You will grow richer in experience than any compensation back home would afford you. So hats off to you.

In Minsk to make a living I would do the following:

Teach English as a second language. You do not need qualifications as you are a native speaker and you will use the language better than anyone ever could just studying the language. If you have some business experience back home you can charge more as you can teach business English. Even if you were a super star consultant getting paid $100 dollars an hour like I was, do not try to quote money in Minsk to back home. They are two different realties. Learn to spend like a local and live like a local, fast or your money will evaporate.

I kept converting currency to dollars and saying, gee this item is cheap I will buy it. Start thinking in the local currency.

If you want a job, connect with the expats via a linkedin expat group there. They will give you real entrepreneurial opportunities better than you trying to access the local market yourself. If you do want to try to enter the local market try Gumtree or their equivalent of Monster.com. Also the best thing to do is write companies and people directly by figuring out HR or managers e-mails, and convey how you can add value to them with your skills.

I do not know your skill set but whatever it is I am sure you have some and would be of value in Minsk. I mean you sold your girlfriend, now wife, and I am sure she thinks the world of you. So similarly someone in the job market will also. It might take time and you need not to give up.

I even was a seller of food in the local vegetable market. I have a Masters in Economics from Trinity and I would do anything for work. It is all about the experience. Nothing is below me. The one thing I did learn was economics is about supply and demand, both in the goods market and the labor market. You need to identify your skill sets that would be of value in Easter Europe. Some guys are English tour guides, while some of my friends world in English language call centers that have been outsourced from the west.

A note about taxes. If you are American remember you have to report all world-wide income to the IRS. It will most likely be excluded as it will not be over $90,000 dollars but just report it. The local economy is mostly cash at some level as many people avoid local taxes, but the IRS, I would personally not take chances with, and again you will most likley not have to pay anything.

Let me know more about your skills and or situation and I could give you and idea of what might best fit your income and lifestyle in Minsk. Either way, I am happy you found your Slavic princess or your peal of great price.

I was just surfing the internet and stumbled upon your website. But first would like to congratulate you on your finding, your princess as I myself found mine too from Belarus. Truly, if you find the right women then your life changes & with it your goals & aspirations too.

I do want to applaud you on your website & the Q&A’ available are so informative, helpful to the reader. I on the other hand have a good job & lifestyle going for me but would like to live & work in Belarus, Minsk in particular as that’s where my sweetheart wants me to be. I have never been to Belarus & that’s the irony as my girl came to marry me.

Now we want to register our marriage back in Belarus, find an apartment & settle down after I get my residency there.

Care to shed some light about Minsk & the type of job opportunities available there as I have decided to make my trip & resign from my current job to be with my princess.

Thanks in advance Mark,
Neil

As you know dotpay is just a Polish type of paypal. You can write Sympatia and they will reply. us.sympatia.net/contact.html is the contact page. You can write them in English. It is worth it, in my opinion. I have known a few people who are together because of the website. Not every girl on there is for you, but I think Poles tend to be more serious about their religion than many because of their history. So give it a try. NYC is one of the hardest places to find a nice person by the way. So many people it makes your head spin, but to find the one for you, it is another story. Also consider so trips to other countries and if you want to let me know how it all works out for you.

Just remember the story of the ‘pearl of great price’. This is what you should seek in your life. The girl who you would give up everything for, including your NYC and career etc and I believe God will reward you.

I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. More than anything I’m surprised to find in myself many of the values you have mentioned. I’ve been living in NYC for 15 years, and I rarely run across anyone who talks about these values especially in the context of dating and choosing a mate. I guess it’s nice to have this new awareness and also to feel like it’s ok.

I’ve been so intrigued that I logged into us.Sympatia.net. I’ve tried to “join the club” so that I can send email, but I’m unable to navigate “dotpay” to make the transaction. Any suggestions?

Thanks again. I am glad to be more clear on my values and to feel like I’m not alone.

I came across your site by accident and i must say that i find it very informative and agree with all that you say. I love it. Thanks you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. You can only get the best advice from someone who “who has already climbed the mountain”

I admire you for never giving up on true love and this is why today you and your lovely wife are happy.

I personally do believe in fairy tales but it’s all about how far you are willing to go to achieve your dreams and who you choose to be your life long spouse. Yes, it might even take you to the end of the world to find your princess!!

I too believe that women must be treated as princess’s and equal but I do find that a lot of western girls take advantage of this whether they realise it or not.

I have been thinking now for many years myself in meeting a sweet, traditional Russian (maybe ukranian too) Christian girl as I can’t help but also believe that it is getting increasingly harder to find a good girl in Western countries who has not been corrupted by feminism.

Don’t get me wrong feministic movements have done a lot of good for women but i laso believe they have done alot of damage!!

All I’m asking for is a good, traditional, God fearing girl who knows how to be a lady and a good wife and will never think about divorcing for the most ridiculous thing like most couples do nowadays!! I girl who would be proud to be a wife/mother and homemaker.

I am planning to do a major in Russian language next year at university. I also know fluent Greek and i think it would be easier for me to learn russian as the Kyrillic alphabet is based on the Greek.

Can I ask you why you prefer ukranian over Russian language as you mentioned above in one of your posts?

Is it because it’s easier than russian? Are the ukranian girls better than russian girls?

Your thoughts and any advice will be much appreciated.

All the best and keep up the good work

I’m never,ever giving up on true love until i sleigh all the dragons. I will conquer.

Nick