Work /
Salary and cost of living information - Krakow [257]
@KN2
You're forgetting about clothing, baby supplies, baby sitter and entertainment. This last is important so that your spouse does not go crazy from isolation. You do have to spend money to keep your spouse from feeling that they are in prison.
A foreigner that does not speak the language cannot live as cheaply as a native Pole can. You have to pay a "foreigner tax" for not being able to communicate effectively, not knowing how the local culture works, and not having an extensive network of family and friends to help you.
And, of course, you have to deduct the cost of relocating to and from Poland, getting your residency permits, and furnishing your apartment from your earnings, as well as any trips to and from you home country. Divide the total costs by 12 and deduct it from your monthly income.
Your costs are going to be more like 6000 if you are frugal. Add travel and that cuts down significantly on your savings. Saving 4000 PLN a month is unrealistic, especially if you're thinking of traveling in Western Europe. To achieve that, you would have to sacrifice a lot.
If saving money or paying off debts is a major priority, then Poland is not the country to come to. The wages are too low for that, and the cost of living for a foreigner are too high. Savings potential is very low.
You would be lucky indeed to have 5000 USD in your savings account at the end of your first year if you live the lifestyle you describe, a tiny fraction of what you would be able to save in the richer countries of Western Europe or the English speaking countries.
If you were single, I would say go for it. The adventure would do you good. With a spouse and kid in tow, though, I say focus on finding work in a richer country with a higher savings potential than Poland.
