Has anybody here placed a personal ad in a newspaper--the "Advertise Yourself in Russian Media" service?
If so, what kind of results did you get from it? If any ladies contacted you, were they different in any way from the ladies already in the agencies? Did you receive a bunch of junk emails from the ad?
VNNation: I guy I know reasonably well went down exactly that road. IMO he found someone who is quite a cut above the average. It took quite some time but he commented that he met some delightful people along the way. His approach was to develop a comprehensive advertisement with hand written replies only. One of his criteria was English language and his approach sorted things out fairly quickly in that respect. IIRC, he had someone in Russia receiving the letters. I suspect if you provided email contact you would be flooded with ...........you fill the gap. Personally, if I were searching, it is one approach I would explore. Most Russian women I know do read their local newspaper regularly and they do tend to scan the “personals” ads if they are included in the given publication. I think you would need to be well organized and patient.
I always wondered what kind of girls answered personal ads. I know at home I would never try that. Best is too meet people through friends. Don't you live in Odessa VNV? I know a german guy that puts a personal ad in a newspaper in Chisinau, mostly students answer him, and he sets up meetings when he comes to visit. I don't think he is looking for marriage though.
Never got to meet with you when I was in odessa last month.......