I’ve been meaning to update this article for a long time, but either I didn’t have the time or I just wasn’t in the right mindset. It’s difficult for me to talk about life in Ukraine, knowing (though a small part of me still holds onto hope) that my future there is uncertain and that the country’s future as a whole remains unpredictable.
But today, I finally sat down to put my thoughts into words – about what life in Ukraine is like with the war in the background, the reality people face every day, cost of living, level of safety, and where the country is heading. You won’t see this in the headlines (the news always focuses on whatever is convenient for them to discuss). The horrors of war that affect the whole country until this day rarely make it into the media anymore.
These are my own reflections, shaped by what I see happening in Ukraine through the stories I hear from my friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and family most of whom have never left Ukraine, not even for a day, and continue to live there to this day.
Quick Things to Know About Life in Ukraine Right Now & Safety in the Country
Note: This is just a quick overview. For in-depth details, scroll down and read my full answers in the highlighted sections.
Is Ukraine Safe to Live?
No, Ukraine is not a safe place to live – not for locals, not for foreigners. Missile strikes can happen anywhere, anytime.
While some areas, especially in the west, are calmer, there is no guarantee that any place will remain safe, as military targets shift and new risks emerge. Crime, scams, and financial instability have increased a lot, and everyday life is becoming more and more unpredictable.
As a foreigner, you may feel relatively secure, as you are not going to be affected by mobilization or the same hardships as locals, but the reality remains – Ukraine is still a country at war, and risks are always present.
Quality of Life in Ukraine
The quality of life in Ukraine today depends entirely on who you are and where you live. For locals, especially those with low incomes, life has become extremely difficult – prices have risen sharply, salaries haven’t kept up, and many struggle to afford even basic necessities. Access to healthcare, education, and social services is available but not equally. In cities and villages near the front line, it’s much more difficult.
For those with higher incomes or foreign salaries, life is quite comfortable, especially in larger cities where restaurants, cafes, and services still operate as usual. However, constant uncertainty, security risks, and economic instability affect everyone, no matter their financial situation.
Daily life may look normal on the surface, but stress, anxiety, and fear of the future are present everywhere.
Standard of Living in Ukraine
The standard of living in Ukraine has declined significantly since the war began. While basic infrastructure still functions in most cities, and businesses continue operating, rising prices, economic instability, and constant uncertainty make daily life challenging for many. Salaries remain low, and inflation has made it harder for Ukrainians to afford housing, food, and services.
As I said earlier, for foreigners earning in euros or dollars, Ukraine still feels affordable, with cheaper rent, dining, and services than those in the Schengen area. However, a lower cost of living does not mean a high standard of living – power outages, security risks, and emotional stress are now part of everyday life. Even in calmer regions, war affects everything, making long-term stability uncertain.
Average Cost of Living in Ukraine
The cost of living in Ukraine has increased significantly since the start of the war, making life much harder for locals. Prices for food, rent, and services have risen (a lot), while salaries have not kept up.
For those coming from abroad with a stable income, Ukraine remains a very cheap place to live, especially compared to Western Europe or North America. Rent, dining, and daily expenses are much lower, which of course is an attractive option for anyone who has a foreign income. I’d say that Ukraine is among those countries where it is still possible to live with €1500 for two per month.
However, again, affordability does not equal stability, as economic uncertainty and security risks remain a constant factor in daily life, especially now, with all these behind-the-scenes talks between the Trump administration and Russia happening behind Ukraine’s back at a time when the country is most vulnerable. While Russia continues its invasion, the U.S. is engaging in negotiations that treat Ukraine as a bargaining chip, rather than an independent nation fighting for its survival.
Life in Ukraine Right Now – What’s Changed
Now, let me talk in deeper detail about life in Ukraine – not about politics or that mess where Russia (and now the US) are trying to drain the country of its resources and enslave it, but about the everyday life of ordinary people.
Because for those who never left, life has become a constant mix of routine and survival. Some things appear normal, but nothing truly is.
Prices, Food, and Quality of Life
Basic necessities have become shockingly expensive, while salaries remain low. Before the war, Ukraine was known for cheap food. Today, grocery prices in major cities are almost the same as in Europe, yet wages remain significantly lower. What used to be a normal shopping trip now costs two or three times more, and eating at restaurants has become a luxury for many locals.
Food supply itself isn’t an issue as well as the quality which is great (much better than in most places in Europe).
Despite the war, new businesses keep opening, and many people are trying to provide high-quality products and services. This isn’t new for Ukraine – we’ve always focused on quality, and that hasn’t changed. Whether it’s local farmers, small bakeries, or new restaurants, people are constantly adapting, innovating, and striving to offer the best. Even in difficult times, Ukrainians take pride in their work, and this is reflected in the food, products, and services available today.
This is actually what I miss most in Europe. I’ve traveled across the continent, lived in different countries, and yet, I haven’t found the same level of quality and variety that exists in Ukraine (even now, in the middle of a war). There’s something unique about Ukrainian businesses and the way people approach their work they don’t just sell products, they put their soul into what they do.
Cost of Living in Ukraine
Prices in Ukraine have changed drastically since the start of the war (although where they haven’t?), and for many locals, life has become financially exhausting. While some things are still cheaper compared to Europe, the gap has narrowed significantly, and in some cases, the difference is almost nonexistent.
For daily essentials, groceries that used to be very affordable are now a major financial burden, yet salaries haven’t increased to match. In fact, many people earn even less than they did before the war.
Rent is another issue. In many cities that are now among the safest cities in Ukraine, rental prices have skyrocketed, especially in areas where a lot of displaced Ukrainians have moved. Some people still pay pre-war prices, but only if they’ve been lucky enough to stay in the same place without needing to move. New renters? They face Western-level rental costs with Ukrainian salaries.
Just to give you an example – in Kyiv now, to rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in the central area, you’d need to pay between €850-€900 per month (of course, there are cheaper flats too but I talk about good quality accommodation, newer one and furnished in nice central neighborhood).
For comparison, this is exactly how much you can pay in Tallinn too in a prime location (living here right now, so know that very well), but in this city, missiles don’t fly over your head and quality of life is higher. I know, for someone from Western Europe or from the US/Canada, €850-€900 per month still costs less than the same accommodation in their home country.
In smaller cities in Ukraine, rental prices are, of course, lower (it’s even possible to find an apartment for €250–€300 per month). However, for that price, the quality is often quite basic, and the condition of the apartment is not the best. Plus, it’s a smaller city, which comes with its own limitations – fewer job opportunities, less developed infrastructure, and fewer entertainment or social options.
Services have also gone up in price. Haircuts, beauty treatments, gym memberships – all of it costs more than before. Eating in restaurants is still cheaper than in Western Europe, but for many Ukrainians, it’s now a luxury rather than a casual expense. Many businesses, especially small ones, are struggling to survive, and prices reflect that.
So, to make a long story short – for an average Ukrainian, prices in Ukraine are now high because most people earn significantly less than before the war. However, for someone coming from abroad with a normal Western salary, life in Ukraine can be extremely cheap. Foreigners (earning in dollars, euros, or other strong currencies) can live comfortably in Ukraine, for a fraction of what they would spend elsewhere.
Although when I recently visited, I was shocked by the prices. Even though I earn a Western salary (which I’d consider mid-range by European standards), I wouldn’t say that prices in Ukraine are particularly low. For example, eating out in a cafe (let’s say in Lviv or Kyiv) costs just as much as having dinner at a fish restaurant by the sea in Tenerife.
Examples of current prices in Ukraine as of 2025:
Groceries:
- Bread – 40–50 UAH (~$1)
- Milk (1L) – 60–75 UAH (~$1.50–$2)
- Eggs (10 pcs) – 90–120 UAH (~$2.50–$3)
- Chicken fillet (1kg) – 230–270 UAH (~$6–$7)
- Apples (1kg) – 40–60 UAH (~$1–$1.50)
- Rice (1kg) – 80–100 UAH (~$2–$2.50)
Housing (monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment):
- Kyiv (city center) – 25,000–35,000 UAH (~$650–$900)
- Kyiv (outside center) – 15,000–20,000 UAH (~$400–$550)
- Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa (city center) – 18,000–25,000 UAH (~$500–$650)
- Smaller cities – 8,000–12,000 UAH (~$200–$350)
- Utilities (electricity, water, heating, internet): 4,000–6,000 UAH per month (~$100–$150)
- Mobile phone plan with internet: 300–600 UAH per month (~$8–$15)
- Gym membership: 1,500–3,000 UAH per month (~$40–$80)
- Lunch in a mid-range restaurant: 500–1,000 UAH per person (~$13–$25)
- Public transport ticket: 15–20 UAH per ride (~$0.40–$0.50)
Is It Safe to Live in Ukraine?
Safety in Ukraine depends on who you are, where you live, and what you define as “safe”. If safety for you means no random street violence, then yes, Ukraine is safe, mostly. But if “safe” means no fear, no instability, no risk of war-related consequences, then absolutely not. Ukraine is not safe and none of the Ukrainians feels fully safe. That’s just the reality of life in the country today.
For Ukrainians, safety is a constant uncertainty. The biggest and most obvious threat is, of course, missile or drone strikes. They can happen anywhere, anytime, and no one is ever truly protected. Some cities far from the front lines (like Lviv, Zhytomyr, and my hometown Khmelnytskyi, for example) get hit until this day.
The only places in Ukraine that can be called 100% safe are those by the border with the EU countries, villages (in Central and Western Ukraine), and mountainous areas. Also cities where there is no military activity – meaning no barracks, military academies, airfields, or other strategic targets as well as towns and settlements without power plants, gas storage facilities, oil depots, or critical energy infrastructure since Russia constantly targets these to leave Ukraine without electricity and essential resources.
However, none of us can be 100% sure where military facilities are because this information is classified, and military infrastructure is constantly shifting. New military bases and facilities are being established, and troop movements are happening all the time, but you won’t find any of this information online, and no one will openly talk about it.
This means that you can never be completely certain that you’re in a place where nothing will get hit. The only thing you can rely on is statistics – if a certain city or town (like Uzhgorod or Chernivtsi), for example, has never been bombed throughout the entire war, that’s the best indicator of its relative safety.
The Illusion of Safety: What Foreigners Don’t See
One of the things that frustrates me the most is watching foreigners post videos on youtube or tiktok about how “safe” Ukraine is. I see people coming to Kyiv or Lviv, filming trendy cafes, and saying, “Life is normal here!” or “I feel much safer in Ukraine than in XXX”. But the fact that they haven’t personally experienced war doesn’t mean the country is safe.
It’s not just about missiles or drones falling. Beyond the risk of attacks, there’s the issue of crime, which has increased since the start of the war. Also, scams, fraud, and petty theft have become much more common. Corruption hasn’t disappeared – it has simply adapted.
There are those who still volunteer, donate, and help in any way they can, but there are also those who profit from humanitarian aid, resell supplies meant for soldiers, or exploit desperate families. The war has brought out both the best and the worst in people.
Crime has increased, and while Ukraine is far from being a lawless place (don’t worry, people won’t randomly attack you in the street), there are risks. People have lost jobs, economy is unstable, and many are desperate – so scammers are everywhere now. In fact, scams and fraud have exploded since the war started. Pickpocketing has become more common, so you need to be vigilant in crowded places, but at the same time you have to be watchful late at night, especially in quiet areas that don’t have good lighting.
The biggest risk isn’t necessarily from criminals but from the overall unpredictability that war brings into society. Many men returning from the front struggle with psychological trauma, and while most of them try to reintegrate into normal life, some face difficulties coping with what they’ve been through. There have been cases where arguments escalated due to emotional instability, but this doesn’t mean that violence is widespread on the streets.
It’s not something you will encounter everywhere, but it is a reality people are aware of. These stories don’t always make the news, but locals hear about them, and so do I – from friends and family who still live in Ukraine. This wasn’t an issue before the war, but now, it’s just another layer of uncertainty that people navigate in daily life.
This isn’t about fearmongering – it’s reality. Ukraine before the war was one of the safest countries in Europe. Today, emotions are raw and gap between those who fight and those who don’t is also growing.
So many foreigners who say they “feel completely safe” in Ukraine, they don’t personally experience the fear, trauma, or hidden dangers locals live with daily. They stay in the best parts of Kyiv or Lviv, go to restaurants, and don’t have to worry about mobilization or financial collapse. If they hear an air raid siren, they post it on social media as some sort of an “experience” rather than a real danger.
So the truth is, if you are a foreigner who is thinking of moving to Ukraine or coming to visit the country, you’re not at risk in the same way a Ukrainian is. No one is going to force you into the army. You are not going to get scammed as often because you don’t depend on local banking and services in the same way. You don’t live with the constant stress of war taking away your loved ones.
But that doesn’t mean Ukraine is “safe”, it just means you will experience it differently.
Daily Fear: Life Under Mobilization
For many men in Ukraine, going outside is a risk. Those who are eligible for mobilization avoid public places, afraid they might be taken. Not all men are ready to go and defend the country (while many are brave, others are scared, and that’s completely human), so they just hide.
There are men who haven’t left their homes alone in months. And when they do, they only go outside when night comes (before curfew) or travel in the back seat of a car to avoid walking in public. Recently, I even saw videos on TikTok of men dressing as women to avoid being pursued by the Territorial Recruitment Centers, which are responsible for military conscription.
Women carry a different kind of fear. Their fathers, husbands, brothers, and even sons have already been taken or could be taken at any moment. The war has turned everyday life into a waiting game filled with dread – waiting for a phone call, waiting for news, waiting for another list of casualties, whether from a missile strike somewhere or from someone dying on the front line.
A Divided Nation: The Growing Social Gap
War doesn’t just kill people, it divides them.
I can speak for many Ukrainians who have stayed – they feel abandoned. Some look at those who left and think, “We fight, and they escape”. I personally know people who have told me this (even though I lived outside Ukraine way before the war started), and I also see many Ukrainians commenting under social media posts of those who left.
There is an undeniable gap between those who suffer and those who don’t – and it’s only getting wider.
There is also growing frustration toward wealthy Ukrainians who are untouched by the war. Some people struggle to afford accommodation, while others continue throwing lavish parties. Some fight and die on the frontlines, while others pay to avoid service. These realities have created an underlying tension that wasn’t there before.
Final Word
Well, this is the main thing you need to know about life in Ukraine right now. I could tell you much more, but this is just a brief overview of the key points. If you have any questions, ask in the comments – we’ll communicate that way.
But one last thing to say – in short, daily life in Ukraine today is a constant balance between struggle and perseverance.
People keep going because they have no other choice, but the reality is far from normal. Prices are high, salaries are low, safety is unpredictable, and uncertainty is part of everyday life. For Ukrainians, this is survival. For outsiders, it may seem like life goes on in a country that seems to be cheap, but beneath the surface, the war is felt everywhere.
No one knows what the future holds, but one thing is clear – Ukraine is not the same, and it never will be again.
I’m on disability, am I able to collect it there?. Ukraine sounds and looks gorgeous!
Hi Cheryl! I am not sure if I understood your question, if I didn’t, please let me know. If you are a Ukrainian citizen, for sure you can apply for disability payments once you are in Ukraine, otherwise, unfortunately, you won’t be able to. But to be honest, those payments are so low here, people barely getting their needs met on that amount of money.
Is this what you meant?
Ukraine’s cities are for people, not cars. Cars can go fast on W. European and US city streets because they have from 4 to 8 lanes, because faster cars can pass slower cars, and because green lights give drivers the assurance that they can drive fast through intersections.
On the narrow streets of Ukrainian cities, not even a center line is painted and there are no traffic lights or stop signs, so cars must drive slowly and carefully! This is good for pedestrians. Also good is that the cities are spared the loud din of thousands of cars driving by (noise pollution), and pedestrians don’t have to cross wide, dangerous streets to walk anywhere.
Cities in “developed” countries are sprawled out for miles and miles due to many-laned streets, cars parked at all curbs, big parking lots, and gas stations on every corner. This sprawls the cities out; Houston, Texas for example is almost 300 square miles! In contrast, Ukraine’s cities lack all that “modern infrastructure,” and thus are dense, compact; one can walk anywhere in just a few minutes.
When cities have suburban sprawl, everything is too spread out to walk to, so there are almost no pedestrians, everyone is in a car. Without pedestrian life there can be no true community. Everyone is isolated in private vehicles; no one meets their friends & neighbors on the street. Yes you walk past many people in shopping malls and big box stores, but these draw customers from many miles around, not just from your neighborhood. Thus you seldom meet people from your community. Driving to a mall & walking around it does not create a community.
Ukrainian cities are pedestrian also because they are built UP, not sprawled OUT like American suburbs. In Ukraine the centuries-old buildings are 4 to 8 stories high, and the streets are narrow. This density makes the cities very walkable. Everything is close. This is true not only for a small “center,” like American cities retain, but for the entire city for miles around.
Ukrainian citizens are blessed by not needing (& not being able to afford) cars. This further adds to the pedestrian-friendly nature of Ukrainian cities. The fare on tramvais (electric trollies/streetcars) is a mere €.15 (15 cents). (In the West fares cost about €2.50, which is 18 times as much!)
There are small privately owned vans everywhere, called Marshrutkas, that for €.20 take people to even the smallest village. People don’t have cars and they crowd into these things; sometimes a small van will have 20 people in it. Hand-lettered signs in the corner of the windshield tell you where they go. They pick up and let out anywhere you want. The driver, his cashier attendant, & some of the passengers gladly give you directions and advice about where you’re going!
On any principal street these Marshrutkas are stopping to pick up passengers approx. 1 every 20 seconds! Few Ukrainians have cars, so they support the transit system. Compare: In the West, few people support the system and thus the system has very few buses and trains, that go few places, and with long waits for the next one.
Ukraine’s capital Kiev also has a huge and comprehensive underground Metro system. It costs only €.27, with trains in your direction departing every 4 minutes.
Long distance trains are also extremely affordable in Ukraine, and are the best way to travel. There are 3 classes; I suggest 2nd class, it’s the most sociable, and gets you a bed with clean sheets in a 4 person compartment. Just ask for cupé. It’s much better to have 3 seats facing 3 seats, than sitting in a train car where all the seats face forward like an airplane. Sleeping a night on a rolling train is fun, and a free hotel!
Ukraine is blessed with roads in poor condition (bumpy etc.) The reason I say blessed is that that is one of the things that keeps people taking the trains. Without large numbers taking the trains, the train service wouldn’t be so comprehensive. It wouldn’t go to so many cities & towns. It would be like it is in the US.
Because most people are not in cars, Ukrainian cities are extremely walkable. The pedestrian is king in Ukraine. (So much for being an “undeveloped country!”)
After all, an automobile is an expensive, dangerous, and environmentally destructive personal isolation chamber and unpaid part-time job, which disrupts, disperses, and destroys compact pedestrian communities.
Ukraine’s cities are for people, not cars! Local shops, cafés, etc are patronized. The beauty of the city is appreciated much better on foot than it would be from a whizzing car.
Wow, Joseph, so many more details, great to read them from a foreigner!
What a fascinating comment, beautifully thought about and described. I so agree with you
Thank you Anya. I find the people of Ukraine to be among the sweetest in the World. They are a besutiful, Proud people l who I have learned a great deal about. I am intending to visit Odessa as soon as things open up.
I appreciate your insights. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Todd Smith
That is music to my ears, thank you, Todd, for the compliment. I hope you will get an opportunity to visit, sooner or later but things should definitely calm down and open up!
I was in Ukraine and loved it.
Great blog.
Wally
Thank you, Wally. I am glad to hear you loved it!
Where are you in Ukraine can i have your number
No, you can’t. I don’t give my number
Anya
I have honor to inform that your published” calling”road just like stunning..!!!
I approciated from bottom my heart. keep going in your smiles. i must to come Ukrain and explore all the magical place. i wish i could meet up . thanks .. I love you. God bless you
Mir A
If you are a U.S. citizen, you are able to continue to collect retirement, disability, or survivors’ benefits while overseas.
However, benefit payments cannot be made to certain countries, such as Cuba, Ukraine, North Korea, and Vietnam. go to:
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/110614/how-can-i-receive-my-social-security-benefits-if-i-want-retire-outside-us.asp
Thank you, James for this info, it’s very helpful!
Am from India and it’s my dream to work in Ukraine as a software engineer,but now am just 17yrs old from this age am planning how to work or settle in Ukraine even my parents dont know in future I will go in Ukraine also uts a great thing for indian to get job in ukraine,also I will try my best,but for me is important I need a person from ukraine who can guide for settle in ukraine(is someone is reading kindly text me on my insta id:chillimaxs_420 ) this will be very helpful for me.so am now 17yrs old wanna get IT job in ukraine some one please tell I can get that I will be become more skill full in software engineer only thing is to guide me(from india)
Hi Sonu, I would really love to help you or give an advice but I am not the right person for that. Yes, I know that Ukraine is hiring Indian citizens but if you have an education from Ukraine or if you are a highly skilled specialist in your field with a lot of experience.
The recommendation that I can give you is to look into a school. There are many excellent schools around Ukraine with good education. Many foreigners come here to study.
Hello Anya,
I am from Philippines but currently living and working here in USA. Not until lately relocating there in Ukraine suddenly just crossed my mind. I am looking for changes. Should I decide to move there how much money should I need to bring to survive living there. I want put up a small business there. Thanks for the feedback
Herbert
Hi Herbert! Based on the events that are taking place in the US, it doesn’t seem that it is a good place to live now. In Ukraine, things will be definitely more relaxed and way cheaper.
Speaking of money, if the goal is to save as much as possible and be able to survive, then you can definitely live on $400-$500 per month, especially if you choose a smaller city to live in. For example, Khmelnitskiy, Ternopil, Summy, Lutsk (cities that are very safe and good to live in) have 1-bedroom apartments for rent for about $150-$200 per month.
$400-$500 per month in a smaller city will cover a flat, food, transportation, phone, and anything else you really need on a daily basis. It will be simple life but you can definitely make it with this amount.
But if the goal is not only to survive but actually have pretty decent life, then I’d say you need to budget at least $800 per month. If you choose a smaller city, this amount is good to live comfortably. In Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro or Odessa, you can also live on this amount but without too many expectations. I hope that helps. If you have other questions, feel free to ask!
P.S. oh, and if you will be moving anytime soon, you’ll need to have insurance that covers covid to show on the border. Americans (or residents) can enter Ukraine without a problem but they need to have insurance at the passport control desk. And the insurance company needs to be authorized in Ukraine. I can send you suggestions if needed.
Hi Anya,
I loved reading this. I have lived in the US for 40 years I am originally from Ireland. I have met Someone from Kyiv and I am seriously thinking about moving there . Everything you said about the country appeals to me except the weather and Air quality but i have spent 30 years in the Chicago area so the weather sounds similar. My friend lives in Kyiv but she speaks Russian normally but now because of the war she is speaking Ukrainian . I want to learn the language but you are suggesting Ukrainian language. I would like to Live in Lviv or some smaller city and be near the mountains. If i am going to take some classes in the US to start to learn a language is Ukrainian the wise choice ? Also i am 62 so i am close to retirement so money will not be a problem even though its a small amount in US it is a large amount in Ukraine.I am a General Contractor by trade in residential restoration would my qualifications be useful in Ukraine if i was to start a business ?. I am an Irish citizen and a member of the European Community and a US citizen . How difficult will it be for me to stay with my friend and live there for a long period ? I would love your feedback.
thanks
Fergus.
Hi Fergus, sorry it took me a while to respond! So let’s answer your questions one by one:
1.) Language. Yes, I am strongly convinced that you should learn Ukrainian instead of russian and here is why.
Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine and it has nothing to do with the war. I cannot really understand what you mean by “now because of the war she is speaking Ukrainian”. Her personal preferences of the language to use have nothing to do with the official language in the country.
If you want to start your business, go to see a doctor, open a bank account, etc. you need to know Ukrainian. Yes, some people will surely be able to assist you in Russian but not all and that’s just not right to expect from them. It will equal the same situation if I go to the US and ask which language should I study English or Spanish. Why can’t I use Spanish and expect people to understand it everywhere I go or serve me in Spanish too just because I know it and just because a big percentage of the American population has Spanish as their native language? That’s just not the right thing to do.
Again, the official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. Do you want to live in this country and assimilate with locals (especially in the west?) Then learn Ukrainian and not Russian. It is as simple as it can be.
Especially if you are talking about settling in a small town close to the mountains. Forget about russian there at all. Even before the war, people didn’t speak Russian in the west of Ukraine. More so now, where russian is considered the language of terrorists.
Second, being able to communicate in Ukrainian as a foreigner makes you stand out. People will be really impressed hearing Ukrainian from a foreigner. It always causes the “wow effect” and makes people love you from the first minute. It applies everywhere, not just in Ukraine. People love seeing foreigners speak their native language, period.
2.) As to your second question about your qualifications – well, yes, they will surely become very useful, especially when the active phase of the war is over and rebuilding and restoration of destroyed by russians cities begins. However, you need to remember that for that, you’ll need to become a resident to be able to work or start your own business. There is no way for you to do it on a tourist visa.
Just staying with your friend does not grant you any legal status in the country. Your only option (as of now) is to get married to a Ukrainian and receive residency through that path.
I hope things will work out for you in the best way possible!
Most people receive monthly government “checks” by direct deposit today. I don’t know what the above poster means by “made to Ukraine.” Perhaps that the Western governments refuse to deposit to Ukrainian banks. If so, just withdraw the max. $300 from your Western bank card, at an Ukrainian bank ATM (called a bankomat in Ukraine). Best to use a machine that’s inside a bank, rather than on the street.
I have a green Social Security Master Card. Every month SS deposits my retirement “check” into this card. I use it to buy groceries, cafe meals, train tickets, hotels, etc. SS doesn’t care where I spend the money, nor do they care where I am.
Anya, how do I make a comment? I see everyone’s comments has a place to click REPLY, as I have am doing now. But where do you click to make a comment?
Hi James! I am a bit confused as in my browser I see a comment box in the end of the article after all comments. It’s at the very bottom of the screen, under ‘leave a reply’, can you see that?
OK, thanks. I’m used to seeing the “Leave a Comment” button at the beginning of the comments, so I didn’t look at the end. I’m told now that many websites these days put this button at the end.
Great work. I knew nothing about Ukraine besides there were pretty girls down there. Your post has sparked in me the desire to visit Ukraine. Tnx a lot. P
Ps. Congrats for the diligence of answering to the comments. It’s definitely not an average behaviour around the internet nowadays.
Thanks, David! I am glad to hear you got inspired 🙂 I hope you’ll get a chance to visit Ukraine because it holds so much for a traveler!
I am African, A Nigerian to be precise, studying at Kyiv International University and I can attest that most of the information shared on here are absolutely true. Ukrainians are actually the most welcoming in the world for as long as they know your intentions are pure.
Thank you for stopping by to share your experience!
Am from Nigeria, an IT entrepreneur,into sales and supplies of laptop gadgets and utilities and also an importer.
Was thinking of moving to Ukraine and setting up an IT business firm. What are my chances,prospects and possibilities?
It is a bit difficult for me to answer this question since I don’t know any details. But if you are talking about software development then Ukraine is currently booming and attracting programmers from all over.
But if you mean you’d like to do retail, then it will be a lot more complicated and will require a good level of the Ukrainian language as well as a need to go through all bureaucratic procedures.
I lived in ltaly 🇮🇹, I loved to lived in Ukraine 🇺🇦 HOW CAN I GO ABOUT IT, I HAVE NO ONE THERE, I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP A PLACE TO LIVE, I WANT TO COME UKRAINE TO WORK AND LIVED..THANK YOU
There is an opportunity to get Ukrainian citizenship if you join military forces to help defend Ukraine from the Russian invasion. I suggest you contact the Ukrainian embassy wherever you are to find out the details as well as if such participation is allowed by your country.
Hi, its racist to tell people to stay away from gypsies. In fact using the term gypsie is considered racist here in Canada and we use Roma peoples. Why not tell your readers to stay away from blacks in anerican cities? Both are racist.
Shove your lecture up your ass. My country is now going through very dark times because of the war and you know about it because it’s on all news around the world, but you still decide to stop by to spill the dirt? What a nastiness. I had a higher opinion of Canadians.
Now, so you know, in Ukraine we call gypsies and Roma two different groups of people. The difference between them is huge. Roma are those who are educated, peaceful, and intelligent people who have high values and standards. They lead the same lifestyle as an average adequate person around the world. They are all among us in Ukraine, especially in the southwest.
Gypsies are those of Roma descent who are criminals, thieves, beggars, scammers and very dangerous human beings whose life purpose is to live off others. They choose this lifestyle for themselves and pass it on to their children. So this cycle never ends. They always live in poverty and mud, although spend stolen money on luxurious things and expensive food.
Often, Charles, there is much more behind a phrase than what is considered racist in Canada. Instead of trying to show off or assert yourself at the expense of others, it is always much easier and kinder to ask a question and clarify for yourself.
HOLY MOLY what a BEAUTIFUL reply Anya!
One can rest assured that when engaging me in any conversation that either requires an opinion or leads up to one, just like you, I’m not wasting a second of my life to offer up the warm and fuzzy side of life, just so that one feels good inside, when I just told them to piss off.
Charles apparently wants the warm and fuzzy offered up to him because snowflakes are just that way.
I can’t wait to visit your beautiful country Anya. The Karpathians await me.
WHY don’t the Eukrains create a commando force, fly them to the other end of Russia, and randommly strike and destroy Russian Buildings and important areas that would create extra havoc for the Russians. Don’t the Russian civilians realise that they are being destroyed themselves?
Hey William, we are a very peaceful nation and have no intention to attack anyone. We are just now fighting for our own land and protecting it from occupation. And in regards to Russian civilians, no they don’t realize they are being destroyed. Quite the opposite, they believe that Russia entered a new phase towards development and prosperity, therefore they don’t mind the sanctions and continue supporting the war in Ukraine.
Russians have been heavily brainwashed for years, so they are living in their own reality disconnected from the rest of the world.
I was reading your blog and and is for the first time that i want time machines to exist and to go back early February 2022 ….maybe I could change that unfair fate .I hope you stay safe .thinking of you
Thank you, Juliana!
In my opinion compared to western Europe, Ukraine is not very acceible for people with disabilities. It is improving with new buses and trains but most buildings don’t have ramp access and lifts as much you will have if you are in UK or us or scandanavia or Germany etc for instance. So it depends what disability you have and your access needs. Pre war it was improving but it was a culture shock I had was how less accessible it is. There was also less awareness of food allergy safety, although most supermarkets did sell some basic free from foods. Not sure how easy it is now with war, I went in December at Christmas. But the people are welcoming and will try and help as much as they can. The people will care about you being safe and fed and well.
Unfortunately, this is true. I’ll confirm that Ukraine doesn’t have the proper infrastructure for people with disabilities, although that is improving (slowly, but improving!) and allergy awareness is also not widely spread mainly because of the price of special foods.
Yet, you can find absolutely anything in the store (big chains like Silpo, Epicenter, Metro Cash&Carry, Ashan, Fozzy Group, and ATB) for people with allergies. Now with the war, the selection is not so wide as a lot of products are imported and import process has slowed down a lot but still, the choice is big.
Hi
I Vinod Kumar from India, have opened a company in Ukraine last year. Now i want to start my work in Ukraine. What is the procedure to get a long term visa and Trc of Ukraine.
Hi Vinod, thank you for your question here. I am not authorized to provide legal advice but can recommend a few lawyers you could consult with. Let me know what city you are going to be based in and I’ll advise whom to contact. But if you have already opened a company, it should help you get your residency. Usually, it is a time-consuming process which involves a lot of paperwork. If you got a chance to open a company, congratulations on this first step, it should be easier to apply for residency!
Hi Vinod,
Can you drop me your email contact?
Babu
Kumar, Hi. Where is your business located and what is your product or service? I am an american and I am interested.
From Nigeria. I would love to school (study nautical science) in Ukraine please what are my chances. Along side a mini job.
Hi Paul! During my student years in Kiev in my class there were other students from Nigeria too, but they were studying marketing. Nautical science is a popular major for international students but for the most part, it is not free education, you would need to pay. I know there is one school where you can study it in Odessa, is this the city you are thinking about? If you get accepted and get a student visa, you could work part-time only (I would double check on how many hours you can legally work under the student visa though.) The jobs you could get would be in the private sector, mainly the hospitality and restaurant business. Have you looked in a city where to study?
Look at Sumy, very good university!
G Frick from sweden who lived in Sumy
Ohhh am impressed by this observation. I will really love to Come over and feel such. But concerning studies how affordable especcially at a higher level of studies
please tell me more about graduate schooling in Ukraine. That is Masters and Ph.d education
Hi Chekwube! I will be writing more posts on this topic. You can signup for the newsletter to know when posts are up.
Guide and Translator Needed
Hello! My name is Larry. Please, will you help me to find a girl to be a translator and guide for me during my trips to Ukraine? I am an old man. Sometimes I am wabbly on my feet. Walk arm in arm with me for a few minutes and my feet will stablize. Ask me to take the hand rail with my other hand and I can get down the stairs without injury. I do not speak Russian well enough to be without a translator and guide. My guide must have no other responsibilities for the length of my stay. Because of my ageing condition (69 years) I will need help at all times. When my translator is with me, I pay wages of $50 per day plus meals, and tickets, and if we travel I also pay for a separate room for my guide’s use. If my guide lives too far from the hotel where I am staying, I would like to pay for a flat located within 10 minutes of my Hotel for her use.
Hi Larry, I know a few people who are guides. I’ll touch base with them and ask if they would be interested. I’ll get back to you shortly.
Thank you very much! My I often travel for 8 days, 16 days, or 24 days.
Larry, I just wanted to make sure you saw Anya’s article above that says the average monthly income in Ukraine is $300. That’s $10 per day.
Thank you for the post, it was very interesting to read!
I am happy to hear that, thank you Susanna, for stopping by!
Wow I didn’t know that and it sounds like it’s a good place to visit!
It is! Come to visit, Justine!
I want to come visit from the USA. Do you set up things? I can find a flight but after I get there a guide would be great. I can pay for any services not a problem. Do most places take major credit cards? Wouldn’t want to carry a lot of cash. Thanks
Hi Michael, yes, we offer different types of services – transfers, guides, do genealogical research, and offer private tours. In fact, I am working now on the page with all the mentioned services which is going to be live within the next couple of days. I am going to send you an email with more details.
Hi
I read your article And I love it so much
i want to know about your opinion about the ukrainian woman or the relationship between them I’m Egyptian and I meet ukrainian woman in Egypt now we planning to married but I’m not sure if from it
Hi Tomas,
I get dozens of questions like yours every week that I cannot answer in one comment, especially not knowing any particular details. If you are interested, we can set up a call to discuss your situation.
Ah, finally somebody says what I’ve been repeating to everyone I know – Lviv has the best coffee (and coffee culture) in the whole world.
I have to pick your brain about private clinics in Lviv Anya. For the last few years we’ve had all our medical & dental checkups in Prague. This year we’ll be in Lviv for 2 months and are looking to get it done there. Any reputable places?
Great post 🙂
Thanks, Frank! Yes, we tried coffee in many countries around the world but confidently can say that coffee in Lviv is simply the best!
Regarding clinics, I will call a few places I know and ask them a few questions on prices (to compare) and either they speak English or not, and will get back to you with recommendations. I’l do that for that time when you are in Georgia. I am also working on a post about clinics around Ukraine that are great for foreigners. A few other people asked my advice, so I decided to create a detailed post.
What I also can highly recommend – come to Khmelnitskiy city for your medical checkups and dental. It is known as a city with some of the cheapest and best medical services in Ukraine. Besides dental, you can do everything else you need. Some of the best acupuncture specialists, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, otorhinolaryngologist are there. Khmelnitskiy is only 3.5 hours away from Lviv by train. It is small, very safe, clean and almost everything is located close to each other. I can definitely put you through some amazing specialists and even help you make appointments. There is a chance I will be there in the summer too, so I can be your guide and translator. Although at many places specialists speak English and you will be fine on your own.
Also, it is possible to get all work done during one day (depends on how much work to do of course) or rent a cheap airbnb and stay a few days while exploring the city and trying some of the best coffee too :). Khmelnitskiy also has some of the best shopping in the entire country, so if you need to pick up a few things, this is the right city to go to.
Let me know, if you decide to go to Khmelnitskiy and I’ll help you to arrange everything. And I promise to get back with a Lviv list too. And talk to you soon!
Thank you so much for all this info Anya. I think the post you are mentioning would be a great resource for people considering medical tourism in Ukraine.
I would prefer options in Lviv though, simply because we’ll be there and if there are repeat appointments it’s a bit of a pain to have to travel every time. We’re looking for basic medical checkups and I think I need an MRI on my knee. Have been having some issues. We also need a dentist. Had a great clinic in Prague but I think we’re tired of going back every year…
As I say prefer Lviv. But if necessity calls for it we could go to Khmelnitskiy.
We’ll be in Ukraine July and August. If things work out would love to have you as our guide and translator 🙂
I’ll do my research and get back to you, Frank! And hopefully we’ll get to meet in Tbilisi! 😉
Are saying Kiev or Lviv. Whete is Lviv?
Sorry, what do you mean?
I was confused. I thought you were saying that Lviv is the same place as Kiev but I’m thinking Lviv is in Poland, correct? Sorry to confuse. Gary
No, Lviv is not in Poland, this city is in Western Ukraine. Kyiv is the capital and in the north.
Hello Anya,
I will be moving to Ukraine to live in the near future. You would be a great contact and help to me, as I am sure I will need help at times with various things.
May I get your personal email address and your phone number?That would be much appreciated.
Best regards,
Richard
Hi Richard, I noticed you also sent me an email, I am going to reply right away, and let’s stay in touch via it. I know how challenging life in a foreign country can be, so yeah, I am happy to help if there is anything I can do.
Greetings Anya,
I realize I am replying to a 6+ year old posting, yet I would appreciate your help if possible. I hope that this, my inquiry finds you both well and safe as well as prospering.
Pertaining to the coffee mentioned by both Frank, and yourself: Where online would I be able to find and purchase the coffee mentioned in your posts, along with the traditional cultural Ukrainian recipe for it’s preparation and consumption, and have these shipped to myself located on the Northwest coast of the North American Continent? Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, “Scott” Aloysa Rambousek, Olde Kingdom of Bohemia Ex-Pat,
Now trapped in the nation of Babylon.
Hi Aloysa,
Thank you for your message. I think there’s been a little misunderstanding, in that old comment I wasn’t referring to a specific coffee brand that you can order online. I was talking about Lviv’s coffee culture as an experience you can only really have by being there in person.
In Lviv as in the whole country of Ukraine in fact, coffee shops aren’t just selling plain coffee, many create their own unique recipes that you won’t find elsewhere. I’ve tried coffee with almond powder, cinnamon and orange, another with edible gold, one served “on fire”, a coconut “Raffaello” coffee, even coffee made with orange juice instead of milk. Many cafes have their own twist and part of the charm is walking through the city and discovering them yourself.
So unfortunately, these aren’t things you can have shipped, they are something you travel to Lviv to taste and experience. If you ever get the chance to visit (hopefully the war will be over soon), it’s worth dedicating a few days just to exploring the coffee houses!
Thank you! Would like to know more about food options, but this was otherwise exactly what I was looking for. : )
Hey David, thanks for stopping by! I am glad you found it useful! I also wrote one post about lesser known foods in Ukraine to try and will be writing more on this topic. So hope to see you on this blog again 😉
I draw my late husband’s social security. Will I have a problem getting access to my money there. I would like to live in a rural area as I was a farmer. Would this be difficult?
Hi Norma, to be honest, yes, it will be challenging if you move to a rural area. In cities and towns it is not a problem. But villages and countryside is not that developed yet. You would need to travel to a nearby city every month to collect the money.
Thanks for your great documentary, I found it very useful, as an Englishman could I teach without speaking much Russian?
I am happy you found it useful, Bernie!
If you are coming to teach English in Ukraine, you don’t need to speak any Russian. Knowing some of the language would come in handy to communicate outside the school but you will be totally fine without it.
In big cities a lot of people speak English, so communication won’t be difficult. Still, if you end up coming to Ukraine for a longer period of time, I recommend taking a few lessons to learn the basics.
I’ll be happy to advise a few great language schools for foreigners and connect you with locals. If you need help or advice on anything else, feel free to contact me, I am happy to help, seriously.
Privyet! I’d love to know more about teaching English in Ukraine, especially in a city other than Kyiv. I’d like to make my money last! I have a two year plan to finish my Masters here in America then move out of the country. I’m 51 years old now, know basic Russian (can’t write in Cyrillic but I can read, probably at elementary school level), and am quite IT literate. What do you think? Would you mind sharing some insight with me? Thank you in any case! Lovely blog you have)) Todd
Hi Todd! Kyiv is expensive, so true and there are definitely schools all over Ukraine that hire native English speakers. But usually, with the lower cost of living, the salary is also slightly lower. I have friends in Kharkiv and Odessa who work in schools where foreigners work as well.
My hometown Khmelnitskiy (which is not really famous for any sights and where tourists never go) also has two schools that are in need of English speaking teachers. I found them by accident through helpx.com and while they were looking for volunteers at that time, they were also hiring for a long-term basis.
Have you done any research and found any schools at all? Do you know where exactly you’d like to be, (meaning the region and part of the country)? I started to write a post about schools in Ukraine that look for native English speakers but have never finished it. If you are interested, I can send you some schools from my list if you give me an idea which city/town interests you more.
Is LGBT lifestyle accepted in Ukraine?
We’re planning to tour around first and look for a quiet place like farms to settle down..
Thank you and more power on your blog.🙏
Joe M.
Hi Anya greetings from Pakistan , I am Asher want to open a business of food at small level , what do you suggest me to do first… your information and discussion is very useful for foreigners ,,
Hi Asher!
You know, recently a few other people asked me similar questions, so now I am planning to start working on posts that will give thorough answers and details. It is a very serious topic. I need to write a series of posts. One short comment will never be enough.
If in a few words… Starting a business in Ukraine as a foreigner is a bit challenging because of the bureaucracy and in some cases corruption. Even though it is challenging, it is still possible and worth the effort.
For the beginning, I would recommend to enter Ukraine on a tourist visa and only then start changing your status and opening a business.
Before you arrive in Ukraine, you will need to prepare all necessary documents in advance and take them with you. Also, if you are willing to do everything by yourself, without a lawyer, I still encourage you to hire a local (or maybe you have a friend) who will communicate with the officials (99% of them do not speak English).
Before you begin the process of registration of a legal entity, you must obtain an identification number or tax payer card. Another important note: you’ll have to choose the organizational and legal form of your company. Many lawyers advise to opt for LLC.
There is so much to write on this topic. Give me a few weeks and I’ll write posts with all the details!
Thanks Anya for your nice and practical comments, i will be thankful if you guide me in future too,, making legal documents as company would be better idea (LLC) i will be Lucky if some English speaking Lawyer of Ukraine contact me for further facilitation
I will, Asher! Make sure to check this blog in the nearest future because I am adding more tips and posts!
Hy Anaya can you send me your email.. i want to know some information inbox
Hi Asher! To make it easier for both of us, you can email me through this link here. The message is always sent to my email from where I respond.
Thanks so much for your information on the ” need to know” topics for those who will be moving to Ukraine in the near future. I will be focusing my attention to the City that so many of my friends have been to and greatly enjoyed ( Odessa) which is the place i have been looking at apartments to buy. I have a budget of €50,000 and was told that i would get a good apartment for that price however, it would be at least 3-5 KM from the coast and, from what i have seen of the accomodation it does look like great value for money as i could just not get that quality in a similar sized UK City for the sale prices in Odessa. I have been told that Odessa is like much of the south and south-eastern parts of Ukraine is a Russian speaking area and that this would be the best language to learn if i move there however, if i cannot get the apartment in an agreeable area i will likely start looking at my second choice of City Kharkiv in the east. I will just see what comes my way. Thanks once again . Regards…..Abe ( uk )
Hi Abe!
Odessa is a very unique city and not to everyone’s liking, to be honest. Have you ever been to Ukraine and visited it and Kharkiv?
€50,000 is definitely enough for buying a nice 1, possibly 2-bedroom flat not far from the seaside. If you are looking for a larger apartment (at least a 3-bedroom one) then I will agree with your friends on the location. Although I have just opened the OLX website (the most famous website for buying and selling real estate in Ukraine) and found quite a few apartments at a lower price not far from the sea. One on Kamanina street (2-bd flat), 1 km away from “Ibiza” Beach Club for about $60,000 (which is almost the same as the amount you have). Or for example, this 1-bd apartment in a newly built building for less than $50,000 in the center of Prymorskyi neighborhood, also 1 km away from the sea and Potemkin Stairs.
With the amount of money you have, you’ll be able to find a lot of options in Odessa. Also, keep in mind if you buy a new apartment without renovations and furniture, the price is going to be much lower.
Great article, but I miss Sumy as a recommended place to live in. Very cheap and calm. The tempo is a bit more relaxed than in Kiev. I am from Stockholm, Sweden and have lived there and is actually thinking of moving back because Sweden is going down in a fast pace.
Hi G Frick! I would not be comparing Sumy to major cities in Ukraine and saying how cheap it is. Sumy is a small provincial industrial town with not so developed infrastructure, higher prices for groceries and not so many things to do. Of course, it will be cheaper than capital and other larger cities that play an important economic role.
In this case, let’s compare Sumy to Cherkassy, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Khmelnitskiy, Chernivtsi, Ivane-Frankivsk, Ternopil’ or Poltava, for instance. Among all these cities, Sumy is the last one on the list for many reasons. It is one of the least comfortable cities when it comes to health care, quality of air and water, infrastructure, education, amount of activities to do and level of pollution. Prices for rent and food are also higher when compared to other cities of the same type. Sumy is an industrial city and has a very high level of pollution. Although, it is one of the safest in Ukraine and promotes sports a lot.
I am glad you like it there. We are all different and have different preferences. Still, I personally would never live in Sumy, a lot of Ukrainians are moving out of there, and I don’t think it is a great city to recommend to live in long-term. But some other foreigners may love it, you are absolutely right.
Hi Anya,
I love this very informative article!!
I am from the United States. I have met someone from Ukraine. If we marry there, will I be accepted to live in Ukraine long term? I am a flight attendant. English and Spanish is my native language. What are my chances in finding work living there?
Hi Jenny! I am so glad you found it useful!
If you marry in Ukraine, definitely you can apply for your residency and live and work there on a permanent basis! A marriage certificate from the U.S. only will not have any value in Ukraine, so you would need to go through another registration there.
If you are a flight attendant, it makes things so much easier for you. Your chances of finding a job in Ukraine are pretty high even though you don’t speak a local language. The most important thing in your case would be a residency permit which enables a company to hire you.
I hope it answers your question! 😉
Very informative. Thanks
Hi I am Sahil from India
Recently I will be completing with my B-tech in IT
After graduation I wish to start my new life, and this blog is really helping me out
But I am planning for MBA or MS in Ukraine then is there any good universities and how much it would cost also is there any job opportunities after mba there ?
And can I start direct job in Ukraine after my bachelors ?
Hi Sahil,
I am happy to hear that my blog is helping you! I am currently working on more posts on Ukraine, so make sure to check them out soon. I am writing posts on education and jobs too.
If shortly, yes, there are quite a few good universities for MBA and MS in Ukraine. On average education for foreigners costs between $1000-2000 per year, depending on the school and city. There are job opportunities after MBA but priority is given to locals at first. Although if you have experience in IT field, your chances are high to secure a job in IT sector.
Thank you Anya for your comment, hope I will get into travelers life soon,
because I like to know different cultures, interact with new people.
Good luck to you , hope Success find you wherever you go !
By the way, what did you do while you was in US for lives ? Are to software professional ?
As united states is big IT giant.
Thank you, Sahil!
When we were living in the U.S. we worked for various hotels. I personally also spent a few years working as a nanny before getting into the hospitality business. We decided to turn to IT only after we left the U.S. The goal was to learn how to make money online, so we wouldn’t need to tie ourselves to only one place. IT is a perfect field for that.
Good luck to you too! Hope to see you on this blog again and if you ever end up coming to Ukraine and need more tips, don’t hesitate to send me a message!
Hi, thanks for the great article. I am thinking about doing an internship in Ukraine (I am an EU citizen). My question sounds a bit weird, but will I be able to work in Russia afterward? It is not like a red flag or something in the CV, because of the conflicts. Thank you.
Hi Nikkie,
I understand your concern but don’t worry, it’s not going to be an issue at all. As long as it is not military related, you can work in both countries and not to worry about anything.
Good luck!
Thanks for your write up.but I have a question.
I am international student planning to move to Ukraine to further my education.here in my country I have big business and is doing well.but Haven read of Ukraine education and working system I sometimes scared of proceeding to the country.
Hi Blessing, I am honestly not sure what exactly you are scared of. Can you please clarify on that?
Thank you for the post, it was very helpful.
I am glad to hear this, Atul!
What a great post! I will be in Ukraine next month and truly look forward to this trip!
I am happy to hear that, Kevin! Enjoy your trip!
Hi im travelling to mirgorod end of August via kiev im on Instagram with a few people. And have been so kindly invited to stay with a family all through horses the town of mirgorod looks beautiful
Hey Tony, I hope you’ll enjoy your trip to Mirgorod. Honestly, I’ve never been there so don’t have much to say. But if you are traveling with other people and going to interact with locals, this is going to be quite an adventure! Just make sure to spend sometime in Kyiv too, it’s an interesting city!
Hi! i am a university student and i want to continue my university in Ukraine would you recommend me a specific uni or state to live in BTW loved your article!
Hi Abed,
It really depends on what you want to study. I am happy to advise if you give me more information about what you are looking for.
Hi Anya,
Glad you responded the major is computer science so basically a university that teach in English with such major with low fees thanks!
Hi Abed, I am almost done with a post on schools in Ukraine for foreigners. Some other people asked me the same question, so I decided to write a post on this topic. It should be up on the blog in a week or so. Make sure to check it out soon!
As the usual from Ukraine very beautiful Lady and very smart and kind. I have a few questions for you I am on Social Security make 1,300 dollars a month can I afford to live there But I also have a fiance from Russia with a daughter that I wish to move into Ukraine. She is petrified she fears Ukraine people will hate her and her daughter for being Russian. I also had throat cancer and lost my vocal cords so talking difficult. She is worried for my health. I hate cities sorry I love the country life. How hard will it be to live in the country and also what are the requirements Visa’a ect to move and live in Ukraine I also want to merry her in your beautiful country Any beautiful Romantic places you can give me for a memory to last a lifetime? Thank you for all your help and time I hope the war ends . I love coffee so this will be my dream country LOL Take Care God Bless you and your family David
Hi David!
You can definitely live on $1300 a month in many cities and towns around Ukraine. The only challenge here is your legal status and visa. You mentioned your fiancé is from Russia, I don’t think there is any way for you guys to settle in Ukraine on a long-term basis. Both of you, based on your passports, can spend only 90 days in Ukraine every 6 months but you are not allowed to live here long term. It means you would need to leave every 3 months.
But if your fiancé is so petrified to travel to Ukraine, why to bother at all? It seems that she has been seriously brainwashed by Russian media (which does not come as a surprise) and totally believes all that hate and nonsense they are spreading about Ukraine.
I am sorry but I don’t think I am really able to give a good piece of advice here.
St. Petersburg, in the north of Russia, is an exceedingly beautiful city. It has great transit, ballet, exquisite 300 year old architecture built by Peter the Great, great food. It is Peter’s “window on the West.”
Good day Anya, my name is William. I was wondering if you can give me any insight into how the Ukrainian people see black men from America. How do the Ukrainian people feel about dogs? I am thinking about possibly moving to the Ukraine next as I have been in Asia for the last few years and want a change of scenery. It is always a tricky subject to approach asking about such a touchy subject, but it is nice to get a cross-section of answers from people who have lived in both the Ukraine and the U.S.
Hi William, that’s a good question to ask because a lot of people have misconceptions about this topic.
If you go to a small town or village somewhere in the countryside, definitely expect people to stare at you, talk about you and try to get close. They’ll do it not because they want to harm you but because you look exotic. They will stare at and talk about anyone who doesn’t look Slavic. Not many foreigners go their way, so once they see someone who looks totally different they will be giving that person a lot of attention.
I don’t think though you’ll be going to the countryside.
In large cities, people are used to foreigners and don’t pay attention. Unless again, there is someone from a countryside who is visiting a city and sees a foreigner on the street for the first time. Large cities attract a lot of foreign guests as well as students from African and Middle Eastern countries, so you will see quite a few foreigners with dark skin on the streets of Lviv, Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv, etc. Ukrainians welcome them the same way as they welcome anyone else.
Overall, you shouldn’t worry about anything when it comes to your looks. The only thing which may happen is that the police can stop you and ask for your passport (which happens very rarely.) Some students, after they are done with school, stay in the country illegally. So police, if implying you are a student, may stop you to check the documentation (so just in case have a copy of your passport.) Again, it doesn’t mean they will stop you. But something to remember. Other than that nothing to worry about.
Crossing the border will be easy if you hold an American passport. Just keep in mind, William, in Ukraine you can stay only 90 days every 6 months. In Asia it is much easier to stay for a long term. Ukraine is more strict on this matter.
Oh, and one more thing. Ukrainian people love dogs! Bring your pet!
I hope I answered your question. If you have another one, feel free to ask.
Anya, thank you for such a thoughtful and we’ll planned response. Your tips are invaluable. I am still deciding on the next chapter in my life’s journey, countries in Central and South America are pretty high on my list as well as a few in Europe. Thanks for all of the information and taking the time to write and respond to so many of the questions that people have asked you.
My pleasure, William! No matter what you decide, I am wishing you only the best with all your adventures! South America sits high on our list too, so I totally get ya 🙂
Hi Anya and Mark Well my Russian fiance refuses to move to Ukraine she says the Russian news is showing Ukraine schools teaching children to hate Russians and to cut off Russian babies heads. I tried to tell her it is the same propaganda all countries use to brainwash the people. When I was growing up the USA government in schools told us all Russian woman looked like Godzilla and smelled just as bad and were wives of Russian beet farmers because they were so dumb. I am telling you the truth it is what they told us in school this is from the same people who told us that if we got under our desk when Russia attacked us with Nuclear bombs we would be safe. I tried to tell her not to listen to such garbage but she is petrified. Sad because I feel Ukraine is a very beautiful country. She has agreed on Bulgaria so I guess I will move there and buy a house and bring her and her daughter to live with me. Do you know much about Bulgaria I have heard good and bad. I have read about the Gypsy bands that destroy the forest and rob and have even killed some people but that is everywhere in this world .Any help and advice you can give me I would be very grateful to hear.You and Mark have had a very good life and look like two very beautiful loving people Take Care God Bless. David Smith
Hey David,
Whatever your fiancé is saying about Ukraine is very toxic.
It’s a good thing you understand that all of what she is hearing is propaganda. But it doesn’t change that fact that she is spreading hate which comes from the media.
Honestly, I don’t feel like getting into this conversation. I wish you all the best with whatever you decide.
I am looking forward to school in Ukraine how is it over there
There are a lot of international students in different cities around Ukraine and it is a popular destination for foreigners.
Hi!
I am from Pakistan.
I am a Muslims.
Can someone please tell that how is ukraine for studying MBBS especially for muslim students.
Hi Usman! Medical universities in Ukraine see a lot of international students who come from different backgrounds and follow different religions. And especially, there are a lot of muslims. Ukrainians in general are very receptive of other cultures and respect religions of others. You shouldn’t worry about that fact that you profess a different religion as long as you are not imposing your views on others. If that’s what you meant.
Hi i am European citizen and i am thinking of moving to Zaporizhzya. Do you have any information?
Hi Michael, sure, what exactly would you like to know? Something about the move, Zaporizhzhya as a city where to live, renting a flat or anything else?
Hi. Well, with a monthly income of 1500 euros it would be nice to know whether i can rent a comfortable flat there and any information about the city will be welcome. If there’s any foreign little community as well
With this amount of money you definitely can rent a very comfortable flat and live very well not only in Zaporizhzhya but many other cities around Ukraine. The average price for a really nice and new 2-bedroom apartment is $500 per month. If you plan to rent it for the entire year, I can connect you with a few agents who speak English and can help you find a great option.
For the foreign community, it is almost non-existent in Zaporizhzhy since it’s one of the least popular cities to go to and choose to live in. Zaporizhzhya is very polluted due to dozens of heavy industrial plants within city limits. There are a few foreigners who work as English teachers and as missionaries but there are really a few of them.
I am also finishing a guide to Ukrainian cities where I talk in detail about each city, so it should give you better understanding on what to expect. Make sure to check it soon.
Hello, I have a quick question, I am about to marry a lady from Zaporizhzhia who will come over to America shortly. I have just returned from Ukraine and I have loved it every time I have been.
We intend to stay in America until I retire , in about 6 years but my concern is about medical care. Or to be more accurate the availability of insulin in Ukraine. As if the treatment of my diabetes is basic in Ukraine we want to retire in Ukraine near Lviv or Dnipro.
Any help gratefully appreciated
Alan
Thank You
If everything I have read about Ukraine is sure, then I will like to be there with my family.
Hi Anya, Thanks for posting this article. I have been to Kiev numerous times now as a tourist and have never felt uncomfortable or that the city was not safe. I do not know the language and have had minor communication problems with the locals but nothing to really cause a problem. People overall have treated me well and try to understand the English language. I will continue my adventures to Kiev and continue learning their lifestyle and culture. It’s been a lot of fun for me!
Hi CRB,
I am really happy to hear this and to know you enjoyed Kyiv! And thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Come to visit other cities in Ukraine too, there is still so much to do and see! 😉
Hello Anya
I am Robert, an entrepreneur from Nigeria.
I plan to to set up my company in Ukraine.
And latter plan to bring my kids along.
How is elementary and secondary school like for English speakers in Ukraine?
Hi Robert, all public elementary and secondary schools in Ukraine teach in the Ukrainian language. In the beginning, before your kids learn it (if that’s the goal of course), you could send them to a private school. In big cities, there are British and American schools where all pupils are English speakers. With smaller cities it is more challenging though. Are you interested in any particular city?
Thanks Anya
Can you kindly send your email to my mailbox.
I need to chat you further
Hey Robert, if you need to contact me, send me your message through contact us page. I will respond from my email. Thank you
Hello. I am interested in schools for kids as well. Could you please write about school system. I am interested in private schools with english medium.
I see lots of women in Ukraine looking for husbands. Are the men their that bad?
Hmm… I think not only women in Ukraine are looking for husbands. Women all over the world would like to marry and have a family. But if you mean foreigners, then I see lots of foreign men looking for wives in Ukraine too. Are their women that bad?
Women in the West have been modernized & developed, just as the Western economy has. Pedestrian main street & its small shops have been replaced by big box corporate chain stores on the outskirts of town. Everyone moved into suburban sprawl & got cars, there are no more pedestrians. This is called “development.” Also the West stopped making products (clothes, furniture, tools — everything); no one in the West works with their hands anymore, most just shuffle papers and peck keyboards.
As the economy “developed,” the women “developed” in the West. Modernized. That is the difference between Ukrainian women & Western women. Ukrainian are better. They are more real, more feminine, less dogmatized. Oh, they are not weak; you will hear what’s what if you have a Ukrainian wife or girlfriend!
A better friend, adviser, & partner a man cannot find.
Im a foreigner living in Ukraine for one year and I agree with most of this article. For me, medical care is really important for me to feel totally secure. And I find the healthcare here too underdeveloped and old fashioned. Even in an awesome city like Ternopil, all the hospitals I’ve seen scared me. I felt they were really, outdated, even dirty sometimes, and i don’t know why but the heat and lights are always off. I feel like Im in a bad movie when I go there. Once I had somethjng in my ear and the hospital didn’t even have a tool to get it out,they said the doctor with that tool went home and I should come back the next day….i was very confused. Another time, my dad had a stroke and doctors didn’t have medicine to give him, so he had to wait until we brought him medicine from the pharmacy. That really blew my mind! From what I’ve learned, Ukraine has developed and progressed so much. I do think it’s a beautiful place for a few years, but I would feel uneasy staying here for the long term.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jamie!
It sounds like you went to a public hospital because everything you are describing is the dark reality of hospital life in any city in Ukraine. Everything there is outdated, old and inside of the building it always feels creepy, as you say, like in a horror movie.
I personally never go to the public part of the hospital (because there is also a private one where everything is new and up to the latest technology) and actually stopped going there more than 10 years ago. When I talk about clinics and medical treatment centers in many of my posts about Ukraine, I always mention ‘private’. I will never recommend any foreigner to go to a public clinic.
Now I am curious. Did the insurance company pick this hospital for you?
Ternopil is home to one of the leading medical universities in Ukraine. There are a lot of private clinics around the city that specialize in various specialties.
How and why did you go to a public one? Wasn’t there an alternative?
I would appreciate your feedback! Thanks again!
Am a foreign students,and I study in national University of technology chernihiv,I need a job for my self,and how can I locate some jobs that don’t need language speaking person
Am a foreign students in chernihiv city,am having a 5years resident permit I need a job either factory works or school in need of English teacher am absolutely good in English or any kind of job I can do them,my contact +380930139561
I would say that your best bet is to speak to a local lawyer. I can’t advise anything based on this limited information. A residency permit not always allows a person to work in Ukraine, are you sure yours does?
Second, as a foreigner, if not being highly skilled and qualified, it may be really difficult to secure a minimal wage or entry-level job since preference is given to Ukrainians. Also, usually, with those jobs there is a requirement to know the Russian/Ukrainian language.
If your permits let’s you work in the country legally, the only suggestion I have is to prepare your resume (in the best way you can), dress presentably, put your smile on and go personally to businesses (like restaurants, cafes, delivery companies, etc.) and ask them if they need workers. The majority of them are always hiring and there are jobs when you don’t need to communicate with others, so language knowledge is not obligatory.
In any other case, Williams, I don’t want to mislead you, definitely try to talk to a lawyer about your chances of getting a job. Consultations are usually free.
HI Anya
Thanks for all the information, receives a lot of stress. Thinking of retiring in Ukraine, speak English and Spanish., I am a retired Executive Chef, Do you think i low key American Cooking school would be viable ?
Hi Tim, I apologize for responding with a delay, I hope this answer is still on time. Honestly, American Cooking School idea sounds amazing and if you open it in a large city, your chances of success are higher.
This is still something unique for Ukraine and people are curious. There are a few cooking schools (not schools, better to say cooking classes) I know of but they are actually for foreign tourists, not for Ukrainians. Also, some restaurants offer cooking classes for kids where they can learn how to make pizzas, sushi, and a few other international foods. But there is not much for adults.
A lot of people in Ukraine love attending various events, classes and meetups where they can communicate with native English speakers. If you open a school which is unique and offers communication in English (Spanish is a bonus but it’s not as popular as English), it’s definitely going to help you to succeed.
However, if you want to open your school officially then be ready to go through seven circles of bureaucratic hell. You would definitely need to have a Ukrainian help you with documentation, translation and go with you to every single appointment. And keep in mind that opening a business in Ukraine would take months, so be ready for that.
But if you get a permission and registration on your school (or any other business), you can apply for temporary residence. I hope it helps! If you have any other questions, just ask!
Hi there,
Could you let me know my girlfriend lives and teaches in Norgorod-Severskiy ( she is a ukranian ) I myself live in the UK, I’m now ready to retire. Can I move to the Ukraine to completely retire and live with my girlfriend until we marry, without any problems.
Thanks Michael
Hi Michael, you are allowed to be in Ukraine only 3 months every half a year which means you’d need to leave for 3 months before you can re-enter again and be in the country legally. If you plan to live with someone without getting married, it still doesn’t change your status as a visitor in the country.
No matter what you do, do not overstay illegally because you will not get your temporary residency even through a marriage to the Ukrainian resident. By law, a foreigner can apply for temporary residency after entering the marriage only if he/she is staying in the country legally while waiting for approval from the Immigration services.
I really enjoyed reading your post. Ukraine is my dream destination. I would really like to go to Ukraine and see all of the historic sights and the architecture, but I would really like to know more about working there and volunteering at a Christian orphanage. How could I go about getting started on living and working in Ukraine? And what kind of costs are involved?
Thank you,
Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey, I am asking around on this subject and trying to find more information from people I used to work with.
For now, I can recommend these guys: mission823.com. I have been working with the founder Shawn Sullivan and director Vladimir Rezmer and can speak highly of these people. They do a lot for Ukrainian children and run a non-profit organization. There are a lot of companies on the market who are mainly interested in getting money of volunteers but Mission 823 is legitimate, Christ oriented and they really do a lot. They have multiple projects in Ukraine throughout the year but I don’t know how much their projects cost now. You can get in touch, they respond very quickly.
Meanwhile, I am touching base and asking a few more people I used to work with, so I’ll get back with more information once I have it.
Your desire to come to serve in Ukraine is very commendable and it is a very rewarding experience!
Anya.
Love this article and your great reviews on Kiev living. I’m planning on moving there Jan 2 to meet a lady doctor, a heart surgeon.
It seems that if I even make my $877 social security pay I’d be well off plus Tatiana salary.
If I’m living there would having money in a Kiev bank be safe or better in a Swiss bank
Thanks
Gary.
Hi Gary,
I am glad to hear my article was helpful! If you are living in Ukraine, I highly suggest you open a bank account, it is definitely safe and nothing to worry about. If you want, you can open an account in one of the international banks such as Raiffeisen (Austria), Credit Agricole (France), Ukrsibbank (which is BNP Paribas Group, France), ProCredit Bank (Germany), Kredobank (which is PKO Bank Poland), OTP Bank (Hungary). My family and I personally use Privat Bank (Ukrainian) and are very happy with their services. Good luck! I hope you’ll have an easy move!
P.S. I removed your contact information for security purposes and responded to your email.
Hi I want to go to Ukraine for job purpose I have completed master’s in IT and mechanical engg.so kindly help me how to search job in Ukraine.and I am an Indian.
Hi, thanks for the great article. I once lived in Ukraine. I was interested in reading your blog. Ukraine is beautiful!
Hi Anya
My wife is from Ukraine and i am English born living in Australia. I have both British and Australian passports. She has been living in Australia with me the last 14 months. Due to circumstances here with me in Australia and my wife,s parents who still live there in the Ukraine we are weighing up our options to go back and live in the Ukraine. I have been to the Ukraine about 10 times and love the way of life there.
My question is, as i am married to a Ukrainian girl does this allow me to live in the country without a visa.
Thanks in advance
Bruce
Hi Bruce, being married to Ukrainian citizen doesn’t mean you can live in the country without a visa. Based on your marriage, you can apply for residency (which takes 1-3 months) once in Ukraine. Although, if you registered your marriage outside Ukraine, it won’t do any difference too. So you’d need to register your marriage again in Ukraine and only then apply for residency.
With your British or Australian passport you get to stay in Ukraine 3 months. When you get into the country and if you plan to live there long term, I highly suggest you registering your marriage based on Ukrainian law and then after you get a marriage certificate, apply for residency. It does take some time to get your paperwork, so try to do it as soon as you fly in.
I hope it helps!
I am going to open an English language course in Odessa/Lviv. Could anyone possibly tell me which city is better as well as is it a good business to run in Ukraine. Are Ukrainian interested to learn English?
Hi Wafi, definitely, opening an English language school will be a good business to run in Ukraine, especially if you plan to bring native speakers on board.
More and more people in Ukraine are eager to learn English. However, these days, the majority prefers to learn either from native speakers or those who have a teaching degree and/or degree in foreign languages and those who have been studying, working in English speaking countries.
You can take a look at a few schools that have been on the market for a long time, to get an idea of what they are offering and looking for. Some of them are: London School of English and International House
Also, once you open your school, be ready to invest in some advertising to introduce your school to the public.
And to answer your question about which city is better, Lviv or Odesa, I will say that it’s up to you. They are equally developed and have a lot of opportunities. Culturally and historically, they are different, so you may prefer one to another based on that.
Hi Anya. I enjoyed reading your comments about Ukraine. I am married to an Anya. She’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
We are in the U.S. at the moment (I am a citizen, she has a green card). The plan is for her to get U.S. citizenship while I finish up the last 3-4 years of work before retiring. We also will work on getting me at least permanent residency in Ukraine (via our marriage – it would not be tied to quotas). We only need to reach two years of marriage (we’re halfway there) and I think we can apply for me. I am hoping we can do this from the U.S.
I did a good job saving money for retirement over the years. I am not a millionaire but I am comfortable. However, in the U.S. our retirement would not be as good as if we lived elsewhere. So we started looking abroad. We love Europe and Portugal was on our short list. However, we are thinking instead about moving to Ukraine for retirement.
My wife is from Vinnytsia which is regularly cited as one of the best cities for living in Ukraine. We can buy a beautiful flat in a nicer part of that city for what would be less than 20% down on a good (not great) home or condominium where we currently reside in the U.S.
My retirement and Social Security would go MUCH further in Ukraine and we would have a lot of extra money to travel extensively throughout Europe and spend a couple of months back in the U.S. when we want. With Airbnb, Booking.com, etc. we feel confident we will have a much more enjoyable retirement living abroad, traveling regularly, etc. We’re ready to start living the good life.
Anya knows Russian and has been teaching it to me. I will never be fluent, will never be able to read and write in it. However, if I can learn enough helpful phrases (200 or so of them would be nice), over time I think I can learn to handle myself alone in Vinnytsia when Anya is out with friends. Many restaurants there have English on their menus. Kyiv is only a 2.5 hour train ride and intercity is quite comfortable.
If you have any additional thoughts for people in our situation, we would appreciate your insights. Best of luck to you and Mark.
Hi Gary, retiring outside the US is definitely the right decision to make and Ukraine is a good place for that. You are absolutely right that you can have a high quality of life here and travel all over Europe (and beyond) with the retirement money from the US.
If you have ties to Ukraine (which seems you do, considering your wife is Ukrainian), your life here will be also much easier. Knowing the language and being able to understand the culture (which is very different from American) is certainly going to help.
Two things I could recommend are:
1) For you to become a resident of Ukraine, it probably makes more sense to do all the paperwork and apply for residency when already in Ukraine. Doing it through the embassy in the US will be a hassle and take much more time and money.
2) I recommend you to travel around Ukraine and check a few other cities besides Vinnytsia. While it is definitely a very nice city to live in, Vinnytsia doesn’t offer much in terms of activities and lifestyle (if those are important factors at all).
I wish you all the best no matter where you decide to go!
I’m not familiar with that site you give, Booking.com, so I went there to see how good it is. They give a price of $60 per night for a dbl room at Hotel L’viv. But I’ve seen the same rooms at less than half that much at other sites.
No, the Booking.com room was not deluxe, & it was not holiday dates.
Hi Anya:
I find myself returning to your travel blogging site again and again.
My husband and I have fallen in love with Ukraine but we are stumped on how to obtain a temporary residence permit because we cannot find any volunteer or working jobs, such as teaching that are current or available. We are early retirees with a steady income and two young children we can internet/home school while living abroad. Our problem remains however, trying to figure out how to obtain those permits, would love to see more coverage on this subject.
Thank you for your intriguing and unique content.
Hi Anya,
I am originally from Iran and i did my master’s degree in civil engineering. In fact, i am planning to emigrate to Ukraine for a large number of reasons first of which is to further my education in PhD. After graduation, I intend to work as a constructor so i will be able to, for example, refurbish old buildings. Hence i will be a self-employed. Do you think it is a good place for me?
Hi Navid,
It is a bit challenging for me to advise if Ukraine is a good place for you personally. It depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, values, goals, etc. Moving to Ukraine to get your PhD in civil engineering? This is a good choice since there are many excellent schools for that. Starting your own business in Ukraine as a foreigner, to be honest, can be difficult because of all the bureaucratic attitudes. You’d need to hire help or know the language and have patience to set everything up.
As for other reasons, you have to live here during sometime to decide for yourself if it’s a good country to be in. Compared to Iran, Ukraine is behind Iran economically but there are many opportunities for growth and development. Also, Ukraine is a very relaxed country in terms of freedom, press, religion and political views.
Do you have an opportunity to visit Ukraine at first and see how you like it? That would definitely give you a broader picture.
Anya you are quite right when you say TRAINS are the best way to get around Ukraine, and from Ukraine to bordering countries. Here are some more reasons to take the trains:
Trains have lots of elbow room in them, compared to planes. Seats are much bigger, with plenty of legroom.
A plane takes 1.5 hours for all the passengers to board, all filing through one tiny door loaded with luggage. Passengers board trains thru about 40 doors simultaneously, 2 doors per wagon. So trains don’t have to delay everyone 1.5 hours… they stop only 1 to 5 minutes at a station.
Airline seats recline only 1″, making sleep impossible or uncomfortable, but trains have sleeper cars departing major cities around 10pm and arriving in another major city around 8 a.m. These Schalfwagons allow one to travel while sleeping in a real bed with sheets, rocked to sleep by the gentle rolling of the train. So much for trains being “time consuming.”
You see so much from the huge train windows, whereas from the tiny plane windows you see only cloud tops. You really can’t see anything of the towns & cities of Ukraine from 30,000 ft.
Trains have a dining car where real food is cooked and served to you at real tables with white linen! Or at least there is a bar/snack car, a very social place!
Some of the most interesting people can be met on a train if the seating is right. It’s nice to have your own little compartment, 3 people facing 3 people, a large window, a folding out table, 6 bunk beds that fold down at night, and a door that locks at night to keep out the sneak thieves!
Unlike airports, train stations are in the center of town, close to where people live and work.
One must drive about an hour out of town to reach an airport. (No neighborhood wants the noise.) Train stations are in the centers of towns, and they are much more numerous — these 2 factors make train stations closer to you.
One must arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure. You can arrive at a train station 2 MINUTES before departure!
On a train you can have a huge suitcase or two without having to check them. Wheel them on yourself. And no charge for any luggage. Upon arrival, no waiting 45 minutes for your bag(s) to show up on the luggage carousel.
After finally boarding your plane, you sit for another half hour or so before the wheels begin to slowly turn. You taxi at snail’s pace a long way, then stop again. The captain announces, “We’re fifth in line for take off, thank you for your patience.” Within about 2 minutes of boarding a train, you’re at full speed toward your destination.
Finally your turn to take off comes and the engines begin to scream, about 20 feet from your ears. They continue their high decibel screaming throughout the flight. On a train the engine is far away from your wagon; usually it cannot be heard.
The former Soviet Union countries use old passenger train wagons from Italy and W. European countries. These are far superior to the modern wagons in use in the West. Ukrainian train wagons are divided into about 10 compartments. Instead of all seats facing forward airline style, these older train wagons’ compartments are sociable & friendly, 3 seats facing 3 seats! (Of course each train could have a wagon or 2 with airline style seating, for those who don’t like it.) At night the conductor comes and folds the 6 bunk beds conveniently down, for a real night’s sleep!
Also in these old wagons from Central Europe, passengers can open the window in their compartment. This is good for saying goodbye to your friends & relatives standing on the platform to see you off. In Soviet countries, at many stations private women sell home cooked food & beverages thru the windows to passengers. Jet liner windows don’t open and they have stuffy, recalculated air because of the high cost of heating the below zero outside air at 30,000 feet. (The stewardess’ union is always complaining about the unhealthy air, but airline executives refuse to spend the money to heat enough fresh air.) Trains don’t have this problem since they are at ground level where the air is warm.
And most important about train travel perhaps is that it is a lot of FUN! I’ve spent many months in Ukraine on several trips and I can assure you that it is completely unnecessary to take a plane to, from, or within the former USSR. Nor do you ever need to rent a car. Not only are planes & cars unnecessary, it is a much better experience to take the train.
Yes, so true, the majority in Ukraine will choose the train over the plain or car.
Hello, Anya.
I am enjoying reading your blog after reading your opinions and suggestions about traveling to and in Ukraine. My question is…..I have a new fiend who lives in Kremenchuk, and wishes to come to the US to live. However they are quite challenged by the lack of understanding the English language, and not having a decent salary to afford top instruction to learn the language. It seems that there is a very limited source of instructors in that city as well. Do you have any recommendation you might pass along for them to check into for some help? Any help will be greatly appreciated, I am sure.
Thank you and keep up the great, and helpful writing.
Which language i have study to live in Ukraine (Ukrainian or Russian language)? and how to find good school and cheap?, and thank you
If you plan to study in Ukraine only, you can find many English programs and there is no need to learn the language. If you plan to live and work in Ukraine, then you have to know at least Ukrainian.
Regarding your second question about the schools, there are many good schools for foreigners in many cities around Ukraine. It all depends on the major and your budget. Usually, education for foreigners is more expensive than residents and citizens, yet it is possible to find a program on a budget if willing to study in a small Ukrainian city or town.
Loved reading your comments. I have become good friends with some people in the Ukraine. I’m from the United states, sadly alot if Americans believe that America is the answer and everyone in the world should be like us. Especially in the world today people need to come together, my ukranian friends have opened my eyes!!! I intend! To visit soon. Thank you for all the information, MARK
Hi Mark, I am glad to hear you enjoyed reading my post! I hope you will get a chance to visit Ukraine, it has just recently reopened its borders for foreigners and doesn’t plan to close again.
dear anya
i work online, i want to move to kharkiv, i just speak english and french but i will start learning russian soon
what is very important for me in life is to be able to build strong relationship with people which will last a lifetime, i heard friendship was important in ukraine, can you confirm that ?
thank you
Hi, Anya. This post is so helpful. It’s a relief to be able to access accurate information. I am hoping you might have advice about a few things. Sorry for a long note.
I am leaving for Dnipro, Ukraine in a couple of weeks for an English teaching position in a three month-program. I will receive three stipend checks in UAH from the school. With UAH being a closed currency, I cannot quite figure out how I will cash/deposit these checks.
It isn’t very much money, but I won’t spend all of the UAH while I am in country, so cashing the checks would not be helpful and I am sure high bank fees would be disappointing for the low amount of the stipend. With each local bank able to set their own exchange rates, I think I would be at a disadvantage and I’ve heard possibly not able to turn the UAH into USD when I leave, at a bank or a currency exchange. There doesn’t seem to be many international banks in Dnipro or even Ukraine that deal with personal, as opposed to corporate, banking. I might not be able to stay on in Ukraine after the program, so opening a local account wouldn’t work.
Do you have any suggestions?
My second question is about the teaching and consulting for general English and Business English. I have CELTA (University of Cambridge certification to teach English to adults) and also 20 years of corporate Communication experience working within a wide range of industries and topics.
My hope is to help a company with their employees’ English; eventually tutor and hopefully teach communication and PR at a university; or assist with general English and health care English at a School of Medicine or within private health care. (I have many years of business communication experience in health care.) Obviously, a pandemic is one of the worst times to start this work, but I am forging ahead.
I have heard that there are many IT workers who need general English skills. They know enough IT-related English but cannot generally converse well. I think recently, lessons have transitioned to online; a format I am comfortably teaching with. Do you have any thoughts about exploring this work in Ukraine?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
Hi Colleen, first of all, you shouldn’t apologize for a long note :). I am happy to help!
So, answering your question about the checks, I got a bit confused. Ukraine doesn’t use any check system to pay for services. What type of checks is this school talking about? Do they mean they’ll pay you through a bank check transfer to your international bank account? Usually, there are only two ways to pay a salary, directly with cash or through a bank check transfer.
I think this school meant they’ll pay you via transfer. In this case yes, both banks (your international one and Ukrainian bank) will charge a fee and the final amount will be in your currency. Depending on the bank in Dnipro the school is going to use, the fee will be definitely different. Some banks charge more, some less but almost all of them work with personal accounts, not just business.
I just don’t fully understand what this school means when they talk about the checks. If you have more information on this part, please let me know.
To answer your second question, I can assure you that there is plenty of work in Ukraine when it comes to teaching English! There are workers in different fields who need general English skills. Besides IT there are workers in health care, education, consulting, culture and tourism who also constantly look for improving their English. When I was working for Deloitte (one of the Big Four accounting organizations), we were constantly encouraged to attend English classes and the company was paying for them. A lot of auditors these days have a very basic audit-related lexicon but they are not fluent in speaking. So they are also looking for courses that companies pay for. There was, is, and will be a big demand for English teachers in Ukraine for different fields, not only English for kids at school.
Also, not all schools transitioned to online. Smaller schools with fewer attendees still work as they did before covid. It all depends on the region and a particular school. But overall, Ukraine is not like anywhere else in Europe when it comes to work during/with the covid. There will be no shutdowns or full lockdowns. Schools will continue to work and there will be a demand for English, be it online or with presence in class.
Thank you, for the information! Knowing about Deloitte is helpful so I can be aware of what large companies or large services, such as health care, might hire business English and general English teachers. My hope is to eventually only teach adults.
Regarding the stipend from the school, I will receive a living stipend that is paid in three installments. It is not taxed since it is for an educational program. I had assumed each payment would be made with a check, but perhaps I am wrong.
The funds that I will need while in Dnipro will only be for food, toiletries and utilities. I hadn’t thought about it, but perhaps I will pay the landlord in UAH cash. That would eliminate that hassle.
I also assumed that I would be paid in UAH so eventually I would have to exchange the funds to USD prior to departure; and of course I want to avoid what are usually high fees.
My research indicates Citibank is no longer operating for personal banking in Ukraine, only corporate banking. That would leave me with using a currency exchange (outrageous fees) or a local bank. I also read that the local banks can legally set their own approximate exhange rates and usually provide a low middle market average rate.
The larger concern is that I have been advised and I agree, that it’s a bad idea for digital nomads or teachers to have various bank accounts around the world. But, accessing a ‘global bank account,’ such as Citibank or HSBC, is only possible in some countries and also depends upon if the global bank has branches in smaller areas of the country.
My hope is to figure out how to bank in various countries and not spend precious savings from a teacher’s salary on banking fees. Obviously, in some countries this won’t be possible, but I’m hoping to be forward thinking and limit how many local accounts I have to open for what might be only a 10 month contract.
Granted, this article is written by a company selling information that would supposedly provide access to banking information that would help with this issue, but their description of what can happen with local accounts is accurate – and scary! https: //globalbanks .com/ closing-a-bank-account-overseas/
I am new to this and a bit lost.
I have been looking for this Cost of Living article since long time. Thanks author.
My pleasure, happy to help!
Hi Anya, great website. I met a girl that lives in Ukraine and she is not interested in moving to Canada so to be together I would have to move there. I would of course take a good trip there first to check everything out and see how we are in person. Anyways my question is how difficult is it going to be to stay thre permanetly? I have a monthly income thats more than enough to live in any city comfortably. You wrote about speaking english as being a huge asset if I would like to find work. I dont need to work but if I have to get a job to be allowed to live in the country i would of course. She makes a lot of money on her own so she wont even be a dependant. What do I have to do to stay there legally? Im a Canadian citizen if that matters. I know Canada and Ukraine have a great relationship and we have an embassy there. Not sure if that matters. Thank you for your time and again great website
Hi Josh, to be honest, getting permanent residency in Ukraine is difficult. Besides marriage, there are two more fast ways how to do it – through investment for not less than $100,000 or through the IT field if you are an IT specialist.
If you are working in IT (Cybersecurity, development, and CTO), you have a green light into the country. The government supports the IT sphere and attracts foreign professionals through immigration quotas for IT specialists. You don’t even need to work for a Ukrainian company to get the permit based on IT.
Another route (more difficult but possible) is to apply for a one-year residency as a remote worker and show proof of income (mentioned above in this post). However, immigration services always change the requirement of needed income and make it extremely difficult to get a permit, so you’d need to hire a good lawyer.
If you don’t plan to marry a Ukrainian citizen or apply for residency based on one of the mentioned options, then yes, your best bet would be to find a job as an English teacher and let the school sponsor you.
Hi. I am considering buying an apartment in Borispol – this is close to the airport and intend renting this property out to short term visitors to Ukraine, what hurdles do you think I will need to overcome in this respect. I have a friend in that Town who would oversee the day to day running. Is property a good investment. Thank you
Hi David, trying to cover in the comment section the topic of buying real estate in Ukraine is somewhat challenging. If there are questions that you’d like to address, we can set up a call with you and discuss everything.
This is a great post. I went to Ukraine (Kyiv) for the first time in Feb 2020 and absolutely fell in love with it. Looking forward to my return when possible.
Hey Roy, glad to hear you had a good visit and I hope you’ll get to return and experience more!
Hello Anya,
I am thinking of moving to Ukraine ( Betdichev ) for good ! Is it to be a huge challenge to live there ?
Thanks
Roberto ,U.K.
Hi Roberto,
I found this video about Berdychiv, so you could understand a bit what the city is like. The video is in Russian but I’ll explain what the guy is talking about:
1. At first he is giving general information about the name of the city and shows the apartment they rented to live in for a few days. Then he shows the bus and railway station, central square and main street which are very empty and even on a weekday during the rush hour don’t see many people.
2. Later he says that there are a lot of stray dogs (it’s kind of a problem everywhere in Ukraine but Berdychiv has just too many of them), not much greenery and no crosswalks or areas where people can safely cross the road. There are barely any nice cafes and modern big stores. Also, he mentions that they mainly saw older people everywhere, not many kids or young adults. And I’ll tell you why – Berdychiv has few job opportunities and not many good colleges or universities around. It is partially an industrial town and many people try to leave and move to larger cities.
3. Next, they went to the restaurant, the only park in the city which is pretty horrible (broken flowerpots and asphalt, not taken care of, no trash cans), City Council (which looks like it was bombed os something, jeez such an embarrassment), walked in a random apartment complex that is falling apart but where people still live until this day, famous Karmelitska monastery, a park area near the river (full of trash and the river is dirty) and walked a bit more around the city.
Also, he made a good point about ecology. Berdychiv has some of the worst quality of the air in Ukraine. It has several factories polluting the air and the city gas pipeline emits nitric oxide which is a reason why a high number of people in this area suffer from neurodegenerative diseases. By the way, speaking of ecology. The entire Zhytomyr region (county in other words) has the highest level of radiation after the Chernobyl catastrophe (and Berdychiv is in the Zhytomyr region), the average life expectancy here is the lowest in all of Ukraine.
Verdict (from me): If you were my relative or close friend, I would be discouraging you from moving to Berdychiv. Ukrainians are leaving it to chase better opportunities, I can’t imagine why someone would want to move there, especially a foreigner.
Of course, it’s not my business and you may have valid points of why you’d move there but (!) in my opinion it is not a good city to live in (sorry anyone from Berdychiv reading this, although they will agree).
Would it be a challenge to live there? For me and many others – yes, definitely. For you? I can’t tell since I don’t know you as a person. But most likely – also yes.
I hope it helps. And I am sorry if you expected a different answer!
Hi Anya,
I am an India and was thinking to move to Ukraine. I earn enough to stay in the capital and everything sounds quite affordable to me. However, the thing I wanted to ask if there is any help you can do so I can relocate? Currently, I am staying in Dubai. I want to move with my Wife and a Kid.
Hi Atif,
Are you asking about the residency? If yes, I am not qualified to give any legal advice. If you need help with logistics, finding a flat, school/nanny for your child, and other moving questions, I can help with that.
I’m ansly from nigeria,I heard that racism is on the high side in ukraine and that there are no available jobs,how true is this?
Hi Ansly, I updated this post and included info about racism, come back to read about it!
I am considering coming to Ukraine at least for a visit. Perhaps 3 months. My biggest concern is how do I get my money available to me while I’m there? Do I just put it in American bank and use my credit card? Or do I need to do something else? How much cash should I have? I don’t wanna be carrying around a 2-3 thousand American dollars. Not safe? Thanks for the help.
Hi Mike,
Almost everywhere in Ukraine (besides markets, small towns and villages) you can pay with a credit card. I would recommend you to get a Bank of America travel rewards card or Chase Saphire or any other similar card that you may know of where the international transaction fee is 0%. It will also help you get points on all purchases.
I do not recommend you withdraw money from ATM since bank fees are high. I remember one time withdrawing $25 and paying almost $7.
The best option is to have a credit card with no international fee and have some cash with you. You’ll need cash for paying for public transportation, markets (if you plan to buy groceries there), street coffee & food, possibly some gifts/souvenirs and tips at cafes. That’s pretty much it. Airbnb, hotels, train/plane tickets, grocery stores, cafes/restaurants… for those you can pay with a credit card. Carrying $2-3 thousand is safe but you don’t really need that much if you use CC.
I have met a lady in Kiev who wants to come to the US, I want her with me but with the Covid virus everything is complicated.. I have offered to come over to help but she says it is a bad time because of the virus. I have had both vaccine shots, have a current passport so I am wordering if it is advisable. She says it is a bad time, but I wonder if it really is. If I married here there, could she get a visa through me to stay in the US? I have steady income for my work and social security. enough to live comfortably there. We planned on marrying here which makes a lot of sense. Would she really have a problem getting out of the Ukraine to come to the US? I am and artist/photographer/author and would love to visit the Ukraine. Is this not a good time or not? I own a house and two cars, no payments. Is this truly a bad time because of COVID in the Ukraine, or am I getting some strange feelings for nothing? I’m not naive about life and spent 4 years in Lebanon. I like what I hear about the Ukraine and am not woried about the Russian conflict. It sounds very livable, and affordable. I would like to come over. Canbaksreally not connect with US banks for transfers of cash.?
Hi Peter, I didn’t understand why everything is complicated? Does this lady tell you any concrete reasons why it is a bad time to come to Ukraine now? Either I get a wrong impression or she is just desperately trying to go to the US (is this woman real at all? Have you seen her?)
No, it is not a bad time to go to Ukraine now. As a matter of fact, Ukraine is only one of a few countries in Europe where it is easy to get in. There are partial lockdowns in some regions but no curfews or restrictions on movement. Kiev is now fully open with restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, etc. being open too. The situation with covid cases is stable (pretty much the same as it was the entire time) and life goes on as usual (again, besides some adaptive quarantine measures in some regions).
To be able to get into Ukraine, you need only to have insurance that covers covid and PCR test, but in your case, since you have been vaccinated, maybe you don’t even need that (I’d check this information on the official website).
If you were to fly to Hungary or Czech Republic, I’d definitely say that with the Covid, things are really complicated (almost crazy better to say), in Ukraine – absolutely not, it’s a free country (in terms of restrictions) where at times you forget that covid exists at all.
I don’t want to make any conclusions since I don’t know much about this woman, but I’d definitely be suspicious since the way she is presenting the situation in the country is not right. And maybe she is doing it for a reason.
To answer your second question, she shouldn’t have any problem getting out of Ukraine to come to the US if you marry here, in Ukraine, and then she applies for a visa based on the marriage. Fiance visas (K1 visas) are on pause anyways, so there is no way for her to get one at this time.
Considering the entire situation with the covid and what you told me, the best way for you (if you guys want to be together) is only to come to Ukraine and marry here. If you decide you want to live in Ukraine, it will also enable you to apply for a residency. If you want to go to the US, she’ll have that opportunity too.
I honestly don’t understand why she would be discouraging you from that.
You also mentioned the Russian conflict. Trust me, you won’t feel like there is any conflict unless you go to the east. You shouldn’t worry about it.
Ukraine is a great place to come to now – no tourists, things are calm, and the weather is improving. Very soon, it’s going to be warm and sunny and you can enjoy travels around the country, especially road trips if you rent a car.
And for the last question, what is Canbaksreally? Sounds like you meant a bank but there is no bank in Ukraine with such a name.
And by the way, if this lady (or anyone else) is asking you to transfer money, that is a scam. Do not fall for it!
Ukraine is a popular place to find a girlfriend.
If at any point in time you feel there is something fishy going on there probably is.
I was in Ukraine. When you have your shots, you are okay. You just need the mandatory insurance and you are good to go.
This woman is probable someone else than one the pictures she may have sent. Be very careful
My respons is perhaps too late for you but might be helpful for others.
Hi Anya, thanks for this lovely updation.
I read yor full article as well as link u mentioned also.its so helpful for me. I am coming to ukraine in next month and i am goin to settle there. Please contact me on email. I want some suggestions.
Thank you
Hi Rocky,
I am glad to hear this post is helpful! If you have any particular questions, you can contact me here and we’ll go from there.
any partecular website or place for single Ukranian looking for relation ship
I know the following dating websites are popular in Ukraine (where people register with hopes to meet a foreigner): elenasmodels.com, datingwomenukraine.com, findlove.in.ua, fdating.com, meets.com, anastasiadate.com, match .com, badoo.com. I hope it helps!
Hi Anya! I am from the Uk and have a Ukranian parner (unmarried). We met in Canada where we both lived and then we decided to leave to be closer to home. My boyfriend is already home in Ukraine and I am going over there shortly to join him. As of now, i don’t have a visa sorted out, only the visitor right to stay for 90 days. I am currently studying for a TEFL qualification which will be completed soon. Do you know what my best options are for being able to stay longer? Thanks!
Hi Rebecca, unfortunately, Ukraine doesn’t offer a lot of opportunities for foreigners on how to stay longer in the country. You mentioned you are studying for TEFL, that could be an option for you to apply for a working visa if you are willing to teach English in Ukraine. Also, there is a way to apply for a long-term student visa if you start learning Ukrainian language with an accredited school. It shouldn’t necessarily be a university or college. It can be a privately owned language school too but it should be accredited and have a license to be able to provide you all the documents for a trip to the embassy.
Another option, which becomes quite popular these days too, is to refer to a company of the following type (I don’t really know how they are called but they advertise their services through various Facebook groups): the company that helps you (as a foreigner) to find a job in your field (basically connects you with the right employer who will sponsor you) and arranges all the paperwork for your visa. Their services are quite expensive but they always help with a visa if they take your money. If they can’t help you, they’ll tell you upfront.
If that’s something you’d consider, I recommend you join Facebook groups for expats in different cities and ask there about this service.
Hi
i want to ask you , is the mask really mandatory?
thank you
Masks are mandatory only inside the buildings and transportation but a lot of people don’t wear them. Anywhere outside you do not have to wear a mask.
Hi Anya! This is a very very helpful article you wrote. I am leaving for Kyiv within the month to start a 3month work engagement. I am planning to buy a short term health insurance to cover blood tests and doctor consultations for my pre-existing medical conditions and probably for emergency care too. May I ask you to please recommend insurance companies based in Kyiv that offer health insurance for 3 months only? Thank you very much!
Hi Aida, to be honest, I don’t know what to recommend.
Out of ten insurance companies in Ukraine, only five directly sell voluntary medical insurance policies to Ukrainians and foreigners but there is no option to purchase insurance for a few months only, the minimum requirement is a yearly policy. The rest work only through an employer within the framework of corporate insurance programs for employees. The reason is the high unprofitability of servicing individual clients. Due to the underdeveloped insurance culture, people usually apply for insurance after they have a specific medical condition.
Also, there is no way to purchase a policy that would cover only tests or consultations. Usually, there are “packages” that include a set of medical services but to be honest, most of them (unless you go with the most expensive one) do not cover a range of procedures. Some tests and procedures (for example, fluorography, MRI, certain blood tests) are not covered by a lot of policies. Insurance with an optimal set of medical services will cost between $450-$550 per year. This policy covers almost everything, including massage and dentistry. However, the final cost determines which clinics will serve you: public or private. You want to go only to a private one. Another thing to keep in mind – only individuals of “non-retirement age” can insure their health. The most loyal maximum age of insurers is 65 years but in many cases this age is 55 years.
In your case, if there is no employer to cover the cost of health insurance, I’d recommend either applying for yearly insurance (because there is no monthly choice) or pay as you go. In my opinion, there is much less hustle with self-service than having to deal with an insurance company. It is very easy to schedule an appointment to receive a doctor’s consultation or get a blood test done. Yet, if yearly insurance works, I advise you to contact the American Medical Centers clinic in Kyiv. They can tailor a package that will include blood tests and emergency visits.
Also, a lot of private clinics offer private emergency medical care within 24 hours. In Kyiv, the price is between $80-$120. Some examples of those clinics: Medikom, Adonis, and Amedika.
I hope I was able to answer your question. If there is anything else to advise, let me know!]
Hi Anya, we are planning a trip to Kyiv in May and tour around for a month mainly in the West.
Now the big question is would you still recommend this trip due to whats happening around?
I am hoping you say yes so next question is tour guides for bigger citys. Any recomendations?
Hi Trevor,
When you say “due to what’s happening around”, do you mean talks about the full-scale war with Russia or the situation with covid? If the main concern is covid, I wouldn’t worry much about it if you are vaccinated. Ukraine doesn’t really have any restrictions besides those that include vaccine/PCR certificates to enter dining venues and hotels. However, many businesses completely ignore this requirement and are open to everyone.
Now, if your question is about the war, that’s a bit different. If you want to make sure you won’t need to cancel your plans later, just wait until the end of January-beginning of February to book your travel. This is an approximate time frame for Russia to possibly attack Ukraine. However, many people don’t take it seriously and estimate this show-off with the military near the Ukrainian border is only a bluff since Russia tries to get Europe’s and Biden’s attention.
The general public is not concerned about it and doesn’t even pay attention to the media’s hysteria, although a few recent laws from the government (like the one about the requirement for women to register for military conscription) make others alert.
So, in this case, I’d just recommend you wait a few more weeks to see how it unfolds. But again, the majority of political analysts don’t take it seriously.
As for the guides, I can personally organize tours for you in Western Ukraine and Kyiv. I work with professional licensed guides with whom we created various programs that start in Lviv (including Lviv city tours) and Kyiv.
I developed a tour page but haven’t published it yet because of covid. If you are interested, let’s talk and I’ll provide all information in regards to what I offer.
Hi
I have to thank you so much for, first of all, Adressing a really difficult and sensitive matter as racism.
From the point of view of an african living for 20 years in spain and have visited as a tenager countries such as Lithuania, Latvia and other baltic countries, even I was living there for a few years as a student I have to say the experience was amazing. Welcoming people, they are happy to see you in their country, they are interested on you, your story…Best time in my life. To makes things be I met one of my unforgettable girlfriends who was Ukrainian born but living in Russia…what a great time)))
so, let me thank you again for the topic and the way you dealt with it
At the moment I am pIannign to move to Ukriaine. I am planning to ask for a permission in my job and stay in there for about a year. I felt in love with those people, that culture and their values , in general.
I want to get into the “real Ukraine”, and make activities that imply to mix with the natives since I would like to know the native people.
The idea is stay in there learning ukrainian( I was in doubt whether to learn Russian or Ukrainian. After reading some post, my mind seems clearer)) and doing activities that implilees meeting native people. I guess I will stay in Kiev, but this is not sure yet, I have about a year to settle it.
My plan is to move in about a year from now.
So I would love to know whether you can give me some advice about this.
Nevertheless, I will take all the information are provided in this blogg like a premium wine, because it seem really usuful and personal.
Hope to hearing from you
Hi Maik,
Half a year later, I am responding to your comment. So sorry about that! I missed a couple of comments and didn’t get a chance to respond on time, but since you mentioned you plan to move to Ukraine in about a year, I hope my answer will still come in handy.
As I mentioned in my post (and will say it again here), you shouldn’t worry about any racial issues here. Ukrainian people are welcoming and hospitable.
In fact, we have an Afro-Ukrainian population too which is concentrated mainly in cities. It’s rather small but it exists and even grows.
So it’s pretty common these days to meet someone with dark skin who is a child of parents from different races and who speaks Russian and Ukrainian and who is Ukrainian. Many times I saw someone who I thought was a foreigner but he/she was speaking Ukrainian. So chances are high that people will think you are Ukrainian and may talk to you in Russian or Ukrainian implying you understand, ha.
If you are curious, you can even look up some names (of famous Afro-Ukrainians) – like Zhan Beleniuk (wrestler and politician), Gaitana (singer), Michelle Andrade (singer), band Chornobryvtsi… are just some of them.
As for other questions… if you are going to live in Kyiv, finding a language course will not be a problem! There are many schools around offering Ukrainian/Russian language courses for foreigners. To make friends, I recommend you join expat groups on Facebook and see which one works better for you. Many of them have different meetups and meeting locals is easy.
And if I am in Kyiv during that time when you are, just get in touch and I’ll show you my favorite spots! 😉
Good luck! And if you have any other questions about Ukraine, let me know, next time I’ll take fewer months to respond, haha
Hi Anya
Please I’m a student coming to study in Ukraine. I’ll like to know the average salary for student who is working in Ukraine and jobs that are common and student friendly in Ukraine.
Hi Deedee,
Unlike the United States or some countries in Western Europe, in Ukraine, foreign students are not allowed to work on a student visa.
Hi Anya,
I am from beautiful Southern California and I am planning on visiting the Ukraine for a month or two and possibly finding and meeting a future wife. I speak Russian but not Ukranian. Do you have any advice for me? Where to live in the Ukraine? Where to go? How to plug into the local pipeline?
Maybe I can teach English while I am there? Thanks
Hi Paul,
If you speak Russian, that will surely help you communicate with Ukrainians no matter where you go. In Western Ukraine people will understand you well, just ask them to respond in Russian or English.
I wouldn’t pick a place where to live based on the language you speak. Anywhere in Ukraine, you will do well even with Russian and English languages together. I’d recommend you better travel between major points of interest for foreigners (like Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Kharkiv)and see which one you like more. Although you mentioned you want to spend a couple of months in one place, traveling between all these cities may take a lot of time.
So then it would be better to read/learn a bit about each place in advance to see which one potentially may suit you better.
As for how to plug into the local life, I’d say that for the beginning, it is better to join facebook groups. Search for ‘expats in X city’ or ‘X city for foreigners’. There are usually Ukrainians in those groups too. Once you join, start asking around if there are any meetups or events and trust me, there is always a ton going on.
If you will be in Lviv, you can join Lviv cafe friends group, they host a few events per week where both foreigners and Ukrainians go. Another group (a smaller one but still) is this one.
You can find similar groups in other cities too.
My only recommendation to you (and anyone else who is coming to Ukraine for dating or marriage and reading this comment) – do not tell others while in Ukraine that you are looking for a wife. Be reserved and keep it to yourself while meeting people. If you talk to your right and left that you came to Ukraine to find a wife, you’ll be attracting the wrong type of people, particularly scammers who will try to get money out of you. Ukrainian guys also don’t like to be around foreigners whose interest is not the country and culture but only women.
Try to immerse yourself in the culture and it will be much easier for you to make friends and build relationships. Another note, don’t sing much praise to the land where you come from, instead put it that way that you are curious about Ukraine and want to live there. I can tell you 100% that Ukrainians get very curious about people who show genuine interest in their country.
You’ll have more luck finding the best person for yourself if you present yourself as someone who came to Ukraine just because you are interested in the country.
I hope that makes sense. Good luck and have a great time in Ukraine!
Hello Anya,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive guide to your wonderful Ukraine. It makes me want to live there.
I haven’t visited yet, but I’ve long been fascinated by it. I could do with some dental work, and wasn’t aware that it’s so much cheaper than the UK, so I’ll make it a mixed trip.
Going from city to city by train and taking in the countryside is also very appealing prospect. I’m a seasoned traveller, but thanks again for making your experiences available to the uninitiated. I look forward to enjoying your country.
Warm wishes. David.
Hi David,
I hope you’ll get a chance to visit as Ukraine has a lot for a traveler! Media has been heating up the topic about tensions between Ukraine and Russia and the US government is presenting Ukraine as second Afghanistan for some reason but in reality, things are just quiet and normal. Once the weather improves, that’s the best time for visiting the countryside and going on road trips. Come to see it for yourself!
What a wonderful article on Ukraine. I wanted to learn more with the threat of war being in the media news constantly. I am glad I found your page and this article. It sounds like a wonderful place to live and it’s absolutely beautiful. The long winters would be the only setback for me personally. I love spring and summer and despise winter! Thank you for taking the time to help those of us who are clueless about your country understand it better!
Thank you, Stacy, for stopping by to read about it! 🙂
As the invasion from Russia is taking place right now, how are things where you guys live.? Did you stay there, or get out…..
We are in Ukraine. The place where we are is safe (hope it will stay this way) but there is martial law throughout the country and every city and town is on high alert. We have sirens a few times a day because air attacks take place pretty much everywhere.
There is really a lot going on, some cities in the east and south are being completely destroyed, thousands and thousands of civilians are dying… I really don’t know what to say, the situation is catastrophic. All of it is devastating.
It’s February 26, 2022. War has officially broken out and Russians are taking over and destroying the country with their bombs, tanks, and killings while your president is hiding in a bunker refusing negotiations and talks with Putin. How is your feeling now about leaving America? I hope you are ok and that you and your loved ones are safe. God is with you.
Why did you decide that my president is hiding in the bunker? You need to educate yourself on this topic a little more. My president is with his people every single day and night on the ground fighting trashy occupants. He is the leader that America can only dream about.
I have never regretted my decision about leaving the US and after seeing comments like yours I remember why. I have now enough knowledge to build successful life wherever I want and to contribute to Ukraine’s development. And life turbulences are not going to change that. But first things first – bring peace to Ukraine and end the war.
Sorry, I’d chat a little longer but I’ve just heard a siren and have to run.
Thank you Anya for such a comprehensive analysis of Ukraine. I have been watching the news from Australia and have been comparing your galant Presidentbtobthe whimsy politicians in other countries. The Canadian Prime Minister had to go into hiding over truckers protesting. Your President being offered a ride to safety from Joe Biden replied I don’t need a ride We need guns. Knowing full well he will die if Kiev falls. I pray for yiu and your people, let peace and freedom prevail and hope that yiu stop the Man Vlad Putin. Once your country wins this war I will love to visit and spend my Australian dollars to help rebuild. Australia has donated tongue freedom cause and wish yiu all the best. Take care.
Thank you, Martin, for stopping by! Also many thanks for your prayers and constant support. We know that Australia supports us so much and that is priceless!
This madness will definitely end and yes, please, come to visit!
We will rebuild everything and will be happy to welcome everyone from the civilized world.
And when you come to visit, I’ll be happy to organize a tour and show you around! Until then stay safe and take good care of yourself.
A very good read but disheartening to see your country being destroyed by intruders. I hope you are safe and well and hope this act of war is put to an end soon and Ukraine can rebuild. From UK.
Thanks, Brian. We are really not sure this war will end anytime soon, but we hope for the best. More damage takes place on a daily basis and all of it is simply devastating.
Hello Anya, I pray you are safe. Please dont judge the people in the US by the words and actions of our corrupt and impotent President and Vice President. The general sentiment of everyone, is total support for the Ukrainian people. I can only hope that our next election will bring us a leader that is as strong as your President Zelenskyy.
Hi Scott, thank you for your message and for your kind wishes. Let’s hope this madness will end soon, otherwise, it will pose a much bigger threat far beyond Ukraine.
As I was reading through your web I discovered you had lived in Kentucky for some time. It really is a small world, as I live near Harrodsburg just southwest of lexington. Yes lets hope this war ends sooner rather than later.
Hey Scott, good to hear from you! I’ve been to Harrodsburg many times and actually lived on the Harrodsburg road towards Brannon Woods. The world is small indeed.
We all hope for the war to end soon, we don’t have any other choice but to win, so we are all united here as never before. The victory is near!
We have been approached with the opportunity to take in some Ukrainian refugees. I was unsure if the accommodations that I could offer would be acceptable to these people from a world that I do not know anything of. It is a new thought.
I have found this post so very informative. I feel that it has bridged a gap and helped me to understand the Ukrainian people enough that I am confident to offer what I have. I am so deeply appreciative to the author for helping me. Thank you.
JW.org
I am so glad to hear my post was helpful! And thank you, Jacob, for helping Ukrainians out, we are so blessed to have wonderful friends and partners all over the world! Thank you for your kindness during these difficult times!
Hi Anya, just wanted to take a moment to
send my prayers for you and your family to be well and safe with all the war going on. I’m sorry that your country is going through this.
Heidi
Thank you, Heide, for stopping by to send warm wishes! What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger… although we hope for this madness to end soon and to win of course!
Hi,
I live in a large retirement community new Los Angeles and we are wondering if there are maybe smaller retirement communities, not rest homes, in Ukraine that we could be a sister community to the way there are sister cities. If we had a reputable connection we could likely provide a lot of aid and the time might be right now. Contact me by email if you know of a place and a connection.
Tx,
Nick
Dear Anya – what an interesting overview and explanation of Ukraine. A most enjoyable read and I now really look forward to visiting Ukraine in better times. I live in the UK and my wife and I are hosting a Ukrainian refugee since she arrived 29th April. We are really enjoying her company and we are proud to support your wonderful country and people in the best way we can. It helps us understand her background culture and the changes she observes here in the UK. It was her first time flying by plane here and first time outside of Ukraine. We got her a job and she is able to send money back to support Ukraine. Hopefully we can also exchange what is best about our countries cultures. Ps Zelensky has been amazing !
Dear Tim, what a lovely comment and what a nice person you are, thank you for your help and support! I know the UK helps us a lot in so many different ways and that is all priceless.
Please, come to visit Ukraine once things calm down, there is so much here and it’s very different than your country!
Hello Anya, I read up there a ways about the gentleman from the US on Social Security, who wanted to come to Ukraine with his Russian fiance and her daughter, and settled on Bulgaria.
Anyway, to my point, you mentioned that he would not be able to reside in Ukraine for longer than 90 days at a time. My question then is, can someone from the US purchase a home there to live permanently? If so, I’m pretty sure you have Immigration attorney’s who can assist? We would be looking at the Karpathian mountain area if this were possible.
Hi James, foreigners have the right to purchase and own any type of real estate in Ukraine, however this purchase doesn’t allow them to get an immigration permit such as a residency permit or citizenship (like in many countries in Europe), even if they invest high amounts of money in that property. Overall, getting a residency in Ukraine for foreign nationals is quite difficult. You are eligible to apply for permanent residence if you invest at least 100,000 in the Ukrainian economy meaning into the share capital of a company registered in UA.
I’d say if you have the funds to invest in Ukraine and wish to buy a property and live here permanently, you can set up a company, invest at least 100,000 of share capital and then buy real estate in the name of this legal entity you create.
I know two people who are lawyers and work with foreigners but they have put their practice on pause since the beginning of the war and currently volunteer helping the army. But I highly recommend you find an attorney to ask more details, maybe there are some loopholes for getting a residency in other ways.
Sorry, I am not much of a help!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and the things everyone should know!
I have been speaking to a friend in Ukraine and the stories she tells about her and the Ukrainian people are inspirational!
The war is horrific and we stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Thank you for your kind message and for your support!
I really hope that peace comes soon, it is a very senseless war, as if any are good? …but in that Ukraine does not give up land. Crimea should be returned to Ukraine. Today, it seems impossible, but I really hope that somehow Ukraine can withstand the Trump / Putin alliance. 🙁 Will NATO actually step in with something useful diplomatically or with Military?
Hi Kim, Thank you for your kind words and support.
I also hope for peace and for Ukraine to remain whole and free. It’s hard to know how things will unfold, but the strength and resilience of the people here give me hope every day.
Thank you for writing this article. I can only imagine how difficult it must be.
I just wanted to leave a quick comment to let you know as a small town American, there are many of us who haven’t forgotten that the war is ongoing, and I sincerely wish you, your family, and all of those you know in Ukraine, the absolute best.
Hi Jay, thank you so much for your kind words. It really means a lot to hear that people still care and pay attention. I appreciate your support more than you know.🙏