USA, Canada / Emigrate from the USA - the sequence of events [207]

that is not Obama care- that is the insurance companies that are not regulated.

anyway, there is public health care here. there is nothing wrong with it. some areas of Poland offer better service than others. There is also private care. There are a few companies, but they are a business and money comes first- I have dealt with them. Now I do a combination of both. For tests I pay and get my results the next day and for other things I go to public care.

we don't really get sick as a family- so we pay as we go.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

but that is what I mean. People are judging Poland being poor or not based on how often they eat at restaurants and how big there t.v. is.

The measurement of poor is subjective. There are poor people here, much like in every country- but there are also social systems to help these people to a certain extent. It is not like an African country where poor means no food and living in a hut- if you are lucky, or like India.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

what would you call the millions that have gone to the U.K. for work? Expats? I don't think so. They work at below minimum wage. An expat is usually hired from their home country to work for a period of time, with no intent on immigrating to the host country.

why oh why are we doing this again?

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


I like Zawady- but only to rent- not to buy. It is very close to the levy's of the Wisla- this would be an area that could get flooded. The other thing is the mosquitoes. Loads of them. That said, Zawady is quite nice and has loads of really nice houses.

I also like Powsin- both sides of it. Sadyba could be an option for you- either side is nice, ul. Okrezna has the pre ww1 cobble stone road and many nice houses.

we own a house in this part of Warsaw, if you want more specific information you can send me a private message. I have a few friends with children at the British school as well as the other private schools- so I can also relay the info I have picked up from them as well.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

Poland is not a poor country- but it has many poor people according to western standards.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

can we not start this again.

an expat is here temporarily for work. an immigrant is meant to be permanent.....but not 100%...because, well, many Poles do immigrate- but they often come back. An expat can become an immigrant once they have citizenship- this is the key.

for example. I am an expat right now. I have a permanent residency card....not so permanent because it expires in 2 years. Once it expires I will apply for citizenship. When this happens I will be considered an immigrant. But at this moment I am still an expat.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

absolutely. I know this from experience. I lived in on osiedle that was wood frame construction and lost a lot of value after the major boom. there were about 8 houses for sale that were for sale for about 5 years. We put ours on the market at a fair price, after doing major renos, and we sold it in 3 months.

the residential market in Poland is a clusterfcuk. This includes agents and sellers. it is a joke.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


The expats are truly nice- the Poles are nouveau riche and are obnoxious. (but not all)

For some people living in close to proximity to others in a similar situation can be comforting.

I wouldn't live in Konstancja- but my daughters have friends that do---and some things are really great- there is a sense of community, it is easy to get to know your neighbours and there are kids everywhere. Even something silly as halloween- my kids go trick or treating there, which may seem silly, but we do this in Canada and halloween is semi celebrated here- except the trick or treating, so while we are living here at least they can have the experience. There is also a preschool there- which is super convenient.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

ok, now my two cents.

Sadyba is nice, but it is only serviced by bus or car. I lived in Stegny- it is only Ok. Not a lot of English speakers.

Don't knock off Zawady. It is super nice and there are loads of expats out there. It is also only serviced by bus or car. But at least you know there will be English speaking kids at the parks.

Wilanow is nice. I also lived there- but it is also hit or miss. It is a high end neighbourhood- wealthy Poles and Expats mixed with old grannies.

Sadyba is also nice- there are two big parks for children, it is a historical part of Warsaw where the elite military all lived before war. Again, only serviced by bus or car- but the buses are frequent.

Old Zoliborz is nice- it is further away from the expat scene but it has some great neighbourhoods.

If you want the real expat scene try Osiedle Konstancja. It is a gated community next to the American school. It is full of people from every nation- it is just down the road from Wilanow- again only serviced by bus (as opposed to tram or metro) but it is guaranteed you will enjoy all the place has to offer.

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

he is right. There are some suburbs in Warsaw where the prices hover at 5,000. must we always go over this?? It does get oh so tiring. Miasteczko Wilanow is around 5,000. All of Praga- and don't discredit Praga it has loads of nice areas.

Centrum is above- closer to 8,000--which is normal for any city.

Bielany, Ursynow are both around 5,000. As is Piaseczno.

Zoliborz is closer to 7,000.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

you can't figure that one out yourself?

expat- temporarily residing- usually for work
immigrant- intend to stay permanently.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

I am not in the International Womens group in Warsaw but a lot of them come to my shop, a lot of them are my clients. They all seem quite nice- the only thing I noticed is that they are older. Late 40's early 50's so somebody with two young children probably doesn't want to hang around with them- and vice versa. That is why I suggested the mums and tots.

the website seems to have shut down but here is their facebook page. It is a closed group.

facebook.com/groups/199055965404/

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


there was a British expat couple that used to live in a very nice house in Mokotow and he worked for the British council. I met them about 9 years ago- so they have long gone. I don't really know what the British council does- but they had a nice house.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

ok, so with this info--there are a lot of British expats here. There is the group American Friends of Warsaw----not all American, mostly women- they get together and do loads of things. There is another group International womens group---I think? but this is older ladies, empty nesters.

So will your kids go to the British school or the American school or neither? There are a lot of expats there and they very easily make friends and do stuff. If your kids are younger- there is a mums and tots Warsaw group- you will need to google that one, they also do group play dates and other activities.

If you are looking for a flat I recommend Ursynow or Mokotow. There are loads and on the metro line. Wilanow is also nice but only serviced by bus- which is a pain.

The majority of the expat community live in Wilanow, Konstancin or Zawady.

Life / How can Polish immigrants complain about other immigrants? [65]

how can somebody steal a job that nobody wants to do in the first place.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

there is a very large scene here- but there are factors also. are you a single guy looking to go to the bars and pick up cheap Polish girls or are you already married with kids and are looking for similar to hang out.

don't worry about January- expats go out no matter what the weather.

agreed about finding a flat near the metro line. Your life will be so much easier. I am a huge fan of Ursynow. It has everything needed and it is on the metro line.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

yes there is.

News / More punch-UPS ON 11th NOV in Poland? [56]


you are so right

News / More punch-UPS ON 11th NOV in Poland? [56]

no link.

radical lefties- isn't that an oxy moron

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]

I don't mean to highjack the thread. My point is- stop being so angry and let this woman die- anger makes people ugly. Or just watch Downton Abbey----that should put a spring in your step.

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]


you don't have to care about them. But I believe that what goes around comes around. It takes more energy to spew hate than it does to be caring. You are lumping Poles into one group and not every Pole sucks the system.

Last week I was driving my kid to dance. I was turning left and apparently I had the right of way.....of course this is Poland and there is no sign to indicate it. I stopped because two cars were coming in my direction and neither had their blinker on---so I am not going to drive in front of them. So the guy behind me starts honking his horn and telling me to go and signaling me to open my eyes. Ok. so I drive on and gave him the finger. The guy chases me down and pulls up beside me, rolls down his window and tells me to open my eyes. I said to him that I have my daughter in my car. Then he starts swearing at me. I gave him the finger again and drove off.

I don't understand how some people can be so angry over something so silly. Their lives must be so unpleasant if they resort to swearing and chasing a person because they stopped at a right of way. My husband was furious-- I just felt sorry for the guy.

Anyway- what does this have to do with the lady coming back to Poland. Nothing. But those who are so against this and have your opinions that make you so angry should really find a better way to channel your anger. And I feel sorry for you- because this woman is dying and you still need to criticize. "I don't normally criticize....but blah blah blah"

People can help her if they want to and she should be able to die in peace.

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

no- there is still a limit.--with polsat anyway

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

don't waste your time looking for links to support your claim. there are a few here that won't believe it anyway. i have posted more than five links to similar issue- and he still doesn't believe.

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]

I do believe Chemo is considered meds and not covered.

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]

If I was dying I would want to die in Canada. My home country. Why is so outrageous that she wants to do the same.

you have also assumed wrong. Poland is not a dire and terrible place- but UK pays more than Poland- so they work for a short time and them come back and spend their cash in Poland.

Real Estate / Polish building plans [16]

no, a standard door is 80cm/800mm or 90 cm/900 mm.

height is about 200cm/2000mm.--some are more and less depending on the builder.

this doesn't include the casing.

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]

no, she lives and works there but she wants to die in Poland.

Real Estate / Polish building plans [16]


oh crap- that is what I meant. 800 or 900mm. sorry typing mistake

Real Estate / Polish building plans [16]

a single door is either 800 cm or 900 cm depending on the age of the house- so if you see that - use it as a reference point.

UK, Ireland / Dying Polish woman in the uK whose last wish is to spend last few weeks back in Poland [50]

OH my God!! This is the first time I actually agree with something you have written!!