Everyone knows the apartment search is tedious and almost insufferable in Moscow, especially for expats, as almost all agencies geared toward foreigners only handle very high-end apartments. It’s hard to find exactly what you want for only $500 per month. Say, two rooms, bright, clean, slightly renovated, washing machine, TV, a sane landlord. Is it too much to ask? Most agencies I turned to guffawed in my face saying snottily, "Sorry, we don’t work in that price range." But one actually listened: Practicum.
After putting an ad on a Web site, I was contacted by an English-speaking woman with a range of listings that fit my description and a Web site where I could find out more about the agency: www.moscowforyou.com. Needless to say, I was skeptical at first being that real estate agencies in Moscow have screwed me in the past. But desperate as I was, I decided to give them a chance.
I got the place and found exactly what I wanted. Plus, unlike most expat-oriented agencies, Practicum only asked for a 70 percent commission, opposed to the full 100. After thanking Anya — the woman who contacted me — for the great customer service, I quickly signed the lease and now live happily and comfortably in the heart of Moscow.