Post: #1

I will be in the Ukraine on the 1st and wanted to know what is going on with the Ukrainian currency ?

I know there is a tremendous amount of inflation and economy imploding due to the less reliance on the Russians, but are the prices reflecting the exchange rates or will I be getting an awesome exchange rate of 25 to 1.

Anybody on the ground that can report what's going on with the cost of living would greatly appreciate it

See you in two weeks

Post: #2

(02-14-2015 03:19 AM)peterfoo22 Wrote:  I will be in the Ukraine on the 1st and wanted to know what is going on with the Ukrainian currency ?

I know there is a tremendous amount of inflation and economy imploding due to the less reliance on the Russians, but are the prices reflecting the exchange rates or will I be getting an awesome exchange rate of 25 to 1.

Anybody on the ground that can report what's going on with the cost of living would greatly appreciate it

See you in two weeks

you should read the last two pages of the ukrain thread .

/thread-37535-page-16.html

Post: #3

Fyi for everyone

I've been here a few days now and as for the purchasing power of the USD, GPB and any other strong western currency it's incredibly cheap.

To give you guys an idea a Big Mac is little over one dollar, beer is less one usd, food is less than 5 bucks meal at a restaurant and it's hard to spend over 25 dollars here a day.

I am not sure it will remain this way forever but definitely cheap by western standards.

Post: #4

(03-04-2015 11:10 AM)peterfoo22 Wrote:  Fyi for everyone

I've been here a few days now and as for the purchasing power of the USD, GPB and any other strong western currency it's incredibly cheap.

To give you guys an idea a Big Mac is little over one dollar, beer is less one usd, food is less than 5 bucks meal at a restaurant and it's hard to spend over 25 dollars here a day.

I am not sure it will remain this way forever but definitely cheap by western standards.

Sure is great news.

Did you use AirBab ? I did not check recently but I thought the prices were high since they in dollars.

Post: #5

(03-04-2015 11:36 AM)rishboy77 Wrote:  

(03-04-2015 11:10 AM)peterfoo22 Wrote:  Fyi for everyone

I've been here a few days now and as for the purchasing power of the USD, GPB and any other strong western currency it's incredibly cheap.

To give you guys an idea a Big Mac is little over one dollar, beer is less one usd, food is less than 5 bucks meal at a restaurant and it's hard to spend over 25 dollars here a day.

I am not sure it will remain this way forever but definitely cheap by western standards.

Sure is great news.

Did you use AirBab ? I did not check recently but I thought the prices were high since they in dollars.

I was just there for a few days and bargained down on Air bnb to about 30-40% off the rack rate prices. You could probably go even lower than I did but I got tired of bargaining with people and just wanted to get a room after a couple days.

Prices are cheap as hell for sure e.g. full McDonalds Big Mac meal is like $1.50 (36 hryvnia), coffee is less than 50 cents, you can go to a cafe and get a meal for you and your date for $4 etc. Kinda crazy really.

Post: #6

What city are you in ?

Post: #7

Geeze imagine if it drops further...is there a delay in them adjusting the cost for imported goods?

Post: #8

i'm usually against doom and gloom but it seems this will have repercussions of some kind which could be negative

Post: #9

I am currently in the Odessa.

I will write a full detailed semi post after the weekend. As I am leaving for Kiev on the 17th.

Also I wanted to mention there is black market exchange for currency which gives you a little higher exchange rate here in Odessa.

If you know anything about Odessa its near the large mall right above Drebrioskya street there is open market. You will see guys carrying bundles of cash just go up to them and show them your US currency.

If you guys have questions pleass feel free to send messages or comment here .

Post: #10

Inflation in Ukraine the past few weeks has been noticeable. Chocolate bars for example were 14 UAH, now they are at 24. I suppose that hike is because cocoa is imported. Taxis are more expensive too. The IMF is requiring Ukraine to not subsidize gas. A long taxi ride I often take was 50 UAH, now it's 70.

The UAH has strengthen from a low point around 33 per dollar to where it is now, around 22. I guess the strengthening is a result of IMF help.

Overall Ukraine is still dirt cheap but it's not as crazy cheap as it was a few weeks ago.

Post: #11

What is the black market rate right now?

Post: #12

I think you can get 25.5 which I was getting on black market. They don't take beat up money though, only clean fresh bills.

I think the prices should be in line with most of Eastern Europe if not less. The dollar and hrynnia will prob fluctuate between 20 to 25 to 1 which would be about right.

Post: #13

Wow so if you had a crystal ball you could have bought at 30-something and now sold for 20-something...? in two weeks

Post: #14

When I was in Ukraine the best I ever got was 23 to the dollar. Ever day it seemed to move my .50.

For shits and giggles I have followed it a bit since I have got home and it has gotten worse (well from my perspective).

I don't know if anyone has an ability to see what the future looks like. I would go now if you were ever interested in Ukraine since it is so cheap at the moment.

Post: #15

Yeah it's been going down.

At 30 was too high just all the speculation and war talk but I can see it stabilizing around 20 to 25 to the dollar. I am speculating here but the economy is not as strong as poland or Romania.

I mean still cheap buts it's been fluctuating like crazy.