Life / Hairdressers prices and salons in Warsaw? [6]

Merged: Any recommmendations for great women's hairsalon in Warsaw?

Hey,

I went to a great professional hair salon - U Fryzjerów Andersa - for a haircut, like 2 weeks ago, but at that that time I wasn't sure about doing colour. Anyway great result as this is a truly top notch hair salon (beautiful too with high ceilings and wooden floors). Anyway now that I need the colour - I don't feel like paying the price there, as it obviously would have made sense price wise to do both cut + haircolour at the same time.

Can anyone recommend from experience any similar professional hair salons, which also use top notch products but are priced around the 200 - 250 mark for hair colour instead the 300+ mark?

Thanks!
Sarka

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]


I was living in Toronto for 4 years prior to this, and my byfriend who is Canadian, recieved a Post-doc offer with one Institute in Warsaw. Initially I was like, no I was not going to join him but then I tagged along.

Yes Prague is amazingly beautiful with a cool and charming sense in the air - however since I did not grow up in Czech, it does not mean too much to me as say an english speaking city / country. I always thought Prague was special until we discoevered Venice a few months ago - this city by far tops the list for me as most beautiful and charming city in Europe.

USA, Canada / Leaving Poland. How can I adapt in the US having no family or friends in this country? [13]

@Anoilka

You'll be fine. I made the move to Toronto all alone in 2011, and it was all fine. But then again I am fluent in English and having lived in another commnwealth country, I hardly noticed the differences besides the many skyrises in Toronto.

Work / South African wants to move to Poland, please provide some input? [59]

@janajakkals

A big hello to a former SAFFA! Whereabouts from South Africa are you from? I grew up in Sandown, Jozi...but left in 2008. I actually had a fellow Pole who studied Economics with me at Wits, plus my of my classmates in high school was also Polish. Othwerwise I never came across any Poles in Joburg.I am in Warsaw temporarirly, but was living in Toronto prior. I am looking at heading to London though...

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@delphiandomine

Calm down please. If it has come down ot this, do I have to go and dig outr some evidence too? Like seriously. You are evidently showing your proud Polish colours. Although I am not sure you have so much to be proud of seriously.

According to Wiki - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_Europe so yeah Prague has much higher traffis as expected.

I didn't come here to criticize Warsaw so no need to break down everything I say and try provide some "facts". It is evident that you are a proud Polish and have to come to defend someone's opinion about the city. The universe does not resolve around Warsaw and Poland, you know.

Take a chill pill please. Everyone has the right to their own opinions.

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@lyzko

LOL - I am believe you me. :-)

Food / Any places which sell fruit smoothies in Warsaw? [3]

@jon357

Awesome will check it out! Merci!

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@cms

Ruzyne Letiste has been renovated a couple of times and tthey have extended it a couple of times too. I agree immensely that is a much improved airport, both from the functional and space perspective but also Prague Airport sees more traffic than Warsaw - that is a fact. Prague is more of an international hub than Warsaw, both for travellers and foreign investors. If you ask an outsider which capital city is well known in Central Europe, Prague will be up there along with Budapest.

I don't know the specifics of the Warsaw economy, but as similar to Prague - a large share is service based and made up of BPO Outsourcing / Shared Service Centres, no? Also IT / telecom / software development...

Also lets not forget that the Czechoslovakian economy was TOP 10 industrialized in the world before al the **** hit the storm so...

With respect to this:


I tend do disagree with you. Prague has an awesome food scene - but its not happening by Staro Metske Namesti - you have to go out..Vynohrady ha some good spots...Hradcany has great spots with AMAZING views of Vltava and Charle Bridge...

Wrt to restaunnts in Warsaw, I would say nothing special. There is a good variety of Asian etc which I was very surprised at but I havent come across any decent local Polish restaurant.

Shopping - as in fashion? The fashion is HORRIBLE here, typical Eastern Europe. One Italian girl told me that in Prague they are dressed so much better, But is is a known fact that Czechs dont really care about fashion. Its the same here. I refuse to buy one item of **** clothing here. I only buy from Italian and French boutiques online or when I travel.

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@smurf

I think its good to hear an outsiders' point of view as well though, taking into account that Czech is a neighbouring country and all. I am not here to criticize though as the continual building of skyscrapers evidently shows Warsaw moving forward. I was just saying that aesthetically its more dull and grey than Prague, and doesnt offer the same luxury amenities as say Prague does.

Anyway I will always stick up for Prague and Czech Republic. We have just so much more than just Prague - there is Karlsbad and its well known international Film Festival, Kutna Hora and its spectacular church made of human bones, 2000+ chateaus, castles in Czech in total. For the size it is - it is a VERY impressive country.

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@ziemowit.

I know there are buses and trams here - of course I do, as I have taken them. My intentions were to just bring up my opinion, seeing that I am Czech. Having lived in Prague and experienced everything there, I wanted to compare it to Warsaw from my eyes since most Czechs do not make the journey here, perhaps Krakow and that's it. Seeing that Poland and Czech are usually compared in the same sentence in various articles and statistics / data as released by established organiztions such as IMF, NATO, etc - I was just interested to point out the differences betwen both capitals, which are pretty distinct and obvious. I am very aware that Warsaw is relatively new and prety much rebuild, I do wish they did not re-build with so many grey buildings though - its an eyesore to look at. Obviously Prague has had more luck, plus it has always had a rich and diverse economy, amazing architecture of neo-gothic and baroque, etc etc.

My intentions are not to create heated arguments on a Polish forum, as obciously I will be one-sided. :-) When I am in czech and meet up with czechs, you can imagine what most say about Poland.

Life / Warsaw is a difficult city to adjust to (coming from Canada and having lived in South Africa) Prague? [46]

@delphiandomine

Actually the average salary in Prague has risen to about 37 074 Czk, with country-wide salaries at 28 000 Czk. Its funny becasue there are more Poles working in companies in Czech, versus the other way round. Obviously this states enough. Prague has 3 metro lines, trams, busses so the infrastructure system there is brilliant, and it is one of the cleanest metro systems in Europe.

Anyway Warsaw has alot of catching up to do, which I am sure it is trying to anyway so.

Classifieds / Self addressed mailing labels (English) can be purchased where in Warsaw? [4]

@jon357

Great - I looked on their online shop but didn't see it there. Best to go there in person and look as you have said.

@InPolska

I beieve the Embassy will be closed now, but we will go back to the main post office and look around there.

Many thanks for the reponse!

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@InPolska


Exactly and thats what I like - diversity, plus the close proximity to Paris which is my favourite city - especially for shopping and the Arts.


Just like in Canada - very accepting and open-minded.

Classifieds / Looking for video game testers in Poland [9]

@QLOC

Hi Piotr,

Sounds interesting. I am a native South African english speaker and I'm in Warsaw (recently came from Toronto). I know EIDOS - Square Enix in Montreal quite well, seeing that I placed a couple of Snr Graphic / C++ Programmers with them.

I will prep my resume and send it over shortly.

Thank you,
Sarka

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

Thank you all for your opinions. I highly appreciate it.

To respond:


Yes Luxembourg seems lovely, and the close proximity of it to Paris (just a 2 hour drive away) is a bonus.


Thats what I was told by many in Toronto.


I have to do my research on this topic, but you may be correct. From what I have heard, in order to renew the PR one has to prove 4 years of paid Taxes (in Canada) as one requirement.


Yes, and in this case I would have to return for an additional 3 years in order to be elligible to apply for Canadian citizenship (as they have changed the requirements not too long ago from 3 to 4 years

@Jon357

Yes Luxembourg may be expensive, but it generally has higher salaries + the close proximity to Paris is an ideal bonus for me. I am not too concerned about the weather.

As you mention - Perm immigration to Canada has been completely changed starting Jan 2015, whereby the Express Entry was initiated. This is a point-based system, and allows the governemnt to choose applicants based on jobs which cannot be filled by Canadians. This is a similar system which Australia has been using for a number of years now.

@InPolska

Thanks for your input.

I have been in contact with some companies there - French is highly desirable, and required in many but not all positions.

Love / Polish girls vs Ukrainian girls: Who do you think is hotter? [152]

Czech girls are nicer. If you look at most of the Top Fashion Models from the Central + Eastern European region...Czechs lead the way. There are a few notable Polish girls, but overall Czechs lead this.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Its funny - my ex boss from the company in Czech Rep sent me an email asking me that they have openings at her new company where she is working, and whether or not I was interested in attending the interviews.

When I left Czech Rep in 2011, I stated to myself I will never return there to live - to visit my family for short periods of time - that is different. Dont get me wrong, I had some good times when living there, going to the chateaus, visiting wineries etc.

@Crow

That may be true. Its funny as I met a couple of Slavs in Toronto (from Kazakhastan, Ukraine especially) whose young children felt more Canadian than their actual parents' nationalities.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Please excuse my spelling mistakes - the keyboard of my laptop is quite slippery.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Thanks for yuor post. You are correct in the sense that I don't have any feelings towards Poland, nor Czech Rep to be honest. I was livng and working in Czech for 2,5 years prior I moved to Toronto where I lived for 4 years. I consider myself lucky to have received the PR since I went there on a Working Holiday VISA (open work permit).

What pulls me towards London is the South Africans who are there. I have a couple of friends there back from Joburg.

However what is great about Toronto - is the close proximity to the States + Caribbean (which I want to continuously travel to since my last holiday to Jamaica 7 months ago).

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

I know plus I left a really decent position which had such potential for very good $$$ comng into this year( which I wouldnt even make back in Czech Rep) - this is what I regret the most seeing that money is very important to me .I 've been studying the wages in London and I am not too impressed.

I find Toronto is a great spot for travelling to the States and the Caribbean. It may not have the best architecture and most modern subway system, but there is just something about the city...

I think I would be a fool to risk loosing my PR.

Food / I thought Polish beer couldn't compete, but I was wrong [20]

@RUR


I know :-) Imagine sitting on a rooftop bar / lounge close to the Castle in Prague overlooking the Vltava river and Chalres bridge below, whilst sipping on a fresh draught of beer. There is just no city that comes close to Prague - in terms of its raw beauty (thats my opinion) and fairy-tale like charm.

@Harry

Oh pelase do tell where they serve Kozel in Warsaw. I would love to try some great new places with good beer. We have been to the Beirut Hummus Beirut bar and I am aware they do have some great craft beers there.

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@JanekP

Yes, I remember meeting a programmer (from London) who was working for GameLoft in Toronto, and he explained to me the whole situation with the salaries in London, particularly in video gaming sector, and he was much better off in Toronto.

What about Amsterdam? The tech sector doesnt pay too well in France too I reckon

@AngryPole

I think the tech sector in Ukraine is a bit different, in that the Government does not tax heavily the employers, thus giving them more space to reward their hard-earned employees with better pay. As you prob know the IT sector is quite significant to their economy situation over there, with quite a number of players over there. I was just as surprised to come across major non-Canadian tech companies who outsource their entire back dveelopment to Ukraine (and Belarus), in addition to tech type companies. I beieve the video gaming industry may be different though - salaries are lower.

Yip 25k Gross is definitely very comfortable for Warsaw. That would be Executive-level pay in major foreign corporations, perhaps?

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@AngryPole,

I hear you with repsect to the salaries Ukranian developers are earning in Kiev, Krakov and other big IT hubs over there. I know for a fact that even attracting mid-level hard-core Ukranian programmers to Canada is a mission at times, as most positions over there (whether its in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary) pay the same or even less than what these chaps are earning currently in Ukraine. The norm is for these guys to earn between 4 - 5 000 USD per month and this is after tax.

@AngryPole

What was I thinking - sorry I meant Kharkiv, not Krakov. Also Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa are other IT hubs :-)

Food / I thought Polish beer couldn't compete, but I was wrong [20]

@RUR

I only drink Kozel here in Warsaw (both lager and the dark one) but they are available at only few convenience stores. I just refuse to drink Polish beer - sorry :-)

Otherwise in Czech I prefer beer from smaller breweries like Pegas in Brno (prob my favourite out of all), otherwise Staropramen, Gambrinus are good options too :-)

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@JanekP

Well the Ukrainian IT market is the largest one in Central and Eastern Europe (with over 5000 Developers working in perm roles there), and it is a known fact that Ukrainian developers are highly competent. In fact they are sourced spcifically by many high-tech companies in Canada and the States (I know this as I was working in his industry for 4 years in Toronto). You'll be surprised just how many Ukrainian progarmmers are brought over via the immigration route which takes a couple of months by the way.

Therefore I would not be surprised if Polish tech companies are sourcing them too. (Please note I am not saying that Polish developers are not competent).