This is a beautiful island in between Russia’s mainland and Japan. I lived in a new village just outside the expat complex. The community is made up of many nationalities working in the oil industry and the site has an English school for all their children. There are many social activities and opportunities, for example, an on-site sports centre with a swimming pool and a bar/restaurant.
There are regular free buses from the complex to various places in the city and the shopping mall. In the summer months there are several places to take little ones for their entertainment. The zoo (although not up to European standards) is a very popular place with small children. There are several outdoor activities in the mountains (a cable car to the top!), and the beaches are easily accessible.
There is also a lovely train ride to an activity park that the children love. In the winter months I used to take my little girl to the very large soft play area in the shopping mall for a treat. Obviously, there are skiing and ice-skating lessons and activities for all ages. The weather in the summer is pretty hot and hazy. However, the best time (for me and several of the friends I made there) is the winter. I come from the southwest of England and during a Sakhalin cyclone, I have never seen so much snow! It was amazing. They close the site down in a cyclone and you stay home. I saw a Range Rover completely disappear in 3 hours of snow. Don’t worry! Due to the complex being an expat place, health and safety exists! Everyone is given grips for their shoes etc. Strangely, I noticed that there is more sun in the winter than the summer, it’s truly a wonderful winter land!
I would definitely recommend working here if you have the right employers and English Nanny Agency helped to find the right employer for me! It is probably a good place to start a Russian adventure because it breaks you in easily and you really don’t need any Russian language to survive. English Nanny and Valentin were constantly in touch. You will not feel isolated and there are plenty of people to socialise with, hiking clubs, cycling clubs, off road something clubs (I don’t drive).
The Japanese influences in the supermarket are much missed now that I am back in Moscow (coffee bags!) etc.
Also, if you have the time and inclination, destinations easily reached from this beautiful island include Japan, Bali and Guam.
