Many people will often say that one of the most challenging things that a foreigner has to do while living in Ukraine is to rent an apartment. It’s true. Between dealing with websites in Russian, greedy apartment agents, and making sure you’re not getting ripped off, it can be quite the task! Plus, when you’re trying to meet a beautiful Ukrainian woman, it pays to have a cozy place to bring her back to.
Fortunately, we’ve been through the process many times, and this guide can help you rent the apartment of your dreams in Ukraine.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Renting in Ukraine: How Cheap Are Apartments?
One of the best parts about living in Ukraine as an expat is that you can often rent an amazing apartment for a fraction of what you would have to pay at home. If there’s any, one thing that we stress on this website time and time again, it is this…
Renting apartment in Ukraine is (mostly) cheap.
…and there is an abundance of inexpensive, luxurious apartments to rent in Ukraine.
On average, you should pay no more than $500 a month for a long term (more than 3 months) rental of an apartment in Ukraine.
Realistically, you should be able to get one for much less if you’re willing to live in a studio…but who wants to do that?
You could possibly pay $600 or $700, but only if you are staying in a truly luxurious pad. I generally just tell people not to pay these prices, because more often than not, they’re getting ripped off.
The one exception to this is Kiev, where apartments have become extraordinarily expensive compared to the rest of the country.
In Kiev, you’d be hard-pressed to find a genuinely nice place in the city center for less than $750 per month. It certainly hasn’t always been this way, and this is often why we suggest not immediately thinking the capital is the best part of the country.
Communism Meant Free Apartments For The Soviets
During Soviet times, most Ukrainians were literally given a Khrushchyovka, or communal apartment. In fact, if you continued to apply and were lucky, you could even end up with multiple apartments.
Ahhh, yes…the joys of Communism!
Many Ukrainian people rent inherited apartments out as a large portion of their income. It’s not uncommon to meet young ladies who technically “own” an apartment. But, most have certainly not done this by their own merit. Instead, they’ve simply inherited their grandmother’s pad.
Many of these places end up being renovated to a European standard and honestly being quite lovely. Considering construction work will cost 1/4th of what it would in the United States, it’s a no brainer to modernize an inherited apartment.
As such, most Ukrainians would be thrilled to host a foreigner with a stable income source who can pay them in US dollars each month. Plus, you can expect them to try to squeeze you for an extra $100 or so over what they would charge a local person.
Sure, you can barter with them. But, at some point, I’m seriously not going to try to nickel and dime a poor person in Ukraine.
But, in my younger years as an expat, you can bet that either me (or one of my girlfriends) would never let a Ukrainian landlord charge us a dime over what a local would pay.
Unfortunately, the process of finding an apartment can be more complicated than many foreigners are used to.
Ukrainian Apartment Agents
In Ukraine, there is an entire industry of people who serve as “apartment agents.”
Their one, and only job, is to find people who want to rent apartments, and people who own properties. They merely as a middle man between renters and home owners.
For some reason, most Ukrainian property owners have not figured out that they can just do this themselves using classifieds online.
Agents usually charge 50% of one month’s as a finders fee.
In Ukraine, this is some serious money. For a lease that is $500 a month, that means you’re paying $250 up front!
We call this “foreigner tax,” as they know you are probably making plenty more than the $600 monthly wage that most Ukrainians are earning.
Of course, we suggest avoiding using an agent if at all possible. If you plan to sign a year lease, perhaps this fee does not matter to you. Personally, I cannot stand being ripped off. It’s hard to get me to part with my hard-earned cash.
My first apartment in Ukraine was $600 a month. It sure was nice. But, I could have gotten a place in the United States for that much.
Then again, that apartment was sweet. It got me laid a lot.
Of course, I found it on AirBnb. This brings us to our first question…
Should I Use AirBnb to Rent in Ukraine?
AirBnb is essentially the Uber of apartment rentals. You can pick up a fully furnished home anywhere in the world through the service for prices that are less than half of a hotel.
I’ve used it plenty of times, and still do today when traveling. And, protection from scams is always a nice bonus.
AirBnb is your best choice for a short stay in Ukraine. Nothing beats paying between $15-$60 a night for a nice apartment for a week-long trip. While hotels in Ukraine are cheap, AirBnb is still the most budget friendly option.
For more than one month, however, AirBnb can be a huge ripoff. After all, you didn’t travel thousands of miles from home to pay Western prices for an apartment.
For a longer stay, you have to do things a little bit differently.
Negotiating With An AirBnb Host
My suggestion is to find an apartment that you like on AirBnb, and rent it out for one month.
Feel free to try to negotiate the rate via the “chat” option on the website, and be sure to vaguely mention that you may be interested in extending your stay after you arrive.
Here’s a good example of how to do this:
Once you are on the ground and settled into your new pad, you can then offer to start paying them a monthly rate in US dollars that is even lower than the price you have agreed upon.
While you can do this via the chat option on the AirBnb website, this is technically against the AirBnb Terms of Service. To be safe, simply explain to your AirBnb host, in person, that you wish to extend your stay.
Chances are, they will be receptive.
A monthly fee paid in cash is a better deal for both the owner of the apartment and the consumer. AirBnb keeps a huge percentage of their earnings. Plus, money paid via the internet is likely to be subject to taxes. These expenses get passed onto you.
In short: AirBnb is a great resource for getting introduced to landlords while abroad.
Rent Apartment in Ukraine: Resources
I do not suggest attempting to use any Ukrainian classified websites without the help of a local.
Once you’re ready to step into the “wild west” of Ukrainian commerce, OLX is the most popular classifieds site in the entire country.
Your mileage may vary here. There are countless greedy agents, ripoffs, and “bait and switch schemes” on these websites. Fortunately, there are plenty of great deals there as well.
Another idea is to utilize the many expat-centric Facebook groups in Ukraine. You can leave posts in these groups that state the type of apartment you are seeking, as well as your budget.
Here’s a few of Ukraine’s most popular expat communities:
In the end…an AirBnb host is generally far more trustworthy than anyone else you will meet online, as if they attempt to scam you, you can simply report them to AirBnb. They know this, and so do you. It’s an unspoken virtue when trying to rent an apartment in Ukraine.
You shouldn’t have to use AirBnb for long, though. If you fail to negotiate a reasonable deal with your host, you can bet that a cute Ukrainian girl will be your best asset when looking for an apartment.
The Girls Will Help You Rent
In the end, the key to getting a nice apartment for a low price is meeting a nice Ukrainian girl to help you out.
Most Ukrainian girls would be happy to help you get set up in their home city. They know it’s a good way to keep you around. Plus, most Ukrainian girls live with their parents and would jump at the opportunity to be able to spend time with a guy they like in the privacy of their own home.
It also gives you a good excuse to get you her to come over, especially if she’s helping you “break-in” the new apartment you found together.
I’ll leave it at that. Happy apartment hunting!
PS: The best way to start meeting and chatting with Ukrainian girls today is by using Ukraine Date. I suggest you head on over to their website and see for yourself, I promise you won’t be disappointed!
What is an average long term rent price in Kiev for one room apartment for a single person? Location does not matter, surely it does not have to be in the center.
Hi I need a long term apartment For a single person with one bedroom fully furnished from 150 to 250 per month?