Planning on going to Kharkov in January 2010 to retire. I only get $1600 a month in retirement, and it does not go very far here (California)I think I can do OK there. What do you think? Looking to rent an apartment for about 4 to 500 US dollars a month can this be acomplished, and live in a desent part of town. Have a lady waiting for me to arrive, she is over 50, so no cradel robber here. Liked your web site very much Thanks for the insight.
Fred
$1600 is fine now in Kharkov, the ‘krisis’ has finally lowered prices to a more reasonable level though still too high for the quality offered. Flats in the centre now can be found for $400 for an ok place, less out in the living areas. A word of caution, it helps a lot for a local person to help you unless you speak good russian, but be aware that a lot of ukrainians are not the best negotiators – most have never rented a flat and they tend to accept what they are told in relation to prices. Prices are now very negotiable and can also be negotiated in the local currency as well as in dollars. Make sure what is included in the rent is clear, particularly the heating as that is getting expensive.
Other expenses are much lower, electricity, phone and cable tv. Internet is on a par with america, maybe a bit cheaper now. Fruit and veg is a lot less in the markets and a lot better, but supermarkets are similarly priced to the west. Transport is very cheap compared to the west, except if you want to buy a car which is a lot more. Just use the metro and taxis, much better value.
The best approach is to adopt local tastes. Drink beer, cognac or vodka instead of wine for instance. A coffee will cost from $1 to $3 depending on cafe. Eating out at a trendy type restaurant will run to about $15 a head including drinks, though you can pay a lot more if you wish.
So, to sum up per month, $400-500 rent including heating, $40 utilities, $150 food for basics which comes to $6-700. Going out twice a week will add up to $200, a couple of cafe breaks each day adds to $150. Throw in a bit of travel, trips to Odessa and Kiev may cost $200 for a weekend once you work out how the land lies.
October 25, 2009 at 4:57 am
Planning on going to Kharkov in January 2010 to retire. I only get $1600 a month in retirement, and it does not go very far here (California)I think I can do OK there. What do you think? Looking to rent an apartment for about 4 to 500 US dollars a month can this be acomplished, and live in a desent part of town. Have a lady waiting for me to arrive, she is over 50, so no cradel robber here. Liked your web site very much Thanks for the insight.
Fred
October 26, 2009 at 1:26 am
$1600 is fine now in Kharkov, the ‘krisis’ has finally lowered prices to a more reasonable level though still too high for the quality offered. Flats in the centre now can be found for $400 for an ok place, less out in the living areas. A word of caution, it helps a lot for a local person to help you unless you speak good russian, but be aware that a lot of ukrainians are not the best negotiators – most have never rented a flat and they tend to accept what they are told in relation to prices. Prices are now very negotiable and can also be negotiated in the local currency as well as in dollars. Make sure what is included in the rent is clear, particularly the heating as that is getting expensive.
Other expenses are much lower, electricity, phone and cable tv. Internet is on a par with america, maybe a bit cheaper now. Fruit and veg is a lot less in the markets and a lot better, but supermarkets are similarly priced to the west. Transport is very cheap compared to the west, except if you want to buy a car which is a lot more. Just use the metro and taxis, much better value.
The best approach is to adopt local tastes. Drink beer, cognac or vodka instead of wine for instance. A coffee will cost from $1 to $3 depending on cafe. Eating out at a trendy type restaurant will run to about $15 a head including drinks, though you can pay a lot more if you wish.
So, to sum up per month, $400-500 rent including heating, $40 utilities, $150 food for basics which comes to $6-700. Going out twice a week will add up to $200, a couple of cafe breaks each day adds to $150. Throw in a bit of travel, trips to Odessa and Kiev may cost $200 for a weekend once you work out how the land lies.
November 20, 2009 at 7:27 am
I NEED FLAT 3 ROOMS