Welcome to Kyiv, the heart of Ukraine, the capital city of Europe’s second largest country. You have decided to stay in this bustling city – whether it is a permanent move, a transition, or a temporary one, you will still need to familiarize yourself with the many nuances and details of surviving, and ultimately making your stay easier and more pleasurable. Here are a few questions you may have in mind, and some handy tips and pointers to answer them.
Where can I find a place to stay in Kyiv?
This will all depend on how long you are planning to stay in the city – a five to ten-day stay may just call for choosing a hotel which is strategically located in the city; 30 days or more and you may have to find a hostel, or rent an apartment. Average rates of hotel can go from as low as US$250 to a high of US$850. Depending on your budget as well, you can go for either low-budget apartment or luxury, upscale ones. Apartments go for US$30-70 per square metre. Amenities would of course depend on how much you are paying – a semi-furnished apartment of 100 square metres can go for US$2,200 to US$3,500. Check the local listings or even websites of real estate agents for good deals.
What is the best way to get around the city?
There are several modes of transportation around Kyiv – there’s the metro (both underground and subway), buses, trolleybuses, taxis and the funicular. The easiest and most convenient is the Metro system. Used daily by over 1.5 million commuters, this rapid mode of transit has 46 stops or stations within the city and three main lines. A single ride costs about US$0.25 but it would be more convenient to buy a monthly pass (around US$11.90). Monthly passes are in fact available for all the public transportation and can even go in combinations.
What other factors do I have to think about when I want to live in Kyiv?
Aside from lodging and transportation, you have to consider your communication requirement – phone and Internet access are the basic ones. You can check out the requirement for getting a mobile phone with either a subscription line or on a prepaid service. Mobile operators such as Kyivstar and MTS (UMC) are reliable brands to go with. You can get a cell phone for as low as UAH500 (or US$62). For Internet access there are several choices as well – you can have a broadband connection at home, through a fixed phone line, or you can just take advantage of Wifi places around the city. There are also Internet or cyber cafes to go to if you do not need a regular connection at home.
Another consideration is food, but as this is Kyiv you will never run out of choices. Allow for an average budget of US$200 – 250 for monthly grocery shopping, and eating out will set you back about US$25 for a three-course meal at a good restaurant. But if it is a regular fast food joint, meals can be had for as low as US$4.
Clothing can be a bit pricey so be on the lookout for good deals and bargains. Prices of clothing in Kyiv are at par with the prices in the Western world – a pair of jeans can go from US$24 – US$43.
What customs should I learn or keep in mind when living in Kyiv?
First and most basic of all is to learn the language. In Kyiv, Ukrainian (the national language) and Russian are both spoken. English is hardly used, and you will never find any street or metro station signs translated to English.
Norms and patterns of social behavior in Kyiv are not that different from Western culture. It’s just a matter of being observant and having an open mind about how locals do their thing. For instance, women cover their heads and put on skirts before entering caves or churches. It is also traditional for visitors to leave their shoes at the door when they enter someone’s home. Toasting is also done a lot during meals – for the locals, a mealtime is a special time to interact and communicate with others. Be prepared to be asked to give a toast if you are invited for dinner. If you smoke, offer your cigarettes to everyone around you – if there’s a woman who accepts your cigarette, you should light it for her. Do not be surprised if the locals you meet on the streets do not smile or appear friendly – it is not their nature to be expressive of their feelings in public but it does not mean that they are not approachable or that you cannot make friends with them.