Here is a link I am using to find an apartment in Ukraine...

[redfeather]

I am using this link to find an apartment to rent while I am in Ukraine, so I thought I would share the link.  Thanks.


http://www.apartments.kharkov.ua/1-k-kvartiry/arenda-kvartiry-posutochno-v-harkove-pl-rudneva-25-mini-otel-no1.htm

[LAman]

This link shows you are in the middle of nowhere, far from any metros. What don't you find something in centre? Off Sumskaya or Pushkinskaya.

I like using:

dobovo.com( used by locals) or airbnb.

[GatoMoon]

This link shows you are in the middle of nowhere, far from any metros. What don't you find something in centre? Off Sumskaya or Pushkinskaya.

I like using:

dobovo.com( used by locals) or airbnb.

but good price though.  Ideal for long-term purpose

[akadoc]

Here is the site we have used before for the Ukraine (this link takes to Berdyansk apartments):

http://olx.ua/nedvizhimost/arenda-kvartir/kvartiry-posutochno/berdyansk/

Of course Vlada gets to check them out and then always negotiates a much better price. We got a 2 bedroom right in the center of Berdyansk (see view from window) and first class quality to boot $12 a night.



One of the 2 sites below is where she found our last flat in Kiev. 1 bedroom, decent quality, within spitting distance of the Hyatt just up the hill from Independence Square $18 a night.

http://vlasne.ua/ or http://kvartirkov.com/

[redfeather]

Dang, those are some great rates.  I am glad I posted this, so that you guys can correct me and get me going in the right direction.  What all else do you do to book an apartment??  How far in advance do you need to book an apartment??  Thanks for the help.

[BillyB]

What all else do you do to book an apartment??  How far in advance do you need to book an apartment??  Thanks for the help.

If you don't know where you want to stay in a city, it's best to book an apartment in the center since most everything you're wanting to do and see will be located near the center. You want to make sure the apartment company you're using will pick you up from the airport and return you to the airport. There is a charge for that service. For an additional charge, some companies will rent you a phone. Tourism is slow in the FSU now due to the conflicts so there's no rush to book an apartment but once you know what city you're flying to and after you buy your airplane tickets, then reserve the apartment.

[redfeather]

Billy,
Thanks for this information.  I will keep all of this and use it when I am in the planning stages for my trip.  Also, it is good to know that they will pick me up from the airport for a fee.  Thanks again.

[GregfromGa]

I got a guy I've used since 2002 if you want a proven stand up guy.  The apartments are always in the center and the guy is aces.  PM me and I will give you his number

[Anotherkiwi]

If you don't know where you want to stay in a city, it's best to book an apartment in the center since most everything you're wanting to do and see will be located near the center. You want to make sure the apartment company you're using will pick you up from the airport and return you to the airport. There is a charge for that service.

I think all those that have previously visited will endorse this.  However, the transport arrangements will need to be different if you're travelling to a city with no airport.  You don't necessarily want to get a taxi or limo from Kyiv to Kryvyi Rih!

For an additional charge, some companies will rent you a phone.

Of course they will, but it's far simpler to get a phone that's compatible with European standards (GSM/UMTS/LTE) and simply buy a SIM card when you arrive.  Most people outside the USA will already have the right type of phone - it's only Americans still using CDMA networks who will have to upgrade.

[cc3]

   Most people outside the USA will already have the right type of phone - it's only Americans still using CDMA networks who will have to upgrade.

Unless Americans, like me, have phones from TMobile, which are GSM. Being basically a German company, TMobile works in every European country in which I have been, including Ukraine, where I live.

[Anotherkiwi]

Unless Americans, like me, have phones from TMobile, which are GSM. Being basically a German company, TMobile works in every European country in which I have been, including Ukraine, where I live.

Perfect! 

[Faux Pas]

Unless Americans, like me, have phones from TMobile, which are GSM. Being basically a German company, TMobile works in every European country in which I have been, including Ukraine, where I live.

Any extra cost? I found years ago that my iPhone (3)worked everywhere in Europe but at an astronomical fee. I got into the habit of just turning it off.

[Shadow]

Any extra cost? I found years ago that my iPhone (3)worked everywhere in Europe but at an astronomical fee. I got into the habit of just turning it off.

Currently it is possible to get a subscription for Eur 25 per month that gives a flat rate in all of Europe.
Only data is pretty expensive, use wifi, a local data card and do not use data roaming. This will change in the future as the European Commision is striving to unify the rates within the EU.

[treadmilldude]

Does anyone (Viking or someone else who has experience with Belarus and Belarussian women)  know what a good website is to find a decent 2 bedroom apartment in Belarus is? Thank you in advance for your time.

[lyndontom]

Currently it is possible to get a subscription for Eur 25 per month that gives a flat rate in all of Europe.
Only data is pretty expensive, use wifi, a local data card and do not use data roaming. This will change in the future as the European Commision is striving to unify the rates within the EU.

I know most guys here are from the States and this may not apply to them. I am from the UK and was in Holland and Germany over the weekend. I got a text from O2, stating that the daily travel cost is capped at £1.99 for data, with no upper usage limit but speeds may vary. It was fine to keep my viber, whatsapp and google maps running during the periods without Wifi.


I remember getting the same text in Ukraine in December, but I do not remember if the cost was the same and I have changed my phone since then. The text from O2 says that I'm on O2 travel but I don't have any recollection of ever subscribing to anything specific for this to kick in, so it cannot be complicated to activate.

[ML]

Hey guys, if you have a GSM phone, don't keep your home country SIM chip in it when you travel.  Swap out to a SIM chip for the country you are visiting to get to low local rates.

In USA, ATT also uses GSM in addition to T-Mobile.

The other two largest carriers in USA, Verizon and Sprint, use the CDMA system.

And, contrary to European and NZ thought, CDMA is not inferior to GSM or old fashioned compared to GSM.  They both have their pluses and minuses depending on what you are trying to do . . . phone, text, data, etc.

The big advantage of GSM is not in the technology, but rather in the ease of swapping out the SIM cards.  CDMA doesn't have SIM cards.

[redfeather]

ML,
That is great advice.  I have another Army buddy and he was in Ukraine a few months ago, and he told me to get a dual sim card phone and buy a LIFE sim card at the grocery store when I arrive in Ukraine and insert it in the dual sim card phone and drive on.  I am looking at some cheap Samsung Galaxy S Duos phone which is what he uses, but there are others that are offered.

[cc3]

Any extra cost? I found years ago that my iPhone (3)worked everywhere in Europe but at an astronomical fee. I got into the habit of just turning it off.

I have an HTC Android phone from T-Mobile (TM). I am on the "Simple Choice" global plan: unlimited talk/text, 1 GB high speed data (all I need for periodic visits to the US), free unlimited slow data in US, unlimited text also globally, talk from Europe back to the US $.20/min, talk within Europe $.20/min, free slow data internationally; best of all, no service contract. As a matter of choice, I have my phone options selected to no voice or data roaming. With T-Mobile's extensive global network, I have had no service issues. Total monthly cost: $50. I am on the verge of upgrading my phone to an Apple 5 SE (can't stand big 'phablet' screens) from T-Mobile. I will do so on my next trip back to the US.

[Faux Pas]

I have an HTC Android phone from T-Mobile (TM). I am on the "Simple Choice" global plan: unlimited talk/text, 1 GB high speed data (all I need for periodic visits to the US), free unlimited slow data in US, unlimited text also globally, talk from Europe back to the US $.20/min, talk within Europe $.20/min, free slow data internationally; best of all, no service contract. As a matter of choice, I have my phone options selected to no voice or data roaming. With T-Mobile's extensive global network, I have had no service issues. Total monthly cost: $50. I am on the verge of upgrading my phone to an Apple 5 SE (can't stand big 'phablet' screens) from T-Mobile. I will do so on my next trip back to the US.

I have AT&T and have had it for 15 years or more. They have a global plan also for an extra $25 bucks or so a month that they say will work globally. For me it's not feasible or worthwhile. I only go every couple of years since getting married and then for only a couple of weeks. I got use to just forgetting about a phone until going home. It was actually quite nice for the peace.

I have an iPhone5 now. When I first went to Russia I had a Blackberry and as soon as I put a foot on the ground in Europe it was useless. When I went to iPhone 3 it worked in Europe but not in Russia. My iPhone 5 does work in Russia but I keep it turned off. They charge out of the rectum for roaming if not on the plan. Most of the people that need me know to communicate with me by email.

[ML]

When traveling, don't be thinking about if you have an Iphone, an Adroid phone or any brand name.

The thing to think about is if the phone works on the GSM system or the CDMA system.

If it works on GSM system, then it has a SIM chip.
Don't buy a International plan from your home country provider.
Buy a SIM chip in the country you are visiting and get local rates for your calls.

Exception might be if you will be visiting several different countries during the trip.

Then, a good choice is to have a GSM phone and buy a SIM chip from the UK service provider MOBAL.
The cost per call will be expensive, but it is worth it to be able to quickly call from most any country in the world to most any country in the world.

The way MOBAL works is to send signal from your physical location to UK, and then the signal is sent on to the location where your recipient is.  Thus MOBAL has to pay two intermediary providers.  But again, it is worth it when traveling around among several countries.

However, if you are just going to one country . . . get ANY GSM phone and buy the local SIM chips.

[LAman]

What you need in eastern Europe is an 'unlocked' phone using GSM, and as ML says buy a sim card from country you are in and use that for calls and data. Then I use viber or whatsapp on US phone to talk to back home or anyone in world for free, of course you need wifi or internet. Also, I use my Skype to make calls back home. NEVER use my US phone to make any calls, not even sms anymore. *****Note- always turn your roaming off on your US/anyplace phone!!!

[JayH]

Redfeather-- I dont care what advice is written here-- do as I have advised in another place-do yourself a favour-it is so simple and uncomplicated do do as I said.

The point above of disarming roaming your US sim card applies---it is as simple as a couple of touches.That way you do not expose yourself to any outrageous charges.The plus with the dual sim is you still receive US incoming calls and texts.

Also--if you need to call US-- you can Skype call thru the phone I recommended--believe me--I doubt it can be a cheaper or more efficient set up.

I will check exactly where to buy that sim at the airport and advise in due course.

[alex330]

After my first trip I just had the wife find an apartment. Prices for locals are always much less and RW are adept hagglers. It is in their blood.

[Faux Pas]

ML,

I'm with you and I understand what you're saying. I played the phone merry go round for a while unlocking, buying a card etc and just quit with it. I rather like not having one in Russia. The thing is, I don't have an interest in using my phone. The iPhone 3 would take another sim, the 4 wouldn't and now the 5 will. My wife has two Nokias from damn near the communist days. When I go out and need one I grab it.

[Anotherkiwi]

And, contrary to European and NZ thought, CDMA is not inferior to GSM or old fashioned compared to GSM.  They both have their pluses and minuses depending on what you are trying to do . . . phone, text, data, etc.

The big advantage of GSM is not in the technology, but rather in the ease of swapping out the SIM cards.  CDMA doesn't have SIM cards.

I never said that it was inferior - it's just that Europe and New Zealand don't use it, so your CDMA phone is useless in those areas.