Quote from Ivanovich:
Having lived in Russia for several years and having made many, many trips throughout the Urkaine, I can honestly say I have no idea why on Earth you would want to move from the West to the Ukraine - unless you're doing it because of the women.
Apart from that, be prepared for poor quality food, bad healthcare, corrupt government, bribing - well, everyone for anything, and low, low salaries.
Horrible driving conditions, bizarre and abstract legal system that changes on a moment's notice, difficult retail environment, expensive clothes. Don't have a car? Great, you can use the absolutely lovely metro in Kiev (if that is your destination) or the fantastic bus/vans that pick people up on the street. The busses will pick you up at an authorized stop. The vans, well you just flag them down when you see them and stuff in with the other 20 or so people in a vehicle made for 12. Or, you can hail a gypsy cab (anyone will pull over if they see you with your hand outstretched on the road) and hope you don't get robbed and thrown in the Dnipro once your throat is cut.
Long, cold winters (in comparison to most of the US).
Oh, and if you are asian or black, be prepared to be treated as an outcast at the very best - if they even let you live there.
As for speaking Russian, the younger kids are now learning Ukrainian. If you understand Russian, you can get by in Ukrainian, but for the most part it is a different language. As for English, no. Spoken in probalby 10% of the people - if that.
Sure, lovely place. Would like to build a summer house there, actually.
