Adoption families coming to Odessa basically have two options: A) You can stay near the orphanages and walk to see your kids. This is more affordable as you save tons on cab fare, but you won't have air conditioning and you'll have to take a taxi or bus to go sightseeing. I would not want to do this for an entire month.
Or
B) You can stay in what is known as City Centre where you can walk to fine restaurants, most major sights and enjoy comfort and safety. Odessa Executive Suites came highly recommended to us and we can enthusiastically second that recommendation. Here you are right smack dab in the middle of everything, and when you consider that you are staying in a world-class resort city, the rates are very good (check the monthly rates).
Scott is the American owner who lives nearby and can be seen daily in the office. He knowns how to make Westerners feel at home.
Some of the apartments look down on Deribosovskaya, the main street.
The oceanfront is a beautiful ten minute walk. The kids all know how to ride the bus to get here and they love to visit, often with two or three of their friends.
Manager Masha and assistant Ulyana speak fluent English and are indispensable when it comes to recommending where to go (and not go) and what to do. Their office also serves as an unofficial social gathering spot as guests are seen daily just hanging out and talking for hours. Dana and I met some fascinating people in the OES office!
Vern the ex-pat Texan is a permanent fixture on the second floor. He knows where all the good coffee shops are. 
This has been our home for five weeks. I'm gonna miss it!
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