News / The Polish Economy and its future [101]


A lot of water is going to flow under the bridge before and if this occurs, and a few possible wild cards in the mean time, ie effects of global warming, downturn in the economy (recession).

When Poland gets richer so do other countries economies, when real estate goes up so do homes in other countries, so Poland returns to square one.

The current world economic system works in such a way that there will always be a minority of rich people and the rest who battle on. There will be rich countries and poor countries, the rich countries would not be rich if there were no poor countries.

USA, Canada / My personal (Polish) view on USA. [105]


I agree with you comments Witek, unfortunately our brain washed Polish/Americans will be quick to respond with verbal abuse.

Somebody in a previous thread stated that Americans and Polish people are as one!, what utter rubbish. No decent person has any respect for America (I am not saying here that all American people are bad people) absolutely not. It is the system which is evil and corrupt.

Poland needs to now focus on the EU parliament and give the US a big miss.
It is only a question of time when we will all be saying to give the EU a big miss and go back to basics.

Life / Polish people living in Poland, How do you see your future? [37]


You seem to know a lot about the financial situation in Poland Witek and thats great, can you tell me how the average Polish person getting say 2000zl a month able to splash his money around like this, or are you talking about polish business institutions?

12. Wedding and Holy Communion presents.

Travel / anyone been to Piotrków Trybunalski? [24]


I've been there a few times visiting relatives, its not the nicest place to visit, lots of crime and you hear that a lot of murders take place in that neck of the woods

Life / Polish people living in Poland, How do you see your future? [37]


What are you trying to say, one could respond by saying what will be real estate prices in New York, London, Sydney in 20 years time?

The truth of the matter is that Real Estate is out of reach for the most Polish people living in Poland, I doubt if Polish people living in other countries will drop what they are doing and be on the next flight to Poland to secure a investment property bargain, remember there are many ways to skin a cat, Real Estate is a good form of investment at the moment, as the investment cycle moves on lets await the next flavor of the month, who nows it may be the stock exchange. This means that the last person buying a real estate property will be left carrying the bag!

I'm very sure sure the smart business person is now making his money elsewhere>

Life / Polish people living in Poland, How do you see your future? [37]


Your not saying Witek that the money is not worth sending now because of the low dollar,


Agreed, there are still a few crumbs left on the table worth going for!

Life / What makes you proud to be Polish? [150]


Rodak, I think you are very unfair to yourself and fellow poles, You obviously haven't see how the other world live and the crime waves in other countries, Polish people are more honest than most, sure some Polish people give us a bad name but understand its a bigger temptation to steal in a richer country when you are struggling to make ends meet.

Life / Polish people living in Poland, How do you see your future? [37]

Well if somebody told you your relative had a property worth 1 Million Zlote would you bother!, You would ask them to send you a few parcels.


Don't doubt that, "mansions" will always attract a good buyer.
Some people are trying to sell you run down homes and tell you to do it up, biggest mistake you can make, best start from new with new technology, a lot of old homes have rot and are not worth doing up. The red tape and taxation is a bit of a worry when doing business in Poland (it can only improve)

Life / Polish people living in Poland, How do you see your future? [37]

Thanks for all your responses, I posted this post back in January this year and have just returned from a lightening visit to Poland, I've come back with mixed emotions about my visit and can see the positives and negatives about life in Poland in the future.

What comes to mind is that Poland has a rich culture and history, and its people are genuine and friendly. Its young excel in academics and are well educated and Polish girls are the prettiest in the world. Unfortunately Poland produces very little products which attract the export market, ie Germany has a lot to offer (everything from cars to washing machines)

The second wild card is current wage and salaries offered to Polish workers. I know some Polish people earn a lot of money, but the average Polish worker would be lucky to bring home 2000zl a month. Cost are cheaper in Poland than Australia but not in every area..(petrol cost 2.8zl a litre in Oz as compared to Poland approx 4.8zl)

I think it will take a long time before wages in Poland equal to that of the west.

In regard to real estate, prime real estate in Poland will continue to grow, but I can foresee a major correction to prices in the outer suburban areas.

Investors are probably better off going countries like Romania or Bulgaria to secure a better return.
Some people still think that properties will increase by 50% in the next year, these people should put there money where there mouth is and start buying up, I won't because there are too many factors that point the other way.

One person told me that you won't buy a house for less than 1M zl, well hello, what person living in Poland could even dream about such a proposition. I told one person if he had that sort of money he should come to Oz and buy a investment property there, it would make better sense.

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]


there are plenty, a lot opt for cash in hand, show me a polish worker who earns 3000zl plus?

Work / Salary indication job in Poland [44]


mmmm..thats the bottom line, depends on the kind of profession!

Law / Advice on investment of $40,000 in the Warsaw area [30]


I'm listening!....how......by the way I'm not unemployed

Law / Advice on investment of $40,000 in the Warsaw area [30]

Living in outer parts of Poland has its own problems, it may be nice and plenty of fresh air, but try and find a job, power is sometimes cut for a long period of time, poor transport and living life with peasants who have nothing better to do than drink vodka day and night.

Law / Advice on investment of $40,000 in the Warsaw area [30]

I may be wrong but I feel the price of homes in Poland are over priced, in my estimate the average price of a house should be halved, (I'm not talking about properties in Krakow, Warsaw and Zakopana, they have a different market)

My thinking is based on income of the average Polish person ie 3000Zl a month and what is currently being offered for sale ie sh.t properties in outer regions for some 400,000 zl, some of the regions offer nothing apart from high unemployment, crime and drunkenness.

I just wonder what percentages of homes are sold on allegro? anybody like to guess?

Law / Advice on investment of $40,000 in the Warsaw area [30]


You can thank foreign investors and people returning home after a stint working in the west for the high property market. I suspect property prices will come down in not so good locations... time will tell!

USA, Canada / Canadian moving to Poland...any advice? [30]

Watch out for thieves, assault merchants and con men/women.

Law / Advice on investment of $40,000 in the Warsaw area [30]


I agree with Hullo, its horses for courses, prices in the country are always cheaper than in the city... likewise in Poland, you can buy a liveable home in Poland for around 100,000Zl ( in the country of course).

You can buy a house in Australia for $40,000A in a small country town.

News / Just answer 4 quick Q's on "Polish Dress" pleaseeeeee(",) [10]


What are the social services in Poland?

Isn't the age pension automatic once you reach pension age?

Will the EU force Poland to change its social security pensions in the future.

As I see it, not too many people receive 3000zl a month say 2000zl clear, thats only 500 zl a month, not much to enjoy the good life or be thinking of buying a house.

PS, I might add Mr Kowalski that your information about living in Poland is excellent and I treat it as Gospel. thanks

News / Just answer 4 quick Q's on "Polish Dress" pleaseeeeee(",) [10]

Thanks for the information Mr Kowalski, it seems that the tax rate is very high in Poland, which means little buying power for the Polish people., thanks

Australia / Famous Australians [97]


Kidman is a Australian, both parents were Australian, father who was doctor who moved to USA , returned to Oz when Nicole was 4yoa. She has a lot of properties in oz

News / Just answer 4 quick Q's on "Polish Dress" pleaseeeeee(",) [10]


Mr Kowalski how much tax do you pay on the 936/3027zl, is there a tax calculator to work out tax liability, ta,

Australia / Famous Australians [97]


Thanks Ranj, you Americans have good tastes, and know what your are talking about, I can't include you as a famous American (yet) but your getting there!:)

News / Polish myths. Poland is one of the countries that count in the world. [49]

I accept the points Stefan is making, he is not having a go at Poland but just making a observation, I think what you have to understand quest is that people want to live in the present and not dream about the past, most people are concerned with making ends meet in daily living, something which is very difficult to achieve in the new Poland.

History / My Opinion about the Former President Walesa, Lech [28]


hmmm...The people I was speaking to thought Walesa was a joke and should go back to his trade replacing light globes.
There is no doubt has achieved a lot but has reached his expiry date, he cannot claim credit for the downfall of communism alone, the other players were President Regan and John Paul 2. It has to be remembered that the whole communism system was financially bankrupt and on its last leg. It was only a question of time when it would fall naturally.

It is interested to note that Walesa is seen in a very positive light in western countries and many people cannot understand why he is so disliked in Poland.

I feel that Walesa has been corrupted by the spoils of having enjoyed the good life and seems only concerned with his own status and making money.

It would be interesting to know what was the reason between the fallout between him Anna Walentynowicz and the Fr Jankowski?

Feedback / Regarding an announcement on cleaning the forums [18]


I don't think it will be going in the right direction Frank, this is a discussion forum, where you speak your mind, it seems now we will have to just agree with each other, hmmm what a great result!!!!:) We can thank the Irish for this one.

News / Poland over the next 10 years? [79]


To make you happy Poland will be a rich country (one day)


Iwona... try to look at the big picture and not be narrow minded, no one is saying Poland has not got tourist spots, it currently lacks sufficient world class motels, it will never be able to produce the high standard of goods as made in Germany, nor compete with China or India (call centres)... Iwona you seem to think different, its a wonder you don't return to Poland and put your money where your mouth is!

News / Poland over the next 10 years? [79]

I think that Poland will never be a rich country and will always be trailing western type countries, the reason is that it has very little natural resources, a lack lustre manufacturing industries and very little tourist spots.. this doesn't mean that people will not be better off in the future with immense business possibilities, everything in Poland is in the kindergarden stage where people with a little capital and a smart mind can make a fortune and in 5 to 10 years be multi millionaires.. People coming from the west can zero in and take the icing on the cake..Real Estate always rates very high.

I personally believe that native poles do not understand the mechanics of a business ie
business risks, advertising etc.. Every area of business is up for grabs and the right people with little investments can reap great rewards....think about it folks.

Real Estate / New Polish Property Tax January 2007 [8]


most countries have a capital gains tax on investment properties, but not on a property deemed as one they live in, ie family home

Work / Average Polish Income is 2700zl per month [65]


When you quote the average wage (I think 2700zl a month sounds right) doesn't mean every man and women get that sort of money.

Firstly what is the tax component?

My cousin has just started working gets about 900zl a month minus tax.

Could I ask Mr Kowalski what he thinks ( he has always provided reliable and accurate information..)
Thanks in advance Sir.

Life / Drug use and culture in Poland [17]

Jan 29, 07 [23:40] - Attached on merging:
Drugs in Poland.

Most countries suffer drug abuse in many forms, it started with LSD (courtasy of the Vietnam war) and now we have ICE.(courtasy of the USA)

ICE is a drug which increases the body senses, it takes 5 to 6 people to hold a person down when effected. It is a new and frightening drug.

Has ICE reached its new targets in Poland, What is the drug situation in Poland?