Travel / 5 days in Poland [14]

Quite charming palace in Krobielowice (about 15 km from Wroclaw):
skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=45254099&postcount=88

they supposedly have golf field over there... Another one fine castle near Wroclaw is in Wojnowice.

Here you will find Palaces and castles of Lower Silesia:
skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=238384
(quite old thread so you should first check if there is no reconstruction going on when you visit...)

If you like WWII history then Riese - underground military facilities may interest you:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Riese

is near Książ castle anyway...

Here, lower silessia smaller towns (in polish but with nice pictures, maybe to nice sometimes...):
skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=985226&highlight=dolno+347+261+skie

Travel / 5 days in Poland [14]

Some advert of my friends in Wroclaw (city guides) : wrota.wroclaw.pl/w/Main/main_eng.htm

I second gumishu, Książ castle is interesting (you will have some spring hills in one package).
But if you weren't in Poznan it is quite enjoyable city too.

Life / How Polish are you? [74]


Great nickname :-) :-) :-)

Life / Beggers namely Kurwa boys in Poland [70]

Please, never give money on the street in Poland. Give money to charity organization...
Many of beggars are simple con men. Giving them money is like feeding cancer.

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]


Summary:
- first job -> ok
- temporary job/position -> ok
- second or long term job/position -> not ok :-)

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


But developers did make such profits. It is in their reports for stock exchange.
Your right, meny devs think it is not worth it for 15% and they slowed down with new projects. But there is oversupply for next 2 - 3 years. Mine opinion is: buying now equals to freeze capital... But that is just an opinion...

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


I suspected that you will come up with something like that. This area was never intended to be a park. It was just huge square destinated for developmnet. This area had tight development before WWII. You can see that here:

skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9985395&postcount=23

Unfortunately Russians and Germans themselfs destroyed south Brezlau in 1945. Since 1945 when Brezlau became Wroclaw that part of the city has been an open wound on citys body. So it wasn't a park. Maybe it would be better to make park there. But it was up to inhabitants of that area to lobby city hall. I didn't heard about any coordinated action for that.

PS. Sorry, but not Klecina but Krzyki, not Italian but Spanish. If you like this big empty place then maybe cheer you up that Spaniards seems to be broke now and do not intend to start any construcion there soon.

PS2. more interesting pictures of Wroclaw before WWII here:
wroclaw.hydral.com.pl

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


Ok, I'm actually living in Wroclaw. Tell me exactly in which park did you see any building site? In fact I can't think about anything like that in past ten years...


You are certainly right. But take into consideration that in bubble years 50% profit was normal thing for developers in Poland. They will not do anything for free for sure, but they certainly will take 15% profit...


Farmers have subsidies which artificially keeps floor in that market.
Polish real estate market has "familily on their own" (nickname: "family on mine" :-) )
which is subsidy for interests on mortgage, which artificially keeps floor in real estate market. The problem is that due to budget deficit goverment plan is to limit that program in the next year.

Don't get me wrong, I don't say that there will be some big crash or something. I'm saying that it is highly unlikely to see another bubble growth in next two/three years.

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


Well, recent data shows that in Wroclaw prices fell 15% from the peak. It is not such apocaliptic colapse when compared to Spain for example, but still it is significant.

Maybe it is good moment to buy, who knows. But in my opinion, probability of soon rebound is highly unlikely, so there is no rush. But for foreign investors current polish zloty weakness could be an encouraging factor.

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]


His facts are ok.
By GUS in 2009 salary in Poland is about 3200 PLN gross/ 2300 PLN net/ 550 EUR
but as far as I know it is arithemetical average.

More informative is median, which is (by some financial portal) about:
2500 PLN gross / 1800 PLN net / 430 EUR.

Which doesn't change basic truth in real estate: "location, location, location" :-) But I wonder, how someone on the other side of the globe, or even in another country, or even in another city can correctly choose correct location?

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]


Yeap, that is the reason. Customer service is not the top paid position in IT in Poland.


British university is not perceived in Poland as better than good Polish university unless it is top British university.

If you aren't time pressured you should wait a while because IBM is going to open new branch in Wroclaw in the begining of next year. I think they will start hiring soon. Target size of this branch is 3000 employes. IBM itself could be good oportunity, besides it will pressure local job market. (unless this "famous global corporation" is IBM :-) In that case I think they will have problems with finding those 3000 specialists)

Work / Does it make sense to move from the UK to Wroclaw for this salary? [50]

Kiltmaker, if you are experienced IT professional then 4500 gross is way to low in Wroclaw. Last time I've check it was more like 6000 - 7000 (software devs) gross medium salary in IT sector in Wroclaw. I wonder who is that "one of the best employers in the world" who pays such ****** money? I mean ok, Poland is low income country, but they've just crossed the line, even small companies has to pay more for experienced engineer here...

PS. On the second thought (or rather after reading your second post), if you are more like "IT guy" then as far as I know it is in general less paid position in Poland than software development. So maybe 4500 is current market price...

Law / CHINESE TO BUILD POLISH ROADS.... [92]

A few facts:
1. Currently in Poland there is about 595km motorways (class A or S) under construction
2. Current or planned tenders amount to about another 1000km (class A or S)
3. Chinese won contract on part of A2 (about 50km)
4. It is less than 10% of total current road construction in Poland (and I only count class A and S highways, without roads with smaller parameters)

5. Beside that, there is a lot of construction concerning Euro2012 (stadiums, hotels, etc.)

Summary: belive it or not Poland currently is one of the biggest building sites in Europe. Modern building industry requires skills. So despite of 11% unemployment there is shortage of skilled workers. Because of that building companies only year ago demanded ridiculous money, and it was then, when Polish Goverment asked Chinese companies to bid in tenders. Suddenly the world crisis came, funnily together with Chinese companies :-) (as polish proverb goes: "misfortune goes in pairs" :-) )

And suddenly turned out that even Polish and European companies can build for 40% less... It was European (Poilsh included) companies greed which drawned Chinese here... And in that context I'm ok with that! :-)

News / Do Poles in Poland really feel betrayed because there won't be any US Shield? [288]


You right, F-16 deal shows that they are costly. Maybe at least this Patriots deal could be used as "pressure factor" for domestic producers. I to prefer our producers if they made good quality stuff. Recent proposition made by Bumar is interesting. They made decent radar systems, they cooperate with French missile producer. So it seems they have most things in place...

News / Do Poles in Poland really feel betrayed because there won't be any US Shield? [288]

It seems to me that some Americans on this forum do not understand one simple thing:
This shield wasn't for Poland protection it was for USA (and maybe western Europe). Poland would be ON the shield NOT under. So it was Poland doing a favour to USA not the other way around. Deal was simple: Poland will let USA build long-range missile site, and USA instead will give Poland short and medium-range missiles.

Do I feel betrayed? No, because being an american shield wasn't my dream... But, the fact is that Poland by signing this agrement took political risk. It doesn't pay off. Turned out that USA is not reliable bussiness partner. I'm glad that part of polish politcal estabilishment has to swallow up that lesson.

PS. but I've to give some credit to polish politics. Long range and short range were two different deals, and in the end Poland still can get some lower priced Patriots which are important for our defence system :-)

Law / CHINESE TO BUILD POLISH ROADS.... [92]


Have you ever driven on Chinese roads? I think that we need contribution from someone who did... I wouldn't put in the same basket Chinese toys and Chinese builders, at least not yet :-)

One thing good in this now is that other companies miraculously find out, that they too can build much cheaper...

PS. If you are really interested in current road projects in Poland look here: skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=441854&page=166

Is it not so black and white like some of you want to see this.

PS2.


Roalex, can you tell us what is the quality of new highways in China ?

PS3. I love this site :-) Chinese highways, new stuff don't look bad: skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=154903&page=20&highligh t=chinese+highway

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

Sometimes I wonder, who are all this people posting on PF... I have to tell you that this HUGE amount of whining, grumbling and complaing confirms myself in the conviction that most of you have polish origin :-) Or is it just the weather? :-)


The most important are people not place. Give it a try, if you'll find friends in Poland you will stay if not you will move on. You can always come back. But try to avoid whiners, they can spoil your life..

Food / BREAD IN POLAND IS DETERIORATING [90]

Very true. Unfortunately.
In commie times food processing technology was in much worse shape so paradoxically bread was better. Currently most of it don't deserve to be called bread, at least everything under 2,5 zł for 0,5 kg. And, for the record it is not only the problem of price, at least not straigtforward. You see, most folks buy this cheap "bread", so bread which was typical in commie times is now kind of luxury, because is not mass produced = is expensive :-(

It is like Copernicus said "bad money displace good" :-(

Work / Software Jobs in Poland [31]


You should try some local Polish firms too like asseco, sygnity or even smaller like smtsoftware. Try to think about it like this: for international firms you are just another candidate, for local smaller firms, you are more valuable asset because of experience and english fluency. But fact is that current envirement is not job looking friendly.

You should also register in some job agency (private). It is for free.

Life / Are foreigners welcome in Poland? [267]


When in the late 80' some black man came to my small hometown in central Poland, then for some time he was like tourist attraction... :-) It still is quite uncommon to see foreigners in polish provinces (exept tourist places)...

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]

Gas deal signed, gas flows again, till next winter I suppose... :
gospodarka.gazeta.pl/gospodarka/1,33181,6676383,Gaz_z_Rosji_plynie_do_Polski.html

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]

Some important info, which I think wasn't posted here:
- gas is only about 12% in total energetic balance of Poland
- in these 12%, about 67% is from Russia, so even if from some unknown reason Poland will lose Russia as a gas supplier, it will be only 8% of total energetic needs...

- Poland has no such problem with oil because of naftoport, currently plans for LPG port are in motion, so it is reasonable to assume that in next 5 to 10 years dependence on one gas supplier will disappear...

To sum up, even if this north stream is some threat for Polish energetic safety it is not death threat... There is no reason to panic...

Genealogy / Knew I was Hungarian, but my DNA came back Polish? [23]


He he, I didn't think of that :-) But it would rather be like that:
- baty = whipping
- baciory = big whipping (not batory) :-)

Beside polish version Batory is polonized hungarian surname Báthory... So you should ask some Hungarian what is the meaning (if any) of Báthory

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]

Nobody really knows, but I will tell you this: JW Construction, one of the biggest developers in Poland is currently bulding or just finished about 6000 flats. In Q1 2009 they've sold about 120. So it will take them 12,5 years at current speed to sell all they've got. Ok, current speed is low, but even if they will sold 400 in quarter it is still 4 years...

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]


Yeap. Good one :-) Are this military choruses still so popular in Russia ?

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]


Yes, it is true, in a way. Poland don't get part of it which should be supplied by RosUkrEnergo. RosUkrEnergo is out of bussiness. It is not very big problem because it is only part of total supply, Poland get difference from reserves and besides there is an economy slow down. As far as I know currently technical agreement between Poland and Gasprom regarding this part of delivery was reached, and is waiting for political decision.

Genealogy / Knew I was Hungarian, but my DNA came back Polish? [23]

Hm... Stefan Batory, elected as King of Poland in 1576 was Hungarian... Actually, Anna Jagielonka was elected, and then nobles married her with Stefan... So maybe you have some royal blood in you ;-)

Stefan was good King... you should be proud ;-)

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]

second month in a row Gasprom is cutting mining by 13% due to falling demand in Russia.
For example production in chemistry sector failed by 30%. As I said before production in Poland is failing too. It seems to me that Russians unintentionally made own goal.

RosUkrEnergo failed? Unnecessarily gas not delivered? we don't have to pay.
Maybe paradoxically one good news in this crisis mess.

PS. Don't forget that now gas is cheaper. I suppose that this gas from RUE was contracted with bigger price.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]


That is wrong. This 50% is owned by "private businessmans" from Ukraine.


Heh, guys, you need to read more. Gasprom decided to cut off this "private businessmans" probably because at least one of them is donator of president Yushchenko. After last agreement between Naftogas and Gasprom, Naftogas took over all RosUkrEnergo gas which was stored in Ukraine. Of course now Gasprom says that it wasn't part of a deal... Anyway, legally RosUkrEnergo is responsible, and has no gas.

Of course Gasprom is behind it, but isn't responsible legally. So what can we do?

Again, important question: there is world wide crisis, now in Poland too, production is falling. Maybe after all it is not so bad that we didn't get this 24% of our contracted gas?

I think we didn't pay for it yet. Why do you think there is no alarming articles about it in Polish press? Why there is no alarming posts on internet forums? Why we didn't see directors from Azoty in the media telling as that they could have problems with production?

My hypothesis: we don't need this 24% now.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [372]

Ryszard, Sasha, it is not about "nice attitude". German is the biggest market for Gasprom, that is all.

Marco, if this pdf tells true:

sgc.se/nyheter/resources/IBP1160_08_final24apr08.pdf

"The unique situation of a high share of renewable and nuclear power in the Swedish energy mix has created a situation where the natural gas market share is weak compared to the rest of Europe, 2% compared to 24%, respectively."

then there is no danger for monopol in Sweden... Because gas is small part of energy sources. The EE countries have problem because gas segment is huge. Maybe because this small Sweden reliance on gas you don't fully understand EE problems.

PS.
No monopol is good for the market. It is not good for monopolist as well, what can be seen in recent Gasprom problems with output level.