Work / Advice for a worried English stranger / Native speaker who wants to move to Poland [23]


I agree wholeheartedly with Delphs comments - also the fact that you are hoping to stay for a while in Poland, and not be a transient 'native speaker' will help; I know of quite a few friends who are doing 'English conversation with a native speaker' - none of them have completed any TEFL courses and are doing fine.

I'm sure you'll make a success of this - let us all know how you get on - I often visit Poland, mostly Warsaw, and do 'English conversation with a Native Speaker' and have no problems at all. I am 50yrs old guy, graduate & postgraduate studies in Psychology, but no formal qualifications for teaching English as a foreign language; I do speak Polish fluently although it is my second language, which does help a bit - if you want any advice then pm me .

Polanglik

Love / Massive problems with Polish mother-in-law [36]

I agree with advice from Delph and Magdalena ..... you have to create a life with your husband - in an ideal world everyone will get along with each other, but it's plain to see from what you have written that this is not the case with your MIL.

In such a situation the best course of action is to have as little to do with her as possible - it's sad that things have to come to this, but for the sake of your relationship with your husband, it may be the only option.

UK, Ireland / Irish, married to a Polish woman, considering moving to Poland - Rzeszow [11]

Hi Mairtin & Warwicktiger,

I wish you both good luck in your proposed moves to to Poland; I am hoping that 2013 will be the year I move across to Poland also .... almost certainly Warsaw as I already have a flat there as well as a good network of friends.

I will be 50 this year so I still intend to work whilst in Poland, probably teaching English but I also have a few other things planned as I am fortunate to be able to speak Polish fluently.

It would be good to hear how you get on with your planned moves. If all goes well for me then I will move my family across to Warsaw in late August so the kids start school in early Sept.

Polanglik

History / Questions regarding Barka [6]

This is one of my favourites also ...... there is newer version ( using the same video clip) which is a bit more upbeat in the latter part.

w.youtube.com/watch?v=fUv0PgabW_8

Life / If you are Polish abroad or of Polish descent, do you celebrate St. Nicholas day? [33]


That's what comes from being on the 'Naughty' list :o)

Life / If you are Polish abroad or of Polish descent, do you celebrate St. Nicholas day? [33]

Growing up in London, of Polish parents, my brother and I always looked forward to Dec 6th, St Nicholas Day - as children we got presents, but as we got older the gifts became smaller. Even though I am nearly 50yrs young, my mother, brother and wife still share small gifts on St Nicholas Day.

I have children of my own now, and they get presents on 6th Dec in the same way - my wife and I also give each other presents, but just some token gesture like some chocolates, or a small gift.

As a 3-4 yr old I was taken to the local town hall where St Nicholas would appear with some angels and he would hand out presents to children who attended - (these were presents bought by the child's parents but handed out as if from St Nicholas). Presents are handed out by St Nicholas, and not by Santa Claus .... Later as we got older, presents were left by our beds so when we woke on Dec 6th we would have presents :o)

I know that 'Meeting St Nicholas' is organised in our Polish Centre, POSK in Hammersmith West London, where loads of young children gather with their parents to see St Nicholas - it's a great tradition for Polish people, and I believe this is celebrated in other countries like Holland and Belgium.


We just explain that this is a Polish tradition - remember they receive presents from St Nicholas and not Santa. We also tell them that Polish people's main celebration day over Christmas period is Christmas Eve, and not Christmas Day - there is a big meal on Christmas Eve, after which presents are shared from under the Christmas Tree, and those who are able will attend midnight mass - some Polish people say you shouldn't drink alcohol with the meal on Christmas Eve, but others aren't so strict and we being the 'not so strict' will have wine, and vodka to accompany our meal :o)

As we live in London, and have also been brought up to observe British traditions, we Celebrate Christmas Day the way other Brits do .... Turkey Christmas Lunch, with all the trimmings, Christmas Crackers on the table, followed by falling asleep on the sofa watching the usual tv shows ...... re-runs of Only Fools & Horses or Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show from the seventies !

In the same way Polish people celebrate Dec 6th and 24th .... and get gifts twice at Christmas, living in England we get gifts on our birthdays, something I was told by my mum and grandparents Polish people don't usually celebrate in a big way, and also on our 'Imieniny' or our Saint's Day which is the day Polish people celebrate more :o) I'm sure some may disagree with me, but this is what I was told.

In any case ..... it's great being Polish :o)

Law / Lokaty in Poland [5]

Yes .... I looked it up at Nordea, and such an account does exist - is this account only available to Polish residents?

Law / Lokaty in Poland [5]


I always thought that when one took out a 'Life Insurance' policy, they only paid out in the event of death; there is no cash in value of the policy if one terminates the contract during the term of the policy or at the end?

I'm also looking at investing in short term and long term with banks/financial institutions in Pl - just starting my research :o)

Language / Polish Santa Claus (vocabulary) [2]


I don't believe there is a Polish Santa Claus .... only a St Nicholas :o) ...... and I think there is a thread already running discussing this.

As a young boy with Polish parents, growing up in England in the 60's/70's, December 6th was a very special day for my brother and myself as well as all the other children of Polish parents; it was the day St Nicholas came and left presents by your bed, or you went to a local hall where St Nicholas (a parent dressed up) would make an appearance and give out presents to all the Polish boys and girls.

It's a tradition I am continuing with my own two young kids.

UK, Ireland / What's the best Polish restaurant in London? [26]

I haven't been to 'Ognisko' The Polish Club - Restaurant for many years, but I have heard it's a great place to have a traditional Polish meal ..... but at a price £££'s :o)

The address is 55 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2PN, right next to Imperial College, and just round the corner from The Albert Hall and the museums.

ognisko.com

If you want to impress a Polish girl, then this is the place to take her for a romantic meal; reserving a table is recommended.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


I've seen this one on the internet and it seems all the latest gadgetry comes with these properties, ..... not keen on having a shared underground garage though.

Location looks pretty good, and there's no danger of flooding.


people want to live in a safe environment and gated communities provide this; lots of these gated communities are on the outskirts of the main city ..... in the suburbs and not in centre of the city.

Personally I can't see much wrong with gated communities; what is the difference to living in a gated community of semi-detached or detached properties and living in an apartment block where you have underground parking where entry is restricted to apartment owners or peole who have purchased a garage space. Many apartment blocks or gated communities are guarded 24 hrs by security and entry to them is by code/password entry pads.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]

I quite liked Konstancja Osiedle when I visited last year ..... price of property is quite expensive though, 2,500,000 złoty for 216m2 semi detached on plots of around 700-800m2, 4,000,000 złoty for 279m2 detached on plots of around 1200m2. Prices vary from 11,000zł/m2 - 15,000zł/m2

I'm sure that as they're coming to end of phase V , the final phase, they want to wrap up the sales dept and would be willing to take offers.


nothing wrong with gated communities (very American) .... gives one the feeling of security which many people. Buying in this development would be a good investment, as resales and rentals are quite good from what I've heard.

Also liked a gated community which was a bit further out ... around Chylice, called Oakland Park but prices were ridiculous for location of the development, although properties were just like the ones I'd choose to live in.

Next time I'm in Warsaw will have to pop down there and see what finally got sold - in first phase they were planning 36 detached properties on large plots (over 2000m2) but I think only about 12 got built and sold, but I could be wrong; latest I heard was the company was selling off plots of land.

So far, my wife's favourite location is Wilanow, and Lawendowe Ogrody Osiedle seem reasonable; there is also Sady Wilanowskie & Osiedle Lercha Bis which don't look too bad.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


I'll get in touch once we make the move; I have a friend whose son is in one of the Polonia Yth squads.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


I was really impressed with the facilities of the American School, and especially as my son is very good in sports I considered putting him into the American School ; anyway after the initial euphoria at seeing the facilities, reality and common sense hit home - our kids are already immersed in the British curriculum, so it makes sense to continue with that.

I took my son to see the Brit School when we were over for Euro2012 and although they didn't have time to take us round the classrooms and facilities, my son liked what he saw and is keen to go to Poland, even though he has lots of friends here in London. He is quite mature for a ten yr old and said that it would be a good life experience to live and get educated in another country. I think he also worked out that the holidays would be longer if we moved to Poland :o)

He is a keen footballer and plays regularly for a Sunday League team, and also trains with Brentford FC at their Advanced Training Academy, so if we move to Warsaw I'll have to find him a team locally - I have already done some research and found Kosa Kostancin (run by Roman Kosiecki) which maybe a bit far and also SF Wilanow. Does anyone know anything about these clubs?

My daughter has already said she'd like to go horse-riding and this is more affordable than it would be here in London. I have spoken to friends whose daughers are frequently going on horse-riding/jumping camps and they say it is not expesive at all.

Both our kids have friends in Poland, as my god-daughter (13yrs) and her younger brother(11yrs) live in Warsaw, and I have quite a few friends who are Brits but with Polish parents who married nativePolish girls, already living in Warsaw.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


My point, or opinion is that when/if we move to Poland then it will be a much smoother transition for our children who are currently 10yrs and 9yrs old to stay in an English speaking school, and continuing in the curriculum that they have got used to. Both our children speak English and Polish, but their English is at a much higher level than Polish; I am a Brit citizen but feel more Polish having been brought up in a Polish household, while my wife is a native Pole, but we speak both languages fluently.

If the children were much younger, say 4yrs or 5yrs old then sending them to a predominantly Polish speaking school could be an option.

I agree that the fees are quite high, and I know that quite a lot of people sending their kids to these international schools get help with the fees through the companies where they work; unfortunately we are not in such a lucky position but I'm sure we'll manage somehow :o)


This is what I have heard also; I also know friends who sent their kids to the British School and some who have also worked there. Last time I checked the staff, I recognised at least two people I knew in London from 20-30 yrs ago !

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


That's where the kids will be going ..... they're really excited about moving to Poland.


We have two children ... oldest is 10yrs and the youngest just turned 9yrs a few days ago; they understand Polish but don't speak it very well, but that should improve in Poland. We also looked at the American School, but as both kids have been in the British education system we think it best for them to continue down that route - the facilities at the American School looked great, probably better than at Brit School.

My wife is a native Pole, whilst I was born in England but speak both English and Polish fluently.

Apartment will be temporary, until we buy a house around Wilanow area - I know there's no metro in Wilanow but it's a nice area which we know quite well as we had friends who lived there for a number of years.

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


Warsaw may be one of the most congested cities , but according to another survey it is the 19th most prosperous city :o)

I have also been looking at buying a house somewhere in the Wilanow area, within easy access to British School as that's where we'd be sending our kids if our planned move to Warsaw goes ahead next summer.

Saw one house ...... detached which was priced at a ridiculous 4.5 million złoty; okay it was 680 m2 but for a house that size I'd have expected a larger plot.

When I was viewing this house I looked over at the houses in the neighbourhood and recognised Lawendowe Ogrody a development I had viewed on my previous visit .... garage linked semi-detached properties of 344m2 on plots of 600-810m2 - these properties are available at 1.9million to 2.2million złoty, but I got the impression 20-30% could be knocked off that asking price.

On my last visit I also saw a few other semi-detached properties in Zawady area, 1.5million złoty , and 1.95 million złoty (2.3million in a finished state) but again I'm sure a good discount could be negotiated.

We'll probably buy ourselves an apartment first, and then look around for a house once we have more time to explore the area and get a good feel of the place; I agree that buying in close proximity to metro stations, tram/bus stops is essential. I like the Powisle area, and I know Nowe Powisle (Menolly) has only a few apartments left, but prices there are in the region of 16,000 -18,000 zloty/m2. Closeby are the Solec 24 Apartments but I have to check the prices on my next visit ( around 12,000 złoty/m2 I think), but both these developments will be close to a planned metro station, and a good base to start looking, as well as a good investment for the future.

At the moment we're trying to sell a property in London, and once that is sold I'll be able to spend some more time in Warsaw looking for property.

It's interesting to hear the different views and opinions of living in Poland, and if I have any interesting comments/observations then I'll join in :o)

Travel / Is there a healthy expats scene in Poland? (drinks, food, golf, etc.) [143]


Good luck with your move ...... what will you be doing?

If things work out, it's possible I'll be following in your footsteps later next year ..... hopefully in summer :o)


same here ...... already checked out the schools and have been looking in Wilanow area for property; it's a good time to be looking at property.... exchange rate is favourable and I think you can get some good deals.


have either of you been out to Poland ?

I'll be looking out for your posts, to see how you settle in ...........

Polanglik

Travel / Bored foreigner in Warsaw, any advice? [13]

If you like sport, then pop down to the Pepsi Arena, home of Legia Warszawa, and get yourself a Karta Kibica which will allow you to purchase tickets for Legia Warszawa matches.

What are you doing in Warsaw? .....working .... studying .?

USA, Canada / My story. Born In the USA - do I have a chance in Poland, my Mother Country? [69]

Chris,

I wish you all the best in your journey to a new life in Poland - I know of many Brits (with Polish roots) who moved to Poland and they tell me they don't regret the move;

It's almost certain that I will be moving my family over to Poland, probably Warsaw, late in 2013.

News / Don't go to Poland ... because you could end up coming back in a coffin [313]


Fortunately not everyone has this impression of Poland; Poland has many things which it needs to improve, but to label Poland as 'the land of Nazi's' is totally out of order and outright offensive!

If my grandfather who fought in two world wars was alive today (he'd be111yrs old), he would give a right good kicking to anyone who dared call his beloved Poland a land of Nazi's; small elements of society do not make a land!

Hooliganism is a problem in Poland , as it is in many other countries, and not so long ago was a major problem in England;

England didn't cover itself in glory with last years summer riots and they definitely weren't a good advert for the Olympics.

Law / British managers superior to Polish [52]


What about the re-building of Wembley Stadium? The old Wembley closed in Oct 2000 and it was supposed to be demolished in Dec 2000, and the opening of the new Wembley Stadium was planned for 2003.

Demolition finally got underway in Sept 2002 and the old Wembley stadium was finally demolished by Feb 2003; the new stadium was scheduled to be ready for the 2006 FA Cup Final, but further delays meant that it wasn't ready till a year later to host the 2007 FA Cup Final.

I agree the roads/transport in Poland are less than perfect and it will take some time to get the infrastructure right, but I think Poland has come a long way in the last 20 yrs and will only get better.


it's not question of 'hiding' ...... those who lived or had family living in post-war Poland can't forget what it was like under communist rule; if Poland had been a free country like Britain after WWII , I'm sure things would be much different today.


true, .... but it's something to be admired and respected

History / A little reminder for those Brits that ***** about Poles [143]


Hi there Wroclaw!

What were you doing in my neck of the woods? I live in Chiswick but frequently go down the Fulham Palace Rd on the way to watch my footie team Fulham.

I have only been to the Spitfire Restaurant once, and that was a couple of years ago - from what I remember the barszcz was pretty tasteless and the main course was ok but nothing to rave about; the fact I can't remember what I had probably says a lot. The szarlotka (apple pie) for desert was not bad; I also had an Irish Coffee which was basically coffee laced with whisky and covered with cream from an aerosol can - not really what I call a proper Irish Coffee.

I haven't been back to the Spitfire, and that in itself should tell you that I wasn't impresssed with the food. Maybe it's got better over the years.

Are you no longer living in Pl? What are you up to these days?

Polanglik

Law / I am starting a new business life in Poland (coming from Sydney) [84]


the longer the better ....

Law / I am starting a new business life in Poland (coming from Sydney) [84]


It's not actually 'going back to Poland' - I wasn't born in Poland nor have I lived there permanently, but I have travelled there quite a bit and also visited my friends & family many times. My wife is a native Pole and both our children are bilingual.

I am a trained psychologist, but have also been involved in property, but it's most likely I'll get involved in teaching English and translating work; I have many friends who have been doing this for over 15yrs and I am already doing some translating work so will expand on this.

I'll also see what else comes up; as I said I am fluent in both languages, have made a number of business contacts in Pl already, so will see what opportunities there are.

Apart from this, I will still receive a healthy income from renting property which I have in London and Warsaw.


I have already visited the British and American Int schools in Warsaw, and am aware of the fees and also the standard of teaching these schools provide; I had a few friends who taught at the British School and having checked the staff recently have recognised some acquaintances from the past.

The next 18 months here in England will be crucial and various things will determine whether we make to move over to Poland ... either Warsaw or Krakow.

I will be in Warsaw in just over a weeks time to visit a few friends, and enjoy the Christmas spirit which is still alive and kicking and not restricted by the political correctness brigade that is rife here in UK!

Law / I am starting a new business life in Poland (coming from Sydney) [84]

Good luck to you Zac .....

Where in Poland are you planning to re-locate to?

I am considering moving to Poland in the next year or two, but this will be decided by a number of factors. At the moment I live in London with my wife and two kids (9yrs & 8yrs), but a move to Poland, (Warsaw the most likely destination as we already have a network of friends/family there as well as some property), has alway been in our minds.

Family comes first for me also, so I have to decide whether the education the kids receive in an International School in Poland will compare well with getting an education here in UK.

It will be good to hear about your exploits in Warsaw - I am often in Poland so maybe a meet-up in Warsaw or Krakow is possible.

Travel / Andels Hotel Cracow (Krakow) [6]

Hi,

I am going to Krakow next week and I will be staying at this hotel; it's located just across a square from the railway station and is just around the corner from the big modern mall.

You are walking distance from the main market square, and bus/tram stops are just around the corner.

The hotel itself is very modern; I have eaten there before but will be staying as overnight guest for the first time, 18 -22 Oct as I'm going to the Wisla Krakow v Fulham Europa Cup game on the 20th.

I am also looking forward to visiting the new underground museum loctaed under the main square

I'll give you more feedback regarding the hotel on my return,

Polanglik

UK, Ireland / English to Polish translator for a wedding in UK (Buckinghamshire) needed [6]

I guess you're going to have mostly a mixture of English (not understanding Polish) and Polish (not understanding English) guests .....

It sounds a bit like my wedding, where my wife is Polish and I am of Polish parents but born in London, England.
We had the wedding in Poland, and for the reception we decided not to have the traditional English after dinner speeches from the best man, father of the bride and the groom; instead both my wife and I gave a speech with my wife doing the Polish version and I did the English.

Good luck with your wedding :o)

Food / Kotlet schabowy again. I love it. [47]


I totally agree .... I never seem to get tired of it :o) I had them yesterday; today for my lunch I had liver with onions and new potatoes ...mmmmmmmmm

UK, Ireland / English to Polish translator for a wedding in UK (Buckinghamshire) needed [6]

What part of the wedding do you need translated/interpreted.... the wedding vows .... speeches ??