Food / Where can you buy a crockpot aka slow cooker, in Krakow? [38]

I haven't gone through page one, so I don't know if this has been mentioned. Have you tried Allegro?

Law / Why are the Poles following the Swiss Franc? [17]

no, it is too riskey- even for those who know what they are doing. It is an abstract currency- Switzerland has no obligation or ties to Poland. Whoever decided it was a good investment should be burned at the stake. For all those who bought Swiss franc- they might as well have purchased New Zealand dollars or Mexican pesos. There is no sense to it.

They are not in the Eu. They don't need to be and never will be.
At least if you buy a mortgage in Euros- eventually Poland will take the Euro- I am talking 5 to 8 years down the road. But typically a mortgage is purchased for 25 years. ....did all these "specialists" not think that the franc would ever have an upward turn???

Law / Permanent Residence in Polska: procedures, list of documents, etc. [59]

you have to get a temporary residency card first. then from this point you can apply for permanent. (in a nutshell)

Life / Moving to Poland - what is the most important thing I need to do, once I'm in Poland? [51]

you could probably do it for less than that!! what is your overhead? if she works out of home there are so many expenses she can deduct.

the most expensive would probably be the advertising and a good computer system- what else do you need?

USA, Canada / Polish or American Education? [180]


no way. they are only being introduced to numbers and letters in preschool.

I'll tell you one big difference. American academics get properly paid, so they spend their time in their universities, studying and improving their expertise. Polish academics are paid so badly that they have to work in several places to make ends meet. I'm the low man on the totem pole at my uni, but my pay isnt much less than older hands. 1900PLN/month. I'm ready for unbelieving replies, but it's the truth.

Perhaps it is time for you to look for a new job. If you are in Warsaw there are a few private schools that would probably love to have you teach.

Life / Moving to Poland - what is the most important thing I need to do, once I'm in Poland? [51]

I lived out there for 5 years. It is a good place to live but like I said- an hour each way on the school bus is too long for my kids. They were out the door at 7:30 and got home at 6. It was too long of a day.

You will get the know the shortcuts pretty quickly- and if you need to get to centrum you will find that taking your bike is faster.

My cleaning lady and her daughter live in Mysiadlo- if you need a good cleaning lady just pm me and I will give you her number.

Life / Moving to Poland - what is the most important thing I need to do, once I'm in Poland? [51]

I have a feeling he is talking about Misadlo that is just before Piaseczno on the outskirts of Warsaw. There is a Topolowa street there --I think there is a carpenter on this street?

I used to live out there.

First of all prepare yourself for the traffic. I don't mean to be a downer but we moved out of this area because there was so much traffic all the time and no infrastructure. To many people live in this area. on Pulawska there is lots of traffic all the time. If you accept the constant traffic, you will be fine. my kids were on a school bus for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening- it is too long of a day for them.

However, congrats on the new place- you will probably really enjoy it, there is a nice kids park at the school that is close by.

I can't help with the teaching info but I can give you a head up as to what is good in that area.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]


I have been to Vegas. Trust me, it is not the kind of environment you want to raise a family in. It got hit hard by the recession. It ain't pretty.

USA, Canada / Polish or American Education? [180]

generally speaking, I think that the school systems world wide could do with an overhaul.
I don't particularly think learning how to trade stocks is useful, but planning and preparing a monthly or weekly budget is.
learning how to cook and clean is--along with a knowledge of germs and hygene.
discussing the weather, the environment, pollution and the world around us is useful and the effects of garbage and pollution in our world.
geography, history, biology, maths, social studies, computers are all useful in creating a base for higher learning.
learning about politics and how countries are organized and run is useful. what voting actually does.

there should be a base of knowledge and then based on a persons strengths or weaknesses the next logical steps will follow.
I also think that in elementary and high school -there should be greater emphasis placed on a persons career choice and set a student up for success that way. What I mean is that if a student doesn't show an aptitude for computers or biology, perhaps they should be directed to something like carpentry or plumbing. In North America trades people make good money- why not teach them from the beginning- set them up for success, not for failure. And then add to the education -how to run your own business.

I don't think that it can be determined which system is better- they both have their strength and weaknesses--but memorizing poems or dates in history doesn't help a student do a lot.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

you are a bit of an arse, no?

the original post, like I stated earlier, asked if it was worth it to move from the uk to the us. and like i previously stated, i said he would probably do better in a country such as canada or australia because they are part of the commonwealth and they have similar social systems to the uk.

this is not bashing the u.s. as much as you expect it to be.
he asked the question and I gave the answer- i didn't slag the u.s in anyway. pull your finger out.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]


wow- way to take what I said completely out of context.

you forgot --zero, but I don't claim to be an expert.- that last part is important.

4 years in Poland as an expat doesn't exactly make you an expert. It makes you an expat.
difference in quality of life specifically for the middle class.--I will say it again. Canada and the other commonwealth countries have a safety net and a system set up similar to the u.k.

News / Wal-Mart coming to Poland? [146]


walmart is cheap stuff from china at low prices. low wages and no benefits. Tesco is a grocery store from England- i don't know what they offer and Macro is a german bulk store much like costco. in germany they would offer good pay and benefits but they probably get away with more here.

USA, Canada / Polish or American Education? [180]

my kids go to a private school for 6th and 1st class. (2nd and 7th grade) we are a bilingual family with two citizenships--we want a bilingual education.

if we move back to Canada while the kids are still in school they will be on an equal level. I don't happen to think for our family that the Polish system is suitable. If we were to stay in Poland for the rest of our lives then ok- but because we are multinational then no.

at this moment our kids have books at home about canadian history. they don't teach this at the school they go to. they do european history and of course polish history.

Life / Cost of raising a child in Poland [21]

no way. In Warsaw it is closer to 800 pln

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

zero- but I don't claim to be an expert. the op asked if he should move from uk to us- I suggested Canada because it is part of the commonwealth and the beliefs are similar- same with australia.

i don't suggest the u.s. because of the lack of health care standard, recession, and differences in the quality of life. basically in Canada you have a safety net if things don't go as planned. the u.s. is very different that the u.k. in that they are more socialist like canada. many of the rules, regulations and laws stem from the uk.

there is zero chance of somebody losing all their money because the bank defaulted on their mortgage. our banks are regulated by the government. university is cheaper and the public school system is good.

it is not a frozen waste land like many think.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]


so that makes you practically an expert then.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

have you ever lived in Europe or Poland?

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

my husband is Polish and went to highschool and university in Canada. We prefer the Canadian system. Not to say that the Polish system is crap but I think there are better opportunities with a western education. my kids both go to private school so if we move back to Canada they will not be lacking. I think that the Polish school system has yet to evolve from communism. The teachers are poorly paid and have little resources. There is no thinking outside the box--ultimately it reflects on their teaching skills. Of course, not all teachers are bad--but when you have a room full of mouthy children and poor pay.....tough job.

Love / How do Polish guys feel about having an older girlfriend/wife? [30]


not anymore. It took a long time for her to realize he was an adult and could make his own decisions. And then once we had kids....well of course, she knew everything. She just needed to be reminded that she didn't like it when her mother or mother in law did the same things to her......then alll was good.

Love / How do Polish guys feel about having an older girlfriend/wife? [30]

I am also Canadian and my husband is Polish. I am 3 and a half years older. In my experience you will battle the mother in law no matter what your age. I did. Right from the beginning, if this thing goes further, your guy will need to set the ground rules. no interference, no opinions, no advice.

My husband didn't do this and for 10 long years I had to deal with my mother in laws pathetic behaviour. And then I had enough and exploded. My husband was afraid of hurting his mothers feelings and this is why he never said anything. Now, because he has to deal with me, he sets the rules.

But you have to understand something- mothers in law in Poland are the worst- it is a bad cycle that gets passed down from generation to generation.

Love / Polish women USED TO BE much more attractive: [162]

well, this we can agree on. I despise the advertising industry's targeting of children.

Love / Polish women USED TO BE much more attractive: [162]


In my experience those with a lot of money (or the appearance of a lot) and little education are the worst offenders. Why do children have black teeth and are fat- the parents feed them crap foods- and then some, because Babcia is stuffing it into little Johnny too. There are so many people that believe what they see on t.v- it must be true it is on tv!! and they are a marketing companies wet dream. look at what is happening to the kids here. fat fat fat.

Work / Moved to Warszawa (Warsaw) - Swedish/English speaking former IT-Consultant in need of some help/tips [24]


ha ha! where I come from we have better!! (of course Daniel Alfredsson is the captain!)

Work / Moved to Warszawa (Warsaw) - Swedish/English speaking former IT-Consultant in need of some help/tips [24]

maybe you could start a hockey league. we need that here.

Love / Polish women USED TO BE much more attractive: [162]

very true- but my issue is more with health. the plastic foods that are being consumed by Poles is disgusting.--they only need to look to the west to see what will happen if you diet on kfc and mcdonalds.

i think that Poles ate better during communism. everything was cooked from scratch- it may not have been the best quality meats- but no worse than the foods of today.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

there are many IT companies in Poland. Alcatel, google, microsoft. However, it might be worth your while to see if he can find something from the u.s. so that you could possibly get your flight and housing paid for.

Love / Polish women USED TO BE much more attractive: [162]

this is a topic that I have very strong opinions about. It is a combination of things. First of all in Poland- there is a huge desire to be like the west- stems from communism. Then there is the fact that so many people live abroad but still maintain ties to Poland. They always make the grass appear greener on the other side.

So fast forward 20 years---there is access to healthier more nutritious food- yet people make a conscious decision to eat and feed their families processed garbage. Not to mention the weekly stop at mcdonalds or kfc.

I asked a friend of mine why people are so into packaged refined food and he said because Poland never had it before.
So now the population is fatter.
And fast.
It is not just women. There are so many men that carry the gut, smoke and drink. It is a ticket for disaster.
This isn't a class, gender or difference in education- this is many Polish people.
Office people eat out every day. My husband does- but he is really active and we don't eat fast foods- so he is not at all fat.--If you sit behind a desk all day then you shouldn't be eating cutlet, fritki and kapusta every day. Not to mention that revolting slop they call food at mcdonalds.

people drink coke like it is water. disgusting- there is like 2 cups of sugar in every can of coke.
and then there is the media. Buy buy buy- if you buy this or eat this you will be a better person- then wash it all down with a diet pill.

the diet industry is a multi billion dollar industry. however, they need people to be fat or else they don't make their money.
notice how many diet related businesses have popped up in Poland recently?
here is the trick.
eat fresh fruits and veg, fresh meats, unrefined carbs, sweets and alcohol in moderation.
exercise daily. which means move your body- not from the couch to the fridge- but do something that makes you sweat.
in my world I see so many fat kids with black teeth- it is disgusting and in my opinion is a form of child abuse.

Travel / Restaurant reviews in Poland. [86]

which expat places do you mean?

Travel / Restaurant reviews in Poland. [86]

Warsaw Restaurants.

Polish food:
Siwy Dym on Pulawska- really good.
Lolek in Pole Mokotowskie- great atmosphere, the food comes from the grill, the beer is good and there is a playground for the kids.
Oycowizna- on Sloneczna -near magdalenka. good food, good environment.

Czech: U Szwejka (place konstitucji) and Kompania Piwna(new town). Same owner- both good

Pizza.
Numero Uno in Jozefoslaw. This is a neighbourhood restaurant. The chef was told the secret crust recipe in Australia by an Italian chef. The pizza is super with a thin crust. The antipasti is super.

Casa Mia on Poznanska. I have been going to this place for 9 years and the pizza is still great.

Lebanese- Le Cedre on the Praga side. Owned by Lebanese- great food. I think they opened a second location on the Warsaw side of the Wisla.

Greek.
I have been to El Greco on Grzybowska. It was packed, the service was slow and it wasn't that good.-
Meltemi- this is a great place. ulica Drawska róg Szczęśliwickiej--close to Blue city.- the food has always been great here.

Love / Polish women USED TO BE much more attractive: [162]


we are not talking about the same thing. I am talking about the sugars and refined carbs in processed foods. I am not talking about the natural occurring sugars and carbs in whole wheats, brown rice, beans, and fresh fruit and veg.

I don't think there is any health benefit to mcdonalds or pizza in a box- which is what the west is giving Poland.