I'm new to this forum but thought I'd share a few tips. I don't claim to be a dating guru but I had little trouble landing a beautiful, educated woman from the Ukraine. Actually I had my pick of several gorgeous women. I wanted a woman who was sweet as well. I got it. Things I did:
1) I have Russian friends who advised me on cultural aspects of the relationship.
2) I took the time to learn basic Russian. You're asking a woman to leave everything she knows, the least you can do is show some effort to understand her background and make her comfortable.
3) Set realistic goals: the hot 20 year old isn't really interested in you if you're 45 and fat. Why should she be?
4) That said, you can definitely get a better looking woman than you would in the US. I'm 37, 2 kids, very good job, very fit (I rock climb), and probably a bit better than average looking. I have always attracted pretty good looking women. But....my wife is 26 and absolutely stunning. Their is NO WAY an American woman like her would give me the time of day. Actually, good luck even finding an American woman that looks like Luda.
5) Think with your brain. I'm amazed at the scams guys fall for. Knowing Russians, I know that a real lady from their culture would never ask for money, they're too proud. Don't be a sucker.
6) Be a gentleman. I always made it clear that because of my Christian beliefs I don't engage in premarital sex. This scared away gold diggers like garlic to a vampire, and only the ladies remained. If you're talking about graphic things and sending nasty photos within a few letters, what type of woman do you expect to attract?
7) Remember that she's a person with feelings, hopes, and dreams, not a prize to hang off your arm.
8) Be prepared to spend some money. If you make 40k a year you're barking up the wrong tree. I never got scammed and didn't use any agencies, but travel, visas, and the like still cost me about 20k. Worth every penny.
I was successful within a few months and married within a year and a half. It can be done if you're smart about it, realistic, and kind.
awesome climber,,,
but as life shows, a cock always crows no matter how imminent his future is in those first beginnings of any relationship.
i'm sure even half asleep i could give his lungs more air at a 100 meters for its endless disturbance of my blissful sleep.
and just when he thought we had such a beautiful relationship.
time climber is the only thing that really counts in this journey, any fool can marry a FSU girl (and hey i am not calling you a fool)
personally i would never marry someone i haven't known for under two years let alone fully trust them myself,, but hey thats me,,,,,, so heres to good luck and judgement and great futures.
and also no roosters around my house thanks, but we are all different and that is what we all need to understand.
your 2,3, 4,5 part of 6 and all of 7 is great advice but i am no fan of speed dating.
really the only thing i dont agree with is number 8.
i dont often make over 40k, it didnt stop me in my quest.
nor did i have the opportunity of cheap short flights like my British or Americans pats.
money climber means nothing and only a lot to certain types of people, its a necessity but only to the point of giving way to a mans ability.
this disease of money is rampant through the FSU, its hard not to notice of cause, it certainly goes with some of their make up and their love of "showing off".
i do believe this venture did cost me something over 20k like you, but 20 what-evers and 6 months through Ukraine and Russia is not bad at all for anyone on the cheap.
mind you most dollars were spent on my first trip in comparing, but again i was lucky enough to split the difference with a friend, that first spend up cannot be helped until you get a proper handle on the place.
number 8 really has no substance,, its like saying a $500 life-jacket will only save your life in boating accidents leave the $180 ones at home.
one thing i have learnt in life no one dose things the same, we have our own comfort zones and this makes it very difficult in giving overall advice specially when it involves one mans spending to another.
i remember a guy called Nasfan many years ago saying it will be a 20k adventure at least,,, did i try to prove him wrong, but that guy was on the money.
question, have you been able to get your wife to climb?
my girl hates it, i have found tickling her butt improves her vertigo on the very small adventures i have gotten her into when i know those moments are about to happen.
i know this isnt going to always work, even a child learns or overcomes silly tricks.
i only climb because of my love for fishing or hunting, never just to climb,,,, i have always admired those who do,, but they are part crazy.