Life / Which services is Poland still waiting for? [218]

So you left and still come here to moan about Poland? Brilliant!

No place is perfect but some of the stuff expats complain about in their host nations is just ridiculous.

Life / Which services is Poland still waiting for? [218]

Fuzzy,

I get your frustration with some things. But something that annoys me about expats is that they moan about how things are not like "home" instead of adapting. And in most cases the things they moan about are not real problems but just things they won't try to figure out or deal with like the locals. I don't hang around Americans here as they generally behave in ways that bug me and are constantly complaining about things like "no air conditioning" or "no dryers" etc, they talk too damn loud and don't seem aware of their obnoxiousness, and are generally fake ('Hi how are you?!? Me I am fabulous!") and seem to try and bend things around them rather than the other way. The locals get along just fine without these things we HAVE to have, and so can we. I have lived in a few different nations and it's always the same with expats not trying to fit in often.

Work / About student visa - need proof of accomodation in Poland? [6]

dobry2123 do you know any Polish people who own a flat? If they will write you a simple contract to "rent" a room for 1zl a month this might work as well. I have done this in the past to meet the "umowa najmu" requirement when applying for residence. But first I would contact the school and tell them you need proof of accommodation and see if they will send something since it sounds like you have this accommodation covered..just not the proper papers proving it. I can't be sure in regards to a student visa...but normally you have to have proof of accommodation for the entire time you are applying for (like a rental contract for this duration or letter showing a dorm is provided in your case) so a hostel for a week wouldn't work.

Here are the numbers for Immigration Info...they speak English: +48 22 695 67 70 or +48 22 695 67 73

Open Monday 10:00-17:30 and other days from 08:00 to 15:00 except Wednesday and weekends when they are closed. If someone doesn't answer just keep trying every few min as it often takes several tries.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]


I get the same as a Yank. Have had people hang up on me once I answered where I was from even in Polish. I make a point to mention initially that I am living here long term, quiet and ask if the flat is quiet etc as I dont like parties and noise...sort of take the initiative in selling myself to an owner. If they give you a chance to meet they can figure out pretty fast if you are a potential problem...but getting past the first contact can be tricky. Try talking to doormen etc too...I have found flats before that way wandering around the city...just pop in and ask if they know any open flats in their building...or ask a resident coming out of a place you like.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]

Right. I think most of the time they just don't want to deal with the hassle as you have mentioned. Of the 4 places I have rented here only one was found from an ad directly. The rest were doormen or someone I bumped into who knew someone with a flat to rent etc. One lady was waiting by a lift and I asked her if the building was comfortable to live in...she asked why and I told her I was looking at a flat there...she mentioned she was on the way up to clean her friend's flat and takes pics for an ad so I looked at her's as well. You really just have to go out and talk to people to get the best options...strangers in a cafe...whatever.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]

I understand. Just learning how to say you don't speak Polish can open up a lot of interaction though.

"Przeprasam ale nie mowie po polsku...czy pan/pani mowi po angielsku?" (Excuse me but I don' speak Polish...do you speak English?) and if they do they will and if not you move on. My Polish is shameful...but I interact a lot. Just today a guy asked me for directions on the street and kept talking and talking...wouldn't let me get a word in. So while he was rambling I looked up the address he mentioned ( I made ouf the street name and number in his rapid verbal assault) on my phone and pointed on the map. He said thanks and went on without ever knowing I am not fluent. Often you can pick out key words and get an idea of what's going on. I still sound like a child when speaking though.

As soon as I started TRYING things became easier...for a long time I was resistant and everyone I knew well spoke English so I got lazy. I don't know if I will ever have the discipline to study and become fluent but just learning survival Polish helps a ton.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]

Ah hell my English is so international from living all over I mix vocabulary all the time. I mean saying "bollocks" is just fun.

Yeah agents suck and have somehow injected themselves into a large portion of the market. Nobody likes them yet people still hire them to list when its so simple. And the owners are always there to show the flat so it's not like the agent has access whenever and provides a service. They get in the middle and make communication difficult and ask for a lot of money for this.

Life / Which services is Poland still waiting for? [218]

Yeah whenever I see promo photos of new buildings of flats with ponds and trees all around I think "nice mosquito farm". I like Warsaw's concrete jungle as the bugs are not so prevalent. I have skipped on flats because they had trees a meter from the window etc. Not worth the hassle.

Travel / No warnings to soccer fans going to Euro 2012 about Polish drivers and Polish roads? [40]

Pawian, I agree with Milky. Signaling is not the norm. And a half a blink as you whip out into oncoming traffic doesn't count :P

Speaking of not warning tourists I wonder how many got caught out by the holiday today. You'd think during this time they'd open anyway as A. They are losing a lot of business and B. It inconveniences all the people from out of town who didn't know to plan ahead.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]

Found a new scam. A company is putting a listing up and when you call they say you have to pay 300pln and sign a contract to get access to their list of flats. THEN you can look at the one they listed. This should be illegal...if it is and somebody knows how to report it let me know. I am sure the Police won't care at all however.

Love / "Marian" complex of Polish women [16]

I was eating at a cafe on Nowy Swiat and in a mixed group nationality wise. It was funny to see the heads turning as they walked by and heard various accents of English. I am not local for sure but have been around Warsaw for a while over the years...and as soon as they find out I live here and am not some wealthy Yank visiting they lose interest. My Polish friend has it even worse. He grew up in Australia to Polish parents but lives here now. They hear him speaking Australian English and perk up...then find out he is a Pole and turn cold. Where are all these "normal" women who don't care about such things? I keep hearing they exist but in my years here I have seen very few.

Love / "Marian" complex of Polish women [16]

pgtx if you aren't totally taking the **** then you have issues...I don't know you so can't tell if you really are that bitter or if you are messing about.

Law / VAT on used goods imported into Poland [6]

Thanks Harry...the problem is in this case I am not buying it. It is a laptop a friend is giving to me. So I am not sure how to address the value and there won't be any sales documentation. It also makes me wonder how duties are assessed on warranty repairs that are sent abroad etc. Are you charged again for the value when they ship it back fixed?

Law / VAT on used goods imported into Poland [6]

Yeah I was considering that thanks ;)

Not sure if they have a believable threshold for pricing though. Do you think they pay that much attention? It is a fairy new computer so not sure how cheaply I can get away with "paying" for it without them calling bullshit.

Love / For PF's Many Lovelorn Seekers of Amour [7]

It is always easy to give OTHER people advice. And unsolicited advice is usually annoying.

Life / Freelance English teacher - Are Polish people unreliable? They continually cancel lessons... [22]

Despite what the nationalists say and despite whether the OP has a bad attitude or not...Poles cancel things a LOT. Everyone I know who teaches has cancelations all the time and most are professional teachers. "I am sick" is the common excuse.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]

I don't think you understood. I was saying the lodowka and piekarnik are two of the most used appliances and often there is a tiny lodowka and a two burner kuchnia but no piekarnik. They spend a lot on a remodel and don't put proper appliances...I don't get it. I was not talking about washing machines.

My point is those two things are standard equipment and shouldn't need to be purchased by a renter. They are not something people would take with them when moving here. Just seems a lot of landlords are cheaping out in a big way here lately. All my flats before were well furnished but it's getting harder to find decent places.

It's funny you mentioned dishwashers as a lot of the flats I mentioned have these after a remodel....but no place to really cook...it's bizarre.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]

The thing is there is room in the places I am talking about for normal everything. But instead you have 2km of cabinets and no oven or real refrigerator. And maybe a tiny one hole sink in the corner where you have to bend weird to get to it. It is really strange. Like it is a joke to see how awkward they can make the kitchen and see if people will notice.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]


I cannot speak for everywhere but in Warsaw a lot of flats have been empty for a long time in the listings. My personal belief is they are just lazy and cheap which seems common in construction quality and flat offerings here...but figured I would get attacked as being anti Polish for saying so.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]

LwowskaKrakow

So people don't cook unless they are in groups of 3 or more? I find this assumption ridiculous. You don't know anything about cooking if you think a couple of cook tops and a microwave are "enough". The idea that takeaway food is readily available does not negate the need for proper appliances. What a silly attitude. There are public toilets all over so why bother with having one in the flat right? You don't really "need' it.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]

A lot is not all or most. This idea that people who live in rental flats in Warsaw never cook is stupid. It is also very untrue.

Real Estate / Why so many incomplete kitchens in Polish rental flats? [24]

The cheap two cook tops are too close together to use both at once often...and an oven is required to do more than student skillet dinners and soups. I pity your husband if that is your attitude toward food. Or are you one of those women who cannot cook at all? It is increasingly common and most girls here look at me like I am an alien when I can cook well.

NorthManc in the states empty is the usual....but Warsaw it has been fully furnished as the standard for the last ten years at least...but lately they are cheaping out more trying to get more money for less effort so more and more flats don't have much in them.

Travel / Any vintage video game arcades in Warsaw? [5]

Yeah I think an arcade would be a blast here. I'd visit it often if it was in a good location.

Real Estate / Poland's flat rental agents and the anger they brew in me.... [60]

They never gave a name to me or anyone else I know who has run into similar scams...they just answer the phone "Biura" most of the time. I thought Hestia was a big insurance company? Is it one and the same?

Travel / Any vintage video game arcades in Warsaw? [5]

Because sitting in front of the PC isn't as social and nostalgic. An arcade would be a social activity. I now in the US anyway they are seeing a bit of a resurgence as a small business. It's fun.

Work / Earn $6800 a month in Warsaw? Job scams in Poland. [11]

Merged: Reports of scams in Poland

SCAM: Prepaid flat viewing in Warsaw

domiporta.pl/details,30797,121832714-mieszkanie-warszawa.asp

This company listing a flat in this domiporta ad charges in advance to see their "list" of flats. They show ads with low prices and nice standard that aren't real or really for rent. The above listing is an example. They need to be dealt with but unfortunately the Police don't seem to care.

Here is the "firm's" phone number: 790316947

Travel / Pot in Poland for tourists [285]

Guys...you just have to ask around. Nobody is going to post their contact on a public forum. Go to pubs or places where people hang out and ask people. Weed is everywhere in Poland but nobody is going to volunteer it. Once you meet one person who smokes or has a connection you will meet a lot more.

Legal or not weed is less harmful than alcohol and does far, far less damage but most people who are 'against" weed drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Some people need to get over their self righteous nonsense.