Life / Polish culture do's and dont's? [106]


Can't agree more. Especially the lift thing. Many times I've had tuts as I tried to get out of the lift with people just standing right in front of the door not budging. I've no idea what I'm doing wrong here - I'd just like to get out on my floor please and I need some space to do this.

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

I see a lot of stubborn sellers in Warsaw. They put out silly prices and wait and see. Some flats have been on the market for over a year so these prices have no reflection on market value. If your flat doesn't sell in max 6 months then the price is too high. This does mean there are more rental properties on the market and I find rental prices quite cheap related to the supposed value of the property. I wouldn't buy off plan yet. I see developers finishing blocks with less than half sold.

Travel / How do I get from Chopin airport to Pole Mokowskie metro? [14]

I'd recommend the 188 bus and get off at Politechnika Metro to get to Pole Mokotowskie metro and avoid the centre as it can be very busy. Politechnika is a smaller station hence easier to get around and sort things out especially if you're new to the city. It's just a personal preference. Also the 175 bus tends to get very full and the 188 less so. It should also cut out 10 mins off the journey getting 188 and metro this way.

Travel / How do I get from Chopin airport to Pole Mokowskie metro? [14]


I've done this route before. But maybe it's a little more you should only pay 25pln during normal traffic. It's 7km - taxis cost around 2 - 2.4 pln per km plus around 8pln starting charge. Don't talk to any guys offering you a taxi IN the terminal they are dodgy. Go out the main doors and there's an official guy in a yellow jersey and he'll point you out a good taxi. 50pln would be an illegal rate.

Travel / How do I get from Chopin airport to Pole Mokowskie metro? [14]

It's not far - a taxi will cost 20pln / 4.8Euro and take 10 mins. Make sure you get in a taxi that's waiting outside the terminal - the guys in the yellow jerseys waiting just outside the control this and are good. The trip by bus train tram etc could take an hour.

History / Polish Officer in NATO, Col. Ryszard Kukliński. [145]

Hero or traitor sometimes someone can be both at the same time. Poland was a country that was a puppet state but it still needed to function so there were oaths and loyalties to run this country albeit ones that were made under foreign control. Polish politicians and the army had to run a delicate operation not ******* off the Soviets too much that they took over whilst standing up for what they wanted Poland to be. The judgements on how much they went one way or another have been played out for since 89 and will continue to do so. Should you stay and work within the system and be called a collaborator or 'komuch', abandon the country to its fate and leave or do a bit of both like Kuklinski? A person of pure principle probably would not have achieved much in PRL.

Work / Is 6500PLN/month enough for 2 people from India to live on in Wroclaw? [40]


House prices are cheaper in Wroclaw than in Warsaw. Just look like for like - Old Town in Wroclaw v Old Town in Warsaw you will find prices at least around 20% cheaper.

wyborcza.biz/finanse/1,105684,14216180,Najdrozsze_mieszkan ia_na_wynajem_sa_w_Warszawie_i.html - comparison between warsaw and other cities.

You can look at other places e.g. gumtree and get direct contact with a landlord for cheaper deals. You could hire a student to help you with language it may cost you a couple of hundred zloty to sort out. There are plenty of private landlords in Wroclaw and some will be keen to bypass agency fees also.

Life / How many British citizen's live in Wroclaw? [9]

Maybe the British Embassy. They should have a record of the numbers of Brits who are registered in Wroclaw- zameldowania. Of course, there will be plenty who are not officially registered but no-one will have that information.

Work / Is 6500PLN/month enough for 2 people from India to live on in Wroclaw? [40]


ok

This really will give a half decent living in Wroclaw. But it all depends on what you're used to really. 2000 pln for an aparment in Wroclaw is good and if around 40- 50m2 it's OK and then you will find apartments in the top half of the market mainly for professionals e.g. nieruchomosci.pl/mieszkanie,nil1904716122 - 1800pln - It's in the centre in the old town - an area Poles will see as exclusive. It's definitely NOT basic. If you live further out rents will be cheaper. Have a search - expectations for flats are very subjective - nieruchomosci.pl.

Work / Prospects for Finding a Job Teaching English in Poland or Elsewhere in Europe [17]

I know people getting 200pln an hour but they are long established 15 years + on the market so yes a minority. But it does show that there are some opportunities for specialist teachers. You need a USP in the market and then you can charge more. CELTA / TESOL cert would be essential if you want to earn more. I'd recommend only doing this if you have a real passion or interest in teaching as students will soon find out you don't. If it's a stop gap for a year or so then probably this matters less and then well you should only expect to make ends meet really and see a bit of Central Europe.


I agree on the whole. You can still do well in the big cities with a good network. Just impress a few people with good lessons at the beginning and word gets around. I have Polish friends in the big cities and they say it's not easy finding a good native speaking teacher.

Australia / Australian citizen wanting to go to Poland for as long as possible - needs Polish Visa [49]

If you're bright, have a positive attitude, good qualifications and want to learn the language you can do well in Warsaw. If you've been a success in your country you will be here. There are many opportunities. You need to network well and find out what people / companies need your skills. There are plenty of small businesses here run by expats and they're always looking for people. The city rewards risk takers and outgoing people. Stay away from the burnt out expats for obvious reasons.

Law / Can I drive my wife's car in Poland on a GB licence? [7]

Thanks very much Harry that's a good point. I'll check that.