Moving to Łódź from US-all information helpful!!

Hello everyone-I did some searching before posting this to see if there were already any topics about tips that might help someone moving to/living in £ódź who is from the U.S. I'll be moving there to be with my boyfriend next fall, and I've already got 2 teaching jobs lined up. I'd like to know 1) what is the going rate for private english lessons in £ódź? I'm TEFL certified and I have a BA in communications/education. I can teach business english as well as build intensive courses based on the student's needs. I also have some experience preparing students for English competency exams. 2) What is £ódź like? My boyfriend is a little worried that I won't like it. I've lived in Europe for extended periods of time before so I'm not very worried about culture shock. I also have experience interacting with him and his family so I've got a clue on that part of it. However, I'm from a small town, and I've heard that with £ódź you either love it or hate it. If any £ódź natives or expats could share their opinions, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks :)

Hey---
I lived in Lodz for a year(2001-2002) and didn't have the greatest experience.My girlfriend is from Lodz and I've been back to visit many times in the 5 years since I moved to Krakow.I felt that Lodz was very depressing, a city in decline--covered in hateful,often antisemitic graffiti.When you ask Poles where they're from, Lodz is one of the places that they say apologetically while averting their eyes.

On the plus side, people do say it's getting better.I was pretty down on Poland living there, I've been in Krakow ever since and I love it here.

I hope I'm not being too negative but as an American who lived there and knows the city, I thought I'd respond.

Thanks for sharing-my boyfriend has said some of the same things, but I think you're right about improvement in recent years...that's the general consensus among other people I've talked to as well. I appreciate the input, though. I'm not too worried about hating, at worst I'll only be living there until he finishes his degree (in 2 years).

If anyone else has anything else to say about Lodz please let me know!!! :)

Hi pamlarouge. My husband and I are from a small town in Oregon and now living in Lodz since the end of August. Will be here for at least a year or longer as he works on building a factory. We're finding it is fine here in Lodz. I heard all kinds of things, but you know, in the end, it can have a bit to do with one's attitude. We've lived abroad before too, in South Korea and in England. Lodz is easier than South Korea and harder than England, a lot is due to the language barrier. (You have support with that so it will make it all the easier for you.) Besides, we're finding many people can speak at least a little english and it's amazing how much one can get across with your hands and a dictionary. There are some great malls here for shopping, there's a huge new Tesco grocery store that's open 24 hours, other large grocery stores, the cinema, theatre, and the long Pieotrkawska street in the heart of town with shops and restaurants all along. There's probably lots of other things but we have much to discover yet. We've set up a bank account at WBK, and driving places. It just takes time to settle in but you've lived elsewhere so you already know this. The country is going through a lot of change since WW2 and we're impressed with the progress they've made considering all the challenges they've faced. There's some really new buildings and new roads, and then some very sad looking buildings and roads....but you know, it takes time and money...considering the past we think they are making great progress. I hope that helps a bit.

Thank you Bev-that's exactly what I was looking for :) I'll be visiting in February for 2 weeks, and I'll move there sometime between July and September...I've read lots of good things about the city, and from what you're telling me I think I'll like it there just fine. Bottom line for me is that it's not so much the place, but the people and I've got a pretty good support system over there so I'm not worried. Thanks again for your opinion :)