Post: #26

(08-14-2018 01:42 AM)BlackFriar Wrote:  Luther,

Good luck on your trip. Check out Tallinn, Estonia. The best time to go is very end of June-mid August. Go airbnb route.

Is Estonia considered cheap? Always assumed it was on the pricey side.

Post: #27

(08-13-2018 09:29 PM)DaveR Wrote:  

(08-13-2018 08:43 PM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

(08-13-2018 06:52 PM)DaveR Wrote:  

(08-13-2018 06:41 PM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

(08-13-2018 06:34 PM)Akwesi Wrote:  In third-tier Ukraine (city of, say, 100,000 people) you could live a very decent lifestyle for 1k a month and stay for a year or more on what you've saved up. Whether it's a good idea is of course a different matter.

You'd have to make visa runs though, and those costs would add up, if not in cash, in time at least.

Assuming you could pass as a local (otherwise you'll get document checked by the Police a lot), just ignore it: http://everlegal.ua/what-to-expect-if-yo...in-ukraine

A $30 fine isn't going to kill anyone.

Absolute worst case, you get banned for three years.

Great info!

Just double checked... they changed the fines in July. The last change was in 2012. If anyone wants to check in the future, the relevant article in the administrative codex is here: https://urist-ua.net/%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B4%...D1%8F_203/

It's now 100 to 300 tax-free income units. The tax-free income unit is currently 17 UAH, so that makes the fine 1700-5100 UAH, or at today's rate: $64-$187.

Still, if you're planning to stay for a year, that isn't a big cost compared to screwing around with flights.

If you take the train out, they might offer a cheaper option.

I would not advise overstaying these days, I know people who have had the three year stamp. They will take you in for an interview, and if they're not convinced by your answers then that's one pussy paradise that is definitely "ruined" for you for a while

Post: #28

(08-13-2018 11:46 PM)DaveR Wrote:  

(08-13-2018 11:36 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  My onely lifestyle requirement is that I be near a quality martial arts school.

Fighting (both pro and drunken varieties) is popular in Russia. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a place.

(08-13-2018 11:36 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I got around fine in Thailand with Google translate, and I assume I would pick up the language quickly using it every day.

Google Translate works, but to learn the language you would definitely need to hit the books or go on a course. The language is very heavy in grammar... you'll make absolutely no sense without it. Getting the basics of the grammar takes about six months of intensive study as long as you concentrate on learning rather than banging the teacher as I did.


As an example, a 2000 sq.ft house lets for $600/month in a good part of Stavropol (third-tier city in the south, close to mountains, lakes and good weather by Russian standards):
https://www.avito.ru/stavropol/doma_dach...1486227914

Fuel is about the same price as in the US. Clothes are expensive in Russia. Medical is cheap, although the quality might be limited in such a small city; if you need good medical, you'd be better off in a large 2nd-tier city.

Visas are a pain in the ass for Americans in Russia, I was planning on the Ukraine (phenomenal martial arts, beautiful women, cheaper) for at least 180 days a year (the warmer ones) and then Thailand/Malaysia during the cold seasons.


I have more money coming in later than sooner, so I was hoping to find a comfortable cheap, survivable place where I can do martial arts. That's all I really need to do to be happy.


If I can successfully drop out of the rat race while still in my 40s, I'm going to call it a big win.

Post: #29

(08-14-2018 12:35 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I was planning on the Ukraine (phenomenal martial arts, beautiful women, cheaper) for at least 180 days a year (the warmer ones) and then Thailand/Malaysia during the cold seasons.

Sounds workable. Finding an apartment every year may prove to be a pain in the ass. I would suggest making a deal with a fellow forum member or two - you live there for half the year, they live there for the Winter. That way you won't lose 1/2 a month's agency commission each time, won't have to pay tourist rates, and you'll have a much better selection of places.

As far as visas are concerned, you're allowed 90 days in each 180-day period. I would just ignore the rule for the first year and expect a fine on the way out (see details above). Doing that a couple of times shouldn't cause too many problems. If you like the place, it might be worth getting a residence visa or signing up for a Russian course at a university - they'll issue a student visa.

(08-14-2018 12:35 PM)DarkTriad Wrote:  I have more money coming in later than sooner, so I was hoping to find a comfortable cheap, survivable place where I can do martial arts. That's all I really need to do to be happy.

Kiev is probably the best option if you're not planning on learning Russian - the general concensus is that English levels are higher. If you speak Russian, you could comfortably live in Kharkov or Odessa. Kharkov is ugly but tourist-free. Odessa is the opposite.

If you need an idea about prices, PM me your budget and what kind of place you're looking for (house/apartment, how many rooms/size, prefer to be right in the center near restaurants and cafes? Or would you prefer somewhere suburban near markets/stores?).

Post: #30

Belgrade, Serbia is stupid cheap, like someone in this thread already mentioned.

I feel like RVF has heard enough about Belgrade with all of the retarded shenanigans happening over here...but it's still a VERY solid 2nd/3rd tier European city.

- $600 for city center logistics with quality Wi-Fi, air conditioning, kitchen, and bedding (this is at the absolute high end price-wise)
- $13 precision haircut
- $3-5 taxi rides using the CarGo app (this will take you almost anywhere in Belgrade)
- $5 for two decent quality steaks at Maxi supermarket
- $2 cappuccinos at basically any cafe in the city
- $70 per month for a world-class gym overlooking the Danube and Sava rivers (apparently the local politicians and mafia types work out here)

As far as value goes...Belgrade offers the best ROI in Eastern Europe.

Belgrade is actually so cheap to a point where the city has become TOO comfortable for me. I'm getting lazy. So I'm literally going to Scandinavia for a reality check.

Post: #31

(08-14-2018 05:44 PM)stefpdt Wrote:  Belgrade, Serbia is stupid cheap, like someone in this thread already mentioned.

I feel like RVF has heard enough about Belgrade with all of the retarded shenanigans happening over here...but it's still a VERY solid 2nd/3rd tier European city.

- $600 for city center logistics with quality Wi-Fi, air conditioning, kitchen, and bedding (this is at the absolute high end price-wise)
- $13 precision haircut
- $3-5 taxi rides using the CarGo app (this will take you almost anywhere in Belgrade)
- $5 for two decent quality steaks at Maxi supermarket
- $2 cappuccinos at basically any cafe in the city
- $70 per month for a world-class gym overlooking the Danube and Sava rivers (apparently the local politicians and mafia types work out here)

As far as value goes...Belgrade offers the best ROI in Eastern Europe.

Belgrade is actually so cheap to a point where the city has become TOO comfortable for me. I'm getting lazy. So I'm literally going to Scandinavia for a reality check.

What retarded shenanigans do you mean?

Post: #32

(08-13-2018 06:17 PM)gework Wrote:  I lived in Serbia for three months for around $600 for the whole three months. It's cheaper in the south. Places like Zaječar, Pirot and Niš.

I believe the things you wrote, since I visited Nis once.

But, the questions remains....why did you do it?

Post: #33

(08-13-2018 11:04 PM)Westcoast99 Wrote:  What are the best value Mediterranean cities in the winter season that also are not completely dead? (Previously went to Andalusia in January, curious how Italy, The Balkans, and Greece would compare). I can only travel mid Decemeber to mid February due to my job.

Can you expand on this?
Which cities, how was it?

Post: #34

Just want to add a data point here. Baltics are not that cheap. Cheaper but not Ukraine cheap.

Post: #35

Guys, I suggest you check out numbeo.com ...a lot better than opening 50 threads with the same question.

Post: #36

Yup, it's as simple as looking at Numbeo and maybe cross-referencing with NomadList.

Post: #37

azulsombra- I visited Seville, Cadiz, Marbella, and Tarifa in early January. I stayed in a Mariott timeshare in Marbella for a week. It was nice and relaxing, but boring and I stood out as a 26 year old by myself as most of the guests were older Brits. The old town of Marbella is neat to explore, the marina and waterfront area are scenic. 0-2 on daygame approaches there, 0-3 on tinder- tinder was very bad in Andalusia.

Hung out with some Brits at a bar who kept buying me drinks, we both got stopped at a dui chekpoint. I blew a .03 so I was ok, they were not as fortunate. Limit is .05 so be careful guys. This was in Porto Banus, SW of Marbella. Tons of hookers in Porto Banus, not dangerous but it did seem sketchy.

It definetly felt dead in January and people told me so. Seville was nice, but I was only there two days. One town I stopped in for a few hours as I drove from Seville to Marbella was Cadiz. Cadiz is on the Atlantic, and it was the port that the Spanish Navy would sail from. Incredible ocean views, I wished I had stayed a few nights there.

So to summarize, Andalusia was pleasantly mild to even warm in January. Plenty of historical sites to see and landscapes to enjoy. I just wonder how Calabria/Sicily/Balkans/Greece would compare in the same time frame in terms of the nightlife experience and tourist crowds.