Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]

200 zloty to tank up the car (the tank was even full after that) and I gotta tank up at 2-3 times a week.

Life / Cost of raising a child in Poland [21]

There are 3 private pre-schools in my neighborhood and they all charge from 1200 to 1600 (I am including meals). I looked at the new American school but it isn't for us (no need to elaborate here).

Life / Cost of raising a child in Poland [21]


Wow. My child's pre-school is 1500 with meals and it is the cheapest that I found for a normal, Polish pre-school.

Life / Cost of raising a child in Poland [21]

It depends on the age of the child. Private pre-school runs about 1500. a month.

Life / Where to purchase reasonably cost Eye Contact lens Cleaner/Solution in Poland?? [6]

Unfortunately you won't find it anywhere else and you won't find it cheaper. Consider switching to one-day use lenses. Considering the price of contact cleaning solutions and saline solutions, it may be cheaper.

Real Estate / Thinking of buying an offplan Luxury Property Wroclaw [79]

For those of you looking for luxury apartments in Wroclaw which are available right now, consider Thespian. The developer is ING. They go for 12,000-16,000 per square meter and are fully fitted-out.

Work / The Goal: 3000pln a month, Lets make it happen! [13]

It's true what they say about the license and the police (city guards) - even when in my case my "group" consisted of my mom and dad.

Life / Cost of delivering a child in Poland [30]

Exactly, your child would automatically be Polish if a parent were Polish (as in the case of my children). It is true though that you have to arrange the American passport, not that you will be denied, but it takes a bit of arranging.

I have given birth, twice, NFZ-style meaning basically "we will catch the baby when it comes out" method but I am pleased with the outcome for me. No drugs and almost immediate recovery for me and when something went wrong with our child, the professional staff stepped in immediately. Ok, the food was awful and the facilities not up to the standards we would like, but it wasn't that bad really. Oh, and no bill...and I got becikowa ;)

News / For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it. [142]

So in response to the title of the thread - Americans should not be misled into thinking that deportation for overstaying in Poland doesn't concern them. It can happen and yes, sobieski, I think it is normal especially when you present yourself to the authorities and give them your passport as my friend did :)

News / For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it. [142]

Tuning out is nice sometimes. But not knowing Polish and tuning out on the train cost me a punch in the face and another on the side of the head. If I had understood that the conductor (yes, the conductor) was not trying to check my ticket (again) but instead intended to rape me, I could have reacted before he smashed my face to bits (because he was talking to me the whole time).

Don't worry, he didn't succeed. I am strong and LOUD and he found it hard to fight with his pants undone.

There are more reasons to learn Polish than just to order piwo.

That last post is a bit off topic so I return to Schengen and Americans.

I know an American man deported from Poland. He overstayed the allowed time (then 6 months) and presented himself at the municipal office demanding they do something about it. They handed him his passport back and informed him that by law, they should start deportation procedure. He played the big American saying that they had to take care of his paperwork, blah, blah, blah. They implored him to just leave but he wouldn't take back his passport and insisted they do something. So they deported him. But it is not all bad, our friend got a very nice bike out of it, very cheap.

I guess the moral of the story is that they are not looking for you and your "crime" but if you present yourself to them, they may act on it.

News / For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it. [142]

I didn't say that I learned it perfectly.

I can communicate in all the situations I need, at the bank, doctor, mechanic, in hospital, under stress (for example in hospital giving birth), at the playground with my kids, speaking with my in-laws and neighbors and friends who don't speak English. I can watch television, listen to the radio and read the newspaper. Sure, I make mistakes. I know I will never be perfect. I don't even strive for perfection. I need communication.

What I don't like is when someone who has never made any attempt to learn the language cannot admit that they have never even tried. I know some gentlemen that have been here in Poland going on 20 years who still cannot order a beer in Polish...and one who got angry (after 20 years in Poland) that the waitress corrected him when he ordered "jabłko sok" instead of sok jabłkowy. They sit around complaining to each other how bad the language is, but have never made an attempt to learn.

I have another friend who cannot speak Polish despite his many years here. And that's cool with him. He says that he doesn't want or need to speak Polish and that he has never tried to learn and will never try. He blames it not on Polish, but his own laziness. That's honest and ok with me.

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

I too have Polish in-laws, the difference being, we live in Poland.

As you have figured out, your mother-in-law is not going to learn English. If you want to communicate with her (and that's a big IF), you will have to learn Polish. Now that I can speak Polish (more or less), I understand that sometimes it is difficult to explain everything they are talking about. Of course, your boyfriend could clue you in on the topic, for ex "We are talking about Aunt Zofia's operation", so at least you know what's going on. Also when you start to learn some vocab it is very helpful for someone to clue you in. When you know what they are talking about, you can pick out words much more easily.

Don't be bored or self-coonscious when you are left alone or nobody is translating for you. Just get into the zone of letting the language, the sounds, the candence wash over you. You don't live in Poland so take advantage of the opportunity to hear the language.

I'm pretty sure that my m-i-l on some days wishes I hadn't learned Polish ;)

Good luck!

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

In 5 months our flat will be ours after a 10-year-mortgage that no bank wanted to give us. In the meantime, we also bought a house :) Someone here said that our financial situation can change over time for better or worse and that we should be prepared. So true.

About our mortgage -We were in our 20's -one foreigner and one Pole. We had no credit history but we both had quite good paying jobs. The banks were still a little edgy saying the we could escape to America with the money. Yes, because with 25,000 or 50,000 euros I will take over America ;) Anyhow, one bank, after examining the money coming in and going out of our account agreed to give us a loan. One important factor was the history of incoming/outgoing payments. Second was that even if one of us lost our job, the other's income was high enough to cover the loan. (I suspect this is the problem for our young couple) In the end, the bank offered us more money than we asked for but we declined. It was a good decision because a year later we were hit with a serious illness which hit us hard in the pocketbook.

Our financial situation improved and we were lucky enough to buy a house in the meantime. We still know that tomorrow anything can happen.

Young couple, save up and show the bank that you spend prudently. Go back in a year and try again. The bank may view you differently then and they may have a better offer for you.

Good luck

"leasing some car that with never be mine" - A leasing payment is a cost for those who operate their own business (mine is 1800 PLN a month) as well as petrol (about another 1000+). At the end of the agreement I have a buy-out payment of 600 PLN and I am the owner.

News / For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it. [142]

They avoid me because I learned Polish which totally spoils their illusions that the language is unlearnable.

News / For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it. [142]

I object to being called a Yank, it sounds too much like wank.

Where are all these Americans in Wroclaw? How am I missing them?

Life / Child Adoption in Poland? [138]

Hi-
This was my experience a few years back. Because I live in Poland and have residence, I decided to check out the adoption process as a Polish person would. I found out that the procedure is pretty much the same whether you are Polish or not. The additional costs for foreigners comes with an agent (if you use one), a translator, sworn translations of documents, the home study and of course travel to Poland. I could immediately cut out the agent, the translators and most of the travel. That just leaves the home study and other documents and later a kind of stamp duty at the court. I was told that we could leave "all that" to the end of the process.

Polish parents have priority that is true and that is why many foreign families opt for children with health problems. Ultimately, the court decides (based on home study and other factors) if parents may adopt a certain child. There are no private adoptions. While a pregant women may indicate that she would like a certain family to have custody of her child, the child will first enter the system and the system will decide.

In our case, we were unable to find a child for us. There were plenty of children in the orphange but they simply were not orphans. I felt sorry for the kids whose parent(s) in fact rarely visited them but still maintained parental rights. In the end our health issue cleared up and we were able to conceive.

Good luck

Law / Setting up small business in Poland? [191]

Your friend will have to register as a sole trader and pay a monthly set of taxes called ZUS. The sole tradership must be registered to an address. I use my permanent address but my business activity does not take place at that location. ZUS which is about 800 zl a month must be paid regardless of turnover of the business. I don't know if watch repair includes VAT. In addition there is income tax. A business bank account is needed and I would suggest the services of an accountant to run the books.

One more point, this friend should become internet savvy or at least functional. It will save a lot of time if your friend pays ZUS and income tax via internet. Also it is the best way to find customers.

Is the business to repair watches for Polish people or mail order repairs for Brits? Your friend will have to learn how to issue invoices as well.

Good luck.

Law / Can I get Polish citizenship if exceeded the "3,5 year after marriage" time limit? [8]

The time requirements are not limits (or windows) but minimum requirements which you have exceeded.

What does your card say? Does it say "karta stałego pobytu"? I am asking because they have stopped issuing cards with that title. My card says "karta pobytu" and then has rodzaj wydanego zezwolenia -osiedlenie się (the right to settle). I can do everything but vote.

When I received my card, I planned to apply for my citizenship as well. I even went directly from the karta pobytu office to the passport for foreigners office, where I was told by a very nice lady that Poland doesn't issue passports to foreigners. I informed her that her door says something different and went home. 5 years later and I still haven't taken care of it.

Good luck!
Chris

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

Liceum

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]

We can also mention other activities linked to the "shale gas revolution":

The helicopter which flies over my sister's home in Pennsylvania from early morning to late evening carrying supplies to the the drilling site at the top of the mountain adjacent her home. The cease and desist order is due to kick in any day now.

The truck which recently crashed in my hometown spilling a tank of frack water into the front yard of a private home that the driver (luckily unhurt) reported to be fresh water. After "clean up" levels of toxic materials are much higher than the norm.

My friend whose well was contaminated due to fracking activity above her home, who unknowingly drank and served the water to her children. Unfortunately her youngest was most harmed and now with documented brain damage. They are currently in court.

But it is completely safe, isn't it?

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

I worked in a public school back in the day when I didn't speak Polish at all. It was a college prep school, located in a small town. I can provide the contact info.

My friend (Polish) who is a school teacher has a native speaker teaching at her school. He doesn't know any Polish (even after a year). The school is in a large city. I can provide contact info.

It was hard for me because I didn't know what was going on half the time but I could easily tune-out in the teachers' lounge and admire the hot, young priest who taught catechism ;) (I'm female btw)

Life / Need Some Advice about life in Poland (vehicle, fuel) [24]

I suggest doing celta or delta in Poland (in Krakow??). I believe it is cheaper than the course you suggested.

Our SUV gets about 6-7 km per liter. One liter of gasoline costs about 5 PLN.

Good luck!

Life / Realistic grocery budget for a family of three in Warsaw? [20]

Hi-
We have a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 5) and we spend between 1000 and 1500 a month on groceries. That includes food and dishwashing liquid, shampoo, etc. We cook at home. I don't shop at Biedronka or Lidl because I've got a Carrefour supermarket closer to home and a TESCO supermarket closer to work. I think they are quite cheap as well. I don't shop at Alma which is more expensive and not close to home. One thing - I don't buy meat from the supermarket - only from a butcher.

Good luck!

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

Hi-
I was the one that suggested the blog :) but it wasn't because you are unwelcome here :)
Chris

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]


Adam, I actually care as do the people who are writing here.

I am from Pennsylvania and I believe that you are currently drilling in my hometown. It is not the rosey picture that you paint and that is me being polite. I respect that you believe what you do about the fracking process. Please respect that others do not. It does not make us all the uneducated crowd as you put it.

I am unhappy to say the least about the situation in my home area and would not like to see the same happen here in Poland where I have lived for more than 10 years. I think that you can accept my opinion as Polish. I live here. I own a home here. I speak Polish. My children were born in Poland and are Polish citizens. I am that proud "Pole" that you have been looking for. It is my pride in the place where I live and the place where I come from which compels me to look deeper and deeper into shale gas exploration and frankly, to not take your word as gold.

Normally at the end of my posts, I wish the author 'good luck' so I wish you good luck in finding out more about Poland.

PS If you are serious about your research about Polish people and making Poland "great", you need to do it in Polish.

PS2 Poland already is great.

Study / MBA in Poland in English [3]

Well, I know that it is possible but I would really like to speak to someone who has completed their MBA in Poland in English other than the "reference students" given by each university. The "reference students" always report that everything at said school is fantastic, great, wonderful, etc. but I need real information not just marketing if you catch my drift.

Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

But real women such as myself tend to have teeny tiny bladders which need regular emptying usually at the most inconvenient of times. It is important for a newbie to scope out the WC facilities in all new places of employment.

PS. When a student offers you "cleansing soup" instead of coffee, say NO.

Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

Good newbie advice ;)

PS. Pot plant is something different in American English. I won't tell you how and when I figured that out :)

Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

But with all the coffee I drink (brought to me by totally hot secretaries), where would I hide the enormous bag full of urine?