Most prosperous Eastern European country in terms of individual standard of living?

Eastern Europe is not a place I've seen much of, but I recall on a visit to the Czech Republic, albeit Prague, the country seemed really quite prosperous and I couldn't see any significant standard of living difference between Czechs and Western Europeans, ie British, French, Dutch, etc.

All the cars seemed as new as what you'd find in Western Europe, there were very few old cars, or Soviet era old bangers - probably no more than what you'd see in the UK tbh. And while it's obviously difficult to tell as an outsider from a short-visit, the population as a whole seemed pretty free-spending and it certainly didn't come across as a place where money was a huge issue.

While I've never been to Poland, I'm told that Poland while it's getting more prosperous definately still has a way to go.

So to people who have had more to do with Eastern Europe, is the Czech Republic significantly wealthier than it's neighbours? And what would you say could be considered the most prosperous Eastern European country.

Also, I know technically speaking, Poland and the Czech Republic are central europe rather than Eastern, but for the purpose of things like this, they're definately Eastern Europe.

EDIT: I'm stupid enough that I included the Czech Republic in the countries of Eastern Europe. It's central - not Eastern.

You can't really say that CR is in Central Europe and Slovakia is Eastern Europe, they're pretty much in the same ballpark, have to choose and put them both in either division together.

I've been living in Prague for 2 months and the locals would be devastated to be considered 'Eastern Europeans'. Prague is further west than Vienna ffs.

Just cos it borders with CZ means nothing. You have to draw the borders somewhere and Slovakia is where OFFICIALS draw the borders of Central-Eastern Europe. I mean, Greece borders with almost all Eastern European countries but it is regarded as Southern Europe not Eastern Europe. And not to mention that Slovakia also borders with Ukraine.

And Slovenia is not Eastern Europe people...

Well, geographically speaking you're right, but I think that historical reasons should play a bigger role here. I'm reluctant to divide CR and Slovakia into two different classes since it used to be the same country and today each is on par with the other economically (as opposed to Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary (if you consider Hungary EE)), even the two languages are almost identical, you'd have a hard time telling where one country ends and the other begins.

Yeah, only devastated out of snobbishness. Eastern Europe is thought of by the West as being poor, and as Czechs feel they're a bit more wealthy and sophisticated than their Eastern European neighbours, they demand to be called Central Europeans.

But at the end of the day, the Czechs are Slavs, have a Slavic heritage and speak a Slavic language - the Slavs are the primary race and culture of Eastern Europe. To suggest the Czechs are more Western European than the Austrians is absurd.

While this would be very controversial, I would even go as far to say that as a culture and people, Czechs have more common ground with the Russians than they do with Germans, French or British.

Right, I see your point but still, Eastern Europe is no longer a cultural "thing" (it used to be during the Cold War). It's purely geographical as there's no Soviet Union anymore to divide West-East in another manner other than geography

Oh dear me. Your original post questioned the most economically developed country in Eastern Europe, and you even admitted as much that the Czech Republic is central rather than eastern and should be considered as such?

I meant from a geographical point of view, culturally the Czech Republic is Slavic, and as a consequence Eastern European. End of story.

I can see you're struggling so I will leave you to it. Check (or Czech ) some history books and then come back.

I strongly suggest you to study European history. Obviously you have no idea what are you talking about. The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe, Czechs are a western Slavic nation. We have been part of Holy Roman Empire, moreover Prague was for some time the centrum of it, Austrian Empire and still Czech lands were the most industrialized among the other nations within. If you do not know what our history is, I kindly ask you to shut your mouth and do not post any more comments.