PolishForums LIVE  /  Archives [3]    
   
Posts by Vaasa  

Joined: 12 Jun 2011 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 12 Jun 2011
Threads: Total: 3 / In This Archive: 3
Posts: Total: 14 / In This Archive: 13
Speaks Polish?: No

Displayed posts: 16
sort: Oldest first   Latest first   |
Vaasa   
12 Jun 2011
Classifieds / Any (semi)-regular Expat meetings in Poznań? [8]

I will be in Poznań June 26 through July 1st for work, and will be moving their later this year (also for work, pending visa and work permit). And I was wondering if there were any regular or semi-regular expat get-togethers in Poznań for native English-speakers? If there is something going on in late June while I'm there, it would be great to touch base with other expats to get advice on living in Poznań as an expat.

If not then, it would be nice to know of any other regular meetings once I get there. I'll be coming over from the US for two years and would like to try and avoid as many mistakes as possible. So I would love to pick the brains of any other expats willing to give advice. :)

Thanks
Vaasa   
12 Jun 2011
Love / Expat marrying Polish - honest experiences [38]

What's an expat ?

To give you a serious answer, the difference between an expatriate and an immigrant is one of intention. An expatriate is a person living outside of their home country who does not intend to settle in their new country permanently. An immigrant is a person living outside their home country who intends to settle in their new country permanently.

ex·pa·tri·ate
-at·ed, -at·ing, adjective, noun
-verb (used with object)

1. to withdraw (oneself) from residence in one's native country.

im·mi·grant
   [im-i-gruhnt]
-noun

1. a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.
Vaasa   
19 Jul 2011
Real Estate / Tips for Renting in Poznań? [8]

I have accepted a 2-year assignment in Poznan from my employer and will be moving there later this year (exactly when depends on whenever the visa and work permit get approved). I would like to know if anyone can provide any tips for renting in Poznan?

I'm 41 and single, and I'm definitely not looking for room-mates. "Quiet" and "Modern finishes" describe what I'm looking for, but I have no idea how likely I will be to find that in my price range. My employer will put me in touch with a real estate agent there, but I figured I should try and get some info before I arrive.

I have the following questions, but feel free to add any tips of your own:

1) Do I need to have a bank account before I can rent an apartment?

2) Do I need to have a permenant address before I an open a bank account? If so, do you think they will accept my work address?

3) Can anyone recommend a good bank that allows for wires between the US and Poland at an affordable rate. In order to retain access to my 401k (retirement) plan, my employer is going to keep me as a US employee. This means I will still get paid in US dollars to a US bank. I will then need to transfer and convert funds from the US to Poland.

4) Is there an equivalent in Poland to the renters insurance we have here in the US? This is insurance I take out that covers my personal property in an apartment in case of theft or in case a water main or something similar breaks and damages my property. If so, can you recommend any good company's to purchase this from and what I might expect to pay? (I am expecting to bring a PC and my camera gear with me, and definitely want to insure them).

5) Are there any other types of insurance that I might need, or that you recommend?

6) Are there particular types of buildings or complex's to look for when I rent, or to avoid? I expect newer complexes might have newer equipment (larger refrigerator, oven, washer/dryer, microwave, etc) but might also have very thin walls like US apartments (greater noise from your neighbors, risk of smoke coming into your apartment if your neighbors smoke, etc). My employer is NOT going to be paying for my rent, so I certainly won't be able to afford top of the line. I'm not management-level, so I don't get paid rediculous amounts of money. =)

7) Any other recommendations or things to think about as a US citizen living in Poznan who does not speak Polish (although I'm certainly going to try and learn).

My company office is located near the Stary Browar shopping complex, and I would like to stay in walking distance. So any tips that are especially relevant to that area would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Vaasa   
26 Jul 2011
Real Estate / Tips for Renting in Poznań? [8]

Thanks for all of the replies. Here are a few additional points:

* My employer has arranged a rental agent through our relocation service that they are paying for. So I'm sorry to decline those who PM'd me offering rental services. I spoke to the only other person in the Poznan office who relocated from the US and was assured the agent was quite competent and who did a good job helping my co-worker find a flat that worked for her. I also had a chance to meet her and visit a few apartments when I was in Poznan a few weeks ago for a short visit.

* The same co-worker recommended HSBC as a bank. She has been doing to the Bank of America cash from the ATM and deposited into the local account tactic. But the $5 charge per ATM use + 3% currency conversion fee seems a bit excessive. Luckily my US bank only charges $30 for an outgoing international wire, $1.50 for an ATM use (no currency conversion fee), and allows the use of my US debit card for 0.8% of the total charge amount as a fee. If anyone knows of a better deal, I would appreciate hearing about it. Otherwise, I'll probably just go with HSBC initially.

* I'm not going to bother with a phone, as my employer will be providing a local cell phone for my use that will work throughout Europe (necessary for my job).

* I'm not planning on bringing any electric equipment other than the PC and monitor, both of which are set up to accept AC power from anywhere. I just need to buy a new cable and they should work fine. I prefer to bring my own equipment that I know is reliable and able to support photo editing, than risk anything out by the bin. =) (but thanks for the tip Peter)

** Delphian ** My employer is in the financial services business. No famous owner. And their offices are south of San Francisco, not in it. Does Oracle have an office in Poznań??? (as I would guess that's who you are talking about) =)

** takachclan ** Thanks for the tip on the international drivers license. I'll look into it.

Thanks again to everyone for the info!
Vaasa   
26 Jul 2011
USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

You would be better off trying Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Australia seems to be in the midst of a fairly big housing boom, so buying a home may not be the most affordable option there. And there are parts of Canada where housing prices have gone up quite a bit and so may not be as affordable as you want. Health care will be more affordable in both countries, and primary education for your kids will be better in both countries as well.

But certainly there are options elsewhere in the UK aren't there? London is expensive, but I know Edinburgh is still growing. No matter what your choice, I would make sure you do a lot of research first and then visit the country before making any significant moves.
Vaasa   
24 Oct 2011
Life / Do I have to do something to start receiving mail in Poland? (moved from the US) [33]

I am hoping someone can help me with this. I moved to Poznań from the US recently for work. I found a nice apartment and have moved in. But I haven't gotten a single piece of mail since I moved in. Not even junk mail. My bank mailed me a new Debit card 3 weeks ago and it has not shown up yet. And then tonight I found out that a package I ordered from Amazon.de was returned for a refund. But I never received it. I never had a notice to come pick it up at the post office or anything else that might have indicated a delivery attempt.

Is there something I need to do in Poland in order to start getting mail? Thanks
Vaasa   
24 Oct 2011
Life / Do I have to do something to start receiving mail in Poland? (moved from the US) [33]

I know where my mailbox is and I have the key. The mailbox is designed in such a way that even the postman can't open it. He can just push letters through the slot. And yes, I have tested the key and it works just fine. And further, because someone will no doubt ask, the number on the mailbox is the same as my apartment number, so there should be no risk of confusion.
Vaasa   
24 Oct 2011
Life / Do I have to do something to start receiving mail in Poland? (moved from the US) [33]

Unfortunately, I don't speak much Polish yet. So I'll have to see if I can convince one my co-workers to come with me tomorrow to a post office. Also unfortunately, there don't seem to be many of them around. Can someone tell me how I find out which post-office handles my mail?

I was hoping that there would be some simple notice or form that people would mention, but apparently that's not it. Just one more screwy thing that has seemed to plague my move here. Oh well. Thanks
Vaasa   
25 Oct 2011
Life / Do I have to do something to start receiving mail in Poland? (moved from the US) [33]

JohnnyM: Yes, I confirmed the correct format when I had to go to the town hall and register my address as a foreigner. They were the ones who pointed out the landlord had originally given me the wrong postal code.

So I know the mailing address is correct, and in the correct format. The thing that is most odd is that I am not even getting junk mail, not just mail addressed to myself. I can see in my neighbors boxes that there is junk mail being delivered, but nothing has been put in my mailbox in the (nearly) whole month I have been living here. There has to be some flag or something set at the post office that says don't deliver anything to this address. Or at least, that's my best guess.