Language / How long to get fluent in Polish? [41]

I feel the same. Basic stuff is ok, but when you need to be conversational its very tough. A massive quantum leap.

Life / Brits moving to live in Poland [88]

Hi,

I can help on this issue. I am originally from the midlands in the UK, and have lived in Bydgoszcz, Poland for approx 18months, with my girlfriend (now wife). Culturally its very different to the Uk. The main advantage is cost, but to an extent its getting more expensive here and the £ is falling vs zloty (important if you earn money in pounds).

I would say, Language is tough, roads/drivers are crap, architecture quite depressing etc. I think if you move to Poland the adjustment would be easier if you moved to a bigger city like Warsaw or Krakow, as there is just more going on, and the language difficulty wouldnt be so prevalent.

Law / Debts & Death in Poland - who is responsible? [8]

the -50k would be paid by the institutions that the debt was taken with. In this sense, they would factor this into their business model by interest rates etc.

Law / Debts & Death in Poland - who is responsible? [8]

In the UK, if total net assets of an estate are under £285,000 then there is no tax to pay. Over this it is taxed at 40%.

If the person has negative assets (debts). The debts die with the person.

Law / Debts & Death in Poland - who is responsible? [8]

So, if you decline the heritage, you miss out on family possessions etc, but you dont inherit debts?

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

So, did you ever manage to speak polish?

I live in Bydgoscz, its freezing here. I managed to break up the last winter by watching The Ashes in Oz.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

Bubbawoo,

I suppose its better going with an architect firm, who can then project manage the redevelopment for me. Is a 1000zl a square metre a fair estimate on renovation costs?

How is it you are located in Poland?

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

I wont be buying that book at 1200 euros thats for sure.

Bubba,

Can I ask where did you find contractors to renovate your properties?

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

I looked at the bydgoszcz situation. There are a lot of soviet-type communist blocks here. 50m2 go for about 250k. So i dont know how much scope there are for refurbs. But saying that, the interior on some of these flats are pretty horrific.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

Wow. That place is awesome. Stunning. Not sure i'd pay that though.
It seems there are a lot of opportunities though, which is a good thing.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

I also wondered are most polish flats leasehold or freehold?

Maybe more than 1m then. But I suppose attracting 1m+ buyers is the tricky thing.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

735k, spend 120k on it. sell for 1m? Maybe i'm dreaming.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

.partnerzy.gda.pl/index.php?qo_nr=PU88235s

This seems a bargain, considering the location & size. Although i cant see the actual pictures of the flat. But i wonder how long the 1mzl+ properties take to sell in sopot?

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

Ok. I'll look at the bydgoszcz situation. So your advice is to renovate smallish flats <50m2 flats and sell them and move onto the next one?

How many flats have you sold?

I dont think there is much money to be made on off-plan apartments in bydgoszcz. It needs to be more an intl location 1st.

Real Estate / How do I look for property in the Sopot area? [45]

Ok,

I have just registered. 70tys is good for a couple of months work. I dont speak polish but my wife does, so we could work as a team together on this.

My only worry on polish property development is that the end client will be polish, who, from my experience, find it difficult to part with money. Maybe I am wrong on this aspect.