Jason, hi, Although it is hard to make general statements as you did and as Tim pointed out, but I agree with you that I also find, unfortunately, American women very shallow. I spent several months to find an American girlfriend both in normal day to day life and also in dating sites, but they just care for the athletic looks and tall height and if you have money or not. For example you can be average in all categories but can have a super career and a very well educated man, they do not care for those nice qualities in general. A lot of women in American dating sites have told me that they really do not care about a man's career and education and intellectual qualities. IF a man brings 100 thousand US dollars per year, whether it is from scientific and space explorations in Mars, or from selling illegal drugs, or some other job, 90 percent of the American women I talked to said they do NOT care "what the source is" as long as you manage to bring 100 thousand US dollars per year. I have observed and been in those situations many many times. So that is very common among the women in the US. Most American women are after an "eye candy" and good money!
On the other hand, for the eastern European woman things are a bit different. In general I can say that the Eastern European women usually care "less" for money. It is of secondary or even tertiary importance for the majority of the Eastern European women because most of them have seen some kind of economic hardships in their country sometime in their lifetime. So they can be happy in a more "modest life style" as long as the "basics" are covered.
OK now what do they care more: They respect and like a highly intellectual mind a lot. if you have a good education or have educated yourself somehow, they will respect you for that. And they care about things like "you work hard to provide a better life" for your wife and kids; to give them a better education, better housing, better health-care and better food etc. They do appreciate the "caring, provider, and giving nature" in men. But this will be based on your efforts and dedication, and how passionate you are towards your wife and kids. Do you care for her comfort and her needs? Do you genuinely try to improve their comfort and well being? How attentive you are towards your wife and the kids? Do you really listen to her and try your best to understand her? They will take a notice of your efforts, intentions and care immediately.
For the short term, the other posters have already mentioned the fact that you need to be able cover the initial expenses of international travel (1000 USD air fare per travel for yourself and say 400-1000 US dollars for hotels, food, gifts etc for a week to ten days. so about 1500-2000 per travel per person) plus the expenses of her to come and see you, or have a vacation somewhere together elsewhere. Then you need more to start a life together... if she has kids you will need to think about the school, and this and that...
From purely financial point of view, You should at least try to match things up, and "cover the basics". And believe me that is "not" a lot compared to what an American woman would need and want... But the point I am trying to make is that you have to put more effort and care in understanding her, her needs and her well being. And be attentive and have a "providing and giving" character even though you can not bring a lot in terms of money.
best of luck in your search...