convex
11 Jan 2010
Work / Salary expectations in Poland [373]
You could be as well talking about any large city in Poland.
I am talking about Warsaw here.
You could be as well talking about any large city in Poland.
convex
11 Jan 2010
Classifieds / Motorcycle trip from Poland to South Africa in the fall [25]
Mercy Corps. Raised close to €1500 from friends and sponsors. Going to setup the same deal for the Africa trip, stickers for donations, it'll probably be doctors without borders this year.
Mercy Corps. Raised close to €1500 from friends and sponsors. Going to setup the same deal for the Africa trip, stickers for donations, it'll probably be doctors without borders this year.
convex
11 Jan 2010
Classifieds / Motorcycle trip from Poland to South Africa in the fall [25]
That sounds like amazing trip. I was planning on riding down the West coast...and one day going back to South Africa and going up the East coast. Unfortunately I won't be able do it in time for the World Cup.
Horizonsunlimited is terribly addictive. Too much useful information and not enough petty bickering though, I always find myself back here.
Mongolia is amazing, I drove there from the UK with a friend in a €200 Fiat Panda on a charity rally. Everything was fairly straightforward until crossing over into Mongolia, day and night. The road went from oil funded brand new highways in Siberia, to literally tracks just leading off in all directions. Had a compass and a worthless map, the Mongolians refer to their roads as streams, they're changing all the time. They have neat system called "GPS", the Ger Positioning System. Basically you drive up to closest Ger, the big half rabid dogs come out and surround your car, then the dogs are called of and the kids come out and swarm your car, you get invited inside, drink obscene amounts of vodka, eat until you're stuffed, pass out chocolate to the kids, little bottles of whiskey for the adults, and then you get directions to the next group of buildings. Repeat that 30 times, and you make it to Ulan Bator. I really want to go back and do it in a car that isn't breaking down every 5 minutes...sometimes it's nice to be able to rely on your vehicle. It's completely pristine, there is nothing at all except you and the steppe...Occasional herds of camels, horses, and lots of eagles and falcons.
I've traveled a lot for work, but this was completely different. I think doing it in a crappy car made it that much more enjoyable. Mongolia has been the most impressive place that I've been to so far. Absolutely no kitsch, everything was brutally honest. The Mongolians have really managed to keep their culture while bringing in some bits and pieces. Most are still herders, living in gers. The gers have satellite dishes and solar panels and Mongolians are just as up on world events as anyone else in the world.
Good stuff
That sounds like amazing trip. I was planning on riding down the West coast...and one day going back to South Africa and going up the East coast. Unfortunately I won't be able do it in time for the World Cup.
Horizonsunlimited is terribly addictive. Too much useful information and not enough petty bickering though, I always find myself back here.
Mongolia is amazing, I drove there from the UK with a friend in a €200 Fiat Panda on a charity rally. Everything was fairly straightforward until crossing over into Mongolia, day and night. The road went from oil funded brand new highways in Siberia, to literally tracks just leading off in all directions. Had a compass and a worthless map, the Mongolians refer to their roads as streams, they're changing all the time. They have neat system called "GPS", the Ger Positioning System. Basically you drive up to closest Ger, the big half rabid dogs come out and surround your car, then the dogs are called of and the kids come out and swarm your car, you get invited inside, drink obscene amounts of vodka, eat until you're stuffed, pass out chocolate to the kids, little bottles of whiskey for the adults, and then you get directions to the next group of buildings. Repeat that 30 times, and you make it to Ulan Bator. I really want to go back and do it in a car that isn't breaking down every 5 minutes...sometimes it's nice to be able to rely on your vehicle. It's completely pristine, there is nothing at all except you and the steppe...Occasional herds of camels, horses, and lots of eagles and falcons.
I've traveled a lot for work, but this was completely different. I think doing it in a crappy car made it that much more enjoyable. Mongolia has been the most impressive place that I've been to so far. Absolutely no kitsch, everything was brutally honest. The Mongolians have really managed to keep their culture while bringing in some bits and pieces. Most are still herders, living in gers. The gers have satellite dishes and solar panels and Mongolians are just as up on world events as anyone else in the world.
Good stuff
convex
11 Jan 2010
convex
10 Jan 2010
Life / Beggers namely Kurwa boys in Poland [70]
I remember a while back in rynek, there was a punk that asked me if I had spare money for beer. I rewarded honesty that day.
I remember a while back in rynek, there was a punk that asked me if I had spare money for beer. I rewarded honesty that day.
convex
9 Jan 2010
Law / LOOKING FOR HELP AND INFORMATION TO OPEN INDIAN RESTAURANT IN POLAND..... [80]
send a message to "Sarul Islam" here on the forums, his restaurant should be a model for all Indian restaurants in Poland :)
send a message to "Sarul Islam" here on the forums, his restaurant should be a model for all Indian restaurants in Poland :)
convex
9 Jan 2010
Law / Do I need to have an invoice to deduct expenses? [11]
Signature isn't important, tax id on the invoice is. You shouldn't pay any kind of sales tax on a product that is delivered form the US, you'll pay VAT (and eventually claim it back) at customs. For services performed, it varies based on the state, but normally you shouldn't be charged sales tax for labor (services). You just submit your invoice to the accountant and call it a day.
Signature isn't important, tax id on the invoice is. You shouldn't pay any kind of sales tax on a product that is delivered form the US, you'll pay VAT (and eventually claim it back) at customs. For services performed, it varies based on the state, but normally you shouldn't be charged sales tax for labor (services). You just submit your invoice to the accountant and call it a day.
convex
9 Jan 2010
Work / Salary expectations in Poland [373]
My girlfriend makes about 2200 after taxes doing accountancy work for a big company, and teaches on the side for extra income. We pay 2800 a month in rent for a large prewar apartment, and about 500 a month for bills and internet/cable. A friend of mine is a software developer (doesn't speak Polish) and makes 3500 after taxes, pays 1500 a month all in for his newly built place.
edit: we live in wroclaw
My girlfriend makes about 2200 after taxes doing accountancy work for a big company, and teaches on the side for extra income. We pay 2800 a month in rent for a large prewar apartment, and about 500 a month for bills and internet/cable. A friend of mine is a software developer (doesn't speak Polish) and makes 3500 after taxes, pays 1500 a month all in for his newly built place.
edit: we live in wroclaw
convex
9 Jan 2010
USA, Canada / How can I get a local US grocer or liquor store to carry Polish beer? [10]
Ah, the budweiser of poland
Ah, the budweiser of poland
convex
8 Jan 2010
Food / What is your favorite Polish Vodka? [653]
Want to have some fun with snobby friends? Do a vodka tasting party. Try this, get a couple of bottles of the usual stuff, belvedere, chopin, sobieski, that horrible finnish stuff, that even worse swedish stuff, grey goose, russian standard platinum, and some bottom shelf stuff. Do blind taste tasting and watch with joy as people drink different vodkas and think they're the same one, people drinking 10zl vodka and swearing that it's grey goose. Ah, good times. I can tell chopin and russian standard platinum out of the crowd. Everything else just kind tastes the same (and of course, zubrowka...but that falls into the flavored category..).
Russian standard??? Their standard is very low! :-)
Want to have some fun with snobby friends? Do a vodka tasting party. Try this, get a couple of bottles of the usual stuff, belvedere, chopin, sobieski, that horrible finnish stuff, that even worse swedish stuff, grey goose, russian standard platinum, and some bottom shelf stuff. Do blind taste tasting and watch with joy as people drink different vodkas and think they're the same one, people drinking 10zl vodka and swearing that it's grey goose. Ah, good times. I can tell chopin and russian standard platinum out of the crowd. Everything else just kind tastes the same (and of course, zubrowka...but that falls into the flavored category..).
convex
8 Jan 2010
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
you'll have a hard time getting any kind of insurance unless you're a resident: https://polishforums.com/archives/2005-2009/law/experience-getting-karta-pobytu-20179/
you'll have a hard time getting any kind of insurance unless you're a resident: https://polishforums.com/archives/2005-2009/law/experience-getting-karta-pobytu-20179/
convex
8 Jan 2010
Classifieds / Motorcycle trip from Poland to South Africa in the fall [25]
Anyone interested in going? Leaving from Poland around September. It should take about 2.5-3 months and cost around €3000 for fuel, food, visas, bribes. We're going to be taking F650GS's, would be a good idea to take the same to cut down on spares that need to be brought along. You can buy them used for around €2500 in good condition. Anyone interested?
Anyone interested in going? Leaving from Poland around September. It should take about 2.5-3 months and cost around €3000 for fuel, food, visas, bribes. We're going to be taking F650GS's, would be a good idea to take the same to cut down on spares that need to be brought along. You can buy them used for around €2500 in good condition. Anyone interested?
convex
8 Jan 2010
News / German legal discrimination against Polish speakers [209]
It became his problem the moment the moment that he decided to take up residence and marry and live in a country in which German is the official language.
Lack of goodwill like someone who speaks German not speaking it because he wants to get recognition for a pet cause of his?
That's not the father's problem if Jugendamt in Hamburg doesn't have Polish
speaking workers or can't hire an interpreter.
speaking workers or can't hire an interpreter.
It became his problem the moment the moment that he decided to take up residence and marry and live in a country in which German is the official language.
lack of goodwill
Lack of goodwill like someone who speaks German not speaking it because he wants to get recognition for a pet cause of his?
convex
8 Jan 2010
News / German legal discrimination against Polish speakers [209]
What happened for him to require controlled meetings? It's kind of hard to have a controlled meeting when you can't control it. Maybe it would be a better idea to look at why there are controlled meetings in the first place. I know a Polish guy here who's kids live in Germany with the mother and they come over often for visits, what's different in this case?
during
their controlled meetings
their controlled meetings
What happened for him to require controlled meetings? It's kind of hard to have a controlled meeting when you can't control it. Maybe it would be a better idea to look at why there are controlled meetings in the first place. I know a Polish guy here who's kids live in Germany with the mother and they come over often for visits, what's different in this case?
convex
7 Jan 2010
News / 2009 Quality of Life Index: Poland behind Czech, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia.. [52]
For who exactly in Turkmenistan? Infant mortality is terribly high. It's such a paradise that it's considered high treason to speak out against working conditions, or criticize any aspect of the government. Need someone to blame? No problem, just pick someone that you fear is growing in popularity and torture them. You want medical care? No problem as long as you live in Ashgabat, glorious leader decreed that all hospitals outside of the capital should be closed. Pension payments to old retired workers were discontinued a few years back, leaving them with no means to get food or medical treatment, pensions have been partially restored after they found out that old people were dying because of lack of food and medicine (who would have thought it?). Free water, gas, and electricity sounds great, except that outside of Ashgabat, it's extremely difficult to get access to the distribution network...Not only due to lack of infrastructure, well, nepotism on a local level is insane.
You know, put your money where your mouth is. Renounce your citizenship to the bourgeois state that is shackling you and your fellow workers, and emigrate to Turkmenistan.
because basical needs such as electric, water, hospitals are for free for all?
For who exactly in Turkmenistan? Infant mortality is terribly high. It's such a paradise that it's considered high treason to speak out against working conditions, or criticize any aspect of the government. Need someone to blame? No problem, just pick someone that you fear is growing in popularity and torture them. You want medical care? No problem as long as you live in Ashgabat, glorious leader decreed that all hospitals outside of the capital should be closed. Pension payments to old retired workers were discontinued a few years back, leaving them with no means to get food or medical treatment, pensions have been partially restored after they found out that old people were dying because of lack of food and medicine (who would have thought it?). Free water, gas, and electricity sounds great, except that outside of Ashgabat, it's extremely difficult to get access to the distribution network...Not only due to lack of infrastructure, well, nepotism on a local level is insane.
You know, put your money where your mouth is. Renounce your citizenship to the bourgeois state that is shackling you and your fellow workers, and emigrate to Turkmenistan.
convex
7 Jan 2010
News / 2009 Quality of Life Index: Poland behind Czech, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia.. [52]
Wow, I can't speak for Cuba, but Turkmenistan is well deserving of 0.
Wow, I can't speak for Cuba, but Turkmenistan is well deserving of 0.
convex
7 Jan 2010
News / 2009 Quality of Life Index: Poland behind Czech, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia.. [52]
That is complete BS, Mongolia is way safer than Britain and Ireland.
definately
Britain and Ireland on the verge of civil war? LOL. Well, at least the countries are as safe as Mongolia...
That is complete BS, Mongolia is way safer than Britain and Ireland.
uk below czech rep and lithuania?
definately
convex
7 Jan 2010
USA, Canada / REFUSED A HOLIDAY VISA TO THE U.S CAUSE IM POLISH [323]
As a percentage of total visitors, it's much lower than that of Poland. The visa waiver program works on the refusal rate and estimated overstay rate, not absolute numbers.
I assume that the overstay rate is based on estimates that are not provided openly... Basically two arbitrary numbers decide on whether a country is allowed on the VWP. Pretty shady if you ask me. And why the hell doesn't US-VISIT track outbound travelers? Wouldn't it make sense to monitor incoming and outgoing travelers?
So how come Canada is #4 on the same list (120,000) and yet Canadians don't even need visas to the US?
As a percentage of total visitors, it's much lower than that of Poland. The visa waiver program works on the refusal rate and estimated overstay rate, not absolute numbers.
I assume that the overstay rate is based on estimates that are not provided openly... Basically two arbitrary numbers decide on whether a country is allowed on the VWP. Pretty shady if you ask me. And why the hell doesn't US-VISIT track outbound travelers? Wouldn't it make sense to monitor incoming and outgoing travelers?
convex
6 Jan 2010
Real Estate / Is there a Real Estate bubble in Krakow? [60]
Thanks alot for the builders perspective. It does make sense that new construction would cost nearly as much as it does further west (land and labor being cheaper, materials higher). Does bureaucracy affect the end price here more than in other countries that you've done development in?
If you've got a 30 year note, and you plan on living there for the duration, it makes perfect sense. If you're speculating and hoping to get rid of property in 5 years at a profit...maybe not so much.
Slovakia is a good example of what will happen when Poland goes to the Euro. Once Poland no longer has control over its monetary policy, it won't be able to keep labor cheap, which will mean a decline in FDI. Worried about that bit.
Norway isn't part of the EU, UK and Denmark have opt-out agreements, and Sweden isn't meeting the budgetary requirements to adopt the Euro. I don't think Poland has the will to make the sacrifices needed to join the Euro anytime soon (inflation is what is holding Poland back).
Thanks for your worthy input Avalon
Thanks alot for the builders perspective. It does make sense that new construction would cost nearly as much as it does further west (land and labor being cheaper, materials higher). Does bureaucracy affect the end price here more than in other countries that you've done development in?
Is investing in Polish real estate worth it, Yes if you live in Poland, No if your a outside investor
If you've got a 30 year note, and you plan on living there for the duration, it makes perfect sense. If you're speculating and hoping to get rid of property in 5 years at a profit...maybe not so much.
Slovakia is a good example of what will happen when Poland goes to the Euro. Once Poland no longer has control over its monetary policy, it won't be able to keep labor cheap, which will mean a decline in FDI. Worried about that bit.
Many countries are in EU like United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and they will
probably NEVER adopt the euro.
probably NEVER adopt the euro.
Norway isn't part of the EU, UK and Denmark have opt-out agreements, and Sweden isn't meeting the budgetary requirements to adopt the Euro. I don't think Poland has the will to make the sacrifices needed to join the Euro anytime soon (inflation is what is holding Poland back).
convex
4 Jan 2010
Real Estate / Is there a Real Estate bubble in Krakow? [60]
What would you say is an average modest apartment in Warsaw?
50m2 +/-
400-500k?
The problem is that they do not cost more.
What would you say is an average modest apartment in Warsaw?
50m2 +/-
400-500k?
convex
4 Jan 2010
Real Estate / Is there a Real Estate bubble in Krakow? [60]
Someone might want to point out that this forum isn't exactly a market maker...
I think there is a correction in the works because the fundamentals don't add up for me. Try as I might, I can't figure out why apartments in Warsaw cost more than in Frankfurt.
For investors, why are you bullish on property in polish cities? Non emotional answers would be nice.
Here are my worries
rental yields are low
price to income ratio seems skewed
large percentage of foreign denominated mortgages not hedged
low wage growth (attracts foreign capital)
huge increase in prices disproportionate to wage increases
cost to borrow capital at historically low levels
on the plus side
GDP is growing (much faster than wages)
unemployment is low
low mortgage default rate (I assume, really difficult to find actual numbers)
Someone might want to point out that this forum isn't exactly a market maker...
I think there is a correction in the works because the fundamentals don't add up for me. Try as I might, I can't figure out why apartments in Warsaw cost more than in Frankfurt.
For investors, why are you bullish on property in polish cities? Non emotional answers would be nice.
Here are my worries
rental yields are low
price to income ratio seems skewed
large percentage of foreign denominated mortgages not hedged
low wage growth (attracts foreign capital)
huge increase in prices disproportionate to wage increases
cost to borrow capital at historically low levels
on the plus side
GDP is growing (much faster than wages)
unemployment is low
low mortgage default rate (I assume, really difficult to find actual numbers)
convex
4 Jan 2010
Work / Education in Poland - system and structure [118]
It's the "everyone's a winner" attitude. It's picking up over here too.
His failure was overruled by my supervisor.
It's the "everyone's a winner" attitude. It's picking up over here too.
convex
4 Jan 2010
Real Estate / How do you comment on "Poland real estate analysis" of the biggest property site [24]
Why does it seem reasonable that house prices will go up, or earnings will go down? The US, as well as most stable economies, have historically had a fairly low income to home price ratio. High gini coefficients and transient workers might explain prices in places like Hong Kong and Singapore. I've always had a hard time figuring out why an apartment in Warsaw costs more than one in New York while at the same time rental yields are much, much lower.
Just take a look at 2009, use that as a basis to do a bit more research.
In vast swaths of the US, housing never went through the bubbles that occurred on the coast. Pulling Austin for instance, median household income was around 50k and houses values were 280k. Nice ratio, real estate has been appreciating at around 3-5%, the rate of inflation (and still is appreciating).
In San Diego, the median household income is 55k and houses are going for 495k with houses appreciating 20-30% a year to get to that level. No surprise that they are coming back down.
I have no personal financial interest in property prices dropping, but I think it's pretty sad when a university professor can't afford to buy a decent house in the city that they teach in. PAIiIZ seems pretty proud that salaries in Poland aren't raising near as quickly as other countries, the government seems to be supporting that to promote investment.
Asset bubbles deflate the same way that they grew. If it took 7 years to get to current levels, it will take 7 years from them to get back to stable prices.
Just to add a bit, congratulations to people that purchased property to live in and have no problem making their mortgage payments. Even if housing prices drop, you'll still be doing ok in 30 years if inflation stays its course. Speculators...well, housing is just like trading any kind of asset.
Why does it seem reasonable that house prices will go up, or earnings will go down? The US, as well as most stable economies, have historically had a fairly low income to home price ratio. High gini coefficients and transient workers might explain prices in places like Hong Kong and Singapore. I've always had a hard time figuring out why an apartment in Warsaw costs more than one in New York while at the same time rental yields are much, much lower.
Just take a look at 2009, use that as a basis to do a bit more research.
In vast swaths of the US, housing never went through the bubbles that occurred on the coast. Pulling Austin for instance, median household income was around 50k and houses values were 280k. Nice ratio, real estate has been appreciating at around 3-5%, the rate of inflation (and still is appreciating).
In San Diego, the median household income is 55k and houses are going for 495k with houses appreciating 20-30% a year to get to that level. No surprise that they are coming back down.
I have no personal financial interest in property prices dropping, but I think it's pretty sad when a university professor can't afford to buy a decent house in the city that they teach in. PAIiIZ seems pretty proud that salaries in Poland aren't raising near as quickly as other countries, the government seems to be supporting that to promote investment.
That is the fact :-) Interpretation of that fact lies only in your personal preference.
Asset bubbles deflate the same way that they grew. If it took 7 years to get to current levels, it will take 7 years from them to get back to stable prices.
Just to add a bit, congratulations to people that purchased property to live in and have no problem making their mortgage payments. Even if housing prices drop, you'll still be doing ok in 30 years if inflation stays its course. Speculators...well, housing is just like trading any kind of asset.
convex
4 Jan 2010
Real Estate / How do you comment on "Poland real estate analysis" of the biggest property site [24]
numbeo.com/property-investment/rankings_by_country.jsp
check 2009 Poland
numbeo.com/property-investment/rankings_by_country.jsp
check 2009 Poland
convex
3 Jan 2010
News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]
I agree with you, the crime is breaking into your house, I don't really care why they're doing it, it should be punished. In the UK, they would get a short lockup, in Texas their career would end very quickly.
I agree with you, the crime is breaking into your house, I don't really care why they're doing it, it should be punished. In the UK, they would get a short lockup, in Texas their career would end very quickly.
convex
3 Jan 2010
News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]
We don't mind sending our kids to shops with drunks surrounding the place pissing in the corner, so why not?
But I think that most people would be more in favor of a specialty shop, kind of like the partitioned area that quite a few supermarkets here have.
You would not mind then if your kids were going into a shop to buy sweets where heroin was on sale also...?
We don't mind sending our kids to shops with drunks surrounding the place pissing in the corner, so why not?
But I think that most people would be more in favor of a specialty shop, kind of like the partitioned area that quite a few supermarkets here have.
convex
3 Jan 2010
News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]
That is, if they are breaking into your house for stuff to steal for drug money. More than likely that money is going to go towards an addiction to £200 shoes, a playstation, £100 shirts...
If somebody breaks into my house and trashes it looking for stuff to steal for drug money , i will be very much cheered up by the fact that some people who use drugs are really nice people...
That is, if they are breaking into your house for stuff to steal for drug money. More than likely that money is going to go towards an addiction to £200 shoes, a playstation, £100 shirts...
convex
3 Jan 2010
News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]
Lets go ahead an throw opiates in a nice group of their own...
William Wilberforce
Walter Scott
Picasso
Billie Holiday
Paracelsus
Arthur Conan Doyle
Charles Dickens
William S. Burroughs
Marcus Aurelius
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Ken Kesey
Ben Franklin
King George V....
Responsible users don't pop up in the media, and they don't pop up in your home stealing your TV. It doesn't mean that they're not out there.
Lets go ahead an throw opiates in a nice group of their own...
William Wilberforce
Walter Scott
Picasso
Billie Holiday
Paracelsus
Arthur Conan Doyle
Charles Dickens
William S. Burroughs
Marcus Aurelius
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Ken Kesey
Ben Franklin
King George V....
Responsible users don't pop up in the media, and they don't pop up in your home stealing your TV. It doesn't mean that they're not out there.
convex
3 Jan 2010
News / Czech drug legalisation threatens Poland [111]
Portugal did it and are seeing a decline in violent crime as well as lower user rates. Keep in mind that trafficking is still illegal and heavily punished.
Every little mom and pop shop in Poland sells alcohol, which is a terrible drug for people that can't handle it.
The drug isn't the problem, it's the individual user. There are responsible users of heroin just as there are responsible users of alcohol. If you commit a crime, you should be punished for it. If you are not hurting anyone else, then it shouldn't be of anyone's business what you do privately.
I am all for personal freedom , and if somebody wants to smoke a joint , hell why not , i have done it myself , but to legalise drugs that kill people , and cause them to steal from the rest of us to pay for their drugs is just stupid...
Portugal did it and are seeing a decline in violent crime as well as lower user rates. Keep in mind that trafficking is still illegal and heavily punished.
Every little mom and pop shop in Poland sells alcohol, which is a terrible drug for people that can't handle it.
The drug isn't the problem, it's the individual user. There are responsible users of heroin just as there are responsible users of alcohol. If you commit a crime, you should be punished for it. If you are not hurting anyone else, then it shouldn't be of anyone's business what you do privately.
convex
3 Jan 2010
Law / Shipping a car from USA to Poland [85]
How long are you planning on staying in Poland? Is your car still covered under warranty? Does it use the same parts as any common hondas? How long have you owned it?
There is an older thread on this with some good information: polishforums.com/law/poland-shipping-car-usa-7022/
How long are you planning on staying in Poland? Is your car still covered under warranty? Does it use the same parts as any common hondas? How long have you owned it?
There is an older thread on this with some good information: polishforums.com/law/poland-shipping-car-usa-7022/