Travel / Trip to Kraków for a week or more [4]

Ulica Reymonta is a good meeting place for young people on Saturdays around 3PM!! Make sure you dress in red and white and, believe me, you will be fighting off interest!!

Real Estate / Water Company in Poland laying new pipes through my garden and outbuildings... [12]

I would have thought the benefit of having piped water within arms reach of your property, will outweigh any potential damage caused by the installation?

One of my friends just had water installed in a new build property. Unfortunately for him, the nearest water mains was 300 meters from his house - 30,000PLN later and he has water on tap. The same installation cost me 900PLN (9 meters).

Wells are a good idea, until they dry up!! My in law's well dried up 6 months ago (after years of low pressure). Drilling for a new well cost them 15,000PLN.

I imagine the company will postpone digging until the land has (somewhat) dried out.

Life / Hey, Nice Airport Wrocław! Or! Day #1 for an American Ex-Pat in Poland. [128]

Nice thread Jasondmzk!

Can I take the opportunity to recommend a dehumidifer to go with that suszarka (drying rack). Your clothes will be dry in a few hours and it cuts down tremendously on humidity/condensation.

Beware of some cashpoints swindling your greenbacks!! I used a Worldnet bankomat recently (with my Pekao SA debit card). To my utter dismay, a charge of 99PLN appeared on my statement. This figure represented 4.75% of the entire transaction. Probably my own fault, as I did notice a huge black Dick Turpin style mask pinned on the ATM, just thought it was a promotion of some kind :)

Food / Buying traditional Xmas pudding in Poland?? [5]


M&S as in Marks and Spencer?? I wasn't aware they even had branches in Poland?


Great tip, but with my culinary skills it will probably end up looking (and tasting) like mud pudding :)


Same here too :) Particularly like walnuts and a really chunky consistency! In southern England it was always a shock to see custard (usually bird's) being poured over the pudding. Personally only single cream does it for me, but each to their own :)

Language / Need Advice On Polish-English language barrier (my Polish boyfriend and his family) [59]

The hosts', of the last party I attended, must have been from a different school of thought. After inviting me to their party, I was presented with a bill the following day for 130zl. This was to cover the alcohol (I generally don't drink), venue (their house), food (some of which I supplied), transport (travelled in my own car). Needless to say, I am wary of accepting any invitations now :)

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

Based on experience within the property market, I wouldn't buy an older house in Poland (flats are a different animal). Generally these houses are just not up to modern standards (in my opinion). They suffer from a total lack of insulation, terrible layout, sub-standard electrics/plumbing, everything will most likely need replacing (interior fixtures, floors, windows,

doors, etc). Also, count on a new central heating system and probably a new roof, and I bet the old one will be pressed metal 'blacha', meaning the roof supports are also sub-standard. The last point is that re-selling the property will be a nightmare, as nobody wants those older houses. I am not, by any means, saying this issue is unique within Poland, as The UK pretty much has the same situation with sub-standard musty old houses. The difference in Poland is that planning permission and decent land are easily come across. Why even bother with an old house that will swallow nearly as much as a new house and never look or function in the same manner? I suppose most of these people want to sell to part fund a new build. I know I just sold an old flat, the proceeds of which are proudly sat on my new build :)

This is all in my own opinion and I am not saying it suits everybody, but think long and hard before committing money to an old house, because the bill will continue aka classic film 'money pit' with Tom Hanks.

Life / Poland: When usually is the best time to change from summer to winter tyres? [42]

I once tried driving around Zakopane in a Mitsubishi Shogun Mk11 with part time/ full time 4wd etc. The snow had only started falling (in November I believe), and I was totally confident, despite only having summer tyres, in my jeep's ability to maneuver around uninhibited by the 10 - 15cm of snow. This misguided belief was immediately put to rest by the second corner, where I

completely lost control and banged into a Fiat Punto (which had also lost control). My overriding memory is of some woman attempting to 'stop' my 2 tonne jeep sliding along the snow and then jumping out of the way at the last moment. Lesson learned, I drove back, like a handicapped snail, and bought a set of winter tyres. I left these tyres on through the summer season too, but I think the rubber compound is a lot softer than on summer tyres, hence they wore out quicker.

Life / You've been in Poland a while if .... [49]

Couple more...

You expect meat to taste like meat and are shocked when it's chewy, tough, etc

You expect women to act like women and not like drunken men looking for a fight

You expect kids to be reasonably polite and not act like little hooligans/thugs

You expect the driver behind you to overtake at the first opportunity (even if it's on a bend)

You expect to be ripped off when you attempt to buy something used (car, flat, etc)

You expect to be ripped off when you attempt to sell something used (car, flat, etc)

Life / You've been in Poland a while if .... [49]

These may or may not be applicable to other people:

You raise your eyebrows and question 3zl as being expensive for parking.

You can select a wicked bit of kielbasa/szynka just by looking

In your mind, LHD cars make more sense than RHD's.

You know Poland has the second oldest constitution in the world.

You actually greet and are greeted with Dzien Dobry (as opposed to the incorrect stereotype in England, where your neighbour of 20 years has never said 'good morning/afternoon/evening'.

You eagerly await truskawki season, picturing a carrier bag full of strawberries for 6zl.

You know who Boleslaw Chrobry was and have wondered (at some stage) if he was chronically ill.

You know at least 3 x of each of the following: Anna, Iza, Magda

25% of your time is spent speaking about your building project (out of the city)

You're blase after seeing a particularly shocking piece of driving

Roads wouldn't look complete without Reklami

Language / The Polish language - it's bloody hard! [210]

I completely subscribe to the viewpoint that any foreign language is difficult to learn. Having observed several people return from England, America, Ireland, etc, who thought they had mastered the language. The result is what Lyzko usually points out, a very low standard of speech with minimal grammatical sense. Only the 'geekiest' students who have immersed themselves 24/7 in studies and culture emerge with any credibility.

The only bone I have to pick with Polish people, is their apparent 'tunnel' hearing when it comes to Polish. If you don't pronounce the word absolutely perfectly (which is almost impossible for a native English speaker), then you're in for a frustrating time.

Walk around England and listen to the disgraceful standard of speech, yet everyone is fully understood. No wonder immigrants think they're fluent speakers, until they enter a classroom and realise they haven't the foggiest about the most simple grammatical structures. This usually happens when they return to Poland to 'maintain' their English. The saddest sight is rather nice looking girls, who have been contaminated with gutter talk, effing and blinding away like there's no tomorrow.

Language / How hard is it to learn Polish? [178]

How hard is to learn Polish for people who have a natural gift for languages?

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the answer to the above is: equally as hard as
any other foreign language - it depends on your personal application. If you fully immerse
yourself in the language and culture with full vigor, then success will follow. If, on the other hand, you
attempt to lazily pick up the lingo, then prepare yourself for disappointment. I am sure
this rule applies to French, German, Spanish, etc. On reflection, the same applies to all
achievements in life. When colleagues (usually youngsters) are telling me about their future
and how they envisage success. I usually warn them to have a back-up plan of working their
a**** off 'just in case' :)

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


Is this the total figure for the whole development? How many apartments would that area generally contain and would it be a single building, or part of a complex?

Life / Struggling young Polish couple - try to solve their problem [176]


Tell that to wealthy professionals in London, who regularly pay 7 figures GBP for such flats. Apparently the bubble is in Poland (according to at least one individual).

Life / Struggling young Polish couple - try to solve their problem [176]


Then again, what are the requirements of a young couple?? As their current situation is classed as 'struggling', then I don't think they have the right to refuse any flat. Shopping around sensibly could buy a 1 bedroom or studio flat (30 - 40m2). They could build from there without having a mortgage or rent to worry about. If that means commuting to work then so be it.


Have you thought about working/studying as a physicist?? Your ability to analyse data and arrive at a balanced conclusion is extraordinary. Your conclusion of 'BS' is particularly thought-provoking. I wonder, is that some kind of advanced mathematical/scientific equation?

Life / Struggling young Polish couple - try to solve their problem [176]


Funnily enough, nobody produced figures to disprove that theory. If you believe it's more difficult to acquire property in Poland, then why do you live in Poland?? I can't see what's so difficult about buying a flat in Poland!! I regularly see small flats available for as little as 60,000zl. How difficult would that be to save, especially for a working couple?? Don't come back with some BS about 1500zl a month (unless they're cleaning floors), and if that's the case, they need educating/training in a field which offers better opportunities.

Life / Struggling young Polish couple - try to solve their problem [176]

They need a house, so buy a house!! Also, let them eat kremówki...

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


Is that a serious figure Harry? If so, then I am astonished any flat could be had in Greenwich for that amount. What's the catch?

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

I believe the Polish average wage has risen since then (2008) alongside the property market taking a slight fall too. I wonder how updated figures would read.

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

Plenty of (well educated) people in Britain are on £6 - £7 per hour too. The balance between wages and housing, for the average person, is sheer lunacy in Britain. My example of GBP100,000 for a flat in Krakow, was for a new flat in a nice area. Plenty of older type 'kamienicy plu??' are available for lower prices. I'm not sure what relevance Britain in 1990 has to Poland 2012. I was comparing Britain 2012 to Poland 2012 and simply pointing out I think it's easier to climb onto the property ladder in Poland when compared to Britain. This must be true for British and Polish people.


I suppose they justified it by saying "We were on 10 bob/50p a week back then and you could have bought 10,000 Mars bars for that money". :) The old banknotes must have been huge!! Apparently, it was possible to buy a whole street, and still have enough money left to decorate for a fiver!!

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


Very true!! Everytime my wife and I visit the UK, she's horrified at the living standards for the prices. I feel sorry for most of my friends/colleagues as, due to the ridiculous prices asked for old, damp, low standard properties, the only option is renting. Surely the UK housing market madness must end at sometime?? Some people spread propaganda about the Polish market being due a correction, yet I find it more than reasonable to break into (even taking into account the dramatic rise in 2007). The UK, on the other hand, is impenetrable by most normal people. I can only laugh when I see 'sheds' in small towns priced at GBP100,000. The same properties I remember being sold for GBP15,000 in the 80's. I know someone who has just purchased a 50 - 60M2 new flat in Krakow for the same price. No brainer for me, I would take the city flat all day long (given the 2 options).

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]

Just wanted to give this thread its yearly update:)) All in all a volatile, yet expected, last 8 months for the Zloty against the Pound. Going from around 4.40 to 5.45 and then down to its current state of around 5.00. Surely it can only go back to around 4.50?? Difficult to predict with all the present market turmoil, as every month seems to throw up another crisis. Any ideas from any interested members (Wroclaw)?

Law / Any good business ideas - what Poland needs? [114]

How about invent a currency which doesn't devalue 20% in 1 month? That or maybe offer secure flights for high ranking officials, oh I forgot, the government already has the monopoly on that one...

I asked an Economics student the same question and his reply (bearing in mind he lives in a medium sized town) was to open a sex shop...He could have a point there.

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]

I've given up even caring about the exchange rates...By and large I am in Poland, so my PLN still buys the same quantity of goods if it's worth 4.15 or 5.50.

Of course I'm just trying to keep positive and sane, whilst seeing my money devalue 15 - 20% against other currencies :(

I'm Sure 12 months down the line we will be looking at a completely different picture!! No way will it be 5.05, but probably more like 6.50 at the rate it's going :))

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]


Certainly a start, let's just hope we can end the day somewhere close to that figure, as that will be a major confidence boost for the PLN.

Crazy markets, when currencies are fluctuating 10% - 15% in a week. As Wroclaw boy astutely pointed out a couple of months back, we were close to the all time peak against the GBP, so it could really only go one way, it's just the sharp decline which is alarming.

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]

4.96zl at the moment, just giving me one huge headache....February last year springs to mind... 5.50zl anyone.

Surely this must recover over the next few months?? Where it ends before it recovers is another matter.

How the Zloty can be losing against EVERY currency is ridiculous!!

Real Estate / Where to sell a land in Poland,100Ha, with all the permissions to build? [9]

My offer is still 'aktualna'...The finance is all in place. Just waiting for the green light from Ewa, so to speak.

Real Estate / Where to sell a land in Poland,100Ha, with all the permissions to build? [9]

I could probably stretch to 4 Euro/Ha, subject to viewing of course.....Message me if interested....

Work / Morgue Job in Warsaw and what is the average pay?. [7]

It's your gf, so obviously tell her before she finds out. I'd recommend having a stiff drink ready for her....Knowing Polish women she may find the working conditions a little rigid, but at the end of the day a job's a job!!

UK, Ireland / Brits to protest against foreigners in the workforce, including Poles. [289]

The majority of the new generation British workers are not hungry enough and all have delusions of being the Boss. The saying of 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians' is still very true. In general there is a lot of weakness/softness in the current generation, which wasn't there when Britain carved out its reputation as a world leader.

Saying that, it can't be easy having to compete with foreign workers who travel to the UK with no intention of spending their money there, i.e 10 people living in a small house, saving every single Penny possible, etc. Compare this to a man with a mortgage and family, having to actually live comfortably in a place and provide for his family. Unfortunately the family Man is fighting a losing battle, as he will always be undercut and probably outworked by the foreigner. Some might say this is good for businesses and causes competition, but the only loser is the native and his family.

Long term the only solution is to fight fire with fire, defiantly raise the Union Jack, get strong and be prepared to work for a similar amount as foreigners whilst showing the same willingness and hunger too. Exactly what I intend to do should I return.

P.s Second thoughts, sounds too much like hard work, think I'll just stay here. lol.