Relocated from the US: Warsaw or London?

If you were being relocated from the US and you could live in London or Warsaw, which would you choose?

Depends if you speak Polish and know Polish culture or not. If so, Warsaw; otherwise London.

Warsaw. Moja Zona jest polka. It would be good to spend more time with her side of the family.

But you also should keep in mind Warsaw cannot be compared in any way to London (maybe prices tend to be high in the two cities). It's like comparing Atlanta, GA to New York, NY.

Unfortunately, I will have the same salary regardless of which city I choose. I have a family, too. NYC is not the greatest place for a family. Is the same true of London? I don't speak Polish..but I am willing to learn. Is the language barrier that bad? Is it true there are no Buffalo wings in Warsaw?

I don't know about Buffalo wings (probably it would be a challenge to find them in Warsaw), but the overall cost of living in Warsaw would be cheaper than London so you could save more money living in Warsaw. If you like less populated places Warsaw should be a better choice. Not as comfortable living like in London, not so many opportunities for your children, not so many attractions, not so many people speaking your language - but it's something different and worth experiencing imo.

So you say same salary? Than your choice is eeasy: Warsaw. It's way cheaper, it still is big city, and when you're bored (however there are many places all over Poland to visit) you can fly with cheap airlines all over Europe.

The language can be a problem because... you'll find that with most young people, especially those who are educated, you can easily communicate in English, so you won't have a motivation to learn Polish :D

A short slide show with pictures of Warsaw.

Gee, those pics look really cool. And think I live here :D
And as for the discussion: of course, London is huge, and more cosmopolitan, and has more clubs and stuff, and Warsaw in comparison is uglier, unfortunately. On the other hand though, Warsaw is specific, it is not like any other big city, plus the cost of living would be like three times smaller than in London. I rent a one-room flat one tram stop from the Castle and pay 130 pounds a month - definitely impossible in London :D

The question, Yankeedoodle is basically: how adventurous you are :)

Having lived in NYC and London, I would say that for a family both are unsuitable. The travle times, congestion and quality of schools (unless you pay for private education), the relative lack of green spaces all make them far from ideal for families. Since you have the same salary I would go for Warsaw. There are some good schools where lack of Polish langauge skills would be less of an issue if you pay for them and the city is smaller. My time in Warsaw was great (three years of Monday-friday) and the people were tremendous. In my view London is absolutely amazing if you are young or have no kids. For your children to appreciate a completely different culture in Warsaw would be great.

Thanks for the comments. I am glad to hear so many people would choose Warsaw...since that is the way we are leaning. Any particular part of town you would recommend living in for the ultimate Warsaw experience? The company I am working for will pay for most of my housing.

If it does, then go right for the Babka Tower :D (that's the apartment's tower in Midtown, located just near a huge mall and overlooking the city - plus the interiors are whoa! luxurious!).

Seriously, it is difficult to say where to live best - it very much depends on your preferences and expectations. I definitely would not reccomend the area of Szmulki / Grochów, as it is not very safe (cheap housing attracts many strange types, even though of course still the ajority is decent ;). If you work in the centre and drive a car to work, it wouldn't be wise to live anywhere far, as the traffic may kill you, really. So basically forget about Białołęka, Ursus, Tarchomin, Włochy, Jelonki etc etc.

I think it is the best to pick Żoliborz - that's a green, serene part of town, fairly close to the centre, but without the centre's noise and hassle. The houses are mostly old, there's lots of parks and the metro line (which is crucial here). It is similar in the old Mokotów ad Muranów. These are all nice, quiet areas.

Plus, for the ultimate experience - Praga Północ (Stara / Nowa Praga). It is the old part of the town, fairly undestroyed by the War, so you may wander for hours among tremendous old houses. Most people would not advise you to live here, as it is considered dangerous, but I have to say these are myths - I live here two years now and it's fabulous. Bit cheaper than the other river bank, plus quite quiet and very green. Plus lots of exciting new art galleries, experimental theatres etc - loads of Polish young artists choose to live here, upgrading the district.

If you need any extra info, let me know ;)

I guess we Brits would classify it as the up and coming area. Reminds me a lot of bit sof London that were awful a few years ago but are now becoming very fashionable

Well, I think you're right, Szarlotka - I think in 3-5 years Praga will be the most desired area in Warsaw. Plust the Euro 2012 stadium will be erected here, so we'll got the metro line, and a general face lifting... ;)

Thats good information ladystardust

I was a bit unsure about Praga, at the end of the month I am looking at an apartment share there in a place near Pl. Hallera, is that area okay?

Question: Are apartment rental rate typically give per month or per week?

Mr Dandy,

It is usually per month.

Sparky359: I am living near plac Hallera - this area is lovely ;) Of course, you need to have your eyes open while you look at the flat: don't pick the one which is too old (there is a good deal of 1950s flats which are desirable, as they are in a fairly good shape and house mostly elderly people, which is good ;) but also some prewar building which may be cold in winter and problematic concerning general comfort of living). Plan Hallera is a good point concerning buses and trams, plus zoo and the Praski park nearby and fairly good portion of shops around.

Good luck!
Yankeedoodle: actually never has seen price for rent given per week ;)

Lady Stardust you are living in Praga Południe, not Praga Połnoc!!

It Warsaw were to be compared to a city in the U.S., which city would it be most like?

Hard to find a similar place - European cities are different than the American ones... But everything is smaller (except for traffic, I guess).

I live in Praga Północ, my dear ;)


Yeah, exactly: it's just the atmosphere that differs. Two totally different world, US and Europe...

I've lived in London all my life, but have been travelling regularly to Poland for the last 4-5 years. I am English born, but have Polish parents, so fortunately can speak both languages fluently.

I have to say London is one of the most expensive cities to live in ... the taxes are high, cost of living in general is high and the Labour government has made irrepairable damage to the country.

My wife, who is a native Pole, and has been living in London for the last eight years has seen the decline in standards in England, whether it is crime, the NHS, or education.

The 'yob culture' is something which I haven't experienced in other countries I visit ....

I am seriously considering moving with my family to Poland ... either Warsaw or more probably Krakow.

In my opinion, Poland is a country on the up, whilst England unfortunately is going in the other direction !

If I was in your position YankeeDoodle, I would choose Warsaw. I have friends who got transferred to London through work, and they said that London was their least preferred choice of relocation, due to the high cost of living amongst other things.

Your salary will go a lot further in Poland .

M apologies, of course you know where you live! I got a little confused because you say that the new stadium is going to be built in Praga Połnoc, but I thought it was to be on the site of the old Warsaw Stadium near the Russian Church which is definitely Praga Południe.

The new stadium is in the place of the old "Dziesięciolecia" indeed, near Poniatowski bridge. As a matter of fact, it is almost the border between Praga Północ and Południe ;) Both districts will benefit anyways ;)