I think when you look beyond the surface, the Balkans may actually be more alien to Anglos than Russia. The Balkans, and especially those countries, tend to be highly collectivist and extroverted. Your average American with his extremely individualistic mentality and need for privacy may not appreciate that. In Bulgaria, for example, I sometimes get annoyed by nosy people that try to stick their hands where they don't belong.I personally prefer the non EU Balkan countries, like Serbia, Bosnia (the Christian dominated part), Montenegro, over Russia because I find the cultural and climate jump to Russia pretty big
I wouldn't say it's quite that bad. Maybe you live in DC or something but "6.5" for me is still at least 10%. Of course in the '70s it would have been much more.The problem is, as I've stated, the number of 6.5s and up (6.5 or late bloomer 7 is probably the best wife, where she will really treat you well and you're attracted but you don't have to do ridiculous things or spend/run through hoops to maintain her like an "8") in the west is in the low single %, like 1-3.
It is very shocking to visit certain other countries where female beauty and feminity is the norm rather than the exception. Ukraine is the most striking example, though after 30 their looks fade extremely fast. Women in Western or Balkan countries usually age more gracefully.