Positive & Negative of Kiev - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Positive & Negative of Kiev
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Posted by: Gator

3 1/2 week experience living in Kiev. End of Feburary.
I lived with my angel in an upper middle class apartment, in a nice pat of town.
Positives:
Cheap cab fares (if I let her do the talking)
Cheap food (about 1/2 of the cost compared to America)
Friendly people (could stop anyone on the street and ask questions)
Felt secure (a cop on every block)
Great retail shops (they are everywhere)
Cheap cloths (same American tennis shoes at $100 were $53 here)
Latest in clothes fashion. (makes California look retro)
Problem free airport (52 seconds at customs counter)
Most beautiful woman you will ever see in one city.
You can drink in public (if this is your thing)
Fast service everywhere (resturant, retail stores, supermarkets, etc.)
Always have a taxi ride (they are everywhere, just raise your hand)
Many clean and safe parks to just stroll around with your honey.
Money exchange facilities (again, they are everywhere)
Best desserts in the World. (locals are always eating those colorful cakes)
Coffee and tea lovers paridise. (these little shops are on every block)
McDonalds on every street. (well, just about, 20 and more being built)
Casino's (again, if this is your thing)
TGIF (yes, a place that makes you feel like your back home)
Food ( makes you wonder why we don't have more Ukrainian resturants)
Cheap entertainment (circus, zoo, concerts, indoor ice skating, etc.)
I'll give my negative review next post.
Gator

Posted by: Gator

What did I not like about Kiev:
SNOW, just about everyday it snowed.
Dirty, city streets are a mess (yes, I know, it snows everyday)
Public restrooms. (have to see this to believe it)
No ice with any drink ($50 meal and I got a plastic Coke bottle)
Dress shoes to go into major Casino (my tennis shoes cost more than dress)
Taxi fares (get ripped if your an American)
Taxi ride (hang on, your life is in his hands)
Local drivers (you do not want to drive in this city)
Pedestrians beware (you yield to cars, even on sidewalks)
Airport (need more resturants and seating areas)
Snow covered sidewalks (even when it wasn't snowing)
Terrible coffee (I know, I'm used to weak American coffee)
Hard bread (where is the soft stuff?)
Gator

Posted by: AkMike

LMAO! So I gather that all in all you enjoyed your visit huh?
You discovered what the phrase 'We're in Kansas' any more is all about. It is a great place all in all. I don't like big citys and Kiev is no exception. Wait til you get to some of the smaller towns and rural areas. You'll probably enjoy them more.

Posted by: ira156

Yep its the same as Moscow or St petes or most of the larger FSU cities. The only 2 things i dont agree with are Mc Donalds being a positive and the coffee is fantastic. As AK said the smaller cities are just as interesting....in some ways more so.

Posted by: markgm

I'm not a big fan of Kiev to big, to busy, to touristy and to polluted. The ukraine countryside is beautifull and the smaller towns and villages are very interesting as every town and village has its own unique history and legends you will also find the people are alot more friendly and accomodating.

Posted by: Ade

Hi,

I think having to wear proper shoes into a nice establishment is a bonus. Keeps the riff-raff out!

Ade

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator

What did I not like about Kiev:
SNOW, just about everyday it snowed.
Dirty, city streets are a mess (yes, I know, it snows everyday)
Public restrooms. (have to see this to believe it)
No ice with any drink ($50 meal and I got a plastic Coke bottle)
Dress shoes to go into major Casino (my tennis shoes cost more than dress)
Taxi fares (get ripped if your an American)
Taxi ride (hang on, your life is in his hands)
Local drivers (you do not want to drive in this city)
Pedestrians beware (you yield to cars, even on sidewalks)
Airport (need more resturants and seating areas)
Snow covered sidewalks (even when it wasn't snowing)
Terrible coffee (I know, I'm used to weak American coffee)
Hard bread (where is the soft stuff?)
Gator

It snows almost everywhere in the FSU in February.
Never saw a public restroom that wasn't disgusting in any city.
No ice in FSU
Foreigners are always ripped off by cabbies.
All drivers are crazy in the FSU and pedestrians are in danger.
Never enoygh seating in a FSU airport
The FSU doesn't clear sidewalks.

As my soon to be ex-wife says, "It's Russia - It's Normal"

Posted by: Gator

Thia was all ment in fun, as I had a great time.
Would I visit this city again? Yes, only in the summer. From what I saw, this would be a cool place for a vaction with my angel someday.
One more negative:
I purchased many clothes while here.
Everyone in the Ukrain must be left handed. All the zippers on my cloths zip up from the left side. :headwall

McDonalds was smart. They took the chance and formed a market for themselves. By far they are the king of fast food in Kiev.
The 3 leval mall I was in, had 12 fast food joints, one being McDonalds. McD had 5 registers, with 5 customers lined up at each one. The others were lucky to have 5 total at thier counters.

About the American resturant TGIF I found. Went thier 6 times and never saw a Ukrain at a table. I asked the server why. She said look at the American prices. Most Ukrains can not afford to eat here.
Gator

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I agree Gator, in fact I'm going to Kiev in April. I like visiting the FSU but some of sights and customs are really unbelievable. But it is their way so we must adapt.

If you want a great city to visit when it is cold, try Sochi Russia. It is sub tropical weather, almost as warm as Florida. It is located on the south east side of the Black Sea. It is called the "Russian Hollywood" because everyone famous visits. I was there twice and both times President Putin was on holiday there. You can snow ski in the mountains or water ski on the same day. So many things to do and see. Not expensive either.

Great place to honeymoon also!

Posted by: Gator

wish I had known of this city before.
Gator

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator

wish I had known of this city before.
Gator

Now you do ... so make plans for next winter! Maybe I should work for the Sochi Chamber of Commerce. They are also in the running for the 2014 Winter Olympics! Putin is pushing this real hard!!!