Merged: Another thinking about moving to Poland post from the USA Looking to do some homework....
Czesc wam!! Hello everybody!!
My name is Marek. Only one out of 5 kids born in the USA. My family were all political refugees from Poland in the 1980's. Though grew up in the USA always lived in a Polish neighborhood in a Polish city in the USA with only Polish speaking parents and I didn't learn English until I went to kindergarten (damn that sucked) but now my English is better then my Polish. Had lived in Hungary for a year in Budapest with my ex-girlfriend whom I met here in the states. Though it was perhaps the best part of my life up until now a beautiful city in a beautiful country with a beautiful girl it didnt work out in the end. But now I am itching to get back out to Europe and was thinking about moving to Poland. A lot of family in and around Warsaw and figure I would move there as a start to find work and somehow survive. I now work with all Poles in a construction job. I can speak Polish almost perfectly though I have an accent and really suck at writing in Polish but I can read fine. I speak more in Polish on a daily basis between work and shopping then I do english which is pretty funny. I was wondering if anyone had any words of advice. I would like to take in any information I possibly can to make up my mind. Warszawa is a big city I am not too familiar with but I have been traveling back and forth to Poland for months at a time since I was a kid. Especially last year when I lived in Budapest i would save all my money to go to Poland.
About me... I am 26. Speak Polish though have an accent. Can read it fine though have big troubles writing it. Am a pretty big guy with a boxing background from a rough city so I am not a gangster by any means but can usually recognize danger before it happens so I am not too terrified about crime though prefer to avoid sketchy neighborhoods. Have been exposed to some crime in Poland quite a few times in the smaller cities so I am not oblivious to the dangers though am interested whether or not it is worse in the bigger cities for foreigners like myself. I'm about to finish college in 2 weeks with a degree in political science (which is useless in Poland I know). I have experience working in a customer service position in Budapest, Hungary with both English and Polish speaking clients though I work now and have for years in construction here in the US.
My concerns... work first and foremost. What kind of pay is expected for entry level jobs in Warsaw if I am lucky enough to find one. Also I am curious as to what neighborhoods are decent to live in on a meager cost? I have done a lot of homework on my own but would love to hear any words of advice or things to look out for figure this is a good place to start. Also sorry for the length of this letter didnt mean to write a book on myself but figure the more information I write the better. Also any people on this website in a similar situation to me? Would love to hear your stories regardless of where you are from. Moving to Poland may not be the brightest idea but for some reason I have always wanted too even though I know the grass will not be greener in the funds department. But I figure this may be one of my last chances to take a risk before I settle down. I am all about risks my father took one escaping from Poland I am willing to take one moving there. If even only for a little while.
Sorry I think this post has been written a million times but any information would be useful. Thanks for your time. -Marek
"Next question is, "why would an ex-pat want a teaching job in Poland ?"."
the bigger question is with these pay rates and expenses of living in Warsaw how do those people even afford to go to those clubs or doms whiskeys and buy 30 zloty drinks? And the apple products etc.? also why do they feel like they have to try so hard and show off?
Most companies out of Poland wont even hire you here unless you run tour own company or dzialalnosc and can print invoices or fakturas and I just found out they even want you to register for some nip number or some vat registration not to mention us companies wont work with you at all here unless its like Chinese or Indian wages. so they penny pinch or make you go out of your way to go to govt offices here how the hell can you make any good money to buy 40 glass proseccos? plus those jobs always come and go and are never long term from my experience even the good ones ive had.
Poland has a special deal for USA citizens. Instead of the standard 90/180-day Schengen rule, Poland only has the 90-day rule - i.e., so long as you enter/exit the Schengen Zone via Poland (e.g., international flight out of Warsaw or the Ukrainian border) within 90 days at time, you can come back in with no regard to the 180-day rule. And given recent developments, I don't see that changing at all.
It isn`t hard to move but even beneficial and good for your health, both mental and physical.
E.g, our American rightist members brag about the US being the Heaven for free speech etc.
AmaSSing liars they are because it is in the US where people lose their jobs for speaking their mind.
Journalist Reacts to Elon Musk's Strange Gesture. Here's What Happened to Her A meteorologist working for a local Milwaukee TV station was fired a day after she criticized Elon Musk on social media, saying the billionaire made a Nazi gesture at Donald Trump's inauguration. She worked at the station for five years.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the story. On Wednesday, employees of local CBS affiliate WDJT-TV received an email saying that meteorologist Sam Kuffel had left the station. Her photo and bio were removed from the station's website by noon that same day. "Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS5. A search is underway for a replacement," reads a memo from news director Jessie Garcia, obtained by the Journal Sentinel.
Why would a retired American want to move to Poland?
Are you thinking of yourself now??
Indeed, 8 years ago you visited Poland to do some reconaissance before settling down here. But when you learnt you can`t bring your 3 pillow guns, you gave up.
Food, safety, people, public transport, closeness to different European holiday destination, culture
I can buy any food I want here.
I am safer than you. Our Muslims are pussies. Yours hate you. And those Russians planning to invade all of Europe. Right?
Americans are better people that the aloof Euros that never maintain eye contact or do smalltalk.
My transport is better than yours. See the pic.
Euro destinations = thousands and thousands of people I have nothing in common with. Most don't speak American. Fvck 'em.
The only culture that counts comes from the US. The rest of you are metoos. Quoting:
Yes, Poland does show American TV series, with many popular American shows being available on various streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ which are widely accessible in the country;
We are lucky...No Polish garbage easily available here...I refuse to watch anything Britsh or German. Both languages are hard to take...
BTW...I forgot that fresh clean winter air in Poland and long summers...My apologies...
I just wanted to show you my means of transportation. What's the big deal?
That car can be bought for 6 months worth of average income here ... Nothing to be envious about...
What is yours? Can you post a picture?
Try to walk home at 2am at night without your gun and see how quickly you **** your pants.
95% of the US is safe to walk at 2 am. The 5% where it's not is part of Africa. Sane people don't go there - just as Poles in Warsaw don't go to some places at 2 am.
The same can be said about London, Paris, and Berlin.
Since Russia is planning to invade Poland but not the US, I am safer than any Polak in Poland in this regard.