Looking to make friends and build a business in Latvia

Hi all

I am a 34 year old male, and I run my own IT consultancy in South Africa. I have been in South Africa for almost a year, having spent over a decade in the UK, mainly in London.

I am looking to expand my business in a new direction, (more internet stuff) in the new year (2012), and considering Latvia, along with a couple more Baltic and Eastern European countries. I have to admit though, that all I know about these countries, is what I have read in country profiles and summaries that you get from the Economist and other sources.

I like the fact that Latvia and others are business friendly, have great Internet connectivity (important for my internet business), young and educated populations, and salary levels that are still competitive.

Why am I here?
My move to Eastern Europe or the Baltics will only happen around March 2012, and in the meantime, I'd like to getter a better understanding of the countries. There are a few business focused forums I have joined up with, but I also think it is important to get to know an understand the people. Language issues, cultural issues etc. The best way to find out about this, I think, is by interacting socially, with real Latvians.

Similarly, I am single with no kids, and would be traveling alone, so the quality of social life I can expect is also quite important. I have traveled alone to many different countries, and while I am comfortable doing this, some countries are definitely more welcoming than others.

I'm not really after dating, (I live literally on the other side of the world right now .... hahaha) but just want to interact with and get a better feel for the people of Latvia. I am also not after business deals, I will cross that bridge when I decide which country is right for me. I hope I am in the right place for this.

PS. I hope I can post this. I am still waiting for my confirmation email from the forum

I have to add though. I love the fact that the profiles on this forum show the Chinese horoscope sign too. I have always been proud to be a Dragon, and I am strongly thinking of getting a dragon tattoo on my back. We'll see.

Hey man! And welcome to Latvia.

I've been living here for few years, I found a trusted girlmate here, but truly, I love this country, because it's relatively calm. Criss-cross! I'm not really about to remember the earlier place I've lived in Europe, which was quite noisy, dirty and full of people which didn't understand me. I've been occasionally visited Latvia, specially, Riga, and it was winter, full of young half-naked chicks, you know - and everything was so positive around, and positive to me, that I decided to rent a property here and tried to live for some time.

Well, you probably know that properties are not that best in Latvia, mostly left from the USSR (in districts) and something to the very old architectural houses in the centre of Riga, there are new buildings, but I don't trust the modern technologies, so I have just bought a very cheap (comparing to Europe) 3-rooms appartment in a cozy place in Riga, near the forest and the lake, and there is everything near me - postal office, shops, cinemas... I wouldn't say the people surrounding me are all European-like, but if you want more comfort and have more economic budget than me, you could try to look for real good properties in the Old Riga...

Regarding business - I think you need strictly wait until 2012 and see what happens next, because the political situation in Latvia is now quite hot. The unsuccessful and very politically dangerous re-elections of the Parliament; in November they are going to ask people what they think about Russian language as if it would be the second official language in Latvia... and still, nobody knows results of the population census in April-May 2011, so nobody actually knows, what elections or survey are about.

That's why some years ago, I preferred not to risk and didn't invested a lot, quite enough for happy living and quite enough for leaving it, if whatever happens...

Thank you for the welcome bro.

I'm still doing my research. Not sure what country I'll eventually end up doing business in yet, but from everything that I have read in various places, Latvia is a great country. I can't wait to visit.

On a related note, what are the other cities in Latvia besides Riga like?

I always try to visit more than one city in every country I have ever visited. You tend to learn more about a country by visiting cities other than the capital city too.

All cities in Latvia are different. Depends on what would you like to discover?

Bro
you can chaT with me in my email irfanch42@hotmail.com send me email me want to make you friend

Hah! I even don't know who you are. Why should I chat with you? Ha-ha! That's funny!

i am lu, from china, want to make a latvian girl/woman, my email: pictures_best1@yahoo.com

It seems the genetic experiments start from the Yellow country... I mean, if you want to make...

Guest
HAHA IT'S TERRIFIC :D genetic experiments

Cheers from Poland! Country, which people you were murdering within the scope of Waffen SS

I am Interested Please let me know What Business are you in? I am an IT engineer

I wonder how the aviation business in Latvia?,,,,

Aviation business in Latvia is mostly about Riga Airport and Airbaltic company.
That would be all about the business