Hi and welcome! You are very smart to ask these questions. A couple of points:
*Almost everyone loves the region they adopted from, since this is where their child is from. (And did you know that ALL the kids in that region are the most beautiful, healthiest, most intelligent IN THE WORLD??!) You may need to be specific in whatyou ask to get the most helpful responses.
*Ask people to respond who have RECENT experience in the region. As someone said, things change year to year. A "friendly" judge may retire and be replaced with a "troll" (said with nothing but affection
I have completed 2 adoptions in the very far east - Primorsky Krai region (Vladivostok). Pros: This region is very "independent minded", and is slow to implement some of the tough requirements in the areas closer to Moscow. (The Russians told me that Moscow doesn't care about what goes on in this area - Too far away to worry about!) For example, I was not required to do a Psych exam (excuse me while I get my gun), and the 8 doctor medical could be completed by your family doctor with a standard form letter from the State asserting their competence. I completed my most recent adoption start to end using a non-accredited agency... The other "pro" is that most agencies allow a "courrier option" for Trip 2, so you don't have to go to Moscow yourself - just wait it out in region. This means you can travel west via California or Seattle, instead of having to go via Europe.-Great option for folks in the western U.S. Vladivostok is modern, friendly, and not too expensive (with a nice Canadian hotel option).
Cons of Primorsky Krai: Travel to/from here is expensive, (I paid 2200 per tix). I did get to go via Seoul, the nicest airport in the world IMO. Many of the folks traveling recently, said they were originally matched with children who were sicker than what they requested. They declined the original referral, and subsequent referrals were healthier. In comparing notes, we wondered if this was systematic... Also, this is now a "blind" region, meaning you will receive very little if any information about your match until you travel. (FYI - Most regions are now blind...) This is an adoption friendly region, and many agencies are encouraging clients to go here. -Possibly this could slow referrals and court dates down a bit, but I'm not seeing this yet.