Posts by JvHam

JvHam

4 May 2013

Work / Krakow: possible job offer: 6.500 PLN [20]

Hi all,

I'm in the final selection for a nice position in Krakow.
I asked about the offered salary, which was 6.500 gross each month. Furthermore private health insurance, other insurances and a sports membership.
When I informed about it, I was told that the net salary would be around 4.500PLN.

Now I have some questions. I am single but would like to have a two bedroom appartment within 2.5 km from the city centre (not more then 10 minutes by bike). I did a google search for long term real estate rent and found that I have to take about 2.000PLN as a normal price for a furnished appartment. My first question is if there are some websites with more unfurnished appartments, because I don't mind bringing my own stuff over there.

The second question is about the other housing costs, electricity, garbage, water etc. I read stories that differ between 300 and 1.200 a month for this. What would be reasonable to calculate for let's say a 70m2 appartment occupied by 1 person? I will only occasional use air conditioning (only when above 30 degrees) and in winter I will probably only heather my living room to about 19 degrees.

Third question is if I can live comforably with about 2.000 PLN a month after rent and utility costs. My style of living is mostly travelling by bus/tram during the week, maybe 2 times a week a taxi for a short ride. I smoke about one package a day (Pall Mall) and enjoy good food. I will cook myselves about 5 times a week, but prefer good steak or nice fish. The other days i will probably eat in a restaurant (middle class). I will probably go out once or twice a week and like to drink international beers or proper wine. Will this be possible for 2.000 PLN spending money?

I have been reading more information on this forum and have read something about ZUS. Now is my question what would be the monthly cost for ZUS and if this is necessary. I am already offered a private health insurance, so actually don't need national health insurance. Also payments for pension wouldn't be necessary for me.

My last question is if I should rent an appartment using a real estate agent, or if it would be better to just sleep the first week in a hotel and inform locally.

All help is appreciated. I don't have the job yet, but because it is really short term, I would like to be well informed before signing anything.

JvHam

4 May 2013

Work / Krakow: possible job offer: 6.500 PLN [20]

Thanks DominicB,

Quitting smoking would be one of my wishes that I'm definately going to try.
Sorry if I sounded pampered. I was just sketching the ideal situation for me.
A two bedroom apartment is not a necessity, one bedroom will do just fine. Airconditioning is also not necessary. But when looking around for appartments I found quite a few apartments with airconditioning and just tried to explain that if it is already in the apartment I wouldn't use it a lot. Food is quite important to me, I was just explaining what I eat over here. But frankly I don't think this will be the costs, at least over here (Netherlands) a steak or a nice piece of fish is not that expensive, around 2 euro in the supermarket for 140 grams.

At the moment I don't go out a lot, because I already have enough friends, but if you move to another country where you have to start all over again, i think nightlife is a good way to get to know people. And I'm not a big drinker.

So let me please make some changes to my wishlist:
A 1 bedroom apartment in a safe area, preferrably not too far away from the city center.
I need internet in the apartment, but no landline phone.
I will go out in the weekend and will drink about 6 beers a night. I don't like stylish clubs with only expats and/or local jetset, but prefer bars with a mixture of locals, exparts and tourists.

Is the 6.500 gross more realistic in that way? Especially after quitting smoking?

Please also answer my question about ZUS.

JvHam

5 May 2013

Work / Krakow: possible job offer: 6.500 PLN [20]

Poland is not a beef and good fish country.

Well, if the price difference is that big, I might have to save my eating habits. Chicken is ok and if you prepare panga in a nice way it can be nice too. I just have to see the prices over there, but definately don't want to pay double the price compared to over here for my fish.

JvHam: And I'm not a big drinker.JvHam.

again, probably a misunderstanding. A normal glass of beer over here is 0.25 liters, but I looked at the menu's of some restaurants over then and you are probably talking about the 0.5 liter glasses.

3 liters on one night is definately a lot, 1.5 liter over a full night is not heavy drinking, at least not in my opinion. Btw. I was talking about two nights out in the weekend, of course I won't drink on sunday if I have to work monday morning.

JvHam: i think nightlife is a good way to get to know people.

So you are telling me that Polish nightlife is full with drunk losers and you can't meet proper people that work hard during the week and just want to relax a little in the weekends?

I don't know Poland, but in other countries where I've been, the expat community and people working for international companies meet up a lot in nightlife. Like having dinner together in a restaurant and have a couple of drinks in a bar afterwards. Is it that different in Krakow?

JvHam: Please also answer my question about ZUS.The ZUS is taken out of the 6500.

So, if I understand correct, paying ZUS is not something that you can choose, but more like a taxation with another name?

Sorry, but I'm still detecting a distinct odor of immaturity here in your part. If you consider your stay in Poland an opportunity to become responsible.

Too bad you still detect that odor of immaturity. I'm quite well traveled and used to live in a third world country for almost a year without having problems to adjust (no hot water, only electricity by a generator, eating in local restaurants, buying food at the local market etc.) and spending most of my free time with locals. My questions are mainly because I don't know much about Poland, so I don't know how i will feel about the local food etc. , so it's more like a check for a worst case scenario.

About the bikes, Poland and Holland share at least a national sport. But if I can put the bike inside of my apartment and locked in the office parking lot, I don't take risks. Of course I won't use a bike when going out or shopping or something. Just to go to my job and back.

JvHam

6 May 2013

Work / Krakow: possible job offer: 6.500 PLN [20]

Thanks a lot for the links to supermarket prices.
1 kg of salmon filet for 35.99 seems a fair price. Don't have to eat it everyday, but at least it is still affordable, actually quite a lot cheaper then over here. I pay more like 75 for a kilogram over here.

Also other common products that I know, like edammer cheese and whoolite washing powder are quite a lot cheaper.
I start to get more and more enthusiast.

Btw, I found a nice and cosy small 1 bedroom apartment on the internet for 1700 +450 administration fee + electricity and internet at the Verona Tarasy residential complex in Bronowice.

It looks like a nice and secure apartment on the pictures and even offers a swimming pool and a gym for the residents. Does this seem like a good deal?

would 250 PLN be enough for electricity and internet in a 42 m2 apartment occupied by just 1 person?
I don't know if I am allowed to post links on this forum, that's why there's no link.

JvHam

8 May 2013

Work / Krakow: possible job offer: 6.500 PLN [20]

Today I also received a job offer from another company, based in Warsaw, they offer 7.000PLN gross.
Which offer is financially better, 6.500 in Krakow or 7.000 in Warsaw?