The Smart Guy’s Guide to Picking Up Girls in Ukraine the Easy Way

[BC]

Boe you know you could raise your game by using Google

If you Google average salaries in Odesa it comes up with a medium average salary of 15000 UAH for the past three months, that's approximately £420 per month, I'm earning more than double that and will likely get more than double that on rent per month. Saw a You Tube video a couple of years or so ago and someone was interviewing on the street out there. They were asking random people in Ukraine if they thought a thousand $/£/€ (can't remember which one but all a bit similar) was a good salary. The respondents all pretty much came back with a wishing they could make so much response, one old lady was overwhelmed by the thought lol.

You could also learn to use google prudently and not only seek information that aligns with your views.  An example is below. Is a bit dated but still quite relevant.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/25739638.2022.2044585

The size of the shadow economy 40%+ of GDP is huge in UA and other countries you dream about.  Most of that goes towards 'envelope wages', on top of the 'official' salaries you like to dream about to bolster your argument.

I get it, Trench, despite all the good critique you are getting here you are sold on the idea that you can go to one of these countries and have hotties hanging all over you. No need to expound on your rationale in hopes somebody might agree with you. If the proof is in the pudding, just go and do it instead of filling the board with babbling topics like whether to wear boxers or briefs.

The only thing of value you can post is to go learn for yourself and share your experience.

[BC]

Wow they must be even wealthier than us US & UK guys BC as loads of people over here have mortgages on their home.

In relative terms that may well be the case.  Due to inability to get loans, or skyrocketing interest rates folks save and buy, or live in inherited homes.  Here in Southern Italy, parents may have inherited a home in town from parents, then built additional levels on top as the kids grow up and start their own family.

Here's a typical example from someone I know.  5 years or so was only one level that was inherited. Kids grew up and got married, built 2nd level, etc etc. Most of the work is done by themselves. Another floor will be added soon I hear. 

[Trenchcoat]

In relative terms that may well be the case.  Due to inability to get loans, or skyrocketing interest rates folks save and buy, or live in inherited homes.  Here in Southern Italy, parents may have inherited a home in town from parents, then built additional levels on top as the kids grow up and start their own family.

Here's a typical example from someone I know.  5 years or so was only one level that was inherited. Kids grew up and got married, built 2nd level, etc etc. Most of the work is done by themselves. Another floor will be added soon I hear. 

If they keep going that way they will have their own tower block soon

At the moment though I would say I probably have a bit more room inside my house, just, but all to myself.

[Trenchcoat]

You could also learn to use google prudently and not only seek information that aligns with your views.  An example is below. Is a bit dated but still quite relevant.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/25739638.2022.2044585

The size of the shadow economy 40%+ of GDP is huge in UA and other countries you dream about.  Most of that goes towards 'envelope wages', on top of the 'official' salaries you like to dream about to bolster your argument.

I get it, Trench, despite all the good critique you are getting here you are sold on the idea that you can go to one of these countries and have hotties hanging all over you. No need to expound on your rationale in hopes somebody might agree with you. If the proof is in the pudding, just go and do it instead of filling the board with babbling topics like whether to wear boxers or briefs.

The only thing of value you can post is to go learn for yourself and share your experience.

You're forgetting about the high inflation rate out there BC which has become even higher of late:

tradingeconomics.com/ukraine/inflation-cpi

So as we have heard before I doubt they save money as it would soon inflate away, but who knows. The stats I gave for earnings though shows I can out earn most Ukrainians. I know I would need to get out there to prove my point, hopefully not a lot longer now to do that

[BC]

At the moment though I would say I probably have a bit more room inside my house, just, but all to myself.

Lots are much longer in depth than width.  Typical one-floor apartments such as these are 150-200 square meters of livable space, high ceilings, and a small garden in the back.  They also have a small dacha at the beach to pass time in summer. 

[BC]

You're forgetting about the high inflation rate out there BC which has become even higher of late:

tradingeconomics.com/ukraine/inflation-cpi

So as we have heard before I doubt they save money as it would soon inflate away, but who knows. The stats I gave for earnings though shows I can out earn most Ukrainians. I know I would need to get out there to prove my point, hopefully not a lot longer now to do that

And you think that inflation will not affect you while living there?

You're drawing at straws Trench.  Just go get your boots on the ground, then share your direct experience.  You've been saying "hopefully not a lot longer" for years now...

[Steven1971]

Don't know why Trench worries about Ukrainian women using him as a pension plan as he hasn't sorted out his own pension provision.

[Trenchcoat]

Lots are much longer in depth than width.  Typical one-floor apartments such as these are 150-200 square meters of livable space, high ceilings, and a small garden in the back.  They also have a small dacha at the beach to pass time in summer.

That's a lot my townhouse. Not very wide at the front but goes back a bit at least now the 3 Meter out single storey extension is done on it. I've gone up into the roof also, not loads of room up there but enough so a fairly easy gain of room.

My beach dacha I haven't yet obtained. I have Italy in mind as a consideration as a lot of cheap property there due to the falling population. A lot of idiots go and choose Spain, sure it's nice there but oversubscribed so not worth the extra money and to be honest Italy not massively different so I would chose Italy over Spain.

However, if basing myself out in the Balkans or Odessa should the situation work itself out there then I might as well go with that, renting at first of course.

[Trenchcoat]

And you think that inflation will not affect you while living there?

You're drawing at straws Trench.  Just go get your boots on the ground, then share your direct experience.  You've been saying "hopefully not a lot longer" for years now...

You forget BC I would be getting income in with the Great British Pound I would then make payment as and when needed. So I wouldn't suffer from any Ukrainian currency inflation, chances are I would gain from it as stuff would get cheaper against the GBP

The time lag I know has been unfortunate, a lot of construction projects run over time it's well known in the industry. I can see why now as you work through something in your head and it moves at super speed while the reality is a lot slower moreso if just one person on the job as you can alternate rest periods, trips to get materials or both work on jobs at the same time. I do believe now I am really near the end of it thankfully. It should provide well for me when done though so hopefully in the end it shall be worth it

[Trenchcoat]

Don't know why Trench worries about Ukrainian women using him as a pension plan as he hasn't sorted out his own pension provision.

Steven please, please don't tell me your one of these twits who thinks he needs to pay into a private/workplace pension for himself are you????

I basically go with the State as that's the best pension plan that there is. I pay in NI contributions and they are duty bound to pay a State pension to me. Girls in the FSU salivate over the State Pension provision in this country, I even had a FSU (Chinese looking) woman messaging me telling me a few years ago that is why she was looking for a guy in the UK. I appreciated her honesty and discontinued messaging forthwith lol.

[BC]

You forget BC I would be getting income in with the Great British Pound I would then make payment as and when needed. So I wouldn't suffer from any Ukrainian currency inflation, chances are I would gain from it as stuff would get cheaper against the GBP

It seems you do not know what inflation is.  Inflation and currency exchange rates are two different beasts.  Just because a product gets more expensive, does not necessarily mean it is due to variations in exchange rates.  The price of petrol has inflated here, as it has in UK.  Get it?

[Boethius]

Boe you know you could raise your game by using Google

If you Google average salaries in Odesa it comes up with a medium average salary of 15000 UAH for the past three months, that's approximately £420 per month, I'm earning more than double that and will likely get more than double that on rent per month. Saw a You Tube video a couple of years or so ago and someone was interviewing on the street out there. They were asking random people in Ukraine if they thought a thousand $/£/€ (can't remember which one but all a bit similar) was a good salary. The respondents all pretty much came back with a wishing they could make so much response, one old lady was overwhelmed by the thought lol.

There will of course be the odd few Ukrainians that earn as much or more than this but they will be very much in the minority and very few off them. Some may have families or already have a woman. They will be a very hard get for a Ukrainian girl so in general I'll have many more Ukrainian girls to hand than competition competing for them with the same or greater level of income.

Of course with the Ukraine war now the level of economic hardship will have gone up. Russia is blockading Odesa's port (& Mykolaev) and it's manufacturing, retail, etc will be suffering, unemployment up etc. In such conditions I would be a good find for many young Ukrainian girls

Google doesn’t account for gray market salaries. Even absent that, have a look here-

http://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/odessa-ukraine

Your £1000 will not be a significant salary there. Yes, you will be comfortable. But you won’t be a rich foreigner.

[Trenchcoat]

Google doesn’t account for gray market salaries. Even absent that, have a look here-

http://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/odessa-ukraine

Your £1000 will not be a significant salary there. Yes, you will be comfortable. But you won’t be a rich foreigner.

I wouldn't count on that source you quote it's just fine on survey replies, could get their figures from anywhere, made up even, Google will likely attain more figures to the official stats.

The grey market figures won't be clear, some people it might be all grey market income, others only part some possibly none. Odds are the grey market money isn't as good a pay as the taxed money but of course tax is not paid on it so it may work out much the same post tax. Overall though I think we can say that Ukrainian people are not wealthy just looking at their society tells us that.

[Trenchcoat]

It seems you do not know what inflation is.  Inflation and currency exchange rates are two different beasts.  Just because a product gets more expensive, does not necessarily mean it is due to variations in exchange rates.  The price of petrol has inflated here, as it has in UK.  Get it?

Long and short of it all is that the GBP will buy many UAH and I can get more over their with it, in general. Inflation on the UAH will make it worth less so it's best not holding onto that UAH when it hits your hand whether Ukrainian or any other nationality.

[Boethius]

Overall though I think we can say that Ukrainian people are not wealthy just looking at their society tells us that.

Neither is someone making £1000 a month.

[krimster2]

BC, I appreciate your photos of DIY housing in Italia!!

here is the Crimean equivalent of DIY housing!
Please allow me to present the early days of Rancho Del Krim
Just like Peter had his vision of building a new city,
I had mine…

purchased 3 consecutive dachas = 60 soteks total
+ built this house
+ had numerous out buildings, including a full auto garage for rebuilding my Lada into an off-road vehicle, these were really just shacks built by the previous owners, but they LIVED in them!!!

I had
orchards, veggie gardens, chickens, cows, pigs (all maintained by my dedicated Ukrainian staff)
then added a swimming pool, the only one for miles, and miles
my 18 yr old neighbor’s daughter (shown in photo) LOVED swimming in it
you would not BELIEVE the tits on this girl
gave her her first frozen strawberry margarita

[Trenchcoat]

Neither is someone making £1000 a month.

Lol

[Steven1971]

Steven please, please don't tell me your one of these twits who thinks he needs to pay into a private/workplace pension for himself are you????

I basically go with the State as that's the best pension plan that there is. I pay in NI contributions and they are duty bound to pay a State pension to me. Girls in the FSU salivate over the State Pension provision in this country, I even had a FSU (Chinese looking) woman messaging me telling me a few years ago that is why she was looking for a guy in the UK. I appreciated her honesty and discontinued messaging forthwith lol.

If you earn no more than the income tax threshold of £12500 a year you will be paying by s grand total of £347 per yesr in National Insurance contributions which will not entitle you to a full state pension. Which in itself is not a huge amount of money. £16500 a year and you would pay in £877.

And yes I have accrued £5000 in my private pension in the past 4 years. I plan to draw from it as late as possible and should have at least £20,000 by the time I need it. My retirement plan is to go part time which will pay £1000 a month at current prices complemented by pensions, rental income and inheritances.

[Trenchcoat]

If you earn no more than the income tax threshold of £12500 a year you will be paying by s grand total of £347 per yesr in National Insurance contributions which will not entitle you to a full state pension. Which in itself is not a huge amount of money. £16500 a year and you would pay in £877.

And yes I have accrued £5000 in my private pension in the past 4 years. I plan to draw from it as late as possible and should have at least £20,000 by the time I need it. My retirement plan is to go part time which will pay £1000 a month at current prices complemented by pensions, rental income and inheritances.

You'll be happy to know I'm savvy enough to get pay over the £12,500 Steven, I get paid approx £14,500 a year before tax. That means I get my NI stamp paid without having to spend too much as any pay over £12,500 is of course a third of what you get paid over that amount in terms of Income tax & NI combined as I'm sure you know.

I myself don't go the private/workplace pension route, I don't have time for it as I've never bothered with that stuff nor seen it as good value for money. Even Martin Lewis says they are not a good investment as such as the endowment policy you buy into at the end tends not to give you a good payout on your investment. I would rather save/use that £20k in some other way to boost my income in other ways. End of the day figure I may be able to claim sonwthing like Pension Credit etc on top depending on whether I'm doing that well financially so might as well use the money I've got coming in now and give other things a bash with it

[BC]

BC, I appreciate your photos of DIY housing in Italia!!

here is the Crimean equivalent of DIY housing!

Nice dacha krimster!

Down here no great risk of much snowfall, so roofs are almost all flat making it easier to add another floor.  If you look closely at the pic I posted, you'll probably note the foundation for the next floor is pretty much prepared.  Easy extension of the round staircase as well.   

[Trenchcoat]

Nice dacha krimster!

Down here no great risk of much snowfall, so roofs are almost all flat making it easier to add another floor.  If you look closely at the pic I posted, you'll probably note the foundation for the next floor is pretty much prepared.  Easy extension of the round staircase as well.

May depend on how built and whether much rock down below but foundations would have to be able to support a third level.

[krimster2]

don’t have to worry about doing ANY load bearing calculations!!
materials were literally dirt cheap, pay someone a bribe and just haul them to the building site
because of that, just make EVERYTHING real thick!!!!
concrete pad and limestone blocks (from a 2,000 yr old quarry outside of Balaclava)
maybe 50 truck loads!!!

hard part was dealing with the different styles of HVAC
tankless water heater that serves shower, heating radiator (shown mounted on the wall next to the fridge)!!!
never saw one before in the USA

bottom floor had a radiator built into the floor, top two floors had wall mounted radiators
each floor had its own tankless heater, main kitchen on bottom floor, top two floors had mini kitchens
each floor had two western styled bathrooms

home security system consisted of Geese, which are very territorial
I made their pen right next to my garage as shown
any large animal or human that’d come near my garage and the geese let out a fierce cackle to alert me

on the other side of the garage kept chickens, daughters had to go and get eggs for the family every morning
car is my off-road lada for driving up in the Crieman mountains with my kids and our dog (or "dawg" in some parts of the country)

last picture is the Rancho Del Krim Compound (a Redneck Paradise, Crimean Hillbilly Style) from across the nearby Alma river

[Trenchcoat]

don’t have to worry about doing ANY load bearing calculations!!
materials were literally dirt cheap, pay someone a bribe and just haul them to the building site
because of that, just make EVERYTHING real thick!!!!
concrete pad and limestone blocks (from a 2,000 yr old quarry outside of Balaclava)
maybe 50 truck loads!!!

hard part was dealing with the different styles of HVAC
tankless water heater that serves shower, heating radiator (shown mounted on the wall next to the fridge)!!!
never saw one before in the USA

bottom floor had a radiator built into the floor, top two floors had wall mounted radiators
each floor had its own tankless heater, main kitchen on bottom floor, top two floors had mini kitchens
each floor had two western styled bathrooms

home security system consisted of Geese, which are very territorial
I made their pen right next to my garage as shown
any large animal or human that’d come near my garage and the geese let out a fierce cackle to alert me

on the other side of the garage kept chickens, daughters had to go and get eggs for the family every morning
car is my off-road lada for driving up in the Crieman mountains with my kids and our dog (or "dawg" in some parts of the country)

last picture is the Rancho Del Krim Compound (a Redneck Paradise, Crimean Hillbilly Style) from across the nearby Alma river

Wow Krim, that's pretty amazing, I mean it's a huge build. I'm guessing you got a fair amount of people in to do the building work. Must have been quite an effort to build those walls as thick stone and as high as the building is?

[krimster2]

The project took two years from beginning to end
the first year it was just my wife’s extended family doing the labor (but I paid them!)
and the second year family hired friends they trusted to help
plus people I’d hire for transporting materials, etc
my project management spreadsheet allocated $2.00 per hour for labor (it’s been awhile, maybe double now!)

no one with specialized knowledge was involved in this construction
this is what’s AMAZING about the people there!
They are TOO POOR to afford anything but food and utilities
so they do EVERYTHING on their own, cuz it’s the only way they can afford to “do stuff”
when my Lada had developed a fuel pump leak, I was gonna buy a new fuel pump and replace it
father-in-law stood aghast, “chivo?
He took the fuel pump apart, and measured the gasket
then he rummaged in his garage until he found a thick sheet of neoprene rubber
then he traced the gasket on it, and cut it with an X-acto knife
Voila! New fuel pump gasket, zero cost

so picture building a house THIS WAY!!
this is NOT MADNESS, THIS IS CRIMEA!

[2tallbill]

No, you're not wealthy by Ukrainian, Moldovan, or Bulgarian standards.

He doesn't understand what wealth is. Having a job making less than starting
wages at Walmart is as related to wealth as riding a stick horse is to horse
racing. I can see how a 4 year old could mix them up but not an adult.

Starting wages at Walmart are $16.40 per hour or roughly $34,112.00 per year.

Stick horse races are very popular events at community rodeos.