Air pollution in Wroclaw and Krakow

Hi everyone. I am very glad to have found this forum. I have a lead for a job in Wroclaw right now that will very likely turn into a job offer. I'm currently based in Frankfurt and have no experience living in Eastern Europe. I really like the Polish people and their food, however I have heard very bad things about the air quality in Polish cities especially in the winter. Renting a free-standing house will be my plan to avoid neighbors' second hand cigarette smoke. I read that Krakow is one of the worst in the world in terms of air quality. Would Wroclaw be any better? Would there be any particular areas of Wroclaw like the town center that are largely free of coal burning or wood burning? Thanks in advance for the help!

wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/najbardziej-rakotworcze-miasta-w-polsce/r8kp2e
twojapogoda.pl/wiadomosci/115992,oto-nowe-najbardziej-zanieczyszczone-miasto-w-polsce

Just quick info. As you can see, Wrocław is much better than Kraków, but far from ideal. As per houses, generally houseing areas are most pleagued by coal burning (wood isn't nearly as bad). You'd be better sticking to appartments.

I'm, sure people of Wrocław will help you to find cleaest area.

Merged:

I heard that the air pollution in Krakow is so bad. Is it true?

I will go to Krakow in September this year. I searched on the web, someone said in winter they even need "smog masks". Is that true? Could you please tell me. Thank you.

Yes it's true. Air pollution in certain parts of Poland is as bad as Bejing, not all the time but quite frequently. It's worst in winter because of all the coal powered central heating boilers. You can get live updates regarding air quality here:

aqicn.org/city/poland/malopolska/krakow/aleja-krasinskiego/

As you can see, the air in Kraków today is quite good :)

It is bad in winter, ok for the rest of the year. Should be ok in September.

@Atch
Thank you for your replay. Can I ask that people in Krakow really need "smog masks" in winter? Is it exaggerated? I'm afraid I can't get used to it.

@majkel
Hi, majkel, thanks for your replay. It's ok in September, but I'll work in Krakow for a long time, so I'm a little worried about the air pollution.

In wroclaw its not bad. Krakow and surrounding areas have problems with pollution due to the all coal mines in that area

Yes people wear smog masks, not everybody, but certainly anybody who's well informed about the heath risks of smog. The air quality in Kraków during the winter is simply appalling. It's not coal mines that cause the pollution. It's coal fired electricity and the burning of coal in commercial and domestic settings for example coal fired central heating or people burning poor quality coal and rubbish in their stoves at home.

Aren't you the guy who got a job in IT in Kraków? Have you considered Warsaw? The air quality there is better than Kraków though there are still very bad days in winter but it's not on the same scale. Plenty of IT jobs in Warsaw so you might want to think about it, also it has the highest salaries. Gdańsk has an IT sector too and the air is best there because it's by the sea.

The situation is worst in winter, especially when there's no wind. And it's about people using crap to heat their houses. It's not about coalmines ...

I went there a couple of days ago. Nobody wore a mask. I'm still alive.

@Atch
Thank you, Atch. Yes, It's me, the guy got a job in IT in Kraków :) You mentioned Warsaw, it's capital of Poland. I'll consider to go there to have a try. I've never gone to Europe, So I'm a little worried about the living cost, the weather, the pollution and so on, Thank you for tell me the relevant information.

@kaprys
Thanks. kaprys. I'm afraid that I'll stay in Krakow for a long time, so I'm worried about the air pollution. :) It's harmful.

With the kind of salary you can earn, you will have no trouble meeting your day to day living expenses and will probably be able to save something too.

Weather is not so bad in Poland. It depends on the region. The last couple of winters in Warsaw have been very mild with not much snow. Winter 2017/2018 the snow didn't really arrive until February and it wasn't heavy at all. All you need is a good pair of boots with a grip so you don't slip on icy patches and a warm jacket with a hood and woolly hat :)) Indoors you'll be nice and cosy as the central heating is efficient and the trams, buses etc are all heated. In fact it can be too hot and stuffy indoors!

There are tons of jobs available in Warsaw and hold out for a good salary as you have experience and can bring a lot to the job. The air in Warsaw is worst in the city centre but within 15 mins or so of the centre there are lots of nice places to live where the air is much better most of the time. Not so many jobs available in Gdańsk but if you are willing to take a bit longer to find something you can. The air there will be the best as it's by the sea.

Thank you very very much for telling me the information. First I should think about where to live :), It's more important than work, haha...