USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

Merged: Should I? I am considering a move to Poland from the USA.

Czesc!

I was born in the USA, but have always considered myself Polish. I am now 45 years old and I am considering a move to Poland. I was there as a child and, have always felt that I belong in Poland. I have relatives that visit my mother and I in the USA, one regularly. When I know he is coming, I think of life in Poland. I realize that Poland is not the fairy tale land that I picture, I am realistic and need answers from Poles that are not family. I can speak what I consider basic Polish and have all my life. My first language was Polish, even though I was born in the USA. I worked up until a year ago when I started the process of Social Security Disability in the USA. I was considered a "workaholic" and that is part of my "illness" . If I decide to 'Retire" , my dream would be to live the rest of my life in Poland ! I would receive approximately 1500 USD per month for my retirement here in the USA. If I moved to Poland would my SS (Social Security) be enough to survive? Would I be taxed ? I was an IT Manager for years , but, would NEVER work in that field again! I am taking a TEFL course as a base for what I would love to do ... live in Poland and teach English. I am far from wealthy and would have to sell my home here ( not that much, approximately 300,000 Zl.) in order to move. I take care of my mother, which is not easy,but, I am thankful for every day I have with her. She would also move with me. I speak Polish rather well ( according to my cousins) but I would need to improve my writing skills greatly. I can read Polish but somewhat slowly at times :) .

Is this a dream, or a possiblility? I hope that the country I have always dreamed of living in, could become a reality! I am the first generation to be born in the USA so I hope that I would be excepted by the Polish people and regarded as a person with a "true" Polish heart and soul.

I am very interested in everyones input and responses. If you have read this far...dziękuję !

I will always have a love of Poland in my heart!

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

Thanks to all that replied!

Please keep any advice/comments coming! Since there are so many posts :) I will just answer a few questions without quoting anyone.

The 1500 USD are after taxes.

If my health should improve I would like to teach English.

I am thinking of going to Poland for a few weeks,probably in November. My cousin is coming back in October and I may just return with him :)

The comment of " It's not my mother's Poland anymore" or something to that affect... My mother lived through WWII as a child, until she came to the USA in 1961 or 1962. I don't think I would want to live through her experiences. She has told me stories that are just horrible! But she also told me stories that would warm one's heart :)

Thank you to all that have replied!

Food / Half-free Christmas bigos. SMACZNEGO at Christmastime! [99]


Turcja w Bigos ... Grzech

:)

I'll stick with my recipe :)

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

I will be in PL in April :) . I cannot wait ! And I was told by the Polish Embassy that I am DEFINETLY a Polish citizen ( for those that may care). I guess my adventure starts soon . My relative from Poland is here and we leave together for PL !

:)

Czesc !

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

Healthcare is a major concern for me. I visited quite a few private healthcare providers. While they seemed OK , I couldn't understand their area of coverage! For example, Medi-Cover seemed great until they stated that anyone 65 or over would need to reside within 15KM of the center of Warsaw! And if an ambulace were needed, they did not got further. I need to consider my mothers health as well as my own. I am determined to find a solution! I will have NFZ after paying 9% of my income but I was hoping to also have other options. If anyone has any ideas or companies to check out, please let me know. Especially coverage in the area of Brody-Parcele or Pomiechowek.

Thank you in advance!

Rysiek

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

I have returned from PL and know it is where I belong! The good, the bad and everything else...I am sure I am going to where I belong. Any advice on my move is greatly appreciated!

Czesc!

Rysiek

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

Looking around the Pomiechowek area...

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

I was completely impressed by the beauty and history. I found people VERY respectful and polite ( except for a few queue jumpers). I experienced Polish beaurocracy first hand and it was better than I had expected. Finding 80 year old documents was not difficult and the people were very understanding. I did notice a lack of "customer service" but it was not as bad as I had assumed. I have been to the Embassy in NY and in Warsaw. I do not have a Polish passport yet , but have been told that I am a citizen per my documents and a passport would not be a problem.

I am currently looking and weighing my options, financially as well as medically. I have a home that I can afford near Warsaw and the people will let me know if they are going to sell it before I am prepared to move.

If all works out I hope to live out my life in Poland!

Czesc !

Rysiek

Law / Old Polish money banknotes - what's their value today? [415]

What about a 50 zl bill from 1925? Worth anything?