Kiev - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think it is a good city for all!! - May 2021
Kyiv is excellent for all, there are lots of things to do: there are 2 or 3 movie theaters that play films in English, a gorgeous opera house (with regular ballet and opera performances), there is a yearly theater festival, plenty of parks and activities for kids, and of course bars, cafes and nightclubs are in abundance too. - Jun 2018
Great for all, although, like a lot of places, tougher for single women - and in that sense, more so than most places! It's been great for us as a family - lots to do and a great attitude toward children, who are welcomed and fussed over everywhere. I've been at a nice restaurant at 9 p.m. and seen a family with small kids come in to eat, and nobody bats an eye, even at fancy places. - May 2017
As a couple, we absolutely loved the city. I think we were best poised to take advantage of what the city offers. Most families also had great experiences - Kyiv is a very kid-friendly city, and small children go basically everywhere. However, some families placed in city-center apartments found that limited access to outdoor space was a problem. Single men also love Kyiv; single Western women seem to have the roughest time if they are interested in dating, sadly. - Nov 2016
Great for everyone! Maybe with the exception of single women, who found it hard to date locally. But single men had no problem. We, as a couple without children, loved it and made great local and expat friends (and could afford to go out a lot without worrying about budgets!) Those with kids loved the inexpensive childcare and good preschools and schools. - Jul 2016
All. - Nov 2015
Good for families for sure. Everyone can enjoy the exciting times at work, the restaurants, ability to save money and affordable travel to Europe. People working at the Embassy will be consumed by work, it's interesting and hard to look away. If I were not working, I would look into doing one of the English-language advanced degree program available. It would take some searching to find a fit, but it would be interesting. - Jun 2015
I think this is an ideal city for singles and childless couples. There is a thriving nightlife and the flights to Europe are cheap. It's a hard city for families with little kids especially if you are not used to the dark winter days. Summer is a much happier part of the year but do not come here thinking that this is anything other than a poor European city. Traffic is significant issue in town. Realize that you will spend most of your time in your section of town. - Apr 2014
It is a great city for all types. Singles, especially men, have a great time with the 10-1 Ukrainian women-to-men ratio. Families have a great time with camping, barbeques at the lake, children's museums, wonderful playgrounds, and great shopping center complexes complete with bowling alleys, Ice skating rinks, roller rinks, arcades, Indoor playgrounds, bumper cars, and Ukrainian-dubbed movie theaters. Couples also find there is a lot of entertainment with the regular marathons here, salsa clubs, restaurant/bars, and generally good and friendly community. - Apr 2013
Probably best for single men. Unless you love snow, it can be tough in the winter for families. - Apr 2013
It's a decent post for families, and relatively safe. Activities are not limitless as they are in more industrialized countries. - Feb 2013
Good for families, good for couples, excellent for single men. Good for single women who don't mind the prospect of not dating for a few years. - Jul 2012
I think this city offers something for everybody. There is a pretty active night life but also a lot of family centered things to do. There are quite a few large indoor play areas at the malls, movie theatre/bowling ally, restaurants, ect for when the weather is bad. Lots of nice parks and beaches for the nice weather. - Aug 2009
Singles . . . yes! Couples . . . maybe . . . families beware! - Apr 2008
Great for all types. Plenty of park space, museums, outdoor activities, restaurants - basically something is here for everyone. - Apr 2008
I think it is good for all. It is a large post so singles should be able to meet a lot of people in the embassy as well as in the community. Couples will find plenty to do as well. Currently, this is a very family-focused post so many CLO-sponsored activities will be kid-friendly (even if it might be better if they weren't.) - Feb 2008
