If there is one thing that Ukraine is known for, other than the ability to meet hot Ukrainian girls, it is vodka. While it may be cliched to death, vodka is an essential part of Ukrainian culture. Serving as the country’s national drink, Ukraine consumes more vodka per capita than any country on earth. Today, we’re discussing everything you need to know about Ukrainian vodka as an expat.
Let’s get started!
What is Vodka?
Vodka is a clear, distilled beverage that originates in Eastern Europe. It is produced from any ingredient that has fermentable sugars like rye, barley, and wheat.
Ukrainian Vodka, or Horilka?
In Ukraine, the traditional drink is called Horilka, and it is distilled from wheat or rye. Because “hority” in Ukrainian means “burning,” this implies that Horilka is hot and spicy in contrast to vodka.
Instead of filtering Horilka as is done with vodka, Ukrainians enjoy the taste of different unfiltered flavors in Horilka. This includes fruit, honey, spices, and even milk. However, it is also worth noting that Ukrainians use the words vodka and horilka interchangeably, as they are essentially the same thing.
Different Types of Horilka
Horilka comes in several different commercial varieties. In terms of home-distilled Horilka, there are numerous varieties involving different ingredients. Different companies produce types of Horilka, such as Nemiroff, Pervak, Hlebniy Dar, and many others.
Honey Pepper Vodka: A Ukrainian Specialty
The most famous of all Ukrainian vodka is Honey Pepper Vodka.
The most famous brand is Nemiroff, which has been around since 1872. Honey pepper vodka has become one of the most widely recognized Ukrainian products globally. The taste includes a strong hit of spice followed by the sweetness of honey. The combination of spices, apples, and honey gives it the color of whiskey.
Don’t be afraid to try it, as it won’t burn your mouth off.
The History of Vodka in Ukraine
Ukrainians, especially those who lived in the Soviet-era or the 1990s, have decades of vodka drinking experience. Drinking vodka reached its height in the 1990s when the break-up of the Soviet Union produced a massive shockwave of depression in newly-independent Ukraine, forcing many Ukrainians to drown their sorrows.
In the mid-1980s, Soviet dictator Mikhail Gorbachev launched an anti-alcohol campaign by raising the price of vodka in the Soviet Union. As Russians and Ukrainians couldn’t afford vodka, they turned to samogon. Samogon is homemade spirits, which were more potent and dangerous than vodka. Much like Prohibition in the United States, Gorbachev’s efforts failed, and Ukrainians devoured vodka throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
A generation of laid-off miners, steelworkers, and underpaid workers turned to vodka to ease the pain. People reminisced about the good times while denouncing the new generation of oligarchs and bandits. Vodka conversation topics shifted from World War II to skyrocketing food and gas prices, the latest political news, to the latest local gossip, and natural disasters. Today, this includes topics such as Chernobyl, the war in Eastern Ukraine, and the loss of Crimea.
How To Drink Ukrainian Vodka
Ukrainian vodka culture combines many aspects of Russian, Ukrainian, and European cultures.
First off, Ukrainians pour everybody a shot of vodka, and one drinker says a toast before everyone drinks together.
There are some basic rules. The person who starts pouring vodka must continue to pour throughout the night. There should be a break between the second and third shot, and empty bottles should not be left on the table.
Another funny fact is that there is no word for a “shot” in Russian or Ukrainian. Ukrainians call a shot “drinking 50 grams.” This makes for a funny conversation when you hear Ukrainians go on vacation to Turkey or Egypt the first time, trying to explain to the bartender “give for me 50 grams please,” producing laughable confusion.
With each new round, a different drinker must take their turn with a riveting speech to try to outduel their fellow drinkers with whit as he strives to maintain his composure. Intricate speeches are made, touching on love, family, business, and other areas of success.
Additionally, Ukrainian vodka is often consumed alongside a snack, like a piece of rye bread and some salo.
Giving a Cheers in Ukrainian
When drinking, Ukrainians generally say one of two phrases: “Budmo,” which means roughly “let’s live for the moment” in Ukrainian, or “Za Zdorovye,” which means “for our health” in Russian.
Thus, this hints at the fact that many Ukrainians believe, to some extent, in the medicinal value of vodka. Vodka is thought to disinfect the body and eliminates harmful bacteria in the event of a nasty sour throat.
According to some babushkas, vodka also warms up a person during a cold Ukrainian winter in the Carpathians.
While the above facts can be disputed, vodka can definitely disinfect wounds on the skin when medicines are in short supply. It also may or may not solve impotency issues, depending on how much is consumed.
Either way, even the most rugged babushkas will look like beauty queens after a few shots, and sweaty Ukrainian men will look like movie stars to female drinkers after a few rounds.
Vodka: Risky Business
Despite the positives, vodka can have risky consequences. Like any form of entertainment, vodka drinking comes with a need for responsibility in Ukraine.
There is no last-call like in America where vodka drinkers call it quits at 1:45 am, such that the bartender gets to go home at a reasonable time. Ukrainians don’t care about the bar, the bartender, or any man-made curfews.
Ukrainians keep going until the vodka runs out.
Every city and village in Ukraine is like downtown Miami. At around 4:00 AM, after the third bottle, the conversations seem to strangely get more political. The most experienced Ukrainian drinkers begin to rant about what Bill Gates’ agenda with free vaccines in Africa really is, why George Soros helps refugees, who started the coronavirus, why the Soviet Union broke up, and who actually controls Donald Trump.
The Night Progresses…
After the conversation touches on freemasonry and world global conspiracies, things get back on track. After a few more vodka shots, even the most notorious Adidas-clad “gopniks,” which means “red neck bandits,” will start talking with the confidence of a doctor or professor about science, medicine, psychology, or any other subject.
Because vodka is generally a male beverage, the wives and girlfriends of vodka drinkers spend sleepless nights at home while they suspect their husbands or boyfriends are on day 1 of a “zapoy,” or drinking binge.
Ukrainian wives seem surprisingly accepting of their significant others binging compared to Western women.
Some experienced vodka drinkers come home so drunk that they drink the water from pickle jars to sober up before going to sleep. Half of the pickle solution makes it in the mouth of the drinker, while the other half ends up on the carpet in a pool of broken glass. If that doesn’t work, “belaya goryachka” sets in. This is a paranoid state where the person doesn’t know where he is or even who he is. Suddenly, he crashes on the floor as if knocked out by a Mike Tyson punch, or a Vitali Klitschko “Udar” as the Ukrainians say.
For the single man, perhaps he’ll end up sending a few late night messages to local girls on Tinder.
Ukrainian-Style Hangovers
The next day, a vodka drinker experiences a massive hangover and tries to rationalize all the bruises and scars on his body. From talking to his friends, he establishes a rough timeline of what happened the previous night, similar to The Hangover film series.
He already has a rough idea of who he needs to apologize to and for what. But none of that matters. The urgent issue is easing the pain and “fighting fire with fire.” He needs some more vodka, but must choose wisely. He takes a couple shots of honey pepper vodka and passes out again. He has lucid sweaty dreams that take him from the sarcophagus of Chernobyl to the night clubs in Odessa.
Our hero wakes up again with several missed calls. The first step is to empty his bladder, which he does simultaneously while apologizing to his hysteric girlfriend, dropping f-bombs. She has lost it, and he realizes the only way to save this one is to spend some of his hard-earned grivnas at the flower shop on some roses.
He heads to the flower shop and picks up some vodka at the liquor store on the way back to ease some of his pain and guilt from the realization of how much money he spent on partying the previous night. He feels guilty about some of the things he did the previous night, and vows not to drink for a long time.
Luckily, his girlfriend forgives him, and he spends the next few days sobering up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vodka produces some rough, but legendary nights. If you’re not ready, that’s entirely understandable. Nowadays, Ukrainian vodka drinking traditions are under attack from the aim to Westernize, attempting to replace our traditions with drinking wine and beer.
But, this is not surprising considering that male testosterone levels are down globally, especially in the context of changing gender roles. In any case, vodka drinking is like being a child soldier, it’s not for everyone.
You got to grow up in it and “have some balls,” as they say. Go hard or go home!
We hope you enjoyed reading our guide to Ukrainian vodka.
At Expat Ukraine, Lviv is one of our absolute favorite cities in the entire country. Often a lesser-visited destination when compared with Kiev, Lviv is a city of food, culture, and of course, and tons of beautiful women. If you plan on visiting Ukraine, a side trip Lviv is an absolute must. Today, we’re discussing our five favorite Lviv Ukraine restaurants, both for dating and just for grabbing a quick bite to eat.
Let’s get started!
Bachevskyy: Our Favorite of the Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Bachevskyy is probably the most inexpensive “fancy” restaurant you’ll ever go to in your entire life. It is truly fine dining at its absolute best.
There are so many things we could say about Bachevskyy. Whether it be the domed, greenhouse interior, champagne brunches on lazy Sundays, upscale lunches, or big nights out, this restaurant is suitable for any occasion where fine dining is required.
Better yet, I’ll often manage to pay less than $35 for two people here. One of my favorite things to do in Lviv is to take people here, go all out ordering drinks, appetizers, and entrees, and show them how ridiculously small the bill is afterward.
Good for: brunches, fancy dates, shock value at the price of the bill.
Garmata at the Citadel Inn
The Citadel Inn is a hotel that is located on a hill that overlooks Lviv. Housed in a former army barracks, it may be the nicest hotel in the entire city. And, to the delight of diners from all over the world, it is also home to one of the nicest restaurants in the city as well, Garmata.
Being that it’s located in a hotel, this is probably one of the most expensive places on this list. Last I recall, I spent $110 here for a holiday tasting menu and two bottles of wine with a date. In the West, the meal would have easily cost three times as much.
Garmata is the brainchild of famous Ukrainian chef Evgeniy Sushko. Expect white table cloths, wine pairings, appetizers, and a delicious desert menu.
If you’re an adventurous eater, you absolutely must give Chaykhana Samarland a try.
Located in the lover level of Soviet block building, it does not look like much on the outside. Upon walking through its doors, however, you are immediately greeted with one of the most ornate, colorful restaurant interiors that I have ever seen in my life.
Chaykhana is an Uzbek restaurant, a country in Central Asia. Their food is known for being a fusion between typical Asian delicacies and the heavier, carb-laden Eastern European fare.
Cushy seating, hot tea, and traditional Uzbek ethnic music playing make this one of my favorite places to go when visiting Lviv. If you happen to be accompanied by a particularly bohemian type of girl, you can’t go wrong here.
Good for: cheap dates, adventurous eating, a step away from the norm.
Arsenal Ribs: The Most Unexpected of the Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Arsenal Ribs is probably one of the best places to eat meat on the entire planet. While it is something of a tourist trap, it is an absolute must-see in Lviv.
At Arsenal Ribs, they give you no silverware, as all of the food that’s served there are ribs, finger food, and beer. Gigantic, rotating grills that spin around a hot flame cook ribs right before your very eyes. Tables are long and communal. You’re likely to be seated next to a few other groups of people, which really just adds to the fun of the whole experience.
Occasionally, you may end up next to somewhat of a rowdy bunch, so I typically don’t bring girls here. Instead, I’ll make it the first stop on a night out with friends.
Good for: boy’s night out, casual dinners, drinking excessively.
Kumpel
One of Lviv’s only late-night eateries, next to the infamous drunk tank hangout that is Big Plate, Kumpel is yet another one of Lviv’s finest destinations for meat and beer.
That being said, it’s a huge step up from Arsenal Ribs. They brew their own beer, and have a lovely interior that isn’t quite date night worthy, but is definitely a bit lush when compared with similar places in its ranks.
With an interior that’s made up of wood, leather, and stone and the sizzling smell of hot sausages being fried up, this is one place that I make sure to visit every time I am in Lviv.
Good for: late night meals, craft beer, business meetings.
Conclusion: There Are Plenty of Excellent Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Though most people will spend their entire trip to Ukraine in Kyiv, we really cannot suggest a trip to Lviv enough. It truly is a city like no other. And, it doesn’t get the credit it deserves, especially when it comes to its options regarding dining. Best of all, as Lviv is one of the cheapest cities in the work to eat well. None of these restaurants will truly break the bank.
Enjoy your trip to Lviv, and let us know how you experience was in the comments!
PS: If you’re interested in seeing the many beautiful girls in Ukraine, I suggest you check out this website.
In 2020, it can seem like the secret about Ukrainian women is out! Even just 10 years ago, it was rather uncommon for Western men to travel to Ukraine for pleasure alone. Today, however, it could not be more different. In fact, in 2019, over 12,000 Ukrainian women married foreigners. I know, I know, you want to marry a Ukrainian womantoo. Well, you’re in luck. Today, we’re discussing the pros and cons of marrying a Ukrainian woman.
Let’s get started!
Are You Sure You’ve Found The Right One?
The first and most important consideration you should have is ensuring that the lovely woman you’ve found is the right person for you.
Don’t forget, there are scams aplenty in Ukraine, specifically when it comes to marriage. Ukraine has an average salary that is less than $400 per month. Many women will do whatever it takes to find their ticket out of Ukraine.
The first, and most important question to ask, is where exactly did you find this woman? While online dating is extremely popular in Ukraine right now, we must not forget that most Ukrainian dating sites are completely illegitmate.
So, you’ve done your due diligence and you’re sure the love of your life is the real deal. It’s time to talk about the many pros of marrying a Ukrainian woman!
Pro #1: Domestic Bliss – The Most Important of the Pros and Cons of Marrying a Ukrainian Woman.
My favorite thing about dating Ukrainian women is the fact that they feel obligated to take care of the household.
In the West, women believe it is not their job to keep the home clean. And, they definitely don’t ensure meals are prepared for their family. In Ukraine, however, it is an embarrassment if a woman allows her family home to get dirty. It is even worse is if her family goes hungry.
In fact, it’s not even as much of an issue of you having to force her to do these things. The vast majority of Ukrainian women see this as their duty, even if they have a full time job.
Some countries manage to produce women like this, such as Georgia. However, it goes without saying that Ukrainian women are a rare breed for this very reason.
Pro #2: Children: she wants them.
There’s an odd trend in the Western world of married couples choosing not to have children more and more.
The majority of Ukrainian girls, however, dream of the day they can be a mother. This is not to say that they want to rush into such a situation. But if you’re marrying a Ukrainian woman, you can effectively guarantee that children are in your future.
Better yet, raising children in Ukraine is considerably easier than in the West. Low cost of living has made it such that a small family can usually be taken care of entirely off of one Western salary. Additionally, Ukrainian women stress the importance of involving the extended family in the life of a child.
This means that there is almost always a relative who is willing to babysit should you and your love wish for some alone time. Or, even if you want a fun night out with the boys, a babysitter will almost always materialize. Men who are married to Ukrainian women seem to experience a level of freedom that isn’t common in most marriages.
This is largely due to the natural respect that Ukrainian women often have for their husbands.
Pro #3: Respect
Ukraine is a patriarchal society.
In a relationship with a Ukrainian woman, you are expected to command respect from her, and generally not tolerate bullshit.
This all sounds good in theory, but in order to really understand it, you must observe it in real life.
When I first came to Ukraine, many of my friends who were in their early 30’s had young children. Even still, they would accompany me on long nights out. We would often spend 6-8 hours bar-hopping until the early hours of the morning.
Fun times.
At 4AM, we would all retire. They would go home to their wives, who had been at home ensuring their children were looked after.
This completely amazed me. In the West, when a young couple has children, it is expected that the social life of the man dissolves. Even if he’s just sitting at home while his wife does everything, it is expected that he mosey around at home while she ensures their children are taken care of.
In Ukraine, it’s expected that a man continues to be a man, even with the birth of his children. As such, my friends could go out, drink, and gallivant around the town, all with their wives blessings, and probably with a nice late-night meal awaiting them when they arrived home.
This, my friends, is what true respect in a relationship looks like.
That being said, that’s not to say that there are no cons whtasoever with dating Ukrainian women. In fact, there are some risks you must be aware of as well.
Con #1: Take her away from her family at your own risk!
Many naive Western men seem convinced that they can simply drop into Ukraine, wave around their passport, and find a woman to bring back to the United States.
The truth is, it’s not that simple. At all.
In fact, if you plan to marry a Ukrainian women, the best course of action is to stay in Ukraine, or move to a nearby country.
In other words, taking a Ukrainian woman away from her family is a bad, bad idea.
Remember how we discussed the importance of extended family in the life of a Ukrainian couple? Well, by taking a Ukrainian woman away from her family, you’re effectively uprooting her from everything she knows.
As such, she no longer has the culture that made her into such a lovely woman keeping her grounded. Instead, you’re plunging her head first into Babylon itself. Positive influences from Mom, Dad, and Grandma are replaced by television, Westernized female friends and Kylie Jenner’s Instagram feed.
This is not to say it’s impossible to move your new Ukrainain beau back to the West with you. It is to say, however, that you’re inviting risk into your life by doing so.
I do not suggest that you do this. And, if you do, please proceed with caution.
Con #2: Culture Clash – You Must Be The Man – A Vitally Important Part of the Pros and Cons of Marrying a Ukrainian Woman!
In the above example, I discussed how a man married to a Ukrainian woman with a young child is still free to go out, do his thing, and not constantly be tied to the home.
This is normal in Ukraine. But, it certainly does not mean that your wife or girlfriend will never “challenge” your authority, so to speak.
It’s not just Ukrainian women who will do this. In fact, it’s all women on the face of the planet. We’ve all been in a situation where a woman will purposely challenge our authority, or protest against us doing something that we want.
What you must realize, however, is that while sometimes she may be fully in the right by doing so, there’s also a good chance she is simply testing you to see how you will react.
While men communicate in an overt, straight forward fashion, women tend to communicate more covertly. They subconsciously take into account a whole host of factors that ultimately influences her opinion of you.
For example, if your wife nags you about something trivial, and you simply acquiesce to her demands, you and communicating that you are weak and can’t deal with pressure.
After all, if you can’t handle a 45 kilogram blonde giving you a little lip, how will you ever deal with the real challenges the world will throw you?
As such, in relationships with Ukrainian women, men tend to fare best by stepping up, being the man, and simply saying “no” at times.
For Western men, this can be a hard concept to grasp, as they’ve been told their entire life they must be conscious of their partner’s needs.
Interestingly enough, however, most women don’t actually want someone who kneels over to their every demand. In fact, most women are far more attracted to the headstrong, determined man who chooses to do as he pleases, regardless of what his wife thinks.
These exchanges create sexual tension, and most of all, respect.
Personally, I find this to be a pro. Yet, for men who have grown up in a feminine environment, it may take some time to adjust to.
Con #3: You will probably have to learn Russian.
Ah yes, the infamous language barrier.
Fortunately for you, English is a widely spoken language in Ukraine.
I tend to find that at least 65% of girls in Ukraine know some amount of English. When you use a service like Ukraine Date, you’re looking at a group of women where that number is closer to 90%.
When it comes to marriage, however, you generally benefit from learning her native language. As a married man, you’re going to be interacting with her extended family a lot.
This can mean vodka-soaked lunches with Dad. Or, it can mean afternoon tea with Mom. Regardless, translating everything to English is going to seriously disrupt the conversational flow.
If you’re interested in marrying a Ukrainian woman, I’d say that you would be shooting yourself in the foot by not preparing yourself to learn the language of her family. Learning Russian or Ukrainian is no easy feat, even if you have a lovely teacher helping you out.
Conclusion – There Are Many Pros and Cons of Marrying a Ukrainian Woman
Marrying a Ukrainian women comes with a set of benefits and challenges that it pays to be aware of. Even still, I can confidently say that the vast majority of Western men who marry Ukrainian women set themselves up for a lifetime of happiness, as a functioning, traditional marriage with a beautiful woman is not nearly as easy to come by as it used to be!
For this reason, men will continue to flock to Ukraine to find wives for the foreseeable future.
And, to be honest, I suggest you do the same. Good luck out there!
Ukrainian girls are known all over the world for being some of the most desirable women on the planet. It should come as no surprise, either. We live in a world that’s been turned on its head by green-haired feminists who “don’t need no man.”
Ukraine, however, is one country where an overwhelmingly large number of women are not only naturally beautiful but also a well-mannered bunch. We have spent over 5 years teaching men how to start dating Ukrainian women both in Ukraine and abroad.
The following article is our magnum opus, so to speak. Today, we are sharing everything that we know about Ukrainian women with you. Hopefully, this information can help you to maximize your dating life in one of the greatest nations on the planet.
Let’s get started!
Welcome To Ukraine
Why Ukraine?
This is an entirely valid question.
If you listen to the Western media’s portrayal of Ukraine, you’re probably thinking that it’s a third world war zone.
While you may imagine that it looks like this…
It actually looks a lot more like this…
The media’s portrayal of Ukraine highlights the farcical nature of the information most mainstream outlets put forth these days.
But, there is one fact that everyone seems to get right, no matter who they are…
Ukrainian Girls Are The Finest on the Planet
That’s right. The legends are 100% true. Ukrainian women are unbelievably good looking. When compared with women in the West, there’s no competition.
Barring countries like Moldova or Serbia, Ukraine is ideal for men interested in dating beautiful white women.
Ukrainian women are typically of medium height, thin, with long hair. They embody the quintessential Slavic “model” type of look. Needless to say, genetics plays a huge role in why Ukrainian women are so beautiful.
That being said, it’s important to remember that there’s a cultural component to this as well. In the West, women are encouraged that they are “perfect just the way they are.”
Anything that they do for the expressed pleasure of a man is “wrong.”
Ukrainian women think quite the opposite. In Ukrainian society, a woman’s worth is often directly pegged to her physical beauty. Ukrainian girls typically understand that the best path to having a good life is by getting involved with a high-quality man.
Ukrainian ladies typically favor traditional gender roles. These are where women are expected to cook, clean, and make a comfortable household. That does not mean that Ukrainian women are against working or having a job. In fact, the idea of a woman who can “do it all” is actually rather common in Ukrainian society.
Generally speaking, however, Ukrainian women operate as if feminism simply does not exist. Women understand their place in society, and men understand theirs.
It’s brilliant.
In short, Ukrainian women are really just a dream combination of factors. Between being beautiful, pleasant, and model housewife material, it’s clear to see why men all over the world are actively seeking Ukrainian girls.
But, it’s not truly all about women. In fact, that’s only half of what makes Ukraine such an interesting country for dating and life as a whole.
Ukraine Is An Excellent Place To Get Rich
Ukraine is classified as a “second world country.” This generally means that it is what is known as a “developing country,” or a nation with an economy that hasn’t experienced the same level of growth as that of the United States, England, Germany, or most other Westernized nations.
While this may seem entirely bad, the truth is that there are both positive and negative aspects to the poverty that exists in Ukraine.
There are some downsides to living there. It is generally recommended that you do not drink the water. Public roads are often not up to the standard that Westerners are used to. Doing small things like ensuring that a package shows up to your house in a timely fashion can serve to be a massive chore.
That being said, we put up with these inconveniences for one big reason: the country is ridiculously cheap to live in.
That’s right. You can live like an upper-middle-class person in the United States would for roughly $1,500 a month in Ukraine. That means living in a brand new flat, eating out at nice restaurants multiple times per week, using taxis as your primary mode of transportation, and basically just living it up.
If you push that number up to $2,000, the amount of fun you can have is unbelievable.
That’s far less than even many of the poorest people in the United States will spend each month.
Remember: just because people in Ukraine are poor does not mean you will also be poor by living there. If you can source a reasonable amount of foreign income while living in Ukraine, you will likely enter the top 1% of earners in the country almost immediately.
How To Get Filthy Rich By Living In A Cheap Country
Explaining why Ukraine is so cheap is a whole topic in and of itself. It has everything to do with the fact that they only gained their independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. In reality, their economy is only 28 years old, and the country has a huge amount of catching up to do.
The point is, if you can manage to work a job that pays you in US dollars, British Pounds or German Francs that you can do from the internet, you can live like a king in Ukraine.
This is not an exaggeration whatsoever.
Investing In Your Future: Your Money Goes Further
Best of all, you will quite likely spend right around $1,500 per month. Over a period of 12 months, that’s just $18,500. If you’re making even just $40,000 a year, that gives you $21,500 leftover to save, invest in the stock market, or purchase real estate with.
Being able to save $21,500 a year is something that many people in the Western world will never be able to do. The below graph illustrates what $21,500 a year, saved into a standard investment account yielding a 6% interest rate can turn into in just five years…
$121,197. Not a bad number to end up in 5 years with when making just $40,000 a year, huh?
And, that’s assuming your income never goes up. For argument’s sake, let’s see what someone who was a bit more ambitious could accomplish in 5 years with a salary of $75,000.
This is a very reasonable salary to make as a high performing remote worker, or someone who owns their own business.
Further, let’s assume you were still spending $1,500 per month, bringing your yearly expenses to $18,500. Remember, most expats spend just about this, or even less if they’re particularly stingy. The below chart highlights what’s possible in such a scenario.
$318,495 in just five years. Amazing, isn’t it?
Better yet, in 10 years, you’re getting extremely close to becoming a millionaire…
Even if you have 0 interest in ever moving abroad of living in Ukraine, it is important to realize that simply by living in a cheap country, you can massively build your wealth in a way that is often just not possible in the West.
All in all, living in a developing country like Ukraine is a once in a generation opportunity to maximize your dating life, your financial life, and your future prosperity.
Anyways, that’s enough money talk. Let’s get back to the fun stuff: how to meet Ukrainian girls.
Meeting Ukrainian Girls: Where To Start?
When you’re looking to meet Ukrainian girls, you have two options.
The first of which involves getting on a plane, renting an AirBnb, and tracking over to Ukraine to attempt to meet women in person.
This can be done by simply walking through the streets, sitting around at cafes and striking up conversations, or even going at night. I suggest all young men give this a stab, as it’s a character-building experience like no other.
At the same time, I’m not going to lie to you and say that just by rocking up to a Ukrainian city and waving your passport around, you will be landing dates. The truth of the matter is that in order to be successful with meeting women in person, you have to do a lot of work.
It takes a certain degree of confidence to fearlessly approach a woman in the street, ask her for directions to a nearby monument, and attempting to strike up a conversation.
There’s no denying the fact that online dating is absolutely huge in Ukraine right now. While sleazy apps like Tinder have people in the United States swiping away, a more sophisticated option exists for Ukrainian girls known as Ukraine Date.
Ukraine Date is the only website for Ukrainian dating, and potentially even marriage, worth using on the market today. The website has over 1 million (yes, million with a m) active profiles on it.
Best of all, an award-winning trust & safety team oversees the website to make sure that all profiles are verified, and not scammers attempting to swindle you for a few bucks.
Here’s a little secret that nobody will tell you about online dating abroad: 99.9% of websites are complete and total scams that want nothing more than to take your money.
I can’t tell you how many guys have spent thousands on matchmaking services, or even full-fledged romance tours, only to walk home with their pockets turned inside out and their hearts broken.
And to be totally honest, even I wasted a few bucks when I was still learning about this stuff.
It’s for this reason that Ukraine Date actually allows you to sign up and create a profile for free, at absolutely no risk to you. We’ve personally reviewed the site, and feel comfortable giving it our stamp of approval.
The great thing about online dating is that it gives you a window into what the women of a particular country are like, without you ever having to leave your house.
In years past, men who were interested in dating foreign women would have to actually visit a new country. At the very least, they’d have to trust the words of others.
Today, things could not be more different. Sites like Ukraine Date allow you the ability to get started dating foreign women today.
I always suggest that men who are interested in Ukrainian women create a profile on the site, ask themselves if they like what they see. If anything, this gives you connections to real girls in Ukraine, who you can chat with, and perhaps even make plans to visit.
Even if you’re the kind of guy who finds online dating weird, it never hurts to have a few people that you know in a given city before venturing over. It’s never a bad idea to chat with up to four, or even five girls simultaneously and plan one trip to visit them all, spending a day or so with each.
That way, you keep your options wide open, and can choose between girls you’ve met online and those you may meet in person while traveling.
Even still, there are a few things you should know before jumping into the dating culture of a new country.
Navigating Ukrainian Dating Culture
Ukrainian Girls & Sex: How Many Dates Does It Take?
Ahh, yes. The “how many dates until sex question” always comes up when discussing dating foreign women of any nationality.
The truth is that while Ukrainian girls are not “easy,” they’re also not impossible cookies to crack, either.
Personally, I find it strange how Ukrainian women are often stereotyped as total sluts, or the most prude women on earth. The fact of the matter is that neither of these things are true. Not by a long shot!
The truth is that the average Ukrainian girl is honestly just very “normal” in terms of their sexuality. They’re often not the type to give it up on the first date (usually). But they’re also not going to expect you to wait until marriage either.
It is, however, not uncommon to find girls who remain virgins through their early 20’s in Ukraine. For this, however, I do suggest looking in a smaller, more conservative town like Lviv.
If you plan to travel to Ukraine, it is important to realize that each of the three cities are really quite different.. Here’s a simplified rundown on the three major cities in Ukraine, and how they are for dating.
Kiev
Kiev: Kiev is the nation’s capital, and arguably the most “progressive” of the three. your chances of meeting girls who are more likely to have sex quickly are higher here than most other places in the country. But, Odessa is definitely the best city when it comes to looking for same night action.
Odessa
Odessa: Odessa is an amazing city for about three months a year during the summertime. That being said, the chances of having a one night stand and quick hookups in Odessa are higher. It just has a bit of a laid back, bohemian, party town type of vibe. Plus, many Ukrainian girls come here only for vacation. They’re way more likely to do things they ordinarily would not back home on holiday.
Lviv
Lviv: Lviv is on the Western end of Ukraine, and is referred to as the “cultural capital” of Ukraine due to the huge amount of churches, museums, beautiful architecture, and the fact that they speak Ukrainian and not Russian. Girls in Lviv are the most conservative out of any city in the country, but due to the fact that there are 20,000 college students who return to the town each semester, you can definitely find “party girls” here as well.
Then again, I tend to believe that when it really comes down to it, most Ukrainian girls are interested in love, long term relationships, and marriage.
Love & Marriage
While it’s certainly possible to simply have a good time with Ukrainian girls, they are generally less interested in casual dating than Western girls.
The majority of Ukrainian girls I have met are interested in long term relationships, and potentially even marriage. While they may not immediately say that they are, they come from a culture where family is still celebrated and seen as an overwhelming societal good.
If you’re the type of man who is looking for something serious, then Ukraine is a fantastic place to be. On the other hand, if you’re more of a “player,” then do be aware that a Ukrainian girl will almost always drop the “are we a couple” question after being intimate with her.
Fortunately, the population of English speakers is relatively high in the country. Communication won’t be much of an issue, provided you’re looking in the right places.
Language Barriers
One of the most common questions that we receive is if there is a significant language barrier in Ukraine.
Generally speaking, about half of the population of Ukraine speaks English. In retrospect, this is really quite good. Compare this to France, a “developed” country, and one will see that only 39% of their population speaks English.
That being said, I would argue that the percentage of younger women who speak English is actually higher than 50%. Younger people have had access to television shows in English, and often times English classes in primary school. Plus, Ukrainian girls know that if they want to meet a successful Western man, learning English is going to be essential.
Online Dating Nets A Higher Percentage of English Speaking Ukrainian Girls
Better yet, while the average girl on the street may or may not speak English, girls using online dating apps like Ukraine Date are far more likely to be at least conversational.
This is yet another reason why I am so fond of online dating in Ukraine.
Best of all, no matter your age, a well put together man is quite likely to find someone in Ukraine who is interested…
Does Age Matter to Ukrainian Girls
Age does matter, but not in the same way that it does in the United States!
In the West, most women simply aren’t interested in dating men who are significantly older than them. While 10 years is often seen as acceptable, anything beyond that is looked upon with increasing skepticism.
This is quite a shame. Older men tend to have more in terms of financial status. They have had more time to develop a nice physique, are more cultured, and have a certain level of refinement that younger men lack.
Ukrainian women are well aware of this. In my experience, their culture reacts more reasonably to couples with large gaps in age.
Sure, it would be a longshot anywhere for a 65-year-old man to be dating a 19-year-old. But, I have met plenty of couples that consist of women in their early 20’s with men up to their 40’s.
In short: Ukraine is perhaps one of the most friendly cultures on earth for older men who wish to date younger women. On top of this, there are quite a few mature, single Ukrainian women on the dating market as well.
Can You Live in Ukraine Permanently?
YES…but you don’t have to.
Generally speaking, there are two types of men who are interested in Ukraine.
The first group is those who simply want to meet a wife or girlfriend from the country. This is where 99% of guys start off. Very few people are naturally interested in a faraway, Eastern European country. But, after spending time with Ukrainian women and seeing what is possible in the country from a financial perspective, they often fall into group two.
The second group is men who are interested in not only dating one Ukrainian girl but perhaps they want to dive in fully. Like we said before, living in Ukraine has some insane financial benefits that don’t exist in many other places on the earth.
Some men wish to try to simultaneously date a few girls at the same time, something that isn’t always possible if you’re planning to “export” a girl from Ukraine.
This begs the question, however, of if most Ukrainian girls actually want to leave the country?
Do Ukrainian Girls Really Want To Leave Ukraine?
If you do plan to have a serious relationship with a Ukrainian woman, you should always give some thought to spending a fair amount of time in her country.
For those of you who end up in the second group, I invite you to Ukraine with open arms.
It is a goldmine for men who wish to date beautiful, Slavic women and maximize their financial potential.
Some men do just fine meeting a Ukrainian woman, and bringing her back to the good ol’ United States of America. While I’m not much of a fan of this strategy, countless guys have managed to make it work.
I simply ask that you be careful when making such plans. Sadly, there are some girls in Ukraine who will marry just for the potential to leave their home country.
Even still, this is less likely than you may think.
I always suggest that men tell their girlfriends that they intend to live in Ukraine. Even if this is not true, it is a means of deterring girls with less than noble intentions.
Conclusion: Ukrainian Girls Are Some Of The Finest On Earth!
There you have it. The above is perhaps the longest blog post on the internet about what it is like to date Ukrainian women in existence.
It has been over 5 years since I first set foot in Ukraine, and in that time, everything has changed. From meeting dozens of lovely, relationship worthy women, to maximizing my earning potential online, to finding a traditional culture that I genuinely mesh with, I can honestly say that dating Ukrainian girls has been the best decision I have ever made.
Ukrainian women are known all around the world for their beauty, style, and grace. And, there are few cities in the entire country better than Odessa. Odessa is known all around the world for being a lovely town for culture, nightlife and, of course, a place to meet Ukrainian ladies. As such, today we’re discussing the ins and outs of meeting the women of Odessa, Ukraine.
Let’s get started!
Welcome To Odessa: The Pearl of the Black Sea
Odessa is like no other town in Ukraine. Being the third most populous city in the entire country, it has served as a historically important hub for the country for centuries.
The main reason for this is that Odessa is located on the southernmost tip of Ukraine, directly on the Black Sea. The city has always been a hub for the nation in regard to the exchange of goods, services, and people.
As a result, Odessa is a combination of a more Southern, Mediterranean culture mixed with the typical vibe of the former Soviet nation.
What you end up with is a very, very interesting mix mash of cultures, and honestly just a super fun city to spend some time in.
As you may already know, Odessa is known all around the world for its nightlife, and for good reason. Summertime sees armies of bikini-clad babes strutting their stuff around Deribasovskaya, the city’s primary pedestrian area. In many ways, Odessa is a true beachfront paradise.
I know, I know. Beaches may not be the first thing you think of when you come to Ukraine. But, surprisingly, they are actually pretty decent in Odessa.
If you want a glimpse into the local culture of Odessa, have a look at a 2014 vlog made by an old friend of Expat Ukraine, Roosh V. Roosh lived there on the scene while working on a travel memoir that he has since taken off the shelves.
In fact, we almost tear up watching this video as it was one of the very first pieces of content that inspired us to first travel to Ukraine.
Feel free to pause your reading to have a look at the life of an expat in Ukraine.
Note: Roosh V no longer endorses his past work as a dating coach.
Ah man, this video gets me every time.
Seeing is believing, right? And, best of all, you can live in a much nicer apartment than the one Roosh has pictured here in Ukraine as well. In many ways, Roosh’s work barely cracked the surface on what is possible when living in Ukraine as a foreigner.
The only thing that’s better than the local culture in Odessa (which we absolutely love), are the women who inhabit the town.
A Brief on Ukrainian Women
One of the most interesting aspects of a seaport type of town is the ethnic diversity of the people who live there.
Think about it. Men on ships have been coming in and out of the town for centuries, meeting and mingling with the local women. 9 months later, a new baby is crawling around, who will be raised Ukrainian, but has blood from all over the world.
As a result, the local population has somewhat more of a Mediterranean look than the average Ukrainian girl.
This cultural mix mash makes for a bit more of a lighthearted, “fun” type of girl as opposed to the more stoic, Slavic traits that Ukrainian women are known for in other cities in the country.
In short, Odessa women are short, sexy, and sultry. What’s not to love?
Odessa Women: Looks
Odessa is a place of great variety. And as they say, variety is the spice of life.
For starters, there’s really no “typical” looking Ukrainian girl. Aside from the fact that you can expect most Ukrainian women to be extremely well taken care of and stylish, the genetic variation amongst a country of 80 million people is really quite huge.
While there are plenty of luscious blondes, you’ll find just as many brunettes and a generally larger population of olive-skinned beauties in the city as well.
Plus, Odessa can be somewhat of a tourist hotspot for women from all over Ukraine. From the most remote of villages to the big city of Kiev, most Ukrainians have been to Odessa at least once. Many make an annual pilgrimage during the warmer months for vacation.
The Attitudes of Odessa Women
The attitudes of women from Odessa are similar to the rest of Ukraine, except that the local girls may be a bit more “wild” than girls in Kiev, Lviv or Kharkiv.
That’s not to say that Odessa women are easy. But, you could say that we’ve been luckier with having one night stands in Odessa than any other city in the country. This could be because it’s a party town, or because we always tend to go in summer, but it sure is a nice break from the rest of the country.
Odessa women are, by and large, a bit more bohemian in their attitudes than the rest of the country. The entire place is just much, much more laid back than a major Ukrainian city. In many ways, it personifies a “sleepy beach town” that you’d find in California or Florida, but with a Ukrainian twist.
Women here seem to just be a bit more at ease. It’s refreshing when attempting to chat up a total ice queen in Kiev who will stand there, frozen while you attempt to make small talk.
My favorite thing about Odessa is that quite often, the women respond somewhat more warmly to your advances than most other cities in Ukraine. It is almost a bit more like Serbia than Ukraine.
Even still, you will have to keep your wits about you when navigating the dating culture in Odessa.
It’s Ukraine, after all.
Odessa Dating Culture
In Ukraine, you’re generally sticking with the “three-date model” most of the time.
We’ve covered this pretty extensively, but it essentially gives you a roadmap to plan your dates with. Start off with a quick meetup at a coffee shop, plan your second date at a cocktail bar, and finally “seal the deal” at your place with a bottle of wine.
In Ukraine, this is generally your best bet the vast majority of the time. Most Ukrainian girls won’t put out on the first date, and that’s generally a good thing,
But, Odessa does present more opportunities for same night action.
Sure, you can meet a nice, chaste type of girl in Odessa just as you can anywhere else in the country. That being said, you can also meet girls who are slightly more, shall we say, “liberated” in Odessa as well.
Maybe this is due to the fact that it’s a bit of a party town. Or, maybe it has something to do with the warmer weather. It also may have much to do with the fact that many Ukrainians will come and live there for the summer, and return to their hometowns once fall sets in.
No strings attached to a city often means no strings attached to sex as well.
Obviously, a girl on holiday is going to be significantly easier than a lady in her home city. While her reputation can be damaged if she sleeps around in her home city, Odessa can be a bit of a lawless place.
All in all, you can count on Odessa being a fantastic place for meeting Ukrainian women of all types.
Here’s how you do it…
How To Meet Women in Odessa
In the past, meeting Odessa women meant jumping on a plane, traveling halfway around the world, and cold approaching dozens of girls in the hopes of finding one interested lady.
And honestly, this isn’t such a bad idea if you’re the adventurous type. Obviously, we’re big fans of living in Ukraine permanently.
But, there’s a better way of getting to know what Odessa has to offer before ever setting foot in the city. And you can start doing it right now.
Women in Ukraine have taken to using online dating as one of the most popular ways of meeting potential new mates for years.
Like we’ve discussed before, there are generally far more women in Ukraine than there are men. Couple this with high rates of alcoholism and poverty amongst the local men, and many Ukrainian women have taken to looking elsewhere altogether.
On the bright side, however, this population imbalance has made it such that a quality man can have his pick of the local women. In other words, a Western man with his act together is a seriously hot commodity in Odessa and Ukraine as a whole.
Generally speaking, this is why so many women in Odessa (and Ukraine as a whole) are open to using online dating as a means of finding a nice guy for dating or marriage.
That being said, you have to use the right dating apps for meeting women for it all to work out.
Not All Dating Apps Are Created Equal
Not by a long shot! In fact, there’s pretty much only one dating app that we’d recommend you trying out, and that is Ukraine Date.
Ukraine Date has over 1 million (that’s right, million with an m) active profiles on-site. Better yet, these profiles are individually approved to ensure that each page is legitimate and no scammers find their way onto the site. Backed by an award-winning trust & safety team, it’s easy to see why Ukraine Date is Ukraine’s best in class dating site.
In many ways, it may be one of the only legitimate Ukrainian dating sites currently in existence. Needless to say, we’ve had plenty of good times using the app. We’ve had countless serious relationships, short-term girlfriends, and even one night flings from Ukraine Date.
Not falling in love with a place like Odessa is difficult. Whether it be the beachfront atmosphere, a cultural mix mash, or the hordes of beautiful women walking its streets, there’s something about this place that keeps us coming back every year.
And of course, Odessa remains one of the greatest places on the entire planet for finding a beautiful woman as well. The only question is, why have you started doing so yet?
