Thinking of living in ARMENIA?

I share my views on what it's like to live in Armenia; especially as a foreigner.

Non-Armenian people contemplating a move to Armenia, must consider many things:

1. The language barrier
2. Work opportunities and children's education
3. Opening a business and the barriers to buying land
4. Recent price rises in apartment rental and houses, particularly in Yerevan
5. Visit Armenia for at least a month and do your homework, before making a commitment to live here.
6. Find a trusted person (preferably Armenian) who can speak the language and assist you with many issues that will come up.
7. Immerse yourself in the culture and earn the trust of Armenians, before you even think about changing the way things are done here.

[BigBobDookie]

Good advice. As a non-Armenian speaking westerner living in Armenia I have been met with quite a few obstacles to settling down here. Things, as you said Mitch, are not like they are back home. Especially when it comes to government services and interactions. I started a small business here a year ago and after a lot of visits to Ovir and the office for businesses, we got things all ironed out and running smooth. I am thrilled to be able to offer decent jobs to Armenians who need and want to work. Taxi drivers here are always perplexed when they find out that I live here. I always tell them that Armenia is full of potential if you have the eye to see it. My true wish for Armenia is to one day see bus drivers that don't overload the bus, make phone calls while driving, and drive safely. But that is probably a long ways off. 😆

[elenanazarians]

I like how you say "we", because you feel Armenian! Such a nice video showing your perspective.

[herminas]

Dear Mitch, I am grateful to you for what you do. I am Armenian and have been living in another country for 15 years. My dream is to return to Armenia and I am working on it. I remember very well the problems that were there. I hope one day we will be able to overcome all the remnants of the Soviet occupation and our children will be able to live without this nastiness. Thank you for your love and tact. I believe in our people - they are brave, life-loving, kind and talented. God willing, there will be a long period without wars

[markgarabedian]

Great advice! I’m an Armenian American aged 65 and I’ve been toying with the idea of moving there seasonally at first. The people seem nice and the food looks delicious based upon the YouTube videos I’ve seen. Life in America is not what it used to be.
Gyumri looks nice.

[karinehakobyan]

Thank you very much for your truthful description of Armenia, but I see a very bright future. God Bless all peace-loving people of the world.

[Veritas-]

There’s a profound and a very important point in this video, Mitch, thank you. In that, the attitude of a user which many diaspora Armenians, or just modern people have is inappropriate, and amoral in my opinion. If you believe in Armenia you show it through actions. You don’t need to “love” Armenia, it’s much better to believe in it, and this is the only valid social contract. An abstract love from afar or sentimentalisms are cheap. Whereas if you’re in Armenia working/living here, you’re part of the greater building process.

It’s also good to remember to all, that Armenians in Armenia are the generations of Sardarapat, of first republic, of an entire century of cultural modernization, rethinking and industrialization. Armenians here were also persecuted but instead of constantly crying fought wars and many battles, and believed in their freedom and sovereignty as a supreme value. That’s why we still have the tiny piece of Armenia that we do.

Armenians living in advanced democracies or wherever else, for example can never really be French or American etc.. They didn’t contribute to the building of those democracies, weren’t part of French Revolution or American civil war.. their contribution at best is minimal, and to pretend that you own the garden that you didn’t plant is a self-deceit. While the garden that is Armenia still needs to be planted and cared for. Even tho we’re ancient in our origins and it’s an ongoing historic process, here, it’s only the beginning of the history. So a request to all diaspora Armenians, forget your simplistic user mindset, this is your garden that needs a care. Try and understand all of the complexities and layers. Here the social contract is much more advanced than you ever had in your lives, you cannot simply be a user, come and learn, and build with us. Also to all who believe in Armenia and choose to be an Armenian. To me You’re as much of an Armenian as others, you’re all welcomed and will find love here. Come learn our language be a carrier of our culture, and build with us.

[rafiallaouirdian]

Very wise and honest advice Mitch. I'm going to remember the one on not arguing with government officials when they don't do their work properly. Living in Canada for a long time, we get used to the efficient work government officials do here, and the reflex is to expect the same everywhere we go, which is not the case at all.

I guess we have to trade the good and the bad, but at the end, we have way more good then bad when we live in Armenia, specially looking from God's perspective.

Love you my brother, looking forward meeting you soon. We
will be putting our feet in Armenia on the 22nd of September

[OurEclecticTravelAdventures]

Barev Mitch!
I don’t know if you remember me. I am American of Swede and Armenian birth, 3rd gen from the Genocide. My wife and I are here in Hayastan now. Gyumri at present but will be back in Yerevan in a couple days.
My wife is Ukrainian and speaks Russian. VERY handy. I speak a little Russian, read more, and a smaller bit of Armenian.
I’ve been working on my citizenship since mid January. It’s in process but running well behind. I assume due to the large number of Russians and Armenian Russians trying for their passports too.

We want VERY much to live in Hayastan; in God’s country, in biblical land of Noah. For many reasons, both spiritual and cultural but also quality of life.

Excellent advice given and much appreciated

[sergeyarutyunyan]

Dear Mitch, Thanks again for an objective view of Armenia. Yes, of course, Armenia is a developing country now, but it is developing faster than many other countries. Also, international structures say that there is relative democracy in Armenia and the laws are being enforced. If one look at many other countries where prices for electricity, gas and production are rising, Armenia is favorably distinguished by price stability. Time will pass and many guys will come to the decision to open energy-intensive production in this small country with access to the markets of Russia, Iran, India, Europe and the USA. Thank You once again for everything. God bless You and Ms. Mitch.)))

[peterdavidian]

Great advice, thanks again Mr.Mitch, wise words and clarity for all. I love life in Armenia and will be returning as soon as

[firegone]

Outstanding review and insight of your wonderful country and the city of Yerevan. Your approach with "Common Sense" which is not so common these days will help drive change for the better. Thank you for your videos!! I will be continuing to watch your updates. Take care!

[levvicky]

From Downunder to Ararat.... full respect coming to you from Sydney.

[ArmenianLifewithMitch]

Dear friends, remember to please keep your comments respectful, otherwise they will be removed. Mitch

[TestTest-xjsk]

Thank you very much for this video, you said all the comments that I have, My wife is armenian and we are visiting armenia since 2012 we stay for 50 day each visit and I agree with you on all the points especially on opening an account I had a bad experience but at the end we did it . Keep the good work Mitch and thank you again

[Kislsghanagav-]

Armenia was and would be always very welcoming to all kindhearted people like you, dad!😄
I am very grateful to you about this video, because most of people don’t even know about us.

You’re such a positive person, wish you good time in Armenia.

Love from Yerevan 🥰

[jasonking]

Expat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿been to 70 countries lived in Ukraine 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 and Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 now lives in Colombia 🇨🇴..there all cool you have to be adaptable..and my advice Gentleman is Dress Smart Be Polite and be a Good Tipper ..can't go wrong 👍

[lucybalyanify]

i am a fan of Mr & Mrs Mitch from USA

[AliakbarShabanzadeh]

I'm a young men and I'm ganna be living in armenia for about 6 month thanks for all the information ❤❤

[Dwalin]

Hello Sir, i really like your attitude. Keep on living in and enjoying Armenia ❤

[ChairPacer]

As an Armenian speaking [armenian] American I can say it’s extremely difficult to open a bank account there.
They asked for proof of income (in America), social, American address where I reside (with proof: ie bills in my name) to match my ID. A Passport. Where I’m staying in Armenia and the reasons for opening an account and even then I got turned down from 2 major banks in Yerevan.

I wouldn’t even imagine how difficult it could be trying to open a business there.