Travel

5 Hidden Costs Of Living In Ukraine

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After spending far too long working like a slave, running on the hedonic treadmill, and wasting my life stuck in the trap of Western society, I decided that enough was enough and it was time for a move. Having tested the waters in Ukraine for four days over the summer, I embarked on a journey that was nothing short of life-changing.

That being said, while beautiful girls, low prices, and an undeniable sense of adventure are all hallmark upsides of living in Eastern Europe, there are a variety of hidden costs that eventually made me reconsider residing in Ukraine.

1. Western Style Convenience

Clearly, the most legit Apple store on Earth.

This one is obvious, and yet I didn’t realize the magnitude to which it would impact me. Ukraine as a whole has been somewhat shielded from the invasion of Western brands, something I initially saw as refreshing.

Unfortunately, I learned I was completely fucked when my MacBook had a motherboard failure as there was no Apple store to take it to. I had to diagnose the issue myself and open up a special claim with Apple to find a “technician” who was supposed to cover the repair under my warranty. As it turns out, I’m paying the replacement out of pocket. The required part will take seven weeks to arrive and will be subject to import tax, the next hidden cost of a long-term stay in Ukraine.

2. Shipping fees

Pay boatloads of cash to “send” your things here.

I love playing my guitar. I have an old Gibson Hummingbird guitar that I restored myself a few years ago that I’m quite attached to, so I’ve invested in a nice case that can use to ship it to wherever I’m staying.

Ukraine, sadly, will not be one of those places.

Everything that is imported from the United States here is hit with a 20% tax, regardless of whether it is a personal item or not. The typical way to circumvent this is to use a company called MEEST and declare its value as far below what it is worth.

This game may work when shipping to Western Europe, but there are numerous stories of goods being stolen in transit when exporting one’s personal items to developing countries in Europe. While it may not be from the shipping company themselves, even the customs agents are suspect to thievery when shipping through the former Soviet Union. If you declare that your item was only worth $100, good luck filing a claim to get reimbursed if something happens.

3. Housing

Convenience will cost you.

The Airbnb market in much of Ukraine is relatively expensive when compared to other countries, and renting from locals presents its own set of issues such as scams, high agency fees, and untrustworthy landlords.

My biggest mistake was assuming that my $600/month Airbnb in the center of Lviv with everything included was the deal of the century. My Ukrainian friends laughed when I told them how much I pay. A great deal by Western standards is still a rip-off in Ukraine. A place that an American may spend $600 on could cost half of that for a local person.

Granted, if you speak Russian or have a girl looking for you, you can find a reputable agent who can help you locate a cheap place, but they will probably ask for one whole month’s rent as “commission” for doing this. Oddly, this is how the majority of apartment renting goes in Ukraine. If one wants to stay in Ukraine for three to six months, it doesn’t make sense to pay $700 a month with an extra month’s rent as agency fee.

Renting an apartment will likely be one’s most significant expense living in Eastern Europe. If you’re looking for pure cheapness, you can pay far less in cities like Tbilisi or Riga or for simple Airbnb bookings. That said, you can get a fantastic apartment if you’re willing to spend a Western price and pay the agent’s fee.

4. Isolation from Modern Culture

Cute girls…and not much else.

This was yet another drawback that I didn’t realize how impactful it would be on my life. I’ve always been into the arts, whether it be film, live music, or visual exhibitions. Sadly, in Ukraine, most theaters only play movies in Russian, and very few promoters have the budget needed to bring in quality bands or DJs.

In many ways, the creative scene in much of Ukraine is comparable to small town USA. Concerning my artistic pursuits, I noticed a significant drop-off in my output in the time I spent there. Now that I’m back in the swing of things (and coincidentally no longer there), I think a lot of it had to do with lacking inspiration.

5. The Ability To Explore Other [Better] Areas

It’s a big world out there, and Ukraine is but one place.

I made the mistake of investing in a residency package while in Ukraine that allows me to stay there for up to three years at a time. It’s funny… I was blinded by pretty girls and the allure of low prices to how much the country kind of sucks, especially in the winter time. Taking a chance trip away to another popular Eastern European destination made me realize how much I don’t enjoy being there for reasons other than the obvious.

Best case scenario: you go to Ukraine, manage to lock a few 10’s into a rotation (indeed no easy feat), and ball out with your remote income money, but then what happens? This was my original goal and while I realized that while Ukraine is an exceptional destination for such things, I don’t need to put a damper on other area’s of my life just to get that.

A caller on the most recent Roosh live stream asked him if he should go to Ukraine. Roosh just replied that “it depends on how thirsty you are to sleep with some really beautiful girls.” Let’s be perfectly honest: that, combined with low prices, are the best things the country has to offer. Everything else kind of sucks.

Conclusion

Do not let my attitude turn you off from going to Ukraine.

It’s an amazing place that I suggest most men visit at some point in their lives. While I was somewhat discontented while being there, I meet many men who speak of no such issues and are perfectly happy staying there long term.

Ironically, as I write this, I am currently on my way back. Sometimes, the allure of beautiful women and a high standard of living for a low price is just too good of a deal to pass up.

Read More: The Girls Of Poland And Ukraine 

62 thoughts on “5 Hidden Costs Of Living In Ukraine”

  2. To resume the idea of the article: you like winter but only when is hot. You miss your electronics/travel opportunities/”modern culture” (what a bad joke!) and calculate if cheap fuck worth this loss. No interest in other way of life. Rather pathetic. One of the most unmanly articles ever read on Rok.

    1. I think it’s very red pill in that sense that it shows that many men are in fact quite largely guided by their dicks, conveniences and costs.
      I think that (many) men should have some kind of on and off-season (or Apollonian/Dionysian) so that they focus on making money, cultivating themselves and living a more ethical life for some periods of their years (and their lives as a whole), while also having more Dionysian experiences with alcohol and better-than-average chicks, at least when they’re younger.
      Sometimes those on/off dynamics can occur during the same vacation, like in East Asia where there’s plenty of culture but also opportunities for dating and drinking. South Korea, Japan and Taiwan are great examples of these swift dynamics: going to temples, climbing mountains, and meeting thin women the day after.
      Many countries in temperate climates suck during the winter. It’s nice that we have four seasons here in Sweden but it’s kind of boring with even March being cold as fuck most of the time. Fortunately, one can focus on work, money, fitness, having dinners and reading, and perhaps go for a trip abroad, so it’s not entirely negative. Ukraine likely sucks in many ways but I’ve heard good things from a guy who is married to a Ukrainian woman and often visits Kiev. He thinks that Ukrainians are warmer people than most Scandinavians.

      1. “I think it’s very red pill in that sense that it shows that many men are in fact quite largely guided by their dicks, conveniences and costs.”
        Your very right there William. When men move abroad they are instinctively guided by the ‘Triple W’ or WWW. Which is weather, women, and wages.
        “Wages” in this case, can simply mean “where do my (already obtained) wages go farther rather than being motivated by the need to earn it?”

        1. Reality,
          The 3 WWWs ha ha ha ha , That brings back some memories here in England when I was a teenager and growing up my old man use to tell me about the 4 WWWWs when it came to girls. Whip it in, Whip it out. Wipe it and Walk Away, LOL.

      2. “He thinks that Ukrainians are warmer people than most Scandinavians.”
        I have not found Ukrainians to be particularly warm. They are not Aussies.
        However, they aren’t as stupid as Swedes politically. A little stupid compared to Russians, Serbs, Poles, but not as stupid as Swedes.

        1. I’d hardly call Aussies “warm” either. Their country is just as cucked with overboard non-white immigration, watch-out-for-terrorists drivel, and other social ills as the United States.
          Also they are fine with you being from the US until you bring them just the SLIGHTEST amount of inconvenience or argument. See how quickly you devolve into becoming a “Yank” or a “Cunt” or a “Yank Cunt”.

        3. The Russians put up with a petty tyrant like Putin. Not politically smart.

      3. One of the benefits of being born in a cold country is that 9 months a year you can live in a comparitivrly warm climate in most places in SEAsia. A few years ago I spent a comfortable, whoring winter in Guangdong.
        Gives me a chuckle seeing people wearing parkas when I’m in a dress shirt.

        1. if you see people wearing parka you better get one too before you freeze to death in your dress shirt.

      4. beauty of ukrainian girls is seriously over rated on this site. most are very ugly – lot of them look more like turks. a quick browse through VK will confirm this. pound for pound there are way more hot looking russian women. ukraine is a shithole

    2. This article isn’t titled “5 Reasons Why You Should Never Go To Ukraine.”
      I’m here right now. How long have you been living here?

    3. …and “I’ve always been into the arts, whether it be film, live music, or visual exhibitions.” sounds terribly gay.

  3. But you can always contraband cigarettes to Poland, Hungary and Romania and earn better than the local officials (only if they don’t catch you).

  5. Oh how great it is to fuck easy good looking sluts but damn i miss my apple shop. The actual state of things round here, if you want to fuck easy women aaaaand have access to apple go to estonia, go to fucking London man. I went east to get away from apple shops and nike air shops and the like. I catcjh my own fish for food and havent been to an apple shop since 2014

    1. You’re misunderstanding what I’m saying.
      It’s about consumerism and wanting to buy iPhones. Getting serious repairs done on Apple devices (which I’m guessing most of us have) is a nightmare.

      1. Agreed, most of comments tell me that many of these keyboard warriors never actually lived abroad and missed the whole of this article.
        The point being what are your priorities: Western Style Convenience, Certain Foods, Hot Women, Not having to put Toliet Paper in the garage can, etc.
        What can’t you live without?

  6. I love playing the guitar as well and own two of them (an electric and acoustic-electric), and unfortunately when I’ve gone on my longer backpacking trips or take work opportunities abroad I just have to kind of leave them behind at my folks place.
    A laptop, phone, clothes, and a few other smaller knick-knacks like a camera, passport, wallet, sunglasses, etc. are all you really need to be entertained, have work done, and function properly when going nomadic and a guitar just takes up too much space and weight while serving a fairly limited purpose.
    I just enjoy picking up and playing one when I can when the opportunity presents itself. OR, if you really are intent at staying someplace for 6-12 months, you can buy a used one and try and sell it back for just $10-20 less when you leave.

    1. I have to admit, on this point I agree with you.
      Yes, the guitar is too big to carry with you. That’s why I would like to recommend taking the Bible instead. Having God on your side might not be that bad after all.

        1. But we can still be friends. Since you like playing the guitar you must like country music, I hope.
          Plenty of country music players had a deep feeling for God.
          Just give it a try. We might find some common ground.
          And one day, hopefully, you might become a believer.

  7. Disagree with this article. Kiev has a ton of activities, even in wintertime. Hang out at the universities and you can catch lectures, take classes, etc. Yes, the weather sucks in winter, but in the warmer months the country is fabulous.
    If you are bored in Ukraine, the problem is you. Not the country. You. They have good artists, good mathematicians, classes for people who want to learn English and who would welcome a native English speaker….
    The food is also really really good. Compared to Russia (my wife’s country), head and above. Russian food is peasant food.
    Agree with the criticism of shipping, convenience, etc.

    1. I’ve never been, but Ukraine does strike me as a country where the harsh winters, price gouging for unsuspecting foreigners, “cold” mannerisms in stores/shops/restaurants etc. would wear on me kind of quickly. Certainly as a place to live long term.
      Parts of Latin America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia) and Eastern Asia (Taiwan, Vietnam) are more up my alley for longer term stays and poosy slaying, while also enjoying day to day life with above freezing temps all year long.

    2. It sounded like his goals were chasing tail and going to clubs. Lots of activities open up when you stop going to clubs and don’t make pussy your life goal.

  8. Fix American girls instead of being another cock on the carousel. I dont mean catching a wild womyn feminist with 1000s of miles on her ragged cooch. I mean shame your female relatives and ‘friends’ for sleeping around and being loose. It’s a start!

  9. You are whining about living the Western culture yet you want to live the western life when you go there. You complain about immigrants not assimilating and learning the language of the host country but other people have to roll the red carpet for you because you are a western cunt!! Learn damn Russian and stop being a bitch.

  10. Yeah, it’s red pilled. True, more or less we all have with us the bitch of material comfort. It give us the lukewarm solace while weakening our heart. So we can smile, embrace it and after that kick it of. Not a hard dilemma.

  11. Great, another article about “eastern europe sucks because there are no hollywood movies, convenience stores and fastfood don’t open until 5am.”
    Usually peoples who travel abroad like to see something new.
    What’s next ? Articles saying camping sucks, glamping is the future ?

  12. Like an idiot I spent like $100/day at pseudo-fancy hotels. Ate out at hotel restaurants spending $20-30 per meal. Don’t be me. It was well worth the trip because of the talent there tho…

  13. I always loved snow, winter and Slavic women (my wife is Ukrainian-Russian). But after 2 winters in Latvia, I am almsot out of my mind at the lack of sunlight and suffocating forests at every turn.
    Fancy going 3 weeks at a time without seeing blue sky? Want to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, complete with debilitating brain fog, black depression, emotional blunting, weeping like a baby, jelly limbs and reaching spring with your skin a sickly yellow hue? Then you too should spend winter in Eastern Europe!!!

    1. Man, we have that sort of weather in several parts of the USA too. Western Oregon and Washington, western Michigan, areas like Cleveland, Buffalo, and other places along the eastern edge of the Great Lakes chain, etc. People seem to survive. You obviously do have SADS, and should prolly be on some sort of medication, trying light therapy, or something.

      1. I now understand why the US has “snowbirds”! I said to my wife that if we can afford it, we should one day have a place in southern Spain so that we can get the winter sunshine.

        1. Yeah, we’ve got areas here in the US with some really gloomy weather for long periods of late fall, winter, and early spring.
          Then again, we’ve also got places, like the desert southwest (Phoenix, Las Vegas, etc) that literally get 300 days of sunshine a year.
          I wish you were American and could live somewhere like that, though the trade off is very hot summers.

    2. I live in Minnesota, where winter is the best 6 months of the tear. Spring and fall can be nice, but the summers are great (all three weeks, not necessarily contiguous).

  14. I disagree, I have been in Tallinn few years and i could say that winters have been quite sunny. Only November and December are kind of grey months. I suppose its because climate is getting warmer and snow only comes here in January or in February. Otherwise, houses are warm, because they have been built that way. Not like in London for example.

    1. If I was younger, and knowing what I know now, I would love to have tried to make a go of it in either Tallinn or Riga. In spite of some obvious hardships compared to living in the USA, I would have enjoyed the lack of diversity, conservative culture, and interesting history, architecture, everything.

    2. Maybe Tallinn is sunnier then; but the past 2 winters (and autumns) in Riga have been as if a grey blanket was stretched out over the sky for weeks on end. My daughter has eye strain because of the darkness, my wife’s sleep pattern is a mess and I have been crippled with SAD this past month.
      I have started using a light box and am stuffing myself with vitamin D3 and healthy food (although good luck finding decent quality red meat in Latvia)… We’re at the point where we just want to return to the UK.

      1. I hope you feel better, and it all works out for you and your family, whether you stay in Latvia or return to UK. But try the light therapy, and don’t rule out antidepressants if you need ’em. They help a lot of people.

      2. Sorry… I forgot that you said you already used a light box. Just feel better, dude.

  15. There are definite hardships to living in the Ukraine and I wouldn’t recommend it to most people but none of the real hardships were covered in this article. Everything listed here can be easily fixed/avoided and/or would apply to nearly any destination outside of the author’s home.

  17. (First bear in mind that I’ve actually lived overseas in shithole countries. I wouldn’t count Ukrania as being one of them. But it is Eastern Hajnal line Europe, sooooo…)
    Respectfully, you complain about not being able to take your guitar with you. Couldn’t you instead just bought a decent one there, and probably for skinny dollars?
    And why does it need to be a MacBook with its proprietary everything? Just a generic Windows/AMD-12 laptop with an SSD + external drive would be far cheaper, more durable, and easier and cheaper to fix (or replace) if something did go south. Ditto with the i-Phone.
    (Seven weeks shipping on a part that probably fits in an envelope? What, is it being shipped by donkey cart?! Something is wrong there.)
    The rent thing? That’s just doing your research ahead of time, like at the EscapeArtist or someplace. Figure the listings for foreigners are *always* going to be more expensive than the locals. That, and the way things are supposed to work and the way (the locals know) that they actually work are never the same
    Reality is when you go to a foreign country – any foreign country -to live, realize that things are not the same as “Back Home,” so get used to it in a hurry. Quick observation, flexibility and adaptability are the key to both growing from the experience and having a good time.
    Just a thought.
    VicB3

  18. You missed that toxic feminist cesspit that is modern “Western culture”? You’re kidding right..

  19. So what’s in it for the Ukrainian women to want to bang you? What do you have to offer them?
    I’ve lived in Ukraine and besides the women, I’m not sure why anyone would want to live there. OK, the food is pretty good too, but not a reason to live there.

  21. Ukrainian here. While Ukraine isn’t exactly the easiest country to visit the author just seems like an inexperienced traveler.
    1. Author’s MacBook problems are Apple’s fault. When I needed my iPod fixed I just mailed it to provided US address and got it back a few weeks later (it was still broken when returned, but “stellar” Apple service is another story).
    2. That’s true.
    3. Housing “rip off” is entirely author’s fault, who didn’t bother to do their research. Suckers deserve what they get.
    4. Same as above the author didn’t research the artsy venues and gigs.
    5. What is “residency package”? Does that thing even exist? Well, if the author is interested I might have a bridge to sell.
    Conclusion: the author needs to do more traveling before writing travel articles.

    1. I spent a good bit of time in Ukraine last year and getting apple shit fixed is impossible. they don’t let you ship internationally to the usa.
      re: artsy shit. yeah sure there are galleries and what not but its nothing compared to bigger markets.
      he’s kind of a puss i think but he’s not wrong.

  23. 95% of people in Lviv speak/understand Russian.
    But if you start speaking Russsian,
    the attitude to you won’t be friendly.

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