I'm about to move to Kraków in the middle of September. I don't know the city, I haven' found yet appropriate accommodation, and there I will start to look for job. If you have any useful advice, please let me know. I would be really grateful for any remark.
Thanks Polson! I'm expecting to get there :) Anyway, how much is the minimum salary in Poland? I just counted, about 1000 zl could be enough for a month, and as an occasional worker (I don't know how it's said in english), you know: help in a café, in a kitchen or somewhere I can drive myself in english..., how much could I ask for an hour? :)
Another question: labour-exchange anyone knows a good labour-exchange in Kraków? mainly for students, or for people with 6-month experience
One hungarian guy said that when he came to Pl he felt like home. I felt the same way when I was in Hungary few years ago. Only barrier should be language.
1000 zl is not enough if it's your only money to you pay for food, accomodation, transport, entertainment, ....
I involved the accommodation costs, maybe you are right... and how about the deposit for an appartment? is it regular in Pl? for how many months do they ask in advance? I hope it's not requested by all... :)
Hello serwinv, And welcome to the Polish Forum. I missed your introduction. I am Irish and I used to live in Krakow and now I live just south of Krakow in the mountains. Krakow is a beautiful city, the most beautiful in Poland in my opinion. You will have a great time here. You must get your accommodation very very quickly. Krakow is a student town and they take everything, this time of year. Otherwise you will be overcharged and live far away from the centre.
It might be difficult to get a job that pays and accommodation, if you do not speak the language. The sites in English are usually much more expensive, so try to get someone to help you with that. Why do you want to move to Krakow? not that you need a reason but maybe you have one.
Sean! Thanks for your encourage. I know it won't be easy but to learn the polish language the best way is to move there for a while, i think.
My father is Polish(living in Budapest), i used to speak native polish, sadly i have forgotten because we never used it at home. Now, it's high time for me to pick up the language in an acceptable level. i just graduated this year, my contract with my previous employer expired, so i thought the time has come to deal with Polish; easy until i have no bounds...
Necramancer! I have read some writings about the decreasing culture-level in Kraków, and due to this the locals' unfavourable attitude towards foreigners. because of this i'm worried a bit, but i hope since it's a student city I will find multicultural companies too to entertain and help each other.
Yup i agree, Warsaw is a boring normal city which can be found in every country, Krakow really is king in Poland.
I have read some writings about the decreasing culture-level in Kraków
Don't believe what you see written, i've been here for many years, never had trouble, and only really here of it rarely. Most locals i meet end up as friends, I lived in Nowa Huta for 6 months, and found the people from there quite friendly, though i am from Glasgow...
dtaylor! I'm gonna take my bike, what do you know about biking routes in Kraków? Which part of the city is the easiest to cycle? I haven't chosen accommodation, yet. which part do you suggest NOT to move to?
Just back from Krakow and just don't know what to make of it?
It seems a nice place in terms of buildings and looks very nice. Very clean, good kebabs, great shopping malls, good looking chicks and it seems quite a safe place.
But it also seems the place has some real serious issues. For a start they need to learn to smile. life is too short to always walk about like the world is going to end tomorrow.
Manners cost nothing. Be nice to someone and they'll be nice to you. Its been a big culture shock and a big wake up call.
I work with expat poles and they seem to have got with the EU/NATO/WTO program.
Work hard, play hard, Be happy :)
This is the second time i've been to eastern europe, my first being Prague. The Czechs seemed more friendly.
But it also seems the place has some real serious issues. For a start they need to learn to smile. life is too short to always walk about like the world is going to end tomorrow. Manners cost nothing. Be nice to someone and they'll be nice to you. Its been a big culture shock and a big wake up call.
I live in Krakow and yes, it was me whom you saw in the street and I didn`t smile...
I used to smile a lot, however, with the passage of time, I noticed that I was getting nasty wrinkles on my face, especially around the mouth.
So I gave up smiling ... don`t care about foreigners.... I prefer looking sad to old...
For a start they need to learn to smile. life is too short to always walk about like the world is going to end tomorrow.
Fair comments but this one I have to ask you about. Is it normal to see people wandering around with grins plastered across their faces? Not really. Did you smile at people and then they didn't smile back? Or did you just think that not many people smile as they go about their daily lives? :)
I am also about to move to Krakow from Hungary this month and though I have a job, and my employer provides me with an accommodation, this service is not forever, so I am going to look for an accommodation as well, maybe we can share experience:)
You can contact me on magicmushroom@hush.com
(I am writing in English so that everyone can understand, otherwise I am native Hungarian)
hey misty come our tourist areas on a Saturday. You'll know what im on about. If you don't smile when you dance there is something wrong.
Yes Edinburgh tourist spots on a Saturday, I have been there recently. I don't know that many people were smiling as they danced. Anyway, the fact is, smiling is relative and doesn't make a city. If you only half enjoyed your trip then at least you didn't completely hate it. ;)
Look at this woman who resides in Krakow with her ermine. She is a typical Krakowian. She doesn`t smile like crazy as you advocate... She is serious because that suits a real lady. Most Krakowians behave like that.
