Real Estate / Mortgages in Poland while living and working in the UK? [20]

Hi there, my Polish wife and I currently live in the UK in our own house (with a mortgage). The thing is, we want to buy something over in Poland in or near to Zabierzów (Krakow area) because sooner or later we will most likely end up in Poland. It's certaily where I want to raise a family once I can speak the lingo.

Preferably looking to get a mortgate in GBP as opposed to Zloty's because thats the currency we both earn in. So where is the best place to go to get a mortgage on a house over in Poland while living and working in the UK? Does anybody recommend any spcialist UK companies at all?

Also, does it make a difference if we wanted to build a house over a number of years as opposed to just buying one? I know when buying a house you're meant to budget for around 10% in Polish fees etc. but not sure if there are any additional fees when building.

I'm reading profusely through threads on this forum. However, if anyone has any tips or advice to offer it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers in advance all.

Language / Need some Polish language help.....with a twist! [39]

Hi there,

I'm wanting to learn Polish like so many people on here. My wife is Polish, and I would love to be able to have a proper conversation with her family, her friends, and even my wife in her own language. I'd also like to move to Poland one day, something which will be nearly impossible if I can't speak the lingo as I won't be able to get a job doing what I do now (Project Manager).

I've been trying on and off for around 4 years or so now and so far I've only managed to pick up basic Polish and by basic, I mean basic. Let me give you a quick overview of what I've tried so far:

1) Books (Polish in 4 weeks, Polish Grammer)
2) Rosetta Stone
3) Class room based training (didn't complete course due to work commitments)
4) Private 1 to 1 training
5) Speaking to my wife in Polish

If I'm honest I found the 1 to 1 / classroom training the most effective. I'm currently looking for some more classroom based training but finding this difficult as I'm UK based (near to Leicester). I know the best way to learn it would be to just move to Poland and immerse myself in it. Afterall, everytime I spend time over there I pick up new stuff but this isn't practical as I obviously have to work here in the UK. Moving isn't an option yet.

Now I know historically us Brits are useless at learning languages (and lazy for the most part) but what I want to know is how other people learnt the language? Surely there must be others who have been in a similar situation to me? How did you learn it. How did you pick it up?

I was speaking to a Polish guy recently who's English was amazing. He understood my slang and everything. When I asked him where he learnt it he told me from cartoons (Simpsons etc.). That's damn amazing if its true. Anybody else do this. Might sound stupid but can anyone recommend any kids books, cartoons that may help. I'm 29 at present and willing to try pretty much anything at the moment.

So there we go.........anyone have any suggestions at all?

Work / IT Project Manager moving to Krakow Area? [6]

Hi everyone. Just wanted some input from anyone who has made the move from the UK to Poland, or anyone currently in Poland with some insight into English workers.

The wife (Polish National) and I (English - currently learning Polish but not yet fluent) are looking to move to Poland in 2015 and I'm looking at several different options for working out in Poland. Taking things on a worst case basis - in 2 years time I will have been working in IT project & programme management for 8 years and as it's worst case I'll still be learning Polish. What are the oportunities really like for English speaking skilled workers? I'm thinking along the lines of the big international companies here that are currently based in Krakow; IBM, CISCO, Microsoft, Google, Cap Gemini etc. Is it likely that they would take someone experienced on from the Uk who isn't necessarily fluent in Polish?

So again, just looking for your thoughts here. This is all worst case scenareo for me as I am looking at other options for work over the next couple of years. However, just wanting to get a feel for the options and whether or not this is even a valid route?

Thanks in advance all!

Travel / What to do in Zakopane for New Year? ( staying in a ski resort but unfortunately no snow ) [12]

So....the wife and I are in Poland and we are booked into a place in Zakopane for 5 days over New Year. Given that there is no snow and hurricane force winds it's all looking a bit glum. Does anybody have any thoughts on what else to do now that we are booked into a ski resort with no snow. Snowmobiling has obviously gone out the window.

Also what about New Year's Eve. Heard its excellent hence why we booked it but can't find much info on any events taking place. Anybody know at all?

Merry Christmas everyone.