery store - everyone will say Russky Standard is the best but I prefer Putinka, which is much less expensive. Izmailovsky Park is the place to go to buy souveniers - you can take the metro. I'm particulary fond of the wooden carved and painted Father Christmas's (Ded Moroz) in many different sizes.