KATYA - did you use gotorussia.com? Did the apartment work out? Do you recommend them? My only concern about them is that they want all the rent up front - not just a deposit. Your thoughts?

SAMA: I actually did not get to use gotorussia.net, because at the last minute the school that was hosting us GAVE us an apartment to use, which was free & lovely.

My feeling is based on our experience short term renting in Moscow & Piter- I would give no more than 50% up front, with the explanation that you will pay the rest after you are shown to the apartment. I want to trust people, but I think that they should understand your trepidation.

When I rented in Moscow, they let me do this with very little questioning. I think that its just good business, on their part as well.

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