MrBubbles
27 Nov 2007
Life / Polish dentists - good and cheap? [84]
You get what you pay for - Poland is cheap so you can afford to get the best
You get what you pay for - Poland is cheap so you can afford to get the best
MrBubbles
27 Nov 2007
Real Estate / property in Lodz - anyone any experience [102]
Good for you. So why are you telling me this?
So you're saying that the property market is responding naturally to free market rules? Why is it then that most potential housebuyers in England cannot afford a starter home? My brother and his girlfriend both earn a little over minimum wage but they cannot put a deposit down an anything more than a 1- bedroom studio in Hull. Shouldn't the free hand of the market move to allow equal access to the market?
Yes. But in this case the government artificially inflated the market by keeping interest rates low for far too long to encourage property speculation and boost the economy. The laws of supply and demand no longer apply.
And then the ethics of applying the free market to an essential commodity such as housing should be considered...
Well, a property speculator from Saudi told me that so let's agree to disagree ;)
Good luck to your and your woman by the way! Drop me a line if you're around
I have bought these properties partly because I need somewhere to live because I am there for one week in every four, and partly for long term investment - but I don't have to justify that to anyone.
Good for you. So why are you telling me this?
Regarding the property market in the UK. You are wrong. The market is driven by supply and demand, we have greater demand than supply, driven by more people living by themselves, people living longer, divorces and net influx of people to this country.
So you're saying that the property market is responding naturally to free market rules? Why is it then that most potential housebuyers in England cannot afford a starter home? My brother and his girlfriend both earn a little over minimum wage but they cannot put a deposit down an anything more than a 1- bedroom studio in Hull. Shouldn't the free hand of the market move to allow equal access to the market?
Yes. But in this case the government artificially inflated the market by keeping interest rates low for far too long to encourage property speculation and boost the economy. The laws of supply and demand no longer apply.
And then the ethics of applying the free market to an essential commodity such as housing should be considered...
Mass property acquisitions by French is unheard of and the Russian's - will yes there are some high profile billionaires that have bought here but really I don't think that will effect me.
Well, a property speculator from Saudi told me that so let's agree to disagree ;)
Good luck to your and your woman by the way! Drop me a line if you're around
MrBubbles
24 Nov 2007
Life / Health care in Poland for ex-pats [26]
Thanks! Good article -
statmedica.com/hospitals.php?art=aw1
Thanks! Good article -
statmedica.com/hospitals.php?art=aw1
MrBubbles
23 Nov 2007
Life / Health care in Poland for ex-pats [26]
Thanks for the advice Lukasz, Avalon.
Hope you don't mind but I decided to check the National Insurance helpline just to be double certain. The Inland Revenue seem fairly unanimous that since I'm currently resident in Poland, my British contributions unfortunately don't cover me for hospital treatment. The E111 is really only for tourists.
If I weren't working, I could fill in an 'E106' and I would be covered, although this is really for people who are going abroad to retire.
So - looks like I have to start paying ZUS contributions. Bleedin racket or what?
Thanks for the advice Lukasz, Avalon.
Hope you don't mind but I decided to check the National Insurance helpline just to be double certain. The Inland Revenue seem fairly unanimous that since I'm currently resident in Poland, my British contributions unfortunately don't cover me for hospital treatment. The E111 is really only for tourists.
If I weren't working, I could fill in an 'E106' and I would be covered, although this is really for people who are going abroad to retire.
So - looks like I have to start paying ZUS contributions. Bleedin racket or what?
MrBubbles
23 Nov 2007
Life / Health care in Poland for ex-pats [26]
I'm an English ex-pat - I spend most of my time in Poland (at least 8 months a year).
The question is, am I entitled to medical care in a public hospital in Poland? I pay voluntary NI contributions to the UK system and I'm up to date with them.
If not, what the heck should I do? Private medical insurance?
Grateful for any advice!!!!!
I'm an English ex-pat - I spend most of my time in Poland (at least 8 months a year).
The question is, am I entitled to medical care in a public hospital in Poland? I pay voluntary NI contributions to the UK system and I'm up to date with them.
If not, what the heck should I do? Private medical insurance?
Grateful for any advice!!!!!
MrBubbles
21 Nov 2007
Love / My sweet Polish girlfriend's family doesn't want us together [17]
Don't take this the wrong way, Rocky, but maybe your Dad's a dick? Just keep a low profile and the parents will forget about ou being the son of Satan when they realize what a nice guy you are. If your dad wants to hang out with your girlfriend's family, he'll have to learn to moderate his views - which is only common courtesy. If your 'inlaws' still act stupidly then screw them but remember that the Poles are much closer to their families - if you make her choose between you and them it might be difficult...
my dad is a bit of a argumentative person and as well as a lobbyist
Don't take this the wrong way, Rocky, but maybe your Dad's a dick? Just keep a low profile and the parents will forget about ou being the son of Satan when they realize what a nice guy you are. If your dad wants to hang out with your girlfriend's family, he'll have to learn to moderate his views - which is only common courtesy. If your 'inlaws' still act stupidly then screw them but remember that the Poles are much closer to their families - if you make her choose between you and them it might be difficult...
MrBubbles
18 Nov 2007
Real Estate / property in Lodz - anyone any experience [102]
Read the post Deano - I'm complaining about short term property speculation. I've got nothing against people buying a flat to live in (with their other half) and perhaps sell sometime in the future when they move. Good luck to them.
Read the post Deano - I'm complaining about short term property speculation. I've got nothing against people buying a flat to live in (with their other half) and perhaps sell sometime in the future when they move. Good luck to them.
MrBubbles
18 Nov 2007
Real Estate / property in Lodz - anyone any experience [102]
Of course it's a wonderful thing when everyone has money and the economy's thriving but Poland simply isn't ready for get rich quick property speculation schemes from Western carpetbaggers. There is already a huge disparity between the lower and higher earners in Lodz, far more so than most other parts of Poland (and Eastern Europe in general) and distorting the property market will only serve to increase commercial pressures on low earning blue collar workers,
I've bought property in Lodz but I'm living here and I'm hoping to keep the property until well into my retirement rather than flogging it off in 5 years' time. I sure as Hell don't want the other flats in my area bought up and filled with foreign workers who contribute nothing other than (some) money to the local community.
Look at what property speculation has done to the UK market. Property is so overpriced now that the main groups investing buy to let are French and Russian entrepreneurs. I can't wait until the market crashes in the UK. A really big one. I'll be laughing my head off when it happens.
Breeding new life to a run down area with new offices, restaurants, sport facilities, shops, park areas and of course work must be good. I accept that in the immediate area newly built property may be too expensive for many people but this is progress and every city in every country that has experienced progress has gone through this transition. Investment and development on balance will be a good thing.
Of course it's a wonderful thing when everyone has money and the economy's thriving but Poland simply isn't ready for get rich quick property speculation schemes from Western carpetbaggers. There is already a huge disparity between the lower and higher earners in Lodz, far more so than most other parts of Poland (and Eastern Europe in general) and distorting the property market will only serve to increase commercial pressures on low earning blue collar workers,
I've bought property in Lodz but I'm living here and I'm hoping to keep the property until well into my retirement rather than flogging it off in 5 years' time. I sure as Hell don't want the other flats in my area bought up and filled with foreign workers who contribute nothing other than (some) money to the local community.
Look at what property speculation has done to the UK market. Property is so overpriced now that the main groups investing buy to let are French and Russian entrepreneurs. I can't wait until the market crashes in the UK. A really big one. I'll be laughing my head off when it happens.
MrBubbles
13 Nov 2007
Love / friendhship with polish girl [63]
So what exactly did you expect from her? That she'd follow you around and be your special friendy or something?
I feel sad that the girl whom i cared a lot as friend is completely different person.
So what exactly did you expect from her? That she'd follow you around and be your special friendy or something?
MrBubbles
13 Nov 2007
Love / HOW CAN POLISH WOMEN KEEP A BLACK MAN? [84]
Go on then - How can Polish women keep a black man?
Go on then - How can Polish women keep a black man?
MrBubbles
13 Nov 2007
Travel / Im Visiting Lodz. Is it BIG mistake? [13]
Some say it's not the architecture that makes a country. Or the language. Not even the food. It's the people.
Unfortunately, most of the people in Lodz are c**ts
Some say it's not the architecture that makes a country. Or the language. Not even the food. It's the people.
Unfortunately, most of the people in Lodz are c**ts
MrBubbles
13 Nov 2007
UK, Ireland / Experiences of Irish people who moved to Poland [27]
True. Once you're in the family, you're in. Until then, they are very unfriendly if you can't offer them anything. Friends are measured by what they can offer.
If you are part of a good family here (ie dating or married to their daughter) then hey will go out of their way to help you, but do not expect any stranger to life a finger.
True. Once you're in the family, you're in. Until then, they are very unfriendly if you can't offer them anything. Friends are measured by what they can offer.
MrBubbles
13 Nov 2007
Real Estate / property in Lodz - anyone any experience [102]
My advice is to stay out of it. Property speculation distorts the market and ruins local communities.
My advice is to stay out of it. Property speculation distorts the market and ruins local communities.