Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??

[Burt]

After three great trips to Russia I plan to reduce the distance problems with RW by simply living in the Crimea for awhile (6 months, at least).  Never been there, and I'd certainly appreciate some old-hand advice on choosing a city.

I'd like to live in a city with some charm (definitely not an industrial center), attractive high-end apartments, arts life, near water, manageable winter climate, and of course a reasonable population pool of available ladies.  In other words, good quality of life for a minimum 6 month stay. I'd also like a city with a good agency or two I can work with.

For these and other reasons my research is pointing me toward Sevastopol.  Other possibilties (on my map, at least) are Simferopol, Odessa, Kerch, and Mariupol.  Also maybe Sochi or Rostov-on-Don?  The archives just don't have enough helpful info for a broad comparison.

So I ask you old hands with Crimea experience --  Is Sevastopol a good choice for my needs?  If not, what other city will I probably find the qualities I'm looking for?

I'll take a preliminary trip in a couple of months to check things out before deciding.  Again, your general voice of experience is very much appreciated.

-- Burt

[thesearch]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

Hey Burt,

Now you are talking. That is how I would like to do it but, not a possibility for me at this time in my life. Hopefully Jack from Firstdream  will give some advice here to you.

But Burt, once you have chosen your destination, I for one would like you to continue to post to let us know about your experience as it evolves.

Good luck to you.

[Burt]

... in response to Hey Jack, can you give your advice for t..., posted by thesearch on Jul 23, 2002

I appreciate your encouragement.  My state of mind is just to have a good time and let any kind of RW relationship take care of itself, if it happens.  Spending six months in an exotic location with new people should be a very good thing all by itself.

I plan to post when I have something worth reporting. Thanx again. -- Burt

[Burt]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

Hi Vox and DJD --  Thanks much for your input and suggestions re possible city for a 6 month stay in Crimea.  Vox, the website for Art looks very promising, and I'll make a contact. I think I can work with him. DJD, thanks for the tip about Feodosiya.  It seems to have water access, people activity and a good local contact in Lingua.  Thanks again to both of you.  -- Burt

[Charles]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

Yalta has the best climate, since the mountains make the winters milder, and it is on the water.  However, not a big city, more a tourist spot.  Simferopol is centrally located, with an airport if you want to meet ladies in other areas, and not too many agencies, so there is a large available pool of ladies.  If you're there for six months, you may not need an agency.

[Del]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

You have listed some "ideals" that anyone will be hard pressed to meet unless you are on a "New Russian" budget.
High-end apartments (limits you to Yalta, Simferopol and Sevastopol for the most part, and Sevastopol has only a few).
Arts life again limits you to these three with Simferopol being the leader in this regard.
Near water will eliminate Simferopol.
Water supply *most* of the time will eliminate Sevastopol. All the time water supply will eliminate Crimea!
Manageable winter climate is too subjective - constant heat and water supply during winter will also be a problem (especially hot water unless the apartment has it's own boiler (water heater)).
Reasonable pool of available ladies is again subjective - Sevastopol has hundreds and hundreds on the internet - and as many (per capita) scammers!
All-in-all, I'd suggest you would likely be best to find a good apartment in Simferopol (it is the "centre" of Crimea) and use this as your 'base'. I hope you have budgeted accordingly.   :-)

[Albert]

... in response to Re: Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Del on Jul 22, 2002

Good info.

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Del on Jul 22, 2002

[Vox]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

A while ago (well, by now quite a while ago!) this site was a few times mentioned here by the guys, Friends in Foreign Lands, http://www.fifl.net/
The guy's name is Art, and he seems to be a nice, decent fellow to talk to.
He lives in Sevastopol and could give you excellent advice as an American living there, former pilot also.

[DJD]

... in response to Ideas on a Crimea city for 6 mos??, posted by Burt on Jul 21, 2002

Burt,

I have spent fair amount of time in Feodosiya, and have always enjoyed my visits.  It is a resort town on the Black Sea, east of Yalta, and about a 1.5 hour drive east of Simferopol.  Feodosiya is very historic, a resort time, and really hops in the Summer.  It also appears to be an economical place to visit.  My wife tells me that nice apartments are available in the city.  Of course, being a resort town, it quiets down in the winter.  The city population is around 80k, so it is smaller than other choices in Crimea.  

At the risk of inappropriately promoting a friend's business, Lingua Club J.V. is available to assist a visitor.  They concentrate on language instruction, travel support, and business translation services, but do provide some degree of  matchmaking services.  Neither my wife or I have a financial connection to this business, we can say that they are completely trustworthy, and have always done well for us and others we know.  

I wish you well, and think that it is great that you will be able to spend such an extended period of time in the beautiful Crimea, best of luck with your search.

Dan