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Posts by Frank  

Joined: 14 Aug 2006 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 22 Nov 2016
Threads: Total: 23 / In This Archive: 19
Posts: Total: 1,183 / In This Archive: 978 		From: Ireland
Interests: Travel, cars, gr8 food!

Displayed posts: 997 / page 32 of 34
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Frank   
30 Oct 2006
UK, Ireland / Integration with our new Polish neighbours in Ireland [12]

People, thanks for your kind sentiments.

Its been a very complex, unrewarding experience for a huge number of people in N Ireland.

Attitudes are still entrenched in significant areas, much still need to be done.

Part of the problem in Belfast and some other towns has been that Polish (Catholics) have moved,( unwittingly) into Protestant areas, hence they have been less than welcome and are then victims of racsim/bigotry...an important thing for Polish immigrants to note when coming to N Ireland!!

Today I met two Polish people, one a care worker in a nursing home, another a lady who may be working for us shortly. Both are intent on staying In Ireland and are educating their children here, so even after 1-2 years, Polish people are regarding Ireland as home.......great to see!
Frank   
30 Oct 2006
UK, Ireland / Integration with our new Polish neighbours in Ireland [12]

Guys, I live in a small country town in N Ireland, population 14,000 roughly 60/40 religious split, Catholic/Protestant.

After 30 years of "troubles" things are sorta settling down. During this time around 3000 people lost their lives. If we put this in context for the UK as a complete country it would have meant 118,000 ( ie 10% of what they lost during the 2nd WW.) killed during a similar period ( In Poland.....equivalent to 76000 killed)

So you can see just how devastating this period was for such a small population.

Today they officially opened a "mixed" public housing scheme of just 20 houses...local catholics/protestants/travelling people/English and east Europeans.

This is the first scheme of its kind, the tenants have signed up to a "charter" agreeing not to act in a sectarian fashion.

In order to understand the type of nationalistic/facist statements made on this board at times, it does us no harm to put into context these sorts of primitive attitudes.

Different peoples don't always like to live together, they like to stay together in their own social groups for a whole variety of reasons. Can they integrate/will they integrate?

For schooling, 95% of children are still educated in one faith schools (effectively). And much to my surprise today the statistics for public housing were also given.

In N Ireland as a whole 90% of public housing is one religion or the other, and in Belfast (city of 600000) 97% of the public housing is either wholly Catholic or wholly Protestant!!!

So perhaps you can understand how local people react to "foreigners" coming to "their" country to take "their" jobs. The posts on this board made by a small number of posters reflect how things are percieved by some groups.

As always it takes a significant period of time for the locals to get used to new groups, to feel secure and not to react in a primitve reactionary fashion to percieved threats etc....in this instance 600000 Polish immagrants to the UK!!

Its a steep learning curve for everyone, I hope we can sort ourselves out here in N Ireland, and I hope our new Polish neighbours/friends can also integrate to the advantage of everyone.

As before, I can only wish all concerned, all the very best for the future!
Frank   
30 Oct 2006
UK, Ireland / They eat a LOT of chocolate in the UK! [30]

Guys..........as usual there are different types of chocolate......the international standard is min 30% cocao solids for milk chocolate and 70% dark chocolate....anything else cannot be classed as such...least thats what the French and Belgians say!

Effectvely those items bought in UK are "candy"...full of sugar/fats as a cheap substitute....bad for you......!
Frank   
30 Oct 2006
Life / I want to leave Poland [82]

LOL...so cows, sheep, and even horses....don't have feelings........and esp. horse aren't loved?

Oh, please its only another animal..............a dog that is, given human characteristic traits by people who have lots of time on their hands for animals.......and not humans......:(

Yes, if the dog"belonged" to you it was theft, not fair, but if they eat/breed dogs for eating and kill them humanely, I don't believe that there is a law against it in most(all) countries?

It takes all sorts, some we agree with others......well....

And to go back on thread, yes the points raised by posters are very relevant, aim for an area of defined shortages, nursing at the moment - the RCN magazine is saying that trusts will sack 20000 in the next 6 months, but in some areas there is a huge need for midwifes, so do lots of research.

Manual , basic jobs may now become harder to get.

Point one....do get your English up to a good standard.
Two...network with your friends/family who have already gone there
Three...make arrangements for temp accommodation BEFORE you leave
Four ....have a back up fund to tide you over for 4 weeks, just in case
Five...if possible have a job set up for you BEFORE you arrive
Six...don't believe everything you are told/read in papers/message boards!!
Frank   
28 Oct 2006
News / Terrible School Incident in Gdansk, Poland [34]

At our school, many years ago, we operated a vigilante system, any of our year/mates were picked on, 1/2 dozen of us used to confront bully..........explain where they went wrong, and then used the subtle hint of a swift brutal response ...if they stepped out of line again.

Needless to say, we never actually had to do anything whatsoever.

Am afriad, believing anything that comes out a of a politicians mouth is not really on, they choose the easiest option, best sound bite, but there are many other factors, all involved from all aspects, are virtually equally guilty, a very very sad day for all her family and friends, indeed for Poland, and that a little girl felt the only way out was to take her own precious life.

Is Poland any worse/different from other EU countries..........probably not.
Frank   
27 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

At the moment it appears the process is a bit more complex in Poland, but will find out soon enough!
Frank   
27 Oct 2006
News / Darwins theory of Evolution in Polish schools [59]

Maxxx, I think that the Adam and Eve story is a good deal less than being remotely plausible!!

But I suspect it was a way of "innocently" explaining the very complex rational behind...how we all got here, it was a story of its day....but now we know differently.

A famous Archbishop of his day here in Ireland, calculated, by reading the bible, the exact time that the earth began and he came up with a date somewhere around 3600BC ( not sure if its this date but you know what I mean!)

So the bible, patently is wrong in its assertations. Darwinism, seems a good deal more likely, until the next theory comes along!
Frank   
27 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Jasiu...thanx for that , but am a "newbie" in the Polish property market.....am just ready to test the waters now...!!..regards, Frank

PS Keep us all informed of your dealings though!
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Well, as per our e-mails, more inclined to go with local knowledge, as we talk/type/post, am firming up dates mid next month.

But anything you think is of use let me know, thanx, Frank

Just had this newsletter delivered to my inbox.......all correct guys?...........see section copied below....;

What Are The Standard Legal Costs When Buying Property?

You must use a licensed notary to conduct all contract agreements, signed in the form of notary public acts. A notary charges roughly 2% and it is worth noting that fees are capped at a designated level, so there is a threshold.

The notary publics will inspect the contracts and will conclude that the contracts to be signed conform to the Law. Foreigners are advised to hire a lawyer to represent them as notaries are merely acting as intermediaries between the two parties.

Who pays for the legal fees?

The good thing is that the buyer usually has the right to pick the notary, but this also means that the buyer should cover the fees. This should come as a relief more than anything as you’d be the one putting money down. The standard costs of real estate transfers are following:

- notary public fees
- costs of registering the legal title transfer in the perpetual book
- costs of registering eventual mortgage in the perpetual book

These costs are capped, but we cannot put an exact figure on these as it depends on the value of the property being purchased.
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Lol..........no accusations of your tricking me W., just pulling your leg!

Those are all I have, sorry, any other thoughts?
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Wroclaw, is this a trick question or are you checking if I've come of age vis a vis the seriousness of my quest.......lol.....hold on, will check my url listings.....

homesales.pl/search.php?id=2

mamdom.com/searchpows.php?selllet=sprzedam&wojcode=dolnos&typ=mieszkania&u_usern=&u_userp

oferty.net/mieszkania

mls.com.pl/mieszk_en.html

allegro.pl/20782_nieruchomosci.html

krn.pl/szukaj_nieruchomosci.php?ireg=1&am=Wroc%B3aw&akc=1&ryn=2&obi=1&pll=&plh=

anonse.pl/nieruchomosci/sprzedaz/mieszkania?brak

and thats about it, some are in Polish, which means I didn't fully understand how to access the information, let me know if they are useful or how best to proceed!
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Yes, judging by Jasius post, there does appear to be an inner track/circle, where its best to try and garner info from, but am not sure how that can be done!

But as per previous posts, am interested in the centre of town locations...we will see!
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Wroclaw, I did say mostly, I am sure there are hot spots, select cities, towns districts and then places in certain cities etc ( and yes, new housing stock, would seem much more attractive), but other areas must be in the doldrums, 1-2 million people cannot have left the country , even temporarliy for it not to have impacted....or was there always a housing/flat shortage?

Apols for my overseas lack of grasp on the local market place.........for the moment......lol.............decision....is almost made!
Frank   
26 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Guys, one of the main reasons to buy soon is due to the current lack of pressure on housing stock, ie a significant number of people who may have wanted to buy or rent have left the country....temporarily.....so now is the time to move when the market is mostly, ticking over, ready to take off when the emigrants begin to return in 1-2 yrs time....mark my words!
Frank   
25 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Yeah...it may have been, but you sound ...how shall I say, quite pissed off!!!...:(

Did she say how much more she sold it for, or was it a "too good to be true" bargain in the first place?

So Jasiu...effectively you are saying its all word of mouth or how do you get into the inner circle?
Frank   
25 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

So its a Polish thing too.........agreed price, about to sign.....then out of no-where a new bidder?

A real one?

What is the market like at the minute, what are estate agents saying, word in the press?
Frank   
23 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Ok, thanx for that, as you said you'd keep us up-to-date........great!
Frank   
23 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Jasiu...........quality stuff....thanks for your time, input and clarity..........bar the string bit....lol

Just one or two queries....bear with me...and am sure a few more guys!

This per sq metre, is for all on the list?....."Krakow flat 49sqm @ 3500 zl" = 171500zl?..the others just multiple up?

Just trying to get a handle on additional costs etc.......whether to budget for 3-5% or more like 6-9%?....your thoughts?

In your opinion, the net/adverts via the net and estate agents, not anywhere as good value wise etc compared to word on the ground/local knowledge?
Frank   
22 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Guys......many thanks for all the research since (I was on a break for a few days!)....we are nailing down the actual "breakdown" costs of buying in Poland, more than useful...A*...so far!

Now if we could, get some one to go through their experience... as per the first post on the thread, that would be even better, then if we got a variety of experiences listed, covering new builds/off plan buying, house purchases and apartment purchases ( am leaving out land/business purchases for the moment as these seem even more complex!), so we would have a full "portfolio" of buying experiences, what do you all think?

Thanks again, Frank

Just stole this from the property tax situation 1st jan 2007 thread (attributed to Arrrgh!).....wholly true or anyone comment.......!

"All Polish property purchased after Jan 1, 2007 will be subject to a sort of Capital Gains Tax. I think the rate is 19%. This means, after subtracting all your costs - such as putting a new roof on the property, or tiles in the bathroom (providing these are all properly VAT receipted) - you will have to pay 19% on your profit when selling the property. "
Frank   
17 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Thanks Wroclaw/Iwona....for your help...again, can you get us sample costs for each etc....looking forward to it...no e-mail yet Wroclaw........
Frank   
17 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

Ok, guys so their are some queries regarding the duties/percentages involved in both new property transactions and 2nd hand homes, can someone ask a notary what their actual fees are?

Or maybe there is an official sliding scale of charges/duties that all notaries charge, perhaps copy it onto the board?

Appeals to Polish posters!
Frank   
17 Oct 2006
Feedback / Your thoughts on Admin......... [64]

Hear hear Spiritus........:)

The other forum at times turns into a verbal blood bath.....tough to wade through all the negative/personal stuff just to get real opinions and or facts, stories, history about Poland, its people and everyday life.
Frank   
17 Oct 2006
Feedback / Your thoughts on Admin......... [64]

Wozzy....I was always at the top of the class....he says modestly.........lol....but its an option you find on other message boards, not my idea alone!!!!....:)
Frank   
17 Oct 2006
Feedback / Your thoughts on Admin......... [64]

ok..agree...not easy..etc.....what about instead of them policing ALL the posts, how about having a "report a post" button on each post...so we can do the policing for them....?...
Frank   
16 Oct 2006
Feedback / Your thoughts on Admin......... [64]

Ok, but posters who are very provocative, rude, disruptive, racist etc..............your thoughts?
Frank   
16 Oct 2006
Feedback / Your thoughts on Admin......... [64]

Wolfie.......good to hear!

But, I would on occasions welcome admin stepping in to ....how shall I say tone down or "control" some posters...perhaps delete some posts or even suspend certain posters...I know its hard to control everything....but its worth doing!
Frank   
16 Oct 2006
Life / Whats driving like in Poland? [70]

I have driven there on two occasions, sure you have to be more careful in a strange environment plus being from Ireland.

It is a little more risky, but you try and do what the locals do, bearing in mind you won't be able to explain what happened to any friendly traffic cop!
Frank   
16 Oct 2006
Real Estate / Apartment purchase in Poland [226]

According to this article....its 2-2.5% of the value...perhaps again local Polish people can verify?

channel4.com/4homes/buyingabroad/countryguides/cg_poland-2.html

Not sure if its my particularly crappy computer guys, but it freezes when searching on the Channel 4 site....you have been warned!!

PS Bloody Microsoft!