Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Frank,

That's not the way it is. Iwona is right when she is talking about the market. People here, for the past few years, have been buying flats before they are built and when they get the keys they have been selling them on for huge profit.

Also, here in Wroclaw we have up to 100,000 students and where possible parents are buying property for them.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

One reason for sending an SMS is that you don't have to speak. It's like sending an e-mail. I can cancel an appointment without the hassle of having to make excuses.

The mobile was invented and then the market was told that they should have one. No-one beforehand had said I want a mobile phone. The point here is that the American market haven't been told what they are missing. Either that or your phone companies are being greedy, and so, won't offer the service.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

If you are interested in telecommunications. look at antenna systems for wi-fi internet etc.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

Please understand this. Phone companies know what they are doing. They advertise the SMS service on TV etc. Sending an SMS is not free. It is just cheaper.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

That is their loss.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

Please be serious. The SMS service is a service offered by phone companies. It is not a loophole. The phone companies see it as another way of making a profit. And they do.

Life / Poles love to send SMS [47]

Ben,

It might take you five miutes to write an SMS. It takes my eight year old just a few seconds.
It is far cheaper to text than to phone, so youngsters especially, are both thrifty and fast.

Life / Moving to Wroclaw from California, need tips [30]

biz,
Wroclaw is going through a regeneration of sorts: new roads, refurfishment of the river banks etc. In places it really does look beautiful while in others it's less interesting. Coming from California it will be somewhat of a culture shock for you, but I'm sure that you'll soon get used to it if you are well travelled.

According to the Mayor, who was speaking on TV recently, we have 100,000 students in Wroclaw. That's 1 in 7 of the population and most of them speak English.

The city itself is German built, so if you've been to Germany the town centre would be typical.
Transport is by tram, bus, taxi, car or on foot.
The weather is changing at the moment and in one month it will be cold. Possibly as low as nine degrees below. So bring a coat.

There are a few posters from Wroclaw on this Forum so if you need to know more one of us might have an answer.

Genealogy / Is Rafal a Polish Name? [56]

Sarah,

Polish names are shortened in a different way to the English style.
So Katarzyna becomes Kasia. Not Kat. It has an ending that fits the female form in grammar.
They don't seem to use nicknames the way we do. Name changes are rather formal.

News / Darwins theory of Evolution in Polish schools [59]

Maxxx Payne,

Thanks for you reply.

Am I right in thinking you are against Darwinism ? Or were you just arguing my use of the word 'fact' ?

:)

News / Darwins theory of Evolution in Polish schools [59]

Maxxx Payne,

Help me to understand.

If all parts of the theory are facts then the theory is fact.

Please, show me where I am wrong.

Life / Polish workers arguing. Help please with film scene. [10]

shankly1,

Wouldn't it be better if you wrote the words and we translated.

Otherwise I'll need a name credit on the movie. :)

Work / Job opportunities in Poland for a foreigner? (other than a teacher) [175]

There are IT jobs in the Wroclaw area. I have no details, sorry. It's not my line of work.

Life / Poles Abroad - leaving the country for various reasons [20]

Hamburg has most records of this type. They have an archive but I don't know the address.
It might sound odd looking in Germany for Polish records but some German records are here in Wroclaw.

Work / Job opportunities in Poland for a foreigner? (other than a teacher) [175]

Don't be fooled by ukpolska's comment of 80zl per hour. You need a very good reputation to earn that and possibly a business deal with a company. Or maybe if you work in Warsaw.

Travel / Wow - Polish taxi drivers will do anything for you! [17]

uk,

It's not so common now but in the past all taxi drivers would run errands for you.
These days it doesn't happen so much because we have more shops and whatever you want is only a short walk away.

We had a similar service when I lived in Cyprus, years ago.

Travel / Wow - Polish taxi drivers will do anything for you! [17]

This is true.

News / Darwins theory of Evolution in Polish schools [59]

jawaboy,

The only reason some people are against Darwin's theory is that it contradicts the Bible. The theory is no longer a theory but fact. You evolved from the apes so get used to it.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Iwona,

I can only tell you what was said on the phone. I don't dispute your information.

We really need someone in the business to post some answers.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

The fee mentioned by the notary was for his fee only. It didn't take into account other costs which might or might not occur. This is part of the problem. the notary office would only discuss 'extras' after an appointment at his office.

So can we say that the stamp on the document, by a notary, costs from 3% down to 1%

Life / Whats driving like in Poland? [70]

Wozzy,

Bring a coat. We have frost, but it does warm up during the day.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

This is after a phone call.

The costs mentioned were from 3% down to 1%.

The higher the price of the property the lower the percentage.

There are hidden costs which the notary [we phoned] would only discuss in person.

It makes no difference if it is a new build or not.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Frank........... you should have had another e-mail.

Everyone..........You will get an answer to your notary fee question tomorrow. I'll make the call in the morning.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Buying a new flat.

When you buy a 'new build' flat in Poland it doesn't come with fixtures and fittings.

The type of flooring you choose, doors, bathroom fittings + tiles, kitchen are additional items. You buy a new build and then find someone or a company to finish the work.

Also, it's not very often that flats and houses are completed on time. Add to this the extra work needed and you'll find yourself moving in at least two or three months later than you thought.

Houses.

There are many houses on the market that are half built: i.e. The owner has run out of money and wishes to sell.
If the house was built by someone in his free time. Make sure that you check the original plans and also check to see if building regulations have been followed.

This one is simple.

Buy a small expensive flat in the city or a big house [which needs some repair] in the country. Same price.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

fiodor,

Just had a chat. He's not responsible for a search. Sorry.

The notary is responsible for the document which shows that both parties agree on specific aspects of the sale.

Fiodor,

'search' doesn't mean search for property. It means search 'the history of the property'

Sorry, If I misunderstand you.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

fiodor,

You pay the notary in the same way that you pay a solicitor. He is responsible for any search that has to be made and therefore responsible if things should go wrong.

Is a solicitor free ? No

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

bernadetem,

I can't tell you how to spend your money. But there are plenty of people here who will cheat you out of your fortune and spend it for you.

One of the tricks here is to sell a house that actually belongs to someone else. [the owner is living in England/USA etc.

Make sure you have a notary deal with your purchase, Otherwise it will mean nothing at all.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

OK
I'm off to bed,

Goodnight.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Frank,

check now.

Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Frank,

I've sent you an e-mail. It's a serious offer if you need a translator and some help.

Did you get it ?