Real Estate / Foreign investor, properties in Poland, walk away from mortgages? [209]


The banks create debt out of thin air and expect hard earned cash back for it.


All that proves is that banks control the market and rammed us into a economic recession.



And one must see those that profit from this greed through thick and thin.

One of the first things the Irish bankers did when they got bailed out, using tax payer's money, was they gave themselves bonuses. No other company could ever get away with such fraudulent behaviour.

It's immoral and probably a little off topic to boot ;)

Are you a banker warszawski? Wroclow boy said something in a thread that you were but from reading your posts, I would say you are not one of the "lads" that created this mess.

Real Estate / Foreign investor, properties in Poland, walk away from mortgages? [209]


Only then does it exist, so I stand by my statement.

Real Estate / Foreign investor, properties in Poland, walk away from mortgages? [209]


Just a slight edit on your post.

It's all about extracting invented debt from your bank and putting hard earned real cash in theirs.

Life / Racism and for what? (story of Egyptian guy's living in Poland) [149]

Terrible thing that happened to the OP but I can't help but think if they didn't kick three shades of sugar out of him, they would have done it to someone (anyone) else.

Scum is scum, the slightest "reason" can set them off.

UK, Ireland / Poles in the UK not a problem as far as i can tell [79]


Life according to PF.
It is scary to think what people who come on here leave with.

Life / Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland? [18]


Fun?
To make sure there are enough giraffes in Wroclow?
To look down on others?
To give cross eyed people a headache?
To reach the balcony of their mistress'?
To impress the ladies...

Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]


So you jump to the conclusion that they must be paying a criminal wage?

Milky, it is difficult enough reading and understanding people's ways and reasons of posting on these forums.
You don't do yourself justice by making Poland out to be some kind of criminal country.
All I ask is that you try to find out the truth before jumping to conclusions.

Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]


why all the question Marks.
Because your question came with an answer.


Implying that they are paying an illegally low wage.
You could have stopped at how much you they pay their workers but you didn't.

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]


I agree, it is political manipulation through the media.

Since this is related to the Dutch fella wanting to deport people on social welfare.
Let me ask this, how much is wasted on non-nationals claiming the social welfare and how much is wasted on bank bailouts?

This "blame the immigrant" scapegoating is a well know propaganda tool used by the far right.
I wish that some political group would, just once, put the blame where it is squarely marked, on the bankers.

The bankers that have driven the world into economic crises and recession are nothing short of traitors, in stark contrast to most emigrants having worked their butts off in their new homes, oiling the machine of the country.

kleinverzet.blogspot.com/2008/10/dutch-bail-out-pot-of-20-billion.html - Dutch bail-out pot of 20 billion

thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1645505/ING-in-7bn-Dutch-bailout.html - ING in £7bn Dutch bailout

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8369116.stm - ABN Amro gets new 4.4bn-euro bail-out

Travel / Traveling around Poland - our photo stories with very personal commentary [225]



I have been to Krakow but not Wroclaw or Berlin, if they are all the same you have just saved me a boring trip :p

Travel / Traveling around Poland - our photo stories with very personal commentary [225]


How long does it take from Krakow to Wroclaw and were there any toll booths? if so how much does it cost?


It looks great but it gets in to the mortar between the bricks and destroys the wall.

Life / Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland? [18]


Of course! I'd have a go on anything, I am such a slut.


"Easy" like a penny farthing? Those things don't look easy, there is a reason they're redundant.
Good youtube posts, looks like fun until you have to stop.

I suppose you'd just look for lampposts, giraffes and tall people to hold onto when you stop at the lights.
Are there many giraffes in Wroclaw?

Life / Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland? [18]


So as you peddle you raise off the ground, hmmm maybe, it would make cycling harder as you'd be dealing with two forces.


And jack it up again when taking off, would that not take a long time?

I am sure some clever inventor has solved the problem but just wondering.


:) as I was forming the question, I did change it from "when" to "if" for that reason.

Nice to see Poland building so many new bicycle paths, it's a great means of transport.

And on the topics of bicycles, in Krakow it's become very popular to hire (state owned?) bikes at various bike stations

Life / Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland? [18]

If you stop at a red light, how do you maintain balance?
Normally you put one foot on the ground, I don't think that's possible, or is it?

Life / Double decker bikes are getting popular in Poland? [18]


Don't worry, we already thought that.

Like this?:



Or like this?
flickr.com/photos/johnwilliamsphd/3288928346

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]


There is more work than there is man power, at the moment.
Job creation is easy:), you are already paying them.

Edit*I put a smiley face at "Job creation is easy:) " because of the 100% employment during communism :)


I would assume that if someone were to re-enter, many would not be working legally.

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]


Wait a sec, we are talking about E.U. citizens within the E.U.
I am not talking about people who are illegal, as I said before criminals are a different matter.

But people from anywhere in the world who are legal and not working should be put to work.

You know yourself, driving in Poland, imagine thousands of people filling the potholes, some day my friend....some day :)

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]


So they kick you out again and again.
That's why it's a waste of time, money and effort.

Put them to work, there is a lot to be done and a whole army of people to do it with.

Also being on social welfare cripples people, they become, after some time, institutionalised and dependant.
Putting them to work would rid this mentality and make the country a better place, it's a win win!

How much is social welfare in Poland? When are you eligible for it? and for how long?


Have you ever heard of anyone being deported?
My understanding is you are saying that they are doing this through legislation but don't you get medical insurance on the dole?


They are not targeting ''Eastern Europeans'' but they are targeting non-nationals who are not working and claiming money from the tax payer.


Does it hurt when you try to think? you should give it up.

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]


Yes, I agree of course, there are no boarders and if you kick someone out, they can just come back, like in France.


Because it's a personal grudge rather than a "real life" example.

News / Poland warns against deporting its workers: hypocrisy? [35]



You mean 399999? ;)


To be honest, I think a better solution would be to put people on the social welfare to work.
Cleaning graffiti, filling potholes, gardening etc... If any nationality is ridding the system, the system should use them.
There is virtually a whole army of people on the social welfare that could benefit society as a whole.

I think that would get many people off social welfare.

I think deportation is wrong but forcing people to work, who are unemployed, is the way to go.


Didn't France pay and send Roma people to other countries? what a waste of money, it's all open boarders now, they could just come back legally any time they like.

Although criminals is a different issue, I think each country should deal with their own criminals, one way or another.
I like the Federal law versus State law like they have in the U.S.. Interpol versus national police.

Real Estate / Foreigner buying house with 'Rolna'/Rural land in Poland - ever possible? Advice/help. [38]


I think buying it in a Polish company should do it, ring a lawyer though, it should be your first question.

Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]


Because it was your first car?

Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]


Because that's where your dog rover was sitting at the time?

Real Estate / Buying a property in Poland to rent out from the UK [82]


Standard of finish.
Firstly there are different standards of finish in all ex-communist countries.
So depending on what you buy and how good the person looking after the property is and the people who fit it out are, is beyond your control.

Like everywhere, you can get cowboys in to do the works and it all blow up in your face.

Then you will have to get someone to furnish it.
All these are extra costs ontop of the price of the apartment (this is changing).

Connecting to utilities.
You will have to sign up with the dreadful electrical company Enion, that means you have to go to their office with every single paper and go through "the process", you can't just give them money, oh no!

Same with the water and gas companies.

P.O.A.
I am guessing you are leaving the apartment to someone you know and trust to look after.
If so you should go to a Notary here in Poland and give them power of attorney to preform utility functions. I recommend you do NOT go to a lawyer, lawyers here are very different to those in the U.K. and the Notary might not accept a lawyer's "interpretation" of what a POA is. Plus Notaries are cheaper and even if you do go to a lawyer, he will just write a letter and send you off to the Notary.

The almighty stamp.
Keep all your paper work. Just put it in a folder and keep it somewhere safe. I know it sounds easy but the amount of people who are not used to paperwork and then waste time getting original copies, is silly.

I like the wording "original copies".

Internet banking.
It is crucial you get a bank account here in Poland, make sure that their internet banking is in English, unless you prefer to leave that end of things to your other half.

Terms and conditions.
I don't know you, so I will talk as if you know nothing, the contract for your purchase is very important, terms and conditions, penalty fees for being late, a list of what finish the investors will provide, payment schedule etc...

Tenants.
Tenants will hardly ever look after your property very well, so use durable materials.
I would avoid first or second year students (partying hard) and women with childeren can register in your apartment and you could have to buy them out (but in fairness I have never actually come across this).

I also recommend you visit about once a year to keep tabs.

Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]


Howa Huta, building a better future (or something like it)?

Off-Topic / Countries and your associations in 5 words/descriptions. [56]


It was a starting point.


I have seen all of them and quite a few more but not enough :)

I would like to take a look around before I die (which will hopefully be a long time from now:)

There are many countries and even more different aspects of each country, take Poland, high mountains, forest, desert, sea, metres of snow, monsoon-like rains and blistering hot.

I am planning my next big trip after I finish a big project, I am really looking forward to going :)

Travel / Avoid being ripped off by some exchange outlets in Krakow and elsewhere [44]


The guy was on the main pedestrain shopping street, the prices were displayed.
He then claims he ''just arrived and a tour bus was waiting'', how the heck did he get there?
There are about 6 Kontors on Florianska, the guy bought and the Kontor sold.

I can go to galleria Krakowska and buy a pair of Wrangler jeans for more than I could get them somewhere else.

I don't see the ''rip off'' or if I do, I don't see the difference between high end retailers selling the same stuff as normal shops, or restaurants or any other businesses and I think the guy was lazy and won't take responsibility for himself.

I see people with the shopping bag that shows the world that they bought their items in a particular place, he could have bought it somewhere else for less, he didn't.

So what's the problem?

Travel / Avoid being ripped off by some exchange outlets in Krakow and elsewhere [44]


When I go to exchange money in kontors in Krakow, I go from Kontor to kontor and they have big flashing red lights telling you the prices.

I don't honestly see the problem here, they sold, he bought.
As you said yourself, it is basic economics.

How did he "just arrived, tour bus waiting" and him on Ulica Florianska (the main pedestrianised shopping street in centre of Krakow)???


...when changing money, you've got stupid written all over you.
But the problem doesn't seem to be that they changed their rates, just that afterwards the tourist found a better rate.



Would the sign change if he was dressed as a tourist, hare krishna or monk?

I don't think so.

I think this is just a fella who was too lazy to look after his money and people made money on it.
ONLY when he found out he could have gotten a better rate later he was annoyed.

"I bought perogi for 30zl but I am angry now because I found another place that sells them for 14zl..."

Travel / Avoid being ripped off by some exchange outlets in Krakow and elsewhere [44]


Wait a sec, have I missed something?
They always display the exchange rates in Kontors, don't they?

Travel / Avoid being ripped off by some exchange outlets in Krakow and elsewhere [44]


I have not read all the replies but if you agree to exchange goods/services or money, then what exactly is the problem?
i thought they short changed the tourist or something but if both parties agree to a transaction and later one of the parties finds out he could have gotten a better deal but up until then was quite happy, that's just tough luck and a bit of research would have saved him.

Although having said that, it's never easy to find decent exchange rates at most airports anywhere in the world, which is annoying but that's what tourist traps are all about.