"It's certainly a frustrating time, there is also things like pensions, medical insurance, bank accounts to sort out, unless you can keep your Uk bank account without a Uk address, but that's another isssue."
Yes of course you can. What i don't understand is why people consider buying apartments in the FSU and renting them out to make money. Surely you can do exactly the same thing in your own country and make the same money? What are the benefits to buying over there? cheaper? more return on investment?
Ben,
You need a helluva lot more capital in the Uk to buy apartments, but as I am considering locating to Ukraine I need to earn a living in Ukraine. I am moving to be with my girlfiend not going there to make a living, but obviously I need to make a living when I get there, that is my problem and the reason for the post.
Getting a Uk fiancee visa can be a nightmare so living there a few years or permanently is an alternative.
After reading some replies, I am going off the idea of apartment renovation, thanks for the advice everyone by the way. I know property prices have increased there, but only in certain areas of demand.
It will probably be a case of going there on whichever visa I can get and seeing what I can do.
JinUK,
Getting a UK fiancee visa is relatively easy, just prove that you can support her with contract of employment, bank statements, photographs of the two of you together, proof that you have an abode and then provide copies of flight tickets, credit card restaurant receipts/statements, any proof that you have occupied time(s) with the lady and it's reasonably straightforward. ..... Otherwise stick her in the back of a truck coming thru the channel tunnel :)
Ben, bank accounts are not such a problem, I have my business in UK but my business bank account is in Latvia, it is a multi currency account that works in 20 different currencies, transfer payments are done online and with a debit/credit card you can withdraw money from any hole in the wall you like. I can definately recommend a Latvian bank account, has similary secrecy laws to bank accounts of Switzerland and Luxembourg.
Martin_FFC..i know i have one from Cyprus :). But the online functionality it not that great I have to admit. But you can still have a UK account and live outside the UK.
JinUK, fair point about the amount of capital required, although there are other places in the EU just as cheap and probably less risky with potentially higher returns.
ben,
Sure you can have a UK account, I have lived previously in Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands with a UK account.
Trouble with UK is the 'island' mentality and it took some while to convince Abbey National although they absolutely refused to send a bank statement to an overseas address citing it was a security issue.
Hey mike ... when are you going to Russia next....i would love to visit...may be you could show me the ropes....i have been to ukraine 10 times..also bought flat in odessa and lvov....
Rolex not my style..but if i know anyone who wants one i will be sure to let you know.
Mike00
sounds like an "interesting" time you had.
I assume you do not recommend getting involved with a russian then!!
Did you not meet any genuine ones or were they all burglars?
Did you ever get over anywhere near to Izhevsk?
You got a comparison to make with ukrainians?
s drunks / dummies .they got that correct --no man under 34 has much to offer in life .
I went there aged 41 in 1999 --ive never been with a bird over 30 and i never would be ! as if your going to spend all that money / time / risk etc - you may as well end up with the pritiest bird in town as opposed to a boiler .
Results the same -you may as well go down with class ! man's got to go out with a bang !! lol lol.
MIKE00
good to hear from you Mike, I have been wondering how you have been doing in Russia. Hard luck it didn't work out but you certainly gave it a good shot. Its quite a story. Its got to be better being in summer now in assuie and not winter in Russia too. I've made the move myself, but i travel 50-70% of the time for work so its not as bigger deal as you. I'm not rushing in to buy apartments just yet and i certainly don't let people there know i have money, although you still have to deal with people wanting hand outs so i can somewhat understand how you feel mate.
Giving Tips on dating the 28 year olds when one is almost 50. No wonder one is in the shitter for 113K. Hey it's spoken on before then reality sets in. Also it's your money to do with as you please. Though you still broad brush all the women as nothing more than parasites just after money. Hell my wife didn't know how much or how little money I did have because that wasn't the issue or the substance for our relationship. Keep dreaming 28 when your 50 the math doesn't work our all that often. When shes 40 you'll be 62. Just keep doing the math.
This is the type of hypocricy that drives me crazy. The Birds are beautiful and life is good, until the evil family tries to pry money away from you.
The reality sets in when money is the only thing that keeps a relationship together. Though I was told I was full of shit a long time ago.
So in the end, I will keep my 46 year old who looks like she's 28 and live life in the real sense. Though I was never desperate enough to blow 100k on getting laid over seas. All the headaches involved with these birds an nothing to talk about except the spend on one's ledger sheet? Making 11% on fiat money doesn't interest me too much. Hell one can make that sitting at home and trading on the Foreign Exchange.
Moral to this story, if you just want a clothes hanger on your arm and you have no problem with parting 100k, there are plenty of women who are willing to take that money. Hell you don't have to travel very far to find that.
Just another bloke with a sad story when all he had going for himself was money and an ego.
"Making 11% on fiat money doesn't interest me too much. Hell one can make that sitting at home and trading on the Foreign Exchange."
So you've been selling your US dollars for the last few years then :)
He may have blown a lot of cash but I don't think he would have had the same amount of fun and adventure by sitting at home. And don't think Mike is pissed off about the money. I won't do things the way he does but he has some good stories to tell.
Mike I have heard that once you put money in a bank in the FSU (Ukraine is where I heard it about and it may be only gossip so that is why I ask) it is very difficult to get it back out. Have you had experience with retrieving any of the money you invested?