Genealogy / What certificate is this?; birth certificate from the greek catholic church [63]

About mothers name, if it is really Osina, then at first it don't seems to have much sense, because it currently is used rather for surnames. Anyway, osina means some kind of soft wood (probably from poplar). Another interesting thing is that Osina is also a village near Tyszowce (supposedly birth place of the guy from the certificate).

Anyway, if you are really planning some trip in autumn (better not later than september), then you can try to visit churches there. They usually have quite old archives regarding births (I suppose you can try to send them a letter first with copy of your certificate).

Good luck :-)

News / Poland rejects H1N1 vaccine [28]

Old news... Basically it goes like this:
Those big international companies wanted to sell Polish gov, milions of vaccines. Our gov. look at their papers and said:
"wait the minute, it looks like you didn't checked it properly... hm... ok, situation is not rosy with this epidemic in Ukraine. Ok, ok, we (Polish gov.) will buy it, but you have to guarantee it [which means if somebody die/get ill because of it and sue us you (big pharma) will take the blame]"

- Big pharma said:
"no way, we have plenty of others gov. buying it without stupid questions"
and they said to themselfs...
"we have WTO in the pocket, we have army of good paid lobbists, we will break them, stupid little polish politicians..."

But, bad luck happend... Turn out that polish health minister is a tough little lady doctor who has some independent university advisors/professors, and this tough lady doctor got this enorumous pressure on her and said to big pharma "F..K OFF" :-)

It is the exact reason why it wasn't possible to buy this miraculous vaccine in the drugstores. Vaccine producers were afraid of lawsuits in case if something wrong happend.

Law / How to register for doctor in Poland (by area) [16]

About "legitymacja ubezpieczeniowa", in recent months ZUS wanted to stop give it (it suppose to be temporal, but stayed temporal for 5 years :-) ). Current status of it is unclear to me. But for sure the best way to prove your rights is RMUA, at least for people in "umowa o prace". RMUA is basicilly a document which your employer must give you (usually at the end of the month) which enumerates taxes and fees which were paid in your name. One of them is "ubezpieczenie zdrowotne" (health insurance).

As far as this is concerned: "But I heard I will a medical card with IC chip set, instead of a book. Maybe it depends on different province.". Yes it depends on province. As far as I know this system was successfully implemented in Śląskie voivodeship. But there could be another explanation for you. It is possible that your employer will give you additional private insurance (which is not uncommon). In that case this card may be for private health centre.

Some info from national health insurer in English:
nfz.gov.pl/ue/?katnr=5&dzialnr=2&artnr=716&czartnr=2

you can try to email them (I'm courius about quality of their answer in English :-) )

Real Estate / How do you comment on "Poland real estate analysis" of the biggest property site [24]

With all due respect to every doomer and gloomer here, prices of flats fell in 2009 in range between a few and dozen or so percent only...

With all due respect to every pumper here, prices of flats fell in 2009 in range between a few and dozen or so percent...

That is the fact :-) Interpretation of that fact lies only in your personal preference.
Another fact is that prices of flats inflated in Poland since 2003 about 200%-300%. Which is clearly a bubble hike. How do you think what is the probability of another hike like this now? I think not very high. The only question is, if it bursts or just stay were it is and waits for inflation and wages to come up.

News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]


No, there are no guards at the border... There are road patrols, but there is no check point at the border. As for Chech decision they just reconsiled with reality. Prague is full with drug dillers already. You can spot them everywhere around old town. Czechs are quite pratical, they are probably going to tax drug dillers :-)

Life / Winter in Poland? [160]

+4 in Wrocław (from something about -10 two days ago, and something about -20 in Janskie Laznie ski resort :-) )... What would I do with all my new bought liquor ? ;-(

Work / Will it be easy to find a job within 6-10 months of moving to Poland? [41]

It will be hard, but your Serbian could be an asset because it is very rare here. English and some economy related degree is quite common so you face big competition. Some Serbian related positions at the moment:

PS. you can check job related sites once in a while, it would give you an idea at least where are your chances, for now it seems only Warsaw needs some Serbian speakers

News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

Recent trail leads to Sweden. But it is unknown if citizen of Sweden was main addressee or only middle man...


Because it wasn't just "wrought iron sign" and because they knew this, they are facing ten years sentence (the most).

Life / Russian Language - is it offensive if I speak it to Polish people? [69]


Well, if you start conversation like this:
"Przepraszam, ale nie mówię po polsku, czy możemy rozmawiać po rosyjsku?"
wich means:
"Excuse me, I don't speak Polish, could we talk in Russian?"

Then you will not offend anyone :-) I was teached that hidden truth the hard way in France long time ago, when I tried to use English without warning :-) Some people just think it is impolite not to ask above mentioned question. Btw, all you Englismen in Poland, you should to master sentence like this, but change "rosyjsku" na "angielsku" ;-)

Law / CHINESE TO BUILD POLISH ROADS.... [92]


Exactly because of that Chinese companies were invited almost two years ago. There is really HUGE and MASSIVE road building program in Poland right now. Because of simple law of demand and supply Polish and Western developers wanted enormous sums of money. The goal of Chinese participation was to bring more competition into highly uncompetitive envirement. The goal was to spare some tax money, yes, my money :-) Well, bad lack for devs that shortly after world crisis came... So now, everybody wants to build for 60% of original price...

Btw, Chinese won tender for less than 10% of total current road construction in Poland (and I only count class A and S highways, without roads with smaller parameters). So there is not like out of the sudden they took over entire market. They are more like a warning for local devs from gov: "Don't be so greedy, you are not alone in the universe..."

Genealogy / Some Macedonian, Croatian, Serbian Second Names look Polish! [38]


I disagree a little. There is a lot of Polish surnames ending with -ski which originated simply with father name, for example: Adamski, Piotrowski, Stefański, Wojciechowski

(PS. Additionally, those are quite old surnames, related to Saints and Christianity in Poland)

BTW: cool map (just put your surname and look where posible relatives are...)

Law / What is the most developed Science Technology in Poland? [11]


As far as I know it is more complicated, polish scientists developed efficient way to produce some chemical which is base for blue laser technology. I'm not sure if they managed to apply/sell it into industry.

Life / Pictures of Poles [Everyday Life in Poland] [100]

Well, I'm not one of them... but Commie Block fans on skyscraper made me rethink it a little, so now at least I don't want to level every commie block to the ground ;-)

Law / Value of Computer in Poland [8]

USD/PLN last 30 years (I believe it is adjusted to redenomination) :

stooq.pl/q/?s=usdpln&c=mx&t=l&a=lg&b=0

Language / WHY THE HELL CANT I LEARN POLISH?? [64]


Hm... try to put liquids off in the evening ;-)

Ok, sorry, I couldn't resist... Yes, from what I've heard almost every non slavic foreigner has problems with polish.

Life / Pictures of Poles [Everyday Life in Poland] [100]


Here you go: skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=208264&page=33&highlight=warszawa+prl

It is called 'Warsaw PRL years' = 'Warszawa lata PRL. It is pointing to the last page of big thread.

Another one is skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=369337&page=25
There you will find pre PRL pictures too.

PS. I hope you don't need account to view this. Anyway I recommend getting account there, because it is great site, and with account, you can also use 'search' function.

PS2.
DannyJ, go straight to the first page, there is a lot of intresting stuff there: skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=208264&highlight=warszawa+prl

News / New Polish gambling law - outlawing gambling except in casinos [34]

It rather will not stop internet gambling, but this law will probably cut off important group off people from gambling, youth. They will not be able to gamble in those little clubs, because they will dissapear. They will not be allowed into cassinos. They will not be able to play in the internet because in order to do that, one need a credit card which youth usually don't have.

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]

Guys, I think there is no point in discussing here all aspects of polish tax system...
If he gets permanent job with "umowa o pracę" then delphiandomine site is correct, 7500 gross = 5292.29 net, there is no hidden tax involved...
It would be hard to get any tax reliefs on "umowa o pracę" so it shouldn't be taking into consideration in relocation decision.

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]

According to my knowledge, they don't rip you off this time. So from that point of view it is reasonable salary considering Wroclaw IT average.

Is this enough for couple with a baby is another question. It is personal thing :-)
I think you will do fine. But till your wife finds a job, and taking into consideration rents in Wroclaw probably not much will be left.

Life / How Polish are you? [74]


Great nickname :-) :-) :-)

Life / Beggers namely Kurwa boys in Poland [70]

Please, never give money on the street in Poland. Give money to charity organization...
Many of beggars are simple con men. Giving them money is like feeding cancer.

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]


Summary:
- first job -> ok
- temporary job/position -> ok
- second or long term job/position -> not ok :-)

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


But developers did make such profits. It is in their reports for stock exchange.
Your right, meny devs think it is not worth it for 15% and they slowed down with new projects. But there is oversupply for next 2 - 3 years. Mine opinion is: buying now equals to freeze capital... But that is just an opinion...

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


I suspected that you will come up with something like that. This area was never intended to be a park. It was just huge square destinated for developmnet. This area had tight development before WWII. You can see that here:

skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9985395&postcount=23

Unfortunately Russians and Germans themselfs destroyed south Brezlau in 1945. Since 1945 when Brezlau became Wroclaw that part of the city has been an open wound on citys body. So it wasn't a park. Maybe it would be better to make park there. But it was up to inhabitants of that area to lobby city hall. I didn't heard about any coordinated action for that.

PS. Sorry, but not Klecina but Krzyki, not Italian but Spanish. If you like this big empty place then maybe cheer you up that Spaniards seems to be broke now and do not intend to start any construcion there soon.

PS2. more interesting pictures of Wroclaw before WWII here:
wroclaw.hydral.com.pl

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


Ok, I'm actually living in Wroclaw. Tell me exactly in which park did you see any building site? In fact I can't think about anything like that in past ten years...


You are certainly right. But take into consideration that in bubble years 50% profit was normal thing for developers in Poland. They will not do anything for free for sure, but they certainly will take 15% profit...


Farmers have subsidies which artificially keeps floor in that market.
Polish real estate market has "familily on their own" (nickname: "family on mine" :-) )
which is subsidy for interests on mortgage, which artificially keeps floor in real estate market. The problem is that due to budget deficit goverment plan is to limit that program in the next year.

Don't get me wrong, I don't say that there will be some big crash or something. I'm saying that it is highly unlikely to see another bubble growth in next two/three years.

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


Well, recent data shows that in Wroclaw prices fell 15% from the peak. It is not such apocaliptic colapse when compared to Spain for example, but still it is significant.

Maybe it is good moment to buy, who knows. But in my opinion, probability of soon rebound is highly unlikely, so there is no rush. But for foreign investors current polish zloty weakness could be an encouraging factor.

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


His facts are ok.
By GUS in 2009 salary in Poland is about 3200 PLN gross/ 2300 PLN net/ 550 EUR
but as far as I know it is arithemetical average.

More informative is median, which is (by some financial portal) about:
2500 PLN gross / 1800 PLN net / 430 EUR.

Which doesn't change basic truth in real estate: "location, location, location" :-) But I wonder, how someone on the other side of the globe, or even in another country, or even in another city can correctly choose correct location?

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]


Yeap, that is the reason. Customer service is not the top paid position in IT in Poland.


British university is not perceived in Poland as better than good Polish university unless it is top British university.

If you aren't time pressured you should wait a while because IBM is going to open new branch in Wroclaw in the begining of next year. I think they will start hiring soon. Target size of this branch is 3000 employes. IBM itself could be good oportunity, besides it will pressure local job market. (unless this "famous global corporation" is IBM :-) In that case I think they will have problems with finding those 3000 specialists)

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]

Kiltmaker, if you are experienced IT professional then 4500 gross is way to low in Wroclaw. Last time I've check it was more like 6000 - 7000 (software devs) gross medium salary in IT sector in Wroclaw. I wonder who is that "one of the best employers in the world" who pays such ****** money? I mean ok, Poland is low income country, but they've just crossed the line, even small companies has to pay more for experienced engineer here...

PS. On the second thought (or rather after reading your second post), if you are more like "IT guy" then as far as I know it is in general less paid position in Poland than software development. So maybe 4500 is current market price...

Law / CHINESE TO BUILD POLISH ROADS.... [92]

A few facts:
1. Currently in Poland there is about 595km motorways (class A or S) under construction
2. Current or planned tenders amount to about another 1000km (class A or S)
3. Chinese won contract on part of A2 (about 50km)
4. It is less than 10% of total current road construction in Poland (and I only count class A and S highways, without roads with smaller parameters)

5. Beside that, there is a lot of construction concerning Euro2012 (stadiums, hotels, etc.)

Summary: belive it or not Poland currently is one of the biggest building sites in Europe. Modern building industry requires skills. So despite of 11% unemployment there is shortage of skilled workers. Because of that building companies only year ago demanded ridiculous money, and it was then, when Polish Goverment asked Chinese companies to bid in tenders. Suddenly the world crisis came, funnily together with Chinese companies :-) (as polish proverb goes: "misfortune goes in pairs" :-) )

And suddenly turned out that even Polish and European companies can build for 40% less... It was European (Poilsh included) companies greed which drawned Chinese here... And in that context I'm ok with that! :-)