its an accomplishment because they are taking a risk, changing their life...it may not work out, maybe they end up somewhere else, who knows but the comfy-ness of being at home is gone.
the girls that leave their country(FSU) can qualify also but there is a landing pad in their case.
I doubt fleeing/running from something an accomplishment....you don't have a choice!!!
"So someone who comes in here and says, 'I live in Ukaine'. So what? Big deal. Is that supposed to be some kind of major accomplishment? You can live in a hostel there for $2/day"
As was mentioned earlier, there is still a big difference in visiting Ukraine for several weeks and packing your shit up and actually moving here win or lose, as texiee has done.
For him, there is no residence to return to except family or friends, unlike most who still have a home outside the country. He is all in, win or lose and as was also mentioned, income in Ukraine is easily a third or less than USA. Unless you have significant savings or good passive income it IS a major accomplishment to move here and live here.
I have also said more than once that an expat living on $1-1200/mo income can have a good life but you need to be prepared for emergencies. A $3-5000 emergency fund is always a plus.
However, the expat living in Ukraine is usually not going to have the resources of the extended stay traveler.
A resident has too much stuff to live in a hostel, TomZ. Hostels are usually for cheap visitors and transients who simply want a bed. they are basically similar to US homeless shelters.
A resident needs a HOME!
Yes LR, I will always advocate for Ukraine but TomZ's plan is still only temporary and cheap by even Ukrainian standards! The cheapest one room apartments are $125/mo (used to be 75-100 before the influx from the east) Odessa will run $300+ and Kyiv $500+/mo or roughly double of March 2014.
I cant think or anyone other than teen or 20 something backpackers who would ever consider a hostel...except a nearly destitute American trying to survive...Ive met a couple failures like that
"As was mentioned earlier, there is still a big difference in visiting Ukraine for several weeks and packing your shit up and actually moving here win or lose, as texiee has done."
Rick, has he renounced his citizenship and immigrated permanently to the Ukraine? If he did he might have my respect. He has provided so little information.
Anyone can write, "I live in Ukaine"
I'm going to Ukraine soon for a 3 month stretch I think. When I get there can I post in here, "I live in Ukaine" ? Does 3 months qualify to "live"? What about 6 months? What about a year?
"Hostels are usually for cheap visitors and transients who simply want a bed. they are basically similar to US homeless shelters." R4G you couldn't be more wrong. Hostels in Ukraine are quite different than the shabby ones you find in the US or UK. Usually in Ukraine they are modern converted apartments with all the modern furnishings.
These are just a few. Also, hostels are a great way to meet fellow travellers, even girls. There are many girls from FSU states staying in these hostels, like the Russian girl I met while staying in an Odessa hostel. I never would have met her if I used a hotel or apartment.
I heard it through the grapevine that 2 weeks is long enough to claim the title " I had lived in ( blank ). I live in ( blank ). I am living in ( blank ). Any thing less than that is, I had been in ( blank ).
TomZ is post makes sense, to maximize your stakes stay at a hostel but for me I got a bit of PTSD after I watched the movie " Hostel "; I said, no way Jose.
I am not along upon arrival, so I usually find hotel or apartment or stay at her house.
Rick, I don't think someone is necessarily a loser or a failure because they stay in a hostel. They may not want to commit to an apartment or a particular city. A hostel is a very good option.
You can also book private rooms in some hostels so you get the best of both worlds - privacy and you get to meet fellow travellers.
I remember staying in one hostel in St. Petersburg. I stayed in one of the dorm rooms but then later on I met a girl, booked their private room and the rest is history.
Rick, i use hostels when travel by myself. I don't see why should i spend more money for just a bed... if i have friends in the city i can stay at theirs place and sleep on the floor on a blanket. Well maybe that's cos i usually don't stay for long in one city... usually it's 1-2 nights and i don't need to impress a bunch of girls :)
Folks,
Let's not put down anyone on the basics of Sleep-inn selections. Nowadays anyone but most likely a party of 3 or more, would rather book a hotel, apartment, house or BnB even through airbnb.
TomZ has already given us the "hint" of his perverted adventures and where he finds his young victims. Most of them on vacation from college or university, looking for gold or a sugar daddy or cougar, for an extra complementary good time. The worse case scenario is not a, DO NOT CROSS police yellow cordon but a STDs cause Child Support can't be enforced from one country to another. Unless, your country is part of the European Union.
Sorry, just cant do the hostel thing. Dont need to. I got everything planned for me in a comfy apartment for not much more than you pay for hostel. Besides, when I travel there is 5-6 people traveling with me. Houses at $150-175/night with 4 br are preferred now. Even if alone I just cant bring myself to the primalism of hostels. Does that make me old or wise?
Rick: “Besides, when I travel there is 5-6 people traveling with me.”
Is that a posse or an entourage??
Traveling with a group like that,,, there is no question as to which is cheaper. And I must assume that the price of a home or large apartment depends on the length of stay and how long in advance it was booked??
During my last trip to Ukraine,,, I was facing the possibility of paying for the accommodations of my girl, interp, driver, and myself at the old Slavutich hotel. I did not want to spend 5 to 6 hours in a car after my flight. I remember asking the girl if she wanted her own room,,, or if she would share with the interp,,,,, (because they were friends)? She never answered the question. I was also curious to find out if she planned to stay with me,,, as she made all kinds of promises during the last few months,,,, things that were not consistent with her personality. It went from her meeting me at the airport, to maybe staying overnight in Kyiv,,, to maybe staying with me in Kyiv on the night of my departure,,, to not being able to come to Kyiv,,, to not showing up AT ALL!!
"It went from her meeting me at the airport, to maybe staying overnight in Kyiv,,, to maybe staying with me in Kyiv on the night of my departure,,, to not being able to come to Kyiv,,, to not showing up AT ALL!!"
In Kyiv they are that expensive but they are almost always very nice. Odesa and Kherson are obviously less.(75-125) it works out better because everyone is not scattered around the city and can get things done faster.
"During my last trip to Ukraine,,, I was facing the possibility of paying for the accommodations of my girl, interp, driver, and myself at the old Slavutich hotel."
"In Kyiv they are that expensive but they are almost always very nice. Odesa and Kherson are obviously less.(75-125) it works out better because everyone is not scattered around the city and can get things done faster."
I found decent hotels/apts for $40 or less. Stayed at her friends place for free. Why put ay $500/ night at the Kiev Hilton for a 4.hrs sleep.
You see girls detect instantly if a guy is being cheap. The old Slavutich hotel? Who wants to stay there? Only a cheap Amerikansky.
What you should have done LR is just gone to her home town instead of being a scared little boy wanting her to meet you in the airport and hold your hand.