Anyone living in Crimea!

[Wayne]

Are there any USA members here who are living in Crimea or did live there?
 
Is there an expate community? What experience did you have? Did you work there? Drive? Live with someone?
 
Did you have English speaking friends or family? How did you like the food, living conditions, travel, climate, etc?

[mendeleyev]

I don't live there but yes, there is an expat community. Living anywhere in that region is a roll of the dice, whether trying to sift (and some have done so successfully) among the women to find the rare genuine article or trying to sift thru all the Western misfits who have found places like Odessa, Simferopol, Yalta, etc, as excellent places to live out their alcoholic dreams until you find genuine expats who are there for business or retirement, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I love this part of the world and some men have found the lady of their dreams along Crimea's peninsula. But this is a region of the world that has always been defined by ocean ports. For generations sailors have come in for a few days or a few months and the ladies have had hundreds of years to learn how to say/do the right thing while coyly separating the sailor from his wallet. Today business is booming because the sailors still come but have been joined by naive Western bride seekers. Business is good, well at least from the ladies' perspective.

While you're generally safe as a short term tourist, business is also good for the underworld and anyone with some money and a level head, sober most days, etc, gets noticed before long. That isn't a good thing unless you're under 30 and simply don't care whether you wake up alive in the morning, so living in the Crimea region requires vigilance and an awareness of your surroundings.

Those who go there on charitable and humanitarian efforts however are generally respected. Hook up with some credible organizations doing good work in the region and you'll not only find life more fulfilling, but perhaps a tad more relaxed when it comes to issues of long term safety.




(Beaches like this one in Yalta are always more attractive in the morning after police have swept drunks off the beach.)


http://www.expatintelligence.com/expat-ukraine.shtml

http://www.internations.org/places/view/crimeaukraine-8113
(Disclosure: the Mendeleyev Journal is a member and contributor to InterNations)

http://www.interexpat.com/5-nicast-spots-in-ukrainian-crimaa-a193659.html

http://www.expatmonkey.com/category/europe/ukraine/crimea/

http://forum.virtualtourist.com/forum-699069-1-Travel-Simferopol-1-forum.html

[Olly]

I have been in Yalta some years ago. Very nice city. A lot of aliens, especially Germans. And I never seen drank people on the beaches. So sad if beaches looks like this now. 

[SANDRO43]

A lot of aliens, especially Germans.

Green Germans from Mars ?

[Olly]

Green Germans from Mars ?

Why green and why from mars? I don't understand your joke.

[Hammer2722]

Why green and why from mars? I don't understand your joke.

Its because you said aliens Olly. LOL

[Olly]

Its because you said aliens Olly. LOL

What is wrong with this word? Explain to me please, my English is not so good to understand my mistake. 

[Hammer2722]

Sandro was making a joke in that you used the aliens which can also mean beings from another planet like green martians (from Mars). you also mentioned Germans so Sandro was asking you if they were green Germans. 

[Olly]

Sandro was making a joke in that you used the aliens which can also mean beings from another planet like green martians (from Mars). you also mentioned Germans so Sandro was asking you if they were green Germans. 

So the word "aliens" means beings from another planet . Ok. Which word would be correct for my phrase?

[Hammer2722]

So the word "aliens" means beings from another planet . Ok. Which word would be correct for my phrase?

Olly, you used this word correctly. It can be interpreted as aliens from another country as well. Sandro decided to turn it into a joke because you mentioned Germans and aliens together in the same sentence.

[mendeleyev]

Olly, as Hammer says, you are right. Alien can be used to described someone from outer space or from another country although the more common usage would be foreigner.

[Olly]

Thank you very much. Yes, foreigner! I just forgot about this word 

But I remember (and love) this song 

[Hammer2722]

Thank you very much. Yes, foreigner! I just forgot about this word 

But I remember (and love) this song 

Ah, yes, this is one of my favorite Sting songs too!!!

[SANDRO43]

Olly, nowadays alien (from Latin alienus 'belonging to another', from alius 'other') is used mainly in 'bureucratese', not in everyday speech, to designate a foreigner.

Interestingly, while the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives extraterrestrial as 3rd meaning:

1: a person of another family, race, or nation
2: a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country; broadly : a foreign-born citizen
3: extraterrestrial
4: exotic

...the Oxford dictionary gives it as 2nd:

1: a foreigner, especially one who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where he or she is living
2: a hypothetical or fictional being from another world

The current preferential usage probably derived from the many science-fiction movies of these past years, including that directed by Ridley Scott in 1979 which used it as its title:

 

[Daveman]

Well, looking at that photo on the right, 'Alien' would be an apt term for describing a pissed off  somewhat irritated Russian Woman. 

[Jumper]

I have been in Yalta some years ago. Very nice city. A lot of aliens, especially Germans. And I never seen drank people on the beaches. So sad if beaches looks like this now. 

Hi Olly,
I was there somewhat recently ( july  2010 ) and actually ate at that very restaurant
(the raised boat/pier  in the back ground)

The beaches were quite nice, and at most any hour did not notice drunks on the beach.



I don't often drink, and I did have two very strong mojitos on the boat also,
so  maybe I was the drunk on the beach!!
 

[Olly]

The beaches were quite nice, and at most any hour did not notice drunks on the beach.

Im so glad.
One pic of Yalta from my visit there.

[Wayne]

There are a lot of beautiful places and nature in Crimea. There are many various historic places. It has a rich history. The climate is warmer than where I live. Food can be cheaper, such as fruits and vegetables in season. They don't have all the taxes that we have in USA.

People get by without insurance, but I am not to sure about that! Yes, there is crime! You would need to be very careful. I understand that you cannot get an Ukrainian driver's license if you are over 60 years old? Can anyone confirm that? Of course, you could just get an international license.

 

[ML]

Of course, you could just get an international license.

This is greatly misunderstood.

An 'international license' is merely a piece of thin cardboard onto which has been copied some of the info from your national or state issued license, along with some words in languages other than English.

Also related is the huge rip off that occurs when you pay $20 or more dollars to get this from several Internet based sites.

You can get these for around $2.00 from places like AAA.

[Wayne]

Can anyone verify this information?

Immigration Law
Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
The current legislation of Ukraine provides several legal grounds to entering and staying of foreign citizens and persons without citizenship at the territory of Ukraine. Here are the main features of staying of foreign citizens in Ukraine on the basis of a permanent residence permit and the basic conditions for its obtaining.
According to Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine ”On Legal Status of Foreigners and Persons without Citizenship” of 04.02.1994, № 3929-XII, foreigners and persons without citizenship who immigrated for permanent residence should obtain a permanent residence permit.
The order of issue of a permanent residence permit for permanent residence and other matters related to the immigration of foreigners and persons without citizenship determined by the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration” from 07.06.2001, № 2491-III.
According to a specified legal act permanent residence permit is a document that confirms the right of a foreigner or person without citizenship for permanent residing in Ukraine.
The main advantages of permanent residence permit obtaining for foreign nationals should be highlighted here: no need for a visa to enter Ukraine (for citizens from countries for which visa is set to enter the territory of Ukraine), terms of stay in Ukraine are not limited by the periods of short-term stay in Ukraine (90 to 180 days from the date of first entry), no need for work permit for legal employment of a foreigner and the lack of restrictions on combining positions conditioned by work permit and other benefits.
Specificity is that an obtaining a permanent residence permit requires certain grounds specified by law (the foreign citizen must meet certain criteria to be able to get a permit for permanent residence).
Moreover, the number of foreign citizens who can obtain a permanent residence permit in some cases is limited with the annual immigration quota.
The immigration quota is set for the following categories of persons:
1. Scientists and cultural workers, whose immigration is in the interests of Ukraine;
2. Highly qualified specialists and workers whose immigration is in critical need of Ukraine;
3. Persons who have made foreign investment in Ukraine economy with foreign currency convertible for at least 100 000.00 (one hundred thousand) U.S. dollars, registered in the order specified by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;
4. Persons who are brother or sister, grandfather, grandmother, or grandchild of citizens of Ukraine;
5. Persons who previously were the citizens of Ukraine;
6. Parents, husband (wife) of immigrant and his under age children;
7. Persons who have lived continuously at the territory of Ukraine for three years from the granting them of refugee or asylum status in Ukraine, as well as their parents, husbands (wives) and under age children residing with them.
Besides the immigration quota the following categories of persons may obtain the permanent residence permit:
1. One of the spouses if the other spouse, whom he married more than two years, is a citizen of Ukraine, children and parents of citizens of Ukraine as well;
2. Those persons who are guardians or trustees of citizens of Ukraine, or are under guardianship or care of citizens of Ukraine;
3. Persons entitled to citizenship of Ukraine for the territorial origin;
4. Those persons whose immigration is of state interest for Ukraine;
5. Foreign Ukrainians, Ukrainian foreign spouses and their children in case of their joint entry and stay in Ukraine.
The order of issue of permanent residence permit in Ukraine is defined in Article 11 of the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”.
A foreign citizen who meets the criteria defined by law, can get the immigration permit in the respective body of Immigration. After receiving immigration permit a foreign citizen residing outside of Ukraine should appeal to the diplomatic and consular missions of Ukraine and obtain an immigrant visa that is valid for a year from the date of registration.
On the basis of the visa foreigner enters the territory of Ukraine in the order prescribed and within five working days from date of arriving at the territory of Ukraine a person must apply for temporary residence permit to the bodies of Immigration and Registration of Persons (in the past OGIRFO, OVIR) with application for granting him a permanent residence permit.
The documents required to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine may vary depending on which criterion a foreign citizen is entitled to receive the specified permit.
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     Immigration Law
How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Ukraine
Article 3 of the Ukrainian Law “On Legal Status of Foreigners and Apatrides” of 4 April 1994 No. 3929-XII provides for that foreigners and apatrides who immigrated in Ukraine or arrived for temporary employment in the country may get permanent or temporary residence permit respectively.

The procedure of issuing a permanent residence permit and settlement of other matters related to immigration of foreigners and apatrides is established by the Ukrainian Law “On Immigration” of 7 June 2001 No. 2491-III. According to the Law, a permanent residence permit is the document certifying the foreigner’s or apatride’s right to permanent stay in Ukraine. The Law also sets forth the immigration quota according to the below categories of immigrants:
1) prominent scientists and artists whose immigration is in line with the national Ukrainian interests;
2) highly qualified experts and specialists who are especially needed for the Ukrainian economy;
3) persons who have invested no less than 100 (one hundred) thousand US dollars in foreign currency to the Ukrainian economy according to the procedure established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;
4) brother / sister, grandfather / grandmother or grandson / granddaughter of Ukrainian citizens;
5) persons who have been Ukrainian citizens before;
6) parents, husband / wife of immigrant and his/her minor children;
7) persons who have been living in Ukraine without interval during three years since they were recognized refugees or asked for asylum in Ukraine, as well as their parents, husband / wife and minor children who live with them;

The immigration permit, above the quota, may be provided to:

1) husband / wife of Ukrainian citizen if they are married above two years; children and parents of Ukrainian citizens;
2) tutor of Ukrainian citizen, or a person under tutorship of Ukrainian citizen;
3) persons who are entitled to become Ukrainian citizens according to their territorial origin;
4) persons whose immigration is the affair of national interest of Ukraine;
5) foreign Ukrainians, husband / wife of foreign Ukrainian, their children in case of their joint entry and stay in Ukraine.

Article 11 of the Ukrainian Law “On Immigration” sets forth the below procedure of immigrant’s entry into Ukraine and getting a permanent residence permit. A person who lives beyond Ukraine and has received an immigration permit can apply to the Embassy or Consulate Office of Ukraine in order to get an immigration visa which is valid within a year after its issue. With the mentioned visa such person may enter Ukraine according to the effective legislation.

After entering Ukraine, the immigrant should within five working days apply to the competent executive immigration authority in his/her locality of stay with an application for getting a permanent residence permit.

Pursuant to Section 2 of the Procedure of issue of the permanent residence permit approved by the Enactment of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1983 of 26 December 2002, the territorial branches and departments of the State migration service in the locality of immigrant’s stay are competent in the matters of issuing permanent residence permits.

The permits are issued according to the procedure set to immigrants above 16, pursuant to their personal application or application filed by their representatives or other persons according to a duly notarized proxy to the competent territorial branches.

In exceptional cases, a permit may be issued to a person under 16 if there is a written notarial consent of both parents.

Temporary residence permit

According to Section 8 of the Rules of entry of foreigners and apatrides into Ukraine, their departure and transit through Ukrainian territory approved by the Enactment of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1074 of 29 December 1995, foreigners and apatrides who entered Ukraine for employment after receiving D type visa and a work permit in the respective Employment center, unless otherwise stipulated by effective law and international agreements of Ukraine, can apply to the competent migration authorities for getting a temporary residence permit according to the procedure set by the State customs service and upon consent of the Administration of the State frontier service of Ukraine.
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have experienced in applying for Ukraine permanent residence, I'm actually Asian and I married Ukrainian, I went to Ukraine by private visa, we got married and I stayed in Ukraine for a few months but then I decided to go back to my country and waited for 2 years, after that I applied for permission for permanent residency in Ukraine, I sent my application to Ukraine Embassy in Tokyo Japan by courier, because The ukraine embassy for Asia located in Tokyo, that 's why I sent my application in Tokyo. It takes a year to get approval, when I got the Permission of Permanent Residency, I've sent another application to Tokyo for visa, they gave me 1 year valid visa, I Brought all requirements needed, lots of papers :authenticated and notarized birth certificate, medical clearance should be authenticated and notarized also, I took police clearance, NBI CLEARANCE it's all notarized by DFA and authenticated, it has president seal, even mayors permit I also had it notarized and authenticate, after I gathered all requirements I flew back to Ukraine for applying Permanent Residency in Ukraine, but before that I went to lawyers office in kieve to translate all my papers in Ukraine version and then get it all notarized. After that I went to Regional Police and get registration, submitted all Requirements, paid and waited for a week then got my Permanent Residence, and now I can live in and out and could stay as much as I want in Ukraine.
I forgot to mention, after I married in Ukraine I stayed for few months in Ukraine and returned to my country, applying for permanent residence is only allowed if at least the applicant is 2 years married to Ukrainian.so I waited 2 years then started to apply, but not for permanent residence, I applied for permission of residency. I contacted embassy asked the form, I printed and filled up the application form and sent it to Tokyo embassy by courier itvtakes a year and a minimum of 6 months for approval. You cannot take permanent residence certificate without Permission of Residency Certificate. So, if you planning to get Permanent Ukraine Residence, first  start to apply  Permission for Permanent Residence.This is the most important because it really takes time to have this certificate, they will investigate your background, if you're spy, or terrorist.


 

[Jumper]

Wayne i know you are trying to do things by the book, and thats a western way..


my advise is to reserach things like you are, contact ex pats and learn all you can.

and also remember that it is Ukriane, nothing will be smooth regulatory wise,
and also the reality is  all problems are smaller ans more quickly handled by the amoumnt you are willing to pay.

[Eduard]

Wayne, are you the same guy who was ElGuero on the other forum?

[Wayne]

No Edward, I am not him.  I did find an interesting forum:  www.expatua.com There is a story about an American who finally got his permanent residence for Ukraine. He said that every OVIR operates differently. There is a lot of paper work. the total cost was about 3000 grivinas.
 
After you get the PR card, you need to go to ZHEK to get it stamped; I think that is to register your residence address in Ukraine.
 
After you get the PR, I think you can come and go in and out of Ukraine without any problems, but you need to change your photograph every 10 years.
 
If you have any income from working in Ukraine, I belive the income tax rate is lower for Ukrainians than for foreigners.

[Faux Pas]

Wayne I am not trying to pry but, how do you plan to make a living in Ukraine?

[Wayne]

My wife says we can live on my social securiy in Ukraine. She can also get me a job because she has the right connections. We have a flat and other property that is paid for.
 
My wife had her own business in Ukraine and will continue that.