Their rate was a fraction of teams in the US and communication was great.
Perfecting remote work during covid showed companies how easy it is to hire cheaper developers in other countries.
Yes means yes, no means no, "how was your weekend" and then down to business. It's a pleasure interacting with them.
Funny story, the lead on our Eastern European team told me a while back that he had to tell his team:
When the North Americans ask at the beginning of a meeting "How's it going?", they do NOT really want to know how you are doing. It's just social lubrication before getting to work.
Before that, we were getting to learn that their mother in-laws in town or different medical issues.
I can’t imagine ever working with India, etc again though. If you’re already eating the time zone cost Eastern Europe is much better.