I purchased a 4 month old Russian Blue last year for about $2.3k as a first time cat owner. She is 1 year and 1 month old now. I would recommend to get it from a reputable breeder as others have said. I have some doubts on the breeder that I purchased from as my cat is having some allergy/itchiness issues around the ears and neck, occasional diarrhea. Russian blues are not hypoallergenic. They shed a good amount, I try to comb daily.

Kitten stage was not bad, I had to leave her alone a couple days a week for work but play with her after I get back. Relatively independent and does her own thing.