Warsaw or New York? Where to work, raise a family, etc...

Hi, I am seriously considering moving to Warsaw, Poland, and would be very open for some honest advice.

I have been with my Polish girlfriend for 5 years now and it is time to start making a choice – New York or Warsaw? We are both teachers. She is born and raised in Poland, and teaches English in Warsaw for the past few years. I am a science teacher for the past 15 years at a great suburban school, have job security, a pension, and make a very good salary.

She says come to Warsaw. I say come to New York.
She says there are many jobs here for native English speakers, even though I am a science teacher with basic Polish skills. I am aware that speaking Polish will be a huge advantage in the job search - I am working on that. She also says that my English skills have a much greater benefit in Poland, than her Polish skills do in the US. It is hard to argue with that.

She says start a business teaching English, but honestly I have not considered myself a business man. I have been in the classroom teaching science for a long time now – not running a business.

I believe that my career in New York will enable us to raise our children (eventually) in the US, while at the same time allowing us to spend considerable time in Warsaw with family (remember – I have a school calendar and spend about 1/4 of the year in Poland). I am not sure if a job in Warsaw can offer enough pay to go back to the US to visit nearly as often. Your thoughts?

My argument is that in today’s economic climate (in the US and Poland) it is not easy to leave a well paying, secure job to look for a job that will pay considerable less and is essentially starting over. Maybe I am wrong. I have been searching the job market here in Warsaw for teaching and things beyond just teaching, but nothing extremely promising so far. Again – your thoughts?

Also, there is the pension issue. I can retire at about 55 – 60 years old with a very nice pension in New York. How do these things work if I was employed or lived in Poland?

Bottom line – New York or Warsaw? Both would be in the suburbs to get a house and raise the future kids.

you might be able to land a job in one of the international schools here for a reasonable wage (by Polish standards) but otherwise there are not too many opportunities for unskilled non Polish speakers in Poland. There's not too much to do over here either, it's a religious holiday here on Wednesday (everything closed) and do you think I can think of anywhere original to go or do for the day......?

It's a no brainer for me - stay in New York.

Stay in New York. There are many Polish American girls in New York.

Try the American School of Warsaw or the British School of Warsaw. Both are considered top tier. The American school is constantly expanding. Check the website. They have a pool, gym, amphetheatre, cafeteria and the list goes on and on. The fees are about 60,000 pln per year which if you are foreign means that your company pays- if you are Polish- majority pay themselves and so love to brag about it--but the salaries are good and paid in USD (or they were)

Can you not take a leave of absence or sabbatical for a year to figure out if you want to stay before resigning from your job?

Both places have benefits- one is not better than the other but it is not like the late 90's here in Warsaw anymore. Many business people speak English and it is now the second language taught in all public schools- so the market is saturated.

many here will say don't do it.

I did it. Packed up and moved from a newly bought house and a steady job with benefits in Canada. It has been eight years and we have no idea when we are going back.

Yes - but avoid one with a similar name in Piaseczno.

why? that one is the european school on jagiellska? next to the forest? we have friends with kids that go to that one and they are happy with it.

there is an "International American School" in Kabaty. This school is a joke. Mostly Indian teachers and the director has just been charged with falsifying test scores to bump up the schools ratings.

The American School in Konstancin is the only true American school in Warsaw.

If you can get a job at the American School in Warsaw, move here. If you can't, don't move here.

stay in NY

Bro stay in NY you will have nice pension benefits etc,even if you land a job in Poland will not pay enough even for you and your family to travel to US twice a year,But again you might enjoy life in Poland better then the States.The quality of life with natural aspects might be better then in the States but financial part will be a murder esp if you plan to make a living teaching.But to retire its a perfect country what we plan to do.

the American school pays well otherwise it wouldn't have American teachers.

what is wrong with taking a year break if his contract allows it then deciding from there.

Don't listen to the nay sayers here.

aswarsaw.org/about/employment/index.aspx

school starts in about two weeks so they have probably hired already---maybe next year?

Exactly. It actually pays a fair bit more than a teacher would earn working in the US, especially when you factor in the various perks. I personally know four teachers who each worked there for more than a decade.

Thanks for your replies - it is very much appreciated.

Actually, I have talked to the American school several months ago when they were hiring, but (to make a long story short) there are no science positions at the moment. I will keep in touch with them to see about next year, while at the same time see about the reality of taking a leave of absence for a year. (Thanks for the link PIP)

As for British schools, I contacted them also, but got no reply. From what I understand they are looking for people with experience in the "British" system. I have tons of experience, but I do not have that experience.

HARRY - I would love to talk with one of those people working at the American school, just to get some info on some specifics.

As for the pension - I am still trying to find out what the American school offers. The one I have in New York is pretty sweet. It is hard to walk away from that, and so many people have told me I am crazy to even consider it. Still, I am trying to find out as much information as possible and have an open mind about the entire thing.

I have exactly the same problem, both me and my husband have good jobs in SA, would love to move back to Poland, but we would be looking at salary cut...


MoOli - he will not be a regular teacher in regular school. I agree with Pip and Harry, if he can get a good job with one of the American schools, he can give it a try. He is actually in fortunate position, that he can do without speaking Polish if he does that.

You are right about that (they also want Int Bac experience). And there's only one worth even thinking about here (the British School of Warsaw) and that one is a significant step below the American School in terms of how good it is to work for.


Two of them left the year before last. The other two I have no contact details for but as the football season is starting soon, no doubt I'll be seeing them, will ask for contact details to pass on to you.