Living in Odessa, Ukraine for 3 years with much to share

[vaiano777]

My name is Vincent and I have been living in Odessa, Ukraine for the last three years. My original goal was to find a bride. I have not found a bride, but I have created a life for myself here. I have been teaching English here for the entire time. I have also done business consulting as well as created a large community of Ukrainian girls to help me in my quest. My quest first and foremost is to help as many people as possible to avoid the headache and heartache that many Western Men have experienced in their efforts to find a life-partner here in Ukraine or in Russian speaking countries. So, I think that my objective is actually in line with that of this website. I have a blog if you'd like to check it out. Feel free to ask me any questions that you'd like.

I hope to help you as well as learn from you.

Good luck to all of you in your search.

http://lovinginukraine.blogspot.com/

[Gator]

 
 
Vincent,
 
Have you visited other cities in Ukraine?  If so, have you noticed a difference between women from Odessa and other UW?  Some men believe there are more deceitful women in Odessa.    Or, more foreign men go to Odessa so UW there are more selective.

[alex330]

Hey Vincent, it sounds like you may have a lot of knowledge to share. My wife is from Odessa and we have talked about living there at some point in the future. I would be interested in your experiences living there.

If so, have you noticed a difference between women from Odessa and other UW?  Some men believe there are more deceitful women in Odessa.    Or, more foreign men go to Odessa so UW there are more selective.

From my personal experience and what I have heard from others in Ukraine is the following:

1. The women (adisitkas) are beautiful. Many who cannot find quality jobs work in agencies. More agencies and women probably does translate to a higher rate of deceit with men.
2. The economy in Odessa is not as bad as many other parts of Ukraine. Not as much desire to leave or find a foreigner but willing to work in the MOB industry?
3. Large tourist population so women are more careful meeting foreigners who may be bride seekers and sex tourists.

Maybe Vincent can expand on this since he lives there.

[JohnDearGreen]

Feel free to ask me any questions that you'd like.
http://lovinginukraine.blogspot.com/

As I read the blog, it appears you went to Ukraine searching for a lady with a total of $150 cash?  Then you were lucky enough to quickly find a teaching job.   Were you also escaping unemployment or financial troubles in the US?

[vaiano777]

As I read the blog, it appears you went to Ukraine searching for a lady with a total of $150 cash?  Then you were lucky enough to quickly find a teaching job.   Were you also escaping unemployment or financial troubles in the US?

Neither. I had a failed business in southern California in 2003-2004, but I still keep in touch with almost everyone from there through Facebook. After my mother died of cancer, loss of dream job, loss of dream home in Laguna Beach all at around the same time in 2000-2001, my view on life changed. Then, loss of love, a couple of years not working but studying, writing, reading, meditating, etc led to a new relationship and the aforementioned business. After that business failed, I had no desire to work for anyone and nothing lit me up at all. It all seemed empty and meaningless. So, in late 2007, a friend metnioned teaching English in South Korea. I had an epiphany and decided that I was ready to find a girl in January of 2008. A week or two later, I woke up in the middle of the night in January 2008 when I was ready to find a girl, and found a job in Gwangju, South Korea teaching English. It took me 4 months to get my visa. I lived there, working at two different schools for a total of 10 months. I visited China open to finding a Chinese bride, and wrote to Ukrainian women on the Anastasia website. I just tried to open my mind and my heart to either. When I finally found a job in Ukraine (just outside of Kiev),  I had actually saved over $5,000 in my last 4 months teaching in South Korea to come to Ukraine, but a series of unfortunate events in the last ten days prior to leaving S Korea left me without a dime when I got onto the plane in Seoul destined for Kiev.   

[LAman]

Hi Vincent....
I enjoy odessa life very much...my favorite city in ukraine. The size, the people and the lovely ladies.
I guess when you get comfortable with a place it feels more like home. For some odd reason I don't share the negative thoughts many guys here have of the city.......
I read some of your blog.....interesting to see the interaction you have had while there. I have often wondered
what life would be like to actually live there.....not visiting a few times a year.....sans winters!!! brrrr

[vaiano777]

 
Vincent,
 
Have you visited other cities in Ukraine?  If so, have you noticed a difference between women from Odessa and other UW?  Some men believe there are more deceitful women in Odessa.    Or, more foreign men go to Odessa so UW there are more selective.

I have not visitied any other cities other than Kiev. I have met about a hundred women from other cities in Ukraine, but due to the fact that I've met most of them in Odessa, I feel that I am not completely qualified to give a completely accurate picture for you. Overall, there are many similarities in their thinking and behavior. I was recently told that the women from Western Ukraine are much less weternized and much nicer with less expectations for and from a Western man or future partner. I hope that helped a little.

[vaiano777]

Hey Vincent, it sounds like you may have a lot of knowledge to share. My wife is from Odessa and we have talked about living there at some point in the future. I would be interested in your experiences living there.

From my personal experience and what I have heard from others in Ukraine is the following:

1. The women (adisitkas) are beautiful. Many who cannot find quality jobs work in agencies. More agencies and women probably does translate to a higher rate of deceit with men.
2. The economy in Odessa is not as bad as many other parts of Ukraine. Not as much desire to leave or find a foreigner but willing to work in the MOB industry?
3. Large tourist population so women are more careful meeting foreigners who may be bride seekers and sex tourists.

Maybe Vincent can expand on this since he lives there.

There are plenty of great girls here in Odessa and there are plenty of great people in Odessa. I know that many people are constantly warning me of deceitful people and deceitful girls here, but that is just not what I've found. I also know that in general, people attract what they are. So, my question to you is, "what kinds of people do you have in your life in America?" If the people around you are people you can trust and rely on, then I'd bet that you are going to find and create a similar type of community here. I imagine that there will be an adjustment period with some bad experiences here as well. I actually broke my leg in three places the first month I was here. So, experiencing the medical system here without knowing the language, culture, traditions, and not having money was a treat to experience as you can imagine. You can read the stroy on my Facebook notes page. (Vincent Vaiano) Also, there are plenty of money maknig opportunites here too.

I'd be glad to help you any way that I can once you decide that you are visiting or that you'd like to try living here. Of course, a lot will depend on whether you need to work or not too. I can give you realistic expectations for yourself and your life after talking to you more and understanding your individual situation better. If you wife's family is here too, then that should be a huge help to you as well. I hope that helped and good luck. Let me know what I can do to help. 

[vaiano777]

2. The economy in Odessa is not as bad as many other parts of Ukraine. Not as much desire to leave or find a foreigner but willing to work in the MOB industry?
3. Large tourist population so women are more careful meeting foreigners who may be bride seekers and sex tourists.


Also, there are plenty of girls here that work in the restaurants business, the tourism industry, and make money by dating foreign men. Just like anywhere else in Eastern Europe, be careful. I read the do's and don'ts on this website, they are a good guide. The young girls usually have a little bit more desire to take as much as possible. They believe that it is a sport or it is a job to suck as much money out of foreign men as possible. So, don't be so quick to spend. You need to spend because you do not want to paint the picture of being tight-fisted, but just be careful. I have had plenty of relationships with girlsl that didn't want me to pay for anything. I still had all of the accompnying accutraments that go along with a normal relationship. But, I do see so many guys leaving unhappy with their experience. Get the stars out of your eyes guys. 

[vaiano777]

Hi Vincent....
I enjoy odessa life very much...my favorite city in ukraine. The size, the people and the lovely ladies.
I guess when you get comfortable with a place it feels more like home. For some odd reason I don't share the negative thoughts many guys here have of the city.......
I read some of your blog.....interesting to see the interaction you have had while there. I have often wondered
what life would be like to actually live there.....not visiting a few times a year.....sans winters!!! brrrr

It can be great!!! It'll just take some time to create a community. I try not to spend time with foreigners. I try to spend as much time as possible with Russian speaking people. I want to learn the thinking, the culture, the traditions, the subtleties, etc. I figure I cannot do that unless I am with people that grew up here.

I hope you do end up giving life here a try. It isn't bad. And, from me, those are big words.

[alex330]

There are plenty of great girls here in Odessa and there are plenty of great people in Odessa. I know that many people are constantly warning me of deceitful people and deceitful girls here, but that is just not what I've found.

I'd be glad to help you any way that I can once you decide that you are visiting or that you'd like to try living here. Of course, a lot will depend on whether you need to work or not too. I can give you realistic expectations for yourself and your life after talking to you more and understanding your individual situation better. If you wife's family is here too, then that should be a huge help to you as well. I hope that helped and good luck. Let me know what I can do to help. 

My experiences are similiar to yours. I met mostly warm and friendly people. My wives friends remind me of my own. They all bend over backwards for each other. I have a feeling I will need to work the rest of my life
We will be there the end of this summer after she is allowed to travel to visit family and friends. Maybe we can grab lunch at Fankoni.

[LAman]

My experiences are similiar to yours. I met mostly warm and friendly people. My wives friends remind me of my own. They all bend over backwards for each other. I have a feeling I will need to work the rest of my life
We will be there the end of this summer after she is allowed to travel to visit family and friends. Maybe we can grab lunch at Fankoni.

Lucky man you...most have trouble keeping just one happy!!!
 
Ahhhhh Fanconi!!! Great spot to take a girl late at night....... upstairs there are soft couches to rest and get 'comfortable' !!!!

[alex330]

Lucky man you...most have trouble keeping just one happy!!!
 
Ahhhhh Fanconi!!! Great spot to take a girl late at night....... upstairs there are soft couches to rest and get 'comfortable' !!!!

LOL, one is all I can handle 

Yea, Fanconi has several locations. I met my wife at the one you are describing downtown.
The one off French Blvd is nice in the summer. You gotta miss those 24 hour lounges.....

[Hammer2722]

LOL, one is all I can handle 

Yea, Fanconi has several locations. I met my wife at the one you are describing downtown.
The one off French Blvd is nice in the summer. You gotta miss those 24 hour lounges.....

Ah, you guys are definitely bringing back great memories for me. Been to Odessa 3 times and am always sad to leave. Finally found my girl in Western Ukraine though. Fanconi is a great place to take girl and not so outrageously expensive. Sigh.......

[vaiano777]

My experiences are similiar to yours. I met mostly warm and friendly people. My wives friends remind me of my own. They all bend over backwards for each other. I have a feeling I will need to work the rest of my life
We will be there the end of this summer after she is allowed to travel to visit family and friends. Maybe we can grab lunch at Fankoni.

I'd be happy to meet you. My email is the same as my handle here - vaiano777@gmail.com. Just let me know. Hope to see you all soon. The weather has finally turned perfect here by the way. Today is was 22 and sunny for the second day in a row. It feels like Southern California. I love this weather. That is the one thing I miss the most other than my closest friends. 

[Hammer2722]

What I miss most is watching the high heels and mini-skirts walking alonG Derib. and those topless honeys on the beach!!!! LOL

[Faux Pas]

It can be great!!! It'll just take some time to create a community. I try not to spend time with foreigners. I try to spend as much time as possible with Russian speaking people. I want to learn the thinking, the culture, the traditions, the subtleties, etc. I figure I cannot do that unless I am with people that grew up here.

I hope you do end up giving life here a try. It isn't bad. And, from me, those are big words.

We've had a number of members/posters on RWD that were residents in Ukraine. EDCOCKS, Scottincrimea and Krimster,. Do a search on the latter two. One had favorable reviews the other did not. You encouraging someone to give it a try is interesting.