This guide was written prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is therefore not reflective of the current situation. Travel to Ukraine is currently not advisable due to the area’s volatile political situation.
Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe, both in area and population. It’s a country with a rich, albeit conflict-heavy, history. Before 2022, it was moving steadily closer to the European Union and building a reputation as a cultural centre of Eastern Europe.
Ukraine’s Soviet past might give you the impression that it is grim-faced and gloomy, but if you stick around for a while, you’ll discover that the pros outweigh the cons in this misunderstood country. If you enjoy a good challenge, you’ll find life in Ukraine to be a new and thrilling adventure.
Accommodation in Ukraine
+ PRO: Cheap housing
If you move to Ukraine, you’ll find that accommodation can be inexpensive, even in metropolitan areas. However, buying and renting property should be done with caution and possibly with the help of a lawyer, as there are frequent reports of scams. Compared with the rest of Europe, Ukraine has an astonishingly low cost of living, despite it becoming slightly more expensive in the larger cities.
- CON: Finding an apartment can be difficult
While it is possible to find an apartment on your own (using online or printed classifieds), many people opt for a realtor. Realtors run the real estate game in Ukraine: some merely provide the phone number of a landlord, while others will escort you to the apartment and interact on your behalf, but fees can be high. Meanwhile, Ukraine is riddled with real estate scams that go mostly ignored by the government. You should be cautious and never hand over money before finding out exactly what is being offered.
Culture and lifestyle in Ukraine
+ PRO: Fascinating history, art and architecture
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was founded approximately 1,400 years ago and was a major centre of cultural and political influence even into the Soviet era. Throughout the centuries, Ukraine has seen rich, global influences on the entire country’s art and architecture: from the fluted domes and spires that crown Kyiv to the industrial modernism of later years.
+ PRO: Amazing food
Ukraine is making the old new again by using traditional methods to make food that appeals to the contemporary palate. You should try local favourites such as a steaming bowl of borscht (beet soup) with a creamy dollop of sour cream on the side. If this does not appeal, thin pancakes filled with anything from strawberry jam to garlic fried mushrooms will hit the spot. Everything from cherry dumplings, cabbage rolls and cold summer soups to delicious honey cake is on offer.
+ PRO: Beautiful countryside
The geography of Ukraine is bewilderingly diverse, and this means there is a lot to see and do. There is a virtually unlimited supply of castles, ancient ruins and caves to explore.
- CON: Corruption and bureaucracy
Unfortunately, corruption is still commonplace. Police often hassle foreigners for a ‘small gift’. Shady businesses operate with seemingly no repercussions. Getting anything done officially takes a lot of time, patience, and the occasional ‘extra fee’ for officials.
Transport in Ukraine
+ PRO: Train travel
Getting around Ukraine is easy. While a small number of people prefer to fly or drive, most travel by rail. Trains criss-cross the country on short day trips and overnight journeys.
+ PRO: Easy access to transport
Private cars are almost prohibitively expensive on the average Ukrainian salary, so many people rely on public transport. Because of this, it’s impossible to go more than 15 minutes without seeing a taxi, city bus or tram. Larger cities, such as Kyiv, have metro systems that are affordable, incredibly clean and convenient.
Cost of living in Ukraine
+ PRO: Cheap alcohol and travel abroad
Alcohol (especially locally produced beer and wine) retails in Ukraine for much less than it does in other countries. All this means that unless a huge amount of luxury is involved, a night out on the town will leave you with more than enough money for breakfast the next day.
Travel packages were sold at local travel agencies, and all-inclusive holidays to Turkey and Egypt were popular. Outbound plane tickets from Ukraine to other destinations in Europe were available at a low price.
- CON: Expensive electronics and clothing
All the newest electronic devices are available in Ukraine, but at a premium. For this reason, you might ask friends travelling abroad to bring back electronics when returning to Ukraine.
Clothing is another popular item to buy abroad because the quality of fabrics sold in Ukraine can be rather low. This can be partially avoided by buying more expensive articles, but this isn’t always a sure bet.
Healthcare in Ukraine
+ PRO: Affordable medicine and healthcare
Ukraine had built a reputation for affordable healthcare, and medical tourism was growing before 2022. Dental work was one of the most common requests, and English-speaking dentists were increasingly common in large cities.
- CON: Healthcare is still ironing out some problems
While the healthcare situation in Ukraine has improved radically, some remnants of an inefficient past still exist, particularly in terms of bribery. In some cases, bribes may be expected to receive proper care.