We might need to shift to Wroclaw for work. We are not sure whether we should take up the opportunity as my twin babies are only 18 months. Will request you all for some info on the following:
1. How is the residential rent market there. Do we need to pay agent commission? For a furnished 2 bedroom apt how much do I need to pay in a decent , safe locality.
2. Is Indian grocery easily available?
3. What is the medical system there. If I need to continue with my babies vaccination is it possible. How are the emergency services in hospital for kids.
4. How safe is the city to travel at late evening?
5. How much will be the general cost of living per month for 2 adults & 2 infants (18 months) considering cooking mostly veg meals at home.
1. When renting from owner then there is no commission, but for that Polish speaker assistance would be helpful. (you can ask your company for that) When using agency they probably charge something extra.
gumtree.pl/fp-dom-mieszkanie-do-wynajecia/dolnoslaskie-wroclaw/c9008l3200007 - here are many adds, so you may get feeling of prices. Use translate.google.com if needed.
2. I don't live in Wroclaw, but don't think so, as there are nearly no Indians in Poland.
3. Here some comparison of health systems in Europe: healthpowerhouse.com/files/Report-EHCI-2012.pdf
Poland is on 27th place in EU, so closer to bottom, but it's not tragic in most of situations. Generally Wroclaw is considered top city to live in Poland, so access to Medical services should be better than elsewhere. Regarding vaccination you should inform yourself if in Poland is used same medicine. In bad case NFZ (public health insurer) will not cover it and you will have to pay for medicine. In worst case this drug is illegal in Poland.
4. More dangerous than Munich for sure, but saver than most of American cities. "Wrocław, like most of Poland, is a very safe city and violent crime is very rare. You should exercise the usual caution and keep guard of your valuables especially around crowded places. In pubs and clubs better don't leave your belongings unattended." (wikitravel.org/en/Wrocław)
5. use that tool to calculate: numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp
One extra tip, if the company doesn't provide you any accommodation at the beginning, you can easily rent apartment through airbnb.com or 9flats.com online. Choose period of 1 month in order for prices to get little lower (some people give discounts for 1 month long renting). Usually you can rent short term apartment through these pages for only double price than normal market rental. It's still cheaper than hotel.
If your only means of getting around are hoofing it or public transportation, you'll need an URBANcard. I just moved here (Wro) from the U.S. a couple weeks ago, myself. Best o' luck.
transportation in Wroclaw works mostly ok, i recommend using trams then bus. If you will need driver with good english i recommend using Airport Wroclaw Transfer, they specialize in airport transfers, private hire car services, provided with a chauffeur driven car. airport wroclaw transfer.
If it is about grocery i know in few months in Boleslawiec there will start very popular selling event, lots of people travel there to find some nice grocesy.
As for 3. if you want some extra medical services then try private centers, like Lux-med, Medicare, etc. There is no private hospitals though (with the full service at least...).
Private visits to specialists costs on average 100-150 PLN.
