Looking for a new long-term stay in Poland

Can't decide where to go next in Poland; currently in Poznan - have lived long term in Warsaw, Wroclaw, Gdansk, katowice. We are looking for a place that is full of usable nature for our large dog where she can explore off leash and swim as she loves water. I understand the limitations and rules about dogs being off leash in forests etc...and the fines and warnings- so where can she live a little without a Polish Karen with their dog freaking out? We NEED a good gym and access to health food stores that sell good vitamins & minerals etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

So you want freedom and convenience at the same time.. it's not easy to find it. You seem to have stayed in big cities; how about moving to the Polish countryside? Find an area near a lake or a big pond (not "nationalized") and then you can walk with your dog all day long. It won't be very close to a big city, but a city up to 100K of population is big enough for a gym and healthy food to buy, usually within 15-20km from an 'off-road' location.

@Evada, do yourself and the rest of your neighbors a big favor by learning the basics of the language
PRIOR to arriving in Poland!

Poles on average, much as we here in the US, are growing just a wee bit tired of foreigners coming
to our country with zero knowledge of the target language.

In this case, your knowledge of Polish need scarcely be perfect, even fluent, but it shouldn't be non-existent.
You can't always rely on English to get by:-)

Bialystok is a nice city to live in. Plenty of very pleasant countryside around and the people are generally less uptight than in western Poland.

You've lived in quite a few places; how long have you been in PL?


If there isn't one there, there's always mail order.

Has it caught up with the rest of Poland I remember when going there felt like going back in time 3-4 years....

I was there a couple of years ago and found it a lot better than it was before. That said, the first time I was there, maybe 12 years ago, I had a superb curry. Perhaps Jimmy has a photo he claims is me enjoying that curry, but don't ask, he's rather sensitive about photos of me right now. Hoot!

I quite like the old fashioned feel. It's got a nice character and its own special feel.


I wonder who he thinks is actually in that photo.

Maybe in the West of Poland in Gorzow, Zielona Gora area ?

Lots of forests, will be gyms and modern shops and within reach of Berlin or Poznan. Plus cheap to live.

It's not just Karens who want your dog on a leash - its also to protect wildlife

Yes, and a much better choice that way, plus more competitive pricing too.

Did you go to Hel or Kolobrzeg? Seems like they might suit your requirements. The places you mention seem very urban for nature lovers with a lively dog. Or if you want to go inland consider somewhere in the Mazury area perhaps.

I like Zielona Gora or Jelenia Gora too, but it's better to be away from the tourist areas there.

Pleasant but nothing special.

The dog wouldn't mind and keeping a low profile may be what the OP needs ;)

They do seem to move around a lot. I still think Bialystok is a nice bet.

I like Bialystok too for its nature and beauty, even though the weather is cold a few months a year; Zielona Gora is warmer through the year. But not to the point of making or making a deal.

Maybe between Toruń and wloclawek ? Loads of forest, two interesting towns and a reasonable connection to Warsaw.

Or the area about 100km North of Warsaw - starting at Ciechanow and up to dzialdowo and Ilawa. Very forested, new highway and fast train to Warsaw and Gdańsk

Płock could be a good bet. And it's OK for shopping. Lovely town too.

Białowieża Forest, Bieszczady Mountains, etc.

You mean Galeria Wisła? I had a surprisingly good curry there a few years back. Run by the same people who have the Ganesh restaurants in Warsaw and Lodz.

Jimmy Poorhouse can probably show you a photo he claims is me enjoying that curry too! Hoot!