Ask me, I've done it! and have been married for 3 years happily!

[Eduard]

Hi,
I was born and raised in Russia, so I know Russian women, Russian language and culture.
A couple of tips:
You should know that before you can bring a girl here on a fiance visa (K-1)
you will have to meet her in person outside of the USA and have proof of that (airline tickets, hotel vouchers, photos of you and your girl together, etc.).
So if you are not willing or prepaired to travel, this might not be for you.
A single Russian woman generally can't get into the USA any other way than on a Fiance (K-1) visa that you will have to initiate.
You should also be aware that in order for you to qualify for a Fiance visa
Department of Homeland Security will ask you to produce your income tax
returnes for the past 3 years that show you make income that is at least 25%
above the US poverty level which is around 15K a year.
Basically you will not qualify if your adjusted gross income is much under
$20K a year, unless you have substantial cash or real estate assets or have a co-signer.
I successfully went through this whole process myself and I can share my experience and knowledge with you. The fact that I'm a native Russian speaker helped tremendously! It is very important for both you and a girl to communicate freely, without any language barrier so that you could get to know each other on a deeper level. Even if a girl has some knowledge of english, believe me, it won't be enough to accomplish that! you really will need to get yourself an enterpretor fluent in both American and Russian. Figure of speach, jokes, slang, humor can not be translated word for word and need to be enterpreted by someone who is fluent in both languages! This is the only way you and a girl can get to know each other well, before making the big step!
Get to know your girl's family! That's where her values are coming from! I got to know my mother and father in law very well before marrying my wife and bringing her here.

Also it's important to know that Russia and Ukraine are huge countries with many different ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Their sets of values are also very different in different regions. Some areas would be wise to stay away from!

If you know where to look and how to talk to them there are millions of Russian women who are good, decent, solid human beings,
who would make a great partner in life.
Needless to say they are a lot more feminine, sexy and beautiful than an average American woman.
email me if you have any questions.
Ed ed@getrussianwife.com

[acrzybear]

Ed

Welcome to RWD, I believe your're the first person living in the U.S that was born in Russia then married a Russian lady over here. Should provide some very useful insights and a different perspective.

[Eduard]

thank you!
and yes, I do have a very unique perspective being fluent in both english and Russian languages and  cultures.
When I first started looking for my Russian wife I went the same route that most American guys take -> google search, signed up for a couple of sites that had many beautiful girls and started chatting with them...well it took me 2 days to realize that that was scam. I would write to a girl in Russian explaining that I'm a russian guy who is living in the US, etc. telling her that she can write me in russian. An then I would get back leters in broken english. It totally looked like they don't even read your letters, just send you standart replyes number 1, #2, and so on.
Also the style of writing was really weard since I knew that Russian women just don't talk like that in real life.
Well, I quit those sites after 2 days and never used any agencies again to find my wife.
When you know Russian you can figure out the way to do this directly  without any agencies!
Frankly, the vast majority of good, family oriented women who have great values will not intentionally look for a foreign man and to leave their country. They are strongly attached to their family, friends, career and culture. My wife for example told me that she would never have signed up for any agency marketing russian women to foreigners...only certain type of women would do that...and if it wasn't for me, she would go back to Russia in a second to be close to her parents and cyblings. She does miss them and Russian culture.
That's the kind of woman you want to marry. The woman who will fall in love with you and follow you no matter where you live, even if it's North Korea! If you marry a girl who has an agenda to move to the USA, you will just become her stepping stone to the American citizenship, and your marriage will last only untill she gets her permanent status here...
so be careful and use your head. Russian women are not that much different and the same logic applies anywhere you go. many American men have really distorted view of Russian women. But let me tell you, people are basically the same anywhere you go in the world.
The difference is that on average Russian women are a lot more feminine, sensual, beautiful than American women. They usually are great cooks and love to keep a home nice and cozy. They assume more of a traditional woman's role in a relationship and instead of challenging their man on every issue (like many American women do) they know that a man is the head of the family. And the best thing is that they are not as spoiled by men's attention as American women are. Since there are so few available men in Russia (they really have it made there! most have a wife and a couple of girlfriends on the side!!!) Russian women are not a demanding and critical of a man compared to American women. They really can appreciate a good, loyal and faithful husband and will reciprocate.

[ScottinCrimea]

Welcome Eduard,
    I hope you are here as a contributing member and not merely to advertise your services.

[Christian]

thank you!
and yes, I do have a very unique perspective being fluent in both english and Russian languages and  cultures.
When I first started looking for my Russian wife I went the same route that most American guys take -> google search, signed up for a couple of sites that had many beautiful girls and started chatting with them...well it took me 2 days to realize that that was scam. I would write to a girl in Russian explaining that I'm a russian guy who is living in the US, etc. telling her that she can write me in russian. An then I would get back leters in broken english. It totally looked like they don't even read your letters, just send you standart replyes number 1, #2, and so on.
Also the style of writing was really weard since I knew that Russian women just don't talk like that in real life.
Well, I quit those sites after 2 days and never used any agencies again to find my wife.
When you know Russian you can figure out the way to do this directly  without any agencies!
Frankly, the vast majority of good, family oriented women who have great values will not intentionally look for a foreign man and to leave their country. They are strongly attached to their family, friends, career and culture. My wife for example told me that she would never have signed up for any agency marketing russian women to foreigners...only certain type of women would do that...and if it wasn't for me, she would go back to Russia in a second to be close to her parents and cyblings. She does miss them and Russian culture.
That's the kind of woman you want to marry. The woman who will fall in love with you and follow you no matter where you live, even if it's North Korea! If you marry a girl who has an agenda to move to the USA, you will just become her stepping stone to the American citizenship, and your marriage will last only untill she gets her permanent status here...
so be careful and use your head. Russian women are not that much different and the same logic applies anywhere you go. many American men have really distorted view of Russian women. But let me tell you, people are basically the same anywhere you go in the world.
The difference is that on average Russian women are a lot more feminine, sensual, beautiful than American women. They usually are great cooks and love to keep a home nice and cozy. They assume more of a traditional woman's role in a relationship and instead of challenging their man on every issue (like many American women do) they know that a man is the head of the family. And the best thing is that they are not as spoiled by men's attention as American women are. Since there are so few available men in Russia (they really have it made there! most have a wife and a couple of girlfriends on the side!!!) Russian women are not a demanding and critical of a man compared to American women. They really can appreciate a good, loyal and faithful husband and will reciprocate.

Thank you Eduard for your balanced, mature and factual remarks.  I was beginning to be bewitched into thinking a RW was another species entirely.  Well, at least to hear others tell it.

Christian

[Bruce]

Ed, nice to get your perspective provided you are not here to advertise your services, though I strongly tend to doubt it.   Where are you based anyway?

[Eduard]

I'm in Tampa Bay, FL

[Eduard]

ScottinCrimea,
I was curious as to why you choose to live in Crimea? I realize that it's a beautiful place in terms of nature (and women off course) but if you are married why not bring your wife here and live in a bit more civilized, democratic society?
I have an apartment in Moscow and obviously speak fluent Russian, and my wife would rather live in Moscow where she could be closer to her family, friends and go back to work as a dentist (The US doesn't recognise Russian dentists even though I think a lot of them are much better than American!).Yet I prefer to live here, in Florida. And even my wife feels that it's a lot better for our daughter to grow up here rather than in Russia.
I'm not criticising but just am very curious. I haven't been to black see in about 30 years, but used to go there on vacation with my parents almost every summer...

[Christian]

I'm in Tampa Bay, FL

What a pleasant surprise!  My son is in college there.

Christian

[Eduard]

cool, which one?

[Christian]

cool, which one?

Florida Metropolitan - Rah, Rah!

Christian

[Shadow]

Welcome Eduard.
I hope you notice that times have changed. Many Russians manage to travel abroad. and even in to the US.
Also for women living in the bigger cities, internet and signing up to international marriage agencies is no longer a big secret.
Life in Ukraine and Russia is not 'uncivilized'as you seem to describe it. Perhaps the time in US has changed your perspective.

As far as information, I hope you will be contributing here in a positive manner.

[Simoni]

Welcome Eduard,
    I hope you are here as a contributing member and not merely to advertise your services.

Well, he did post this under the thread "Product/Services Exchanges."

And he did contribute some good info on Russian Women in a post above.

Ukraine is a lot more democratic than he perceives, but I can live with that.

Welcome to RWD, Eduard.

[SANDRO43]

Well, he did post this under the thread "Product/Services Exchanges."

Actually, he did not, it was moved there (here) by a Mod .

[Eduard]

Welcome Eduard.
I hope you notice that times have changed. Many Russians manage to travel abroad. and even in to the US.
Also for women living in the bigger cities, internet and signing up to international marriage agencies is no longer a big secret.
Life in Ukraine and Russia is not 'uncivilized'as you seem to describe it. Perhaps the time in US has changed your perspective.

As far as information, I hope you will be contributing here in a positive manner.

Well, yes, I noticed!!! I travel to Russia several times a year!!! and nothing really has changed...KGB (Putin) is still ruling the country, 220 journalists who dared to critisize the government and the president were killed, police still stops people randomly and shakes them down for a bribe. GAI still sets up on a road and stops any motorist that looks like he/she has money, then demands a bribe...people are as scared of the police as they are of criminals...well most policemen are criminals...you call that civilized?
Corruption is unbelievable. You can't get anything done without bribing someone or a few someones...I'm sorry to say this, Shadow but even though you see that things changed and there are quite a few very wealthy people (they didn't get to be wealthy in a civilized, honest way..we all know that) many things are still exactly the same. And I am sorry to see that! I trully was hoping that after the fall of socialism, Russia would become a trully democratic and civilized country closer to the US standard. But with what's going on now I see that is probably never going to happen.
I will say that no country is perfect, and corruption exists everywhere including here in the USA but you know the Russian saying "Vse poznaetsa v sravnenii"

[Shadow]

I was never stopped by police in my travels, and the ones I met were very helpful.
Yes they do take money, but then again if the salaries would be up to par they would not have to. Also as long as you can stop any car and know that there will be something wrong with it, do not blame the police for taking advantage, but make sure that they will not find anything.
Russia will never become a US standard democracy, just like many other countries will not. And people should be happy about it, as US democracy is not exactly the standard that people believe it should be.

Remember the saying 'It is hard to have a democracy if the majority is against it'.

[Eduard]

Shadow,
I don't think it makes any sense arguing with you, since you most likely haven't spent 1% of the time in Russia that I have, and haven't dealt with realities of every day life there. You feel that it's OK for police to shake people down for money because their salaries are too small?????????????? Come on now!
and who controls their salaries? The whole system is rutten and corrupt from Putin down to the last little clerk. Courts, judges, cops, government inspectors everyone is on the take. Why don't you go there and try to open a business??? Then we'll see what you're going to say about their system!
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine, based on 20 years of living, studying and working there as well as many visits in the past few years am I not entitled to an opinion? thank you very much. I'm done with this subject.

[William3rd]

See ya around, dude. Too bad you didnt want to hang around a little while longer so we could get a real feel for what you were all about.

[Makkin]

Hello Ed,

  Please stick around and help us understand the Russia that you know. Surely with 20 years experience I'm inclined to believe what you say for the most part.
  Sometimes people have opinions as you know but if indeed you have all this experience I would without a doubt want to listen and learn from you.

Yours,

Makkin

[Makkin]

Hello Ed,

  Seems as if I saw a video series on "You Tube" and it had a five or six part series that included a person who seems similar to you who was helping a man find the woman of his dreams.
  Was this you or am I mistaken?

Thanks,

Makkin

[Shadow]

Eduard, as my fiancee has lived there for 33 years, and her colleagues and parents for a longer time, I think I can tap in to more experience than you will ever have. And then I am talking about people who live in the system every day, not just hop in every now and then to complain about corruption while waving around their wallets.
Corruption can be dealt with, providing there is a way for the government to do so. While the government can not collect enough money off taxes and natural resources, corruption will be a factor.
If I will ever open a business in Russia, I will take the advise of Russians that I trust, and follow their ways and methods. They may not be what I was taught when I grew up, but I grew up in the West, not in Russia.

[Christian]

Shadow,
I don't think it makes any sense arguing with you, since you most likely haven't spent 1% of the time in Russia that I have, and haven't dealt with realities of every day life there. You feel that it's OK for police to shake people down for money because their salaries are too small?????????????? Come on now!
and who controls their salaries? The whole system is rutten and corrupt from Putin down to the last little clerk. Courts, judges, cops, government inspectors everyone is on the take. Why don't you go there and try to open a business??? Then we'll see what you're going to say about their system!
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine, based on 20 years of living, studying and working there as well as many visits in the past few years am I not entitled to an opinion? thank you very much. I'm done with this subject.

Don't worry Eduard.  Here's a guy who hops on a train from the Netherlands to see his girlfriend and then slips out again to free, clean, libertine (amoral), and quite morally conservative homeland - safe and sound, all the while oblivious to his surroundings (except for the cursory Blick at the scenery from the confines of his heated train compartment.  Was that a cow?  Oh yes, they say mooooooo.

Christian 

[Kuna]

I tend to think of corruption in FSU as "informal taxes".

If the cops sting you...  it's Road Tax;
If a government official stings you... it's a levy;
If a Doctor expects an "overpayment"... it's Private Health Insurance.

I mean come on... if people think the Wests method of skinning it's citizens is any more ethical than FSU's it's only because we've become resigned to the fact that we must pay tax.  We still don't get to decide where or how our taxes are spent... and generally the service we get from our governments is crap!

I think most people in FSU simply accept bribes are a part of the "system" and if they are like My Wife (who refuses to pay extra "informal taxes") they'll simply find a way around it.

[Simoni]

See ya around, dude. Too bad you didnt want to hang around a little while longer so we could get a real feel for what you were all about.

Actually, that's my bad 

Eduard is here with Marina and me, and has been for the last 5 hours.

When I saw he lives near us, I sent him a PM and asked him over.

Just finished dinner with Eduard and his lovely wife and beautiful daughter.

We are mostly talking music; very little about RW.  Cuz you see, we both have ours 

[Simoni]

Hello Ed,

  Seems as if I saw a video series on "You Tube" and it had a five or six part series that included a person who seems similar to you who was helping a man find the woman of his dreams.
  Was this you or am I mistaken?

Thanks,

Makkin

He says "yes," but will tell you more himself later....when he gets home....if he gets home....finishing our second bottle of wine now!!!