Do you think I could manage on a salary of 1,500 zł - 2,000 zł a month?

Hello, I have a tiny question

Would it be possible to live in Warsaw on a salary of 1,500 zł - 2,000 zł a month?
I'm looking to rent an apartment, nothing huge..it's just me living there. One bedroom, bathroom, kitchen..the basics

Is it possible to rent and still afford the bills (electric, water, food etc..)

Sorry to bother everyone, just curious

possible? yes.... with an effort, but possible. You'll find a flat for 1400 (bills included) if you try hard... and food ~500zl per month. 100zl left.... well.... far from good living conditions but you'll survive.

How many zl's equal one dollar? ....or vice-versa?

money convertor is your friend

What's a flat?
Sorry I never heard that word, is that an apartment?

Is it possible to find cheaper than 1400 zł with bills included in Warsaw? Maybe 1200 zł..being a little frugal, just in case.

I'm looking to work as a chef.. so hopefully i can earn about 2000 zł or more

A flat, normally in a block and generally every room is on the same level, although there are some split-level flats, just to confuse you.

Does a flat consist of shower, kitchen, bedroom..etc? It sounds to me like a dorm room..
Do you have to walk down the hall to the shower room?
Lol what do you mean block? like a cube?

With 1,500 (net) zł/month you'd rather struggle in Warsaw.
If it's 1,500-2,000 zł before taxes - then forget it, even if the restaurant you work for feeds you.
Remember that coming to a new place to live means also some extra (and unexpected) expenses, so you may find yourself in a position where you can't even save money for a return ticket to the U.S.


Is "flat" only used in the British English, not in American?

Block of flats:

Do you have a better idea of where i should live?
I'm looking for a noisy kind of area were cars go by 24/7 and there are many shops..
I'm not into that whole large plains kind of area. I'm moving from New York, so I'm kinda looking for a busy area.

Please don't tell me not to move..this is my dream. I'm only asking for advice on where is a good area to move and the average apartment cost to rent

No flats have all mod cons, shower, toilet, kitchen bathroom etc, in separate rooms. A block is a group of flats like a sky scrapper, only with 6 or 7 levels instead of 200! A flat has a separate bedroom and shower, also the kitchen is divided, usually from the living room- if only by a curtain. You don't share anything with the other people in your block except the lift or stairs and the local drug dealers!!

Well, that's what we did. We told you that this kind of salary would be a borderline in a city like Warsaw.
I don't think anyone was trying to discourage you, just to warn you.
I could probably survive on that money, and in case of necessity I have family that would help me, but you'd be new here, so you always have to take into account some unexpected circumstances. Of course if you have some savings to spend for the first year of your stay in Warsaw, you'd be fine, but what I meant is that this kind of income would probably leave you losing each month, so it could be a temporary solution - before you find a better paid job.

Would you even manage to make this kind of money as a chef in Poland, assuming that you won't be working anywhere that pays well?

Your best bet in Warsaw would be to share a flat with some people.

I assume you're American...if so, will you even be able to get the required work permit?

A flat sounds like an apartment to me..
Well I have been saving up.. and hopefully i can manage. I thought you meant that unnecessary taxes would take my pay check.

Is a work permit hard to receive?
Idk if I would trust roommates... what if they steal or what not.
So in your opinion what is a average salary that I would be able to live off of in Warsaw?


Losing each month on my first year there? Or after? Sorry I didn't understand this part

Oh yes. A salary of 2000zl a month will come in at around 1400zl after taxes.


Not a clue, but I'd imagine that it relies on the employer proving that he has to hire you because he can't find someone to do the job in the European Union. Maybe so if you're a chef of international renown - but if you want to go in at the bottom (or near the bottom), then you'll find it very tough to obtain one. I'm not even convinced that many employers in your average restaurant or hotel would want to go to the hassle of getting you a work permit.


An average salary, to live alone, in a reasonably good area? You'd be looking at needing 2500zl a month just to be able to live somewhat normally without any extras. Sharing a flat might cut that down to around 1500zl a month, maybe even less.

Bear in mind that a net salary of 2500zl will work out to be around 3500zl gross, or so. The average wage in Warsaw is around 3000zl a month. As you can see, it's not going to be easy to secure a job that can provide you with the lifestyle that you'll expect.