Why so little information on Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.?

[emh]

This is my first post so please be gentle.     

First, a little background info.  Like many of you, I'm looking for someone to share my life with.  At the same time, I'm looking for a place to call home.  I'm not interested in a long-distance relationship.  I'm also unemployed (by choice) but have a decent amount of savings to transition to another country (where I'd probably have to do the "teach english" thing so I could live there legally.)

Now onto my question(s).  I'm currently in Ukraine.  I came here about 2 weeks ago to check into potential cities to live.  First I went to Odessa, then Kiev, and now L'viv.  Didn't really care for Odessa but I did like Kiev and L'viv.  At the same time, I don't know. I'm not a fan of cold weather and when you get snowed on in late March/early April, it definitely makes you think about what you're doing.  On top of that, I don't speak any Russian or Ukrainian and my head starts hurting whenever I look at the cyrillic script.

So now I'm thinking about going somewhere warmer, and somewhere that the language may be a little easier.  Somewhere like Hungary, Romania, Serbia or Bulgaria.  And yet, I notice that there seems to be very little information about these countries.  And very little in the way of online dating sites.  No marriage agencies.  Nothing.

Does anyone have insight into why that is?  Are the women not attractive?  Are they not interested in dating men from other countries?  Something else entirely?

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated!  Thanks!

[ECOCKS]

Several reasons:

While those countries were part of the Warsaw Pact, they were not really part of the Soviet Union per se. That term is generally reserved for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Baltic States and the "-stans".

They're EU now and can move about relatively freely while searching for their future mates. Still you find some on Elenas and other sites just few "dedicated" to those countries.

I find them attractive, particularly the Hungarian, Polish and Czech gals. Bulgaria was okay but not really over-run with drop-dead gorgeous types like Ukraine and Russia.

[Boethius]

Hungarian is notoriously difficult to learn, far more than a Slavic language.

Bulgarian and Serbian are Slavic languages.  Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

[Hammer2722]

This is my first post so please be gentle.     

First, a little background info.  Like many of you, I'm looking for someone to share my life with.  At the same time, I'm looking for a place to call home.  I'm not interested in a long-distance relationship.  I'm also unemployed (by choice) but have a decent amount of savings to transition to another country (where I'd probably have to do the "teach english" thing so I could live there legally.)

Now onto my question(s).  I'm currently in Ukraine.  I came here about 2 weeks ago to check into potential cities to live.  First I went to Odessa, then Kiev, and now L'viv.  Didn't really care for Odessa but I did like Kiev and L'viv.  At the same time, I don't know. I'm not a fan of cold weather and when you get snowed on in late March/early April, it definitely makes you think about what you're doing.  On top of that, I don't speak any Russian or Ukrainian and my head starts hurting whenever I look at the cyrillic script.

So now I'm thinking about going somewhere warmer, and somewhere that the language may be a little easier.  Somewhere like Hungary, Romania, Serbia or Bulgaria.  And yet, I notice that there seems to be very little information about these countries.  And very little in the way of online dating sites.  No marriage agencies.  Nothing.

Does anyone have insight into why that is?  Are the women not attractive?  Are they not interested in dating men from other countries?  Something else entirely?

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated!  Thanks!

So, basically, the only thing of interest are the girls cause if you don't like the weather and are not interetsed in learning the language, your best bet is to stay home. 

[Boethius]

From the OP:

At the same time, I'm looking for a place to call home. 

Why would anyone deliberately move to a region where they are uncomfortable?

[SANDRO43]

Bulgarian and Serbian are Slavic languages.  Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

Serbian too, although not consistently:

Standard Serbian language uses both Cyrillic (ћирилица/ćirilica) and Latin script (latinica/латиница). Although Serbian language authorities have recognized the official status for both scripts in contemporary standard Serbian language for more than half of a century now, due to historical reasons, Cyrillic was made the official script of Serbia's administration by the 2006 Constitution. However, the law does not regulate scripts in standard language, or standard language itself by any means, leaving the choice of script as a matter of personal preference and to the free will in all aspects of life (publishing, media, trade and commerce, etc.), except in government paperwork production and in official written communication with state officials which have to be in Cyrillic. Even in official government documents this constitutional requirement is rarely enforced. Serbian is a rare and excellent example of synchronic digraphia, a situation where all literate members of a society have two interchangeable writing systems available to them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_language

[emh]

Several reasons:

While those countries were part of the Warsaw Pact, they were not really part of the Soviet Union per se. That term is generally reserved for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Baltic States and the "-stans".

They're EU now and can move about relatively freely while searching for their future mates. Still you find some on Elenas and other sites just few "dedicated" to those countries.

I find them attractive, particularly the Hungarian, Polish and Czech gals. Bulgaria was okay but not really over-run with drop-dead gorgeous types like Ukraine and Russia.

Thanks, that's useful information.  I did realize that they're part of the EU, just didn't realize how that affected the dating dynamics. 

[emh]

Hungarian is notoriously difficult to learn, far more than a Slavic language.

Bulgarian and Serbian are Slavic languages.  Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

Yeah, I had read that about Hungarian. Hadn't researched Bulgarian or Serbian so wasn't aware that they also used Cyrillic. 

[emh]

So, basically, the only thing of interest are the girls cause if you don't like the weather and are not interetsed in learning the language, your best bet is to stay home. 

Sheesh, nice intro to the forum.  I never said I wasn't interested in learning the language, just that I know how difficult it will be. 

[emh]

From the OP:


Why would anyone deliberately move to a region where they are uncomfortable?

Ummm...people move to all sorts of places for all sorts of reasons.  I've tried living in South America (Peru and Colombia) and the Philippines and just found that those countries weren't a good fit for me.  Mostly because of a serious lack of intellectual culture.  From the people I've talked to (both locals as well as expats) it does seems like Ukraine would be a better fit for me in that regard.  So that's one factor I'm looking at. 

[CDW]

My mother lived in Romania for 5 years  (my stepfather is from Romania), and many Romanian girls are very "bitchy".  It is true as I have visited Romania 4 times in the past.

I do not know about the other countries you mentioned therefore I cannot comment about it

[ECOCKS]

Ummm...people move to all sorts of places for all sorts of reasons.  I've tried living in South America (Peru and Colombia) and the Philippines and just found that those countries weren't a good fit for me.  Mostly because of a serious lack of intellectual culture.  From the people I've talked to (both locals as well as expats) it does seems like Ukraine would be a better fit for me in that regard.  So that's one factor I'm looking at.

It could be but if the cold bugs you, nothing wrong with heading south.

I don't know if you're an American or Canadian but you might want to look into the working situation for non-EU citizens there. Oddly the countries with strong visa regimes are easier to work in since they force the employers to get proper  permits and such. While you can enter more freely, working legally can be as challenging as in Ukraine.

[mendeleyev]

We have a summer apartment on the Black Sea in Bulgaria so I'll include some links. First, on Bulgaria itself (wtih photos and videos): http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/exploring-bulgaria-from-soviet-subject-to-membership-in-the-european-union/



Next, Bulgarian music: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/russian-music/bulgarian-music/


Bulgaria is one of the poorer members of the EU, unfortunately. Also cold in winter.

[mendeleyev]

Touring Bulgaria: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/touring-bulgaria-part-3-border-customs/


Traveling along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/traveling-along-bulgarias-black-sea-coast/


Bulgaria on the beach: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/bulgaria-on-the-beach/


Bulgaria by train: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/bulgaria-food-on-the-train/


Bulgaria by train, part 2: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/bulgaria-travel-on-the-train-part-2/


Bulgaria, train part 3: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/sleeping-on-a-bulgarian-train/

[tfcrew]

 

I'm not interested in a long-distance relationship.

?

I came here about 2 weeks ago to check into potential cities to live.  First I went to Odessa, then Kiev, and now L'viv.  Didn't really care for Odessa but I did like Kiev and L'viv.  At the same time, I don't know. I'm not a fan of cold weather and when you get snowed on in late March/early April, it definitely makes you think about what you're doing.

Didn't know that Russia is cold?
Been snowed in for 2 weeks but have evaluated 3 cities in the meantime?

So now I'm thinking about going somewhere warmer, and somewhere that the language may be a little easier. Somewhere like Hungary, Romania, Serbia or Bulgaria.

Warmer?!!! Eastern Europe has experienced the most severe winter in years.
Just move to California. Warmer and easier to learn the language.

[emh]

My mother lived in Romania for 5 years  (my stepfather is from Romania), and many Romanian girls are very "bitchy".  It is true as I have visited Romania 4 times in the past.

I do not know about the other countries you mentioned therefore I cannot comment about it

Could you explain more when you say Romanian women are "bitchy"?  I hadn't heard that before.  My only experience with a Romanian is a friend of mine who was born there but moved to the US when she was 7. 

[emh]

It could be but if the cold bugs you, nothing wrong with heading south.

I don't know if you're an American or Canadian but you might want to look into the working situation for non-EU citizens there. Oddly the countries with strong visa regimes are easier to work in since they force the employers to get proper  permits and such. While you can enter more freely, working legally can be as challenging as in Ukraine.

I'm from the US. I had read that it's still possible for American to work legally in Romania.  There doesn't seem to be much info re: Bulgaria, Serbia or Hungary over on Dave's ESL Cafe. 

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing more re: entering freely and working legally in Ukraine for American citizens.  I've heard different stories and can't seem to get a straight answer.  I thought we now only got 90 days out of ever 180, but I've heard other people say you can still do the border run and come right back in.

[emh]

Touring Bulgaria: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/touring-bulgaria-part-3-border-customs/


Traveling along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/traveling-along-bulgarias-black-sea-coast/


Bulgaria on the beach: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/bulgaria-on-the-beach/


Bulgaria by train: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/bulgaria-food-on-the-train/


Bulgaria by train, part 2: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/bulgaria-travel-on-the-train-part-2/


Bulgaria, train part 3: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/sleeping-on-a-bulgarian-train/

Thanks for the links!  I definitely like that type of music.  And the scenery looks quite nice.  I may just have to check it out.

[JR]

Re: Why so little information on Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.?
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There's lots of information out there, just not on MOB related sites. Guess why?

[GQBlues]

You may still trump Rock Star status in the Baltic States albeit it'll be nothing like you exprienced in SA, Ukraine, the Philippines. The marriage industry doesn't reside in countries fairly absent of economic challenges.
 
Unless you skit out of the snowbelt zone, 'fraid there's not a whole lot of warm regions in those places you mentioned. Bratislava is wonderful during the summer months. Gorgeous women everywhere.
 
For general travel info, and even possibly network with co-travellers/locals, try Virtual Tourist. A very helpful site for the general wanderers.

[CDW]

Could you explain more when you say Romanian women are "bitchy"?  I hadn't heard that before.  My only experience with a Romanian is a friend of mine who was born there but moved to the US when she was 7.

Do you know what a "bitch" type of woman looks like in your country?

Too many Queens and very few snow whites girls in Romania!!