Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH!

Is it just me or does every polish person think that if you live or come from the states that you must be very comfortable financially? When you tell them your lower class they laugh as if its impossible. Now Ive lived in/on 6 mile(Detroit) for a while and we've rented houses for 20years (mother works for Florida state government and still rents her apartment!) The only RICHness is my younger brother getting a 85% colledge scholarship. And also I like the fact that here(poland) if you have a job(umowa) you can go get credit, its so hard to get a loan in the states even if you've worked for years. Im sorry(not really) if anyones offended but being here for 3 years has been terrible. I did NOT come here by choice(deported) so save the smart**s comments please.

That is very true. I believe a number of Poles who came at the turn of the century had similar experiences, but eventually their children and grandkids became solid middle class.

Right now, especially during this economic downturn, it would be harder to be an immigrant who becomes wealthy. It is possible, but much harder.

On my first trip to Poland ten years ago, I believe I saw that perception. Newly divorced and having to change career direction, I was far from well-off. I think now people are beginning to see that we are not all rich. Not by a long shot.

I do have to say though that my grandmother did very well for herself financially and my Dad and myself benefited greatly.

I am sorry you're struggling and let me tell you that I too have been there and done that. If at all possible MOVE from Detroit. It's the armpit of America (apologies to those who live there now ;) and there are very few jobs available in that region, you'll make your life better by moving somewhere else...

(I just re-read your post and it looks like you live in Poland now?)

As far as your mother who "works for Florida state gov" - what's your point here? Should government employees get better deals? I don't think so, federal and state government jobs should be a temporary solution until you find something better. Ideally 95% of government jobs should be turned to the private sector.

The ability to get credit is much more restricted today as opposed to just a few years ago; it probably makes sense as many people who couldn't afford houses bought houses using easy credit hoping for "better times" which of course never materialized. You say it's hard to get a credit in America but only a few years ago a business program on CNN showed how a dog, yes a dog got approved for a $30K loan when the owner jokingly applied in his dog's name and used a $20K income as a reference. That's right, the dog was approved for a $30,000 line of credit. The program was meant to show that it was too easy to get credit, not too hard.

Today the banks are probably more paranoid than necessary but that's somewhat understandable. Either way, I think a 15-20% downpayment on a house is a logical and prudent request from the banks.

I'd imagine that most Poles realize that the majority of the Americans are blue collar workers, just like in Poland. Either way, I'm very sorry you struggle/struggled, hope things get better for you very soon.

Yes, Skysoulmate, I found myself thinking that Detroit is not the best bet, either. And I did forget to add to my other post, that I too, am sorry you had such a struggle.

Detroit has been down. With Dave Bing in as the Mayor and thins are starting to look up. The recent election has led to a Gubernatorial change.

It will take time but Michigan will improve.

Yeah, it's weird people looking for jobs find themselves in states with highest unemployment... Moving to a new country is hard enough, fighting for survival makes it unbearable...


I agree with you, in the meantime though it's not a very good place for a new immigrant.

I think it's just you actually. The country's going down the tube slowly and the real unemployment is bigger than in Poland now, not to mention other aspects... But for some people without deeper knowledge the obvious advantages overwhelm the less visible (but major) disadvantages - like the loan situation you described.

So do you prefer Poland or the States?


Many Poles do think like that, when im in second hand shops buying books in Poland my wife tells me not to speak loudly in English. Its just ridiculous that so many would be narrow minded to that extent, mind you America and Americans do paint rosy pictures of themselves most of the time. The American TV is also very misleading.

the US trailer parks and the scum/crime element is something hard to match anywhere in the world.

Polamerican27 stary.....daj mi spokoj.

you claim it's hard to get credit in America, yet you have never owned a home, are a poor earner, lived on 6 mile in Detroit......and you were there ILLEGALLY. if I were a bank, i wouldn't exactly be knocking down your door to give you a loan either. you're a good candidate for a more socialized system which is ironically where your illegal ass landed you.

Kinda reminds me of the people that complain about how difficult the paperwork is for foreigners when they were/are in America, yet at the same time, they somehow have been there for 15+ years......and still no american passport. my wife is coming with me to America in January and she will have an American passport in hand in about 5 years. OH, oh......that's right. Yes. Yes, of course.....that's because we're going to do it LEGALLY. Yeah, that tends to expedite the whole process.

You're not "sorry if anyone's offended"........and neither am I. As far as I'm concerned, +1 for the USA.

enjoy poland, ya whiney little nancy.

^^ Touche.

What the fcuk, threadstarter? You came to U.S. on a tourist visa, decided it is ok to stay for years, did illegal jobs and you're pissed because you can't buy a mansion on a cleaner's salary or get a huge credit?

Grow up.

Use it to your advantage.

It is difficult for new immigrants in the US (or anywhere really) in the beginning, especially since many don't speak english well and even some refuse to learn/assimilate. Chicago, for instance, is full of Polaks that stay within the polonia and don't learn english. They then complain that life in the US is terrible! Hey whiner, get the **** out of the polonia and assimilate into the american culture. And get an education while you're at it too because your degree in polonistyka is worth **** all.

Many are also there illegally and this coupled with the ****** economy makes it difficult to find decent work!

If you're american and can't find work, then it's probably time to go back to school / get retrained.

I have friends that have government jobs in the US and they live fairly well. Your mom is doing something wrong.

Bottom line: life in the US is much better than in Poland. This is why Poles (in poland) think every american is rich!

The only thing poles don't understand is that you have to work hard to get financially well off in the US, wealth is not handed out like candy on halloween (like poles seem to think).

Heh, you don't even have to work particularly hard.

Life in the US is certainly much easier than in Poland.

Have no idea how people don't manage to make money over there. Of course buying power is dropping, so it might not look too hot in the future...but right now, still a massive gravy train...

I expect some people that aren't naturally gifted in the art of making money or who don't possess the necessary skills or education will probably find making money not all that easy.

Touche!


I'd say - 2 or definitely dropping, whereas Poland - rising:)

Well it's not easy. Immigrants need to learn english and quite often have to be prepared to do menial work before finding something better. Poles think you can come to the US and people will hand you a great job so you can live the american dream right away.

With any initiative whatsoever, it's easy to get a job with plenty of disposable income. Most people take that disposable income and use it for conspicuous consumption instead of investments. Lots of $100 jeans and $200 shoes being sold. I remember talking to a buddy of mine back home who worked at the local cable company who showed me a market penetration map, they had the city broken off into about 50 different areas. Amazing phenomenon, the rich neighborhoods and the poor neighborhoods had about the same subscription rate to the premium packages, and about the same monthly bill (averaged in the $80s), Strange world huh?

First of all Im not illigal I came to America in 1987(political asylum) I had PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIEN STATUS from 1988 to 2007. The only thing that i regret is not becoming a citizen when I had the chance. I paid taxes from paychecks,filed income tax and the like, I was deported in 2007 after 20yrs of being in America. You seem to have me confused-seriously- I would give ANYTHING to go back home. And lastly my alligiance is to The United States of America and no-other.

So this permanent resident status actually has a time limit??

edit:

from wiki

So what did you do?

I see youve been nicely brainwashed too.

No.

I don't think it's brainwashing. He's simply adopted the US as his new home.

Where's your allegiance (you're a brit living in poland right?)?

I caught a Felony and after sept 11 anyone NOT a citizen that commited an aggravated felony(armed robbery-Gun possesion) gets deported. I beat my first deportation in 2002. But in 2005 I went back to prison. W-boy get a life!!! With who should my alligiance be? To Poland? the country I dont know **** about?...yeah how bout never..dip****.

How long was your sentence?

Mind telling us about this robbery?

Allegiance! i dont have an allegiance, thats the whole friggin point of the post. Who needs an allegiance, i belong to the Earth.

You fcuking yanks are all the same, allegiance my ass.

Whoa, simmer down buddy. I was just asking out of curiosity. Do you feel this way because things in the UK aren't like they used to be?

LMAO! With that attitude how come you're not holding USA passport? You... missed that opportunity?! And now you have to be here, in this


. Poor you! I'd start a chip-in for a rocket to send you back, but this seems a waste o money. Oh, and I too am

Ive been in and out of prisons from the age of 14. I lived in an area where whites were the minority.I spent about 6 yrs altogether in prisons. It started with small stuff fights,stealing bikes, then i joined the Bloods street gang at 15 and that was that

Gangsta!

What are you doing in Poland in terms of work?

Exactly, some struggle with the idea of someone adopting his/her new country.

In this case, many people forget that a resident alien status (green card) is only valid as long as major crimes aren't committed. The same applies in Sweden for example when a year or so ago a person lost his permanent residency (non-EU) due to a long term prison sentence. Therefore it's always better to become a citizen as soon as you can (the idea of not being able to vote would drive me nuts but that's a different story).

It's all too late for you and I hope that one day you'll be able to either start a new life in Poland or make your way back home somehow. Frankly it sounds like getting away from your old friend might have been a good idea. It's some serious stuff you're talking about. We have members on this forum who've been hurt by hoodlums so I'd say your number one priority should be to refocus your life, what country you live in comes next. Just my take on it...