US to Poland – Why I moved
About seven years ago I moved from the US to Poland. Many people could not believe it. I moved from Boston’s Beacon Hill to Kraków, Poland. Do not get me wrong, I am a patriot. I love America but that does not mean I have to limit my life experiences.
Since pictures speak louder than words, I took these photos today just walking around my house. They are nothing special but gives you a real idea what life is like in Poland and why I would want to move from the US.
Poland is so beautiful it is not hard to move from the US to Poland
My grandparents came from Poland many years ago. I have always had an interest in Poland and Polish history from afar. After taking several trips to Poland I decided to study the Polish language in Kraków for a few months. But why did I move? I meet the girl who was to be my future wife. It was my destiny.
We would not have stayed if I did not love Polska.
Hard working Polish workers making Poland greater everyday
Why I moved to Poland and stayed
- The USA is about 200% to 300% more expensive than Poland for the same exact things.
- People are very humble and sincere, churches everywhere and people take family and church seriously.
- It is the center of Europe and from Poland you can go anywhere in a short distance. I often go to Lviv, Vienna , Africa, Greece or the Northern countries with ease.
- A new experience.
- Poland has great food, if you love Polish cooking and fresh home cooked meals, you will love Poland. Fresh food in Poland tastes nothing like these large farm grown produce in the United States.
- Interesting history and culture and art.
- Countless other reasons I moved from the US to Poland.
Poland gets better everyday
About five years ago people use to say Polish people complain a lot. I do not think that is the case much anymore. Poles are pretty optimistic and every year the economy is getting better and better. Life is pretty good in Poland. Life is real in Poland, not some something that comes in a package and is heated in a microwave. People enjoy their lives with 8 weeks of family vacations a year.
You will feel no deprivation of consumer goods as Poland has huge shopping malls like or as nice than the USA
The people here have a strong sense of family and values. I think in innocence and values it was like America in the early 1960s. I hope it does not change too much.
Window shopping is always fun on the largest open square in all of Europe.
What about consumer goods when moving to Poland?
You can get anything you want in Poland and usually at a better price and quality. Many things are still made in Poland and most thins come with a two year EU warranty.
Modern Polish trams move people in Poland around their ancient cities.
Basically you have a USA lifestyle that is more interesting, mentally stimulating, 1/2 to 1/3 the price more peaceful, no guns and few violent crimes, free education to the University level and health care. Polish weather is better than the UK or Ireland or many northern countries but not as hot as Spain or Italy. But that is what vacation is for and I enjoy the four seasons in Poland. It is like living in New England.
Poland has mountains and the sea as well as lakes and ancient forests all very beautiful.
I am thinking of moving from the center of Kraków to a wooden house in the Polish countryside.
I have my apartment set up like I did when I lived in the USA. It is large and furnished with Ikea, high-speed Internet. No standard of living difference.
I have no idea why the expensive USA is still the ideal to live in when the world now is global.
Gothic buildings are everywhere in Poland.
If you need advice on moving to Poland from the USA or Canada or from where ever you live, leave a comment. If you need to know about work in Poland or a visa or citizenship I will answer the best I can.
A Polish church on my street
If you need travel advice, or any ideas about moving to Poland again just write a comment and I will answer the best I can.
149 responses to Moving to Poland from the US
Considering a move to Krakow
My husband is considering a job offer in Krakow that would relocate us from outside of Boston to Krakow for about two years. We’ve never traveled abroad so Krakow seems so foreign and we do not speak any Polish (although both my mother’s parents were born in Poland). We have 2 young children (8 and 5). It is hard for me to imagine what life would be like for us in Krakow. Can you tell me anything about the expat community there? Where do families tend to live in Krakow and what kinds of recreation is there? Our kids are very into sports, mainly baseball and hockey. Are there organized youth sports there like there are in the States? I’ve read many of the posts and responses and it’s been helpful. Thanks.
Moving to Poland from the US
Krakow is a great city. There is Jordan park, which is really for children in Krakow, the Forest with the Zoo, Water Park, music schools and you can hire a tutor for languages for 8 dollars an hour one on one. There are hundreds other things to do in Krakow for kids as well as the school for foreigners for children if you want them to be in an English school. There are English speaking churches in Krakow if you are into that. I was from Boston and moved to Krakow. My only warning is it is in a valley so it can be smoggy. Try to get a place near a green area with trees or just outside Krakow as the city is amazing but has smog.
Let me know if you have any other questions for concerns.
Moving to Poland from the US
Legal papers to live in Poland for my husband
Hi Mark
It’s Kama here. I’m Polish and I’ve been living in USA for 10 years with my husband and 2 children. My husband Andy is American and he doesn’t have a Polish citizenship. We’re thinking about moving back to Poland. I have a family living in my lovely Kolobrzeg at the sea.
I wanted to ask you about any papers, I should apply for, that my husband will need to live legally in Poland. Or is it better apply for them here in Ohio when we are still living? Thank you:) kama
Moving to Poland from the US
It does not matter, it is more a convience for you. I personally would start he process before I go, so I know what to expect. However, they will give you time when you are there to get things in order also. For example, they were reviewing my case for a Polish greencard and gave me a temporary visa to stay in Poland.
Similarly when you came to the USA, I imagine you got a I-130 before you got your greencard. Poland has the same type of process. The reason I say start the process before is it will be easier to gather documents like birth and marriage certificates, rather, than when you are moving across the sea. Just a logistical thing.
Also you will know what to expect from the Polish Urząd.
I love Poland and you know I recommend living there at least for a while. I ironically just moved from Poland to the USA after many years there, mostly beause I like warmer weather.
But Poland it is like living in Vermont or some beautiful enchanting land up north. I think it is a wonderful place to live. Also you need to get set up ideas on how to make a living before you move from USA to Poland. Other than that it will be an adventure for your husband.
Moving to Poland from the US
Finding a job in Poland
Thank you so much for your help
:):) kama
I have one more question, if you don’t mind, about finding a job for American people. I know I would like to teach English as I used to do that before leaving Poland but I’m just wondering about my husband. Do you know, by any chance, any American companies I could find in Polish cities that offer jobs for people from USA?
I’m happy you love living in my country. When I go to see my family in summer I just want to stay in Kolobrzeg and live there all the time. I just miss everything so much. Thank you again
Moving to Poland from the US
The number of starving expats living in Poland is zero to none. If you have any skill with English you can find a job in Poland. My friends, teach work in call centers work in investment and legal anything you want. Search Gumtree to get an idea of jobs. There are scores of American companies in oil and gas to computer companies anything you can imagine. You could open an American restaurant in Poland. Basically with imagination and patience you can have the same quality of life or better in the in Poland than the USA. I know this is a bold statement but it is true. Markets are less competitive in Poland and labor is cheap, so margins on a well thought out venture can be nice.
The key is not get sucked into thinking you can not make a lot of money in Poland or that you need a job. A job is not what you need and are desperate. Many Poles have an attitude about work that nothing is fair and nothing works. I know many people living in Poland doing well. You can do anything you like, but it might take many years to find your niche.
Ask questions if you have any.
Moving to Poland from the US
Healthcare in Poland?
I am thinking of going back home after 40 years in the US tell me what can I expect as far as health insurance and how much will it cost.
You can buy public or private at lets say 200 dollars a month. You can get it for a lot less if you know how to work the system. Or you can pay for each visit which I did anyway. This costs lets say between 20 dollars and 50 dollars for visit depending if it is a specialist.
Almost all hospitals are public with some private. You need ZUS to cover you unless you want to shell out a few thousand for an operation.
In theory you should get free medical care, but it depends if you are retired or have your own company. But in theory everyone is covered. Homeless people are covered. But it depends what your status is and how much you will have to pay. There are no deductibles of course, you just show your medical stamp and you are in 100% paid for.
Moving to Poland from the US
I am moving to Poland in 2 months
Hey Mark, I’m glad I found this site on Poland and moving to Poland. My name is Brett I’ am 29 years old. I am moving to Poland in 2 months, I’m a retired Soldier and the reason I am moving to Poland is because of my girlfriend. I dated her a long time ago when I was stationed in Germany. I met her on one my of my crazy trips that I normally took with no map every weekend! I used to just get in my car and drive and see as much as I could see in a weekend. One weekend I went to Poland, I stopped in a little town called Legnica, There I was walking around trying to find a hotel and I stopped at a restaurant to ask for help. Of course nobody spoke english, however there was a beautiful girl who was eating with her friends and she over heard me speaking English, She came up to me and tried to help me as best as she could. She took me to a hotel and we said goodbye, then she asked me if I wanted her to come back in the morning to take a tour of Legnica. We fell in love.
6 months later I was sent to Iraq for a 18 months and we lost contact. However with the help of Facebook and me leaving my dog tags at her house she found me 5 years later on Facebook. I just came back from Poland and I have decided that I’m going to move there.
I agree with you about family life over there. I also agree that polish people have very good family values. I really believe that she is my soul mate and I trust her more than the women in the united states. Not saying that Polish women don’t cheat on their husbands, but I believe if you treat her well and you are faithful to her, she will always be there for you too. what do you think? haha
Anyways thought I would share my little love story with you, but I do have some questions about Poland that my girlfriend has trouble answering.
I know more about Poland than most well-educated Americans, I have spent a lot of time there more than most people. However I’m a little rusty about some things since most of my time spent there was 6 years ago. The country has improved a lot since I was there last, however your train can still be 2 or 3 hours late sometimes.
Mark do you think I can find a school in Legnica Poland that can teach me Polish? If so how much will it cost me per month?
I bought Rosetta stone but I think I will need a formal class as well.
What about health insurance? I have coverage thru the Army but there are no bases in Poland, and in germany there is also no place for me to go. Do you have a polish health care plan. How much would that cost?
I have all my documents for applying for temporary residence, I have been told my the polish embassy in D.C that it is way easier and faster to just travel to Krakow and submit it there? They told me that if I do it in D.C that it will take up to 6 months, but if I got to Kraków it will take 40 days.
do you think I should apply for a student visa, or just say I am dating a Polish citizen?
Thanks for your help. You are one of the only people on the internet that I have found that has useful information about moving to Poland.
I really enjoyed reading what you wrote and agree with you 100 percent. To be honest with you I’m sick of living here in D.C. I’m tired of the 3 hour commutes, I’m tired of the fake people. I’m tired of the little games girls like to play with you. I’m just sick of it.
The last question I have is employment. I have a degree in business and I plan on learning Polish. I’m currently a financial consultant and I also work for CBS news in Richmond Va as their financial consultant.
I know the pay is lower in Poland by a lot, however I really don’t care about money, because I am 100% disabled by the army and I get a pension that will be around 6000 zlotys a month. I’ve been told this should be enough to live in Poland while I’m learning Polish and looking for a job? From my calculations it should be ok, what do you think? My question is how hard is it to find a job in Poland doing something similar to what I’m doing now. Like working at a bank or something? I really just want something to do during the day when my girlfriend is at work. Do you think I can find a job?
Also is there any volunteer work that I could get involved in while I’m learning Polish. Like the red cross or something? do you know what I mean? helping old people or something?
Thanks for all your help Mark!
Moving to Poland from the US
Ideas on moving to Poland - insurance and student visa
Brett, that is god news you are moving to Poland. Here is what I think. The fastest way to make all this happen is you go to Poland, say Krakow, and get a student visa. Having a Polish girlfriend does nothing for your visa status unfortunately. If that were the case half the world would move to Poland with a girlfriend. You have to either be married, engaged soon to be married, have Polish family or a student, or working also. Poles like Americans so I do not think you will have too much trouble as long as your birth documents etc are in order.
I personally would find a school via the Internet and calling around and find one that would support you in the visa process, that is a student visa in Poland. The truth is you do not need to go to school to learn Polish, in fact unless you are really studious it could be counter productive. The best way is to study on your own and talk to people, then take a class here or there as cream. But I come from the school of thought that all learning is self learning and often Polish natives speakers have little idea how hard their language is or how to teach it to a foreigner, so besides the visa advantage lets say the onus is on you.
About your money, 6k pln is fine, but expectations about wealth are relative remember. For me that is great money, but if your expectations are high, it might not be. But with that money you can rent a house, buy a car and live well.
I would buy either Polish national insurance called ZUS or private insurance. If you are in Krakow go to Galleria Kazimierz and buy insurance from Hestia for example. This is an insurance company that is private that insures foreigners. You can also call them from the USA of course.
I had ZUS or public insurance because I am a Polish citizen and paid taxes with a legit job, but many times I went to private clinics and paid cash because medical care is so cheap in Poland relative to the west. I mean for a major operation you can have this for less than 1000 dollars.
The one thing is the operation might be cheap but ZUS pays for the hospital unless you go to a private hospital. And if you real my article on Polish hospitals there are many nice private ones now.
The only legal work you can have is being a student. You can not work unless you have a work visa. There are many jobs for foreigners as you are a native speaker in English and you can get sponsored by a company if you want, like a call center. However, some people teach English as a tutor under the table. I am not recommending that, I am just describing a reality that English speakers do to make money in a tight situation.
Please ask any questions you have about moving to Poland, I know your time is only a couple of months so you must have a lot of questions. But please grammar check your comment as you did not capitalize the word Polish or Poland for example and other small things. I am no grammarian myself, mind you. Besides that ask away as I do not know if I answered everything and would be more than happy to help you with your move to Poland.
Moving to Poland from the US
Hey Mark, I’ve wanted to ask you about driving license.
Did you have to apply for international driving license or perhaps you were able to use your American driving license living in Poland?
Thank you
I always used my American driver license. In fact I renewed it remotely. I had an International driver licenses for a while, let it expire and used my American. My American friends did the same. If the police stopped anyone, people spoke a lot of English and played dumb and flashed their American passport, and it was usually too stressful for the police to get involved in it all. Maybe times are changing. I started to study for my Polish drivers license but in the US now for a while. If I were going to be there more than a year, now I would take the Polish drivers test.
Let me know if you have any questions. The written test is real easy. Its on a computer, just have to go through the book of questions which is boring. However, the driving test is hard, but can be avoided if your give them your US license, which is something you have to evaluate depending on how long you will live in Poland.
Moving to Poland from the US
Recreational Travel to Poland
Hi Mark,
I enjoyed reading your blog. I am interested in traveling to Poland and other parts of Europe for about a month next summer. Money is not a big issue for me I just want to have some fun and enjoy European culture. I’m a single guy traveling alone and would love to meet some beautiful European women. Any suggestions about accommodations, places to go etc. Thanks.
Joe
Go to Poland, Ukraine . Lviv, Crimea, Romania but mostly Poland for nice girls as it is a nice western country but still untouched by western change of values.
Moving to krakow, Poland from the USA
Hello! I am Dmitriy and I am also Pole by nationality. My father and mother are from Poland originally. I,my self lived in San Francisco for 23yrs. But for the last four or five years very seriously thinking to move to Kraków or may be to some other city in Poland. I also have family, two kids. Planing to come and see Krakow and Wroclaw at first. My father serf in Polish army during WWII in lived and study in Krakow,so that is why I am very interested to go ther first. There are a many questions remain in my hade because I lived for almost 1/4 of a century in USA, so my view of the situation is not very objective as you will understend. This is a brief comment of what I am and what I would like to do,but the sence to do so very strong.
Thank you if you will take a minute to respond and gave me you take on the subject
Moving to Poland from the US
Pollution in Krakow, Poland, it is polluted in Cracow
I have lived in Krakow, Poland for many years and I would say it is the most cultural of all Polish cities. However, there is a dark side that I can not ignore. That is the pollution. I think the pollution has become so bad in Krakow, that it affects people’s health. It is a cancer hot spot.
Cracow has four times the air pollution of LA and ten times that of NYC. It is a small valley and a million cars and they have cut the trees down for new investments in blocks of flats. Krakow Poland is beautiful but the air quality is low. You can search it online yourself. The way I recommend people to get around it is buy about 30 to 50 large plants in your apartment at the flower market at the end of Krakow. The more the better. Further try to live near a green area.
I have seen many people who look ancient in Krakow because of the air. Their faces have deep lines, they have Krakow face. When they are students they do not have this, but soon they start to look old. It is like smoking a pack a day. I kid you not. In the summer it is a little better because people are not burning coal and plastic to hear their homes. But the winter the air stinks.
I moved out of Krakow because of that and for other reason. The city is beautiful to visit but there is a smog and haze that I can not ignore. If you want to move to Krakow, just be aware of this and take measure to help prevent getting toxic. Take a lot of vitamins and have lots of plants in your house and live if possible out of the valley of Krakow or near the forest.
Many people think the Pollution is from Nowa Huta after the industrialization push by the communist. This is wrong. It is from the cars that were not there ten years ago; and the fact people have machines they buy that allows them to burn trash in the winter to heat their homes. I personally love Krakow, but the pollution is something I do not like. You have to worry about your family’s health. Many children in Krakow have breathing problems and other health problems from the pollution the city ignores.
The Krakow government does not want to talk or address the issue of pollution as they are more about building football stadiums etc. However, it is not the place to live for fresh air.
I also had some trouble with the Krakow Police being horrible and had to write the President before I got any reply. So as much as I have been singing praise of Krakow, because I do love it as I love Poland also. However, the city of Krakow is polluted and not a place for a family. If you are single and want to go out dancing and study art it is the place. But only for a few years. Not to raise a family.
In the old town and Podgórze kids have learning problems maybe from the air quality being low.
If I was moving to Poland maybe I would live in a city with fresh air and cheaper housing and travel to visit Krakow from time to time.
Moving to Poland from the US
Moving to Wroclaw, Poland
I got it, have you ever been to Wroclaw, is it something to see? Do you have anything to say about it?
Wroclaw is cleaner and a nice place to live. I think if you are moving to Poland you really need to come and see these cities as each one has pluses and minuses. I would say that Wroclaw is cleaner than Krakow. Krakow is in a valley and not healthy to live.
Art and architecture jobs in Poland
Hello Mark, What do you think or know about life for an artist, architect around thous city’s, and Poland in general sense I am an artist and architect. Is there a comfortable environment for such people with great experience in life, also from a very practical angle as well.
It is like asking are there jobs for accountants in the USA. Sure but it depends on your portfolio as an artists and your references from other clients. Can you speak the language enough to communicate what needs to be done on the job? I think in Poland there is a lot of economic activity, to capitalize on it, you need to be able to add value like anywhere else in the world.
Moving to Poland - learning Polish in Poland
Hi,
I am a dual Australian / Polish citizen (my dads parents were Polish). I only have a very basic knowlege of the Polish language. I would like to move to Krakow and become fluent in the language. As I have a Polish passport, I have no need to visas etc. I have searched and found that language schools are quite expensive. I would like to know whether the Polish government provides financial and language assistance to Polish citizens who where born abroad but who wish to relocate to Poland. What support is available?
Moving to Poland from the US
Poland give discount to Poles in official programs like at University of Jagiellonian summer school or Polish for foreigners. Once you are there you will meet a 100 beautiful Polish girls who teach Polish and have Masters degrees in Polish that will give you one on one lessons for like 20 pln an hour, which is 8 dollars an hour. One on one professional lessons. You could do this for one hour a day 5 days a week. Try a few of them as they each have a different style. Put an ad up in Gumtree Krakow and you will get endless replies. Many will try to milk you for cash and want 50 or 70 pln an hour. Be cheap as you need to maximizes your lessons as it will be a long road. Most Poles make like 8 pln an hour so do not let them charge you too much.
You will have to study hard on your own. Also converse with everyone in Polish, use flashcards. You can give ESL lessons to make money and fund your lessons while over there. Watch out for those beautiful Polish girls, in all likelihood you will not stand a chance. I thought I was a confirmed bachelor and I am happily married. I do not know any guy personally that lives in Poland and does not end up married.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Moving to Poland from the US
Legalities and work regarding a move to Poland
I am writing to ask what types of paperwork has be completed both on the US side and the Poland side? For example, do you have to prove that you have a job in Poalnd before they allow you to move there? How difficult is it to find a job for certain professions or for opening a business?
Please advise.
Mark
You need a visa status to get permission to work there. If you are coming from the USA, you have three months for a company to sponsor you and get the wheels in motion if you do not have an EU passport or greencard. I recommend a language school to start. If you want to set up a company, I would highly recommend you talk to a company in Poland that does this type of thing, as for me to write it here would make no sense. It all depends on what you want to do. The good news is many Americans move to Poland and live there on some visa, either work or as a business owner.
Moving to Poland from the US
Who is best to go through as tourist guide
Want to visit Poland and do some geneological research around Chestochowa. Need to see Skepe area and of course, Warsaw and Krakow. Is there an excellent tour guide company we can hire with a guide and perhaps a car. Trip is being planned for the fall. Thanks Nancy
nieciodziennik.pl – go to this website. It is in Polish but Anna who runs it speaks English. You can send her and e-mail – her contact is on the upper right as a widget.
You can ask her for recommendations. She is 100% trustworthy as she is a friend of mine. I think she just had a baby so I do not know if she is going much now, but she will know someone who could set this up for you all I think.
Let me know if this all works out for you.
Moving to Poland from the US
Question about real estate taxes in Poland
Hello Mark,
I am thinking about moving to Poland in approximately 5 years. I was wondering if you’re an American citizen living in Poland do you have to travel back and forth between the USA and Poland to keep your US citizenship? Also, I’m wanting to purchase a place in Nowy Targ, Poland, do you know of a reliable trusting real estate agent that I can deal with that speaks English. In addition, I’m wondering about health care insurance and real estate and vehicle insurance. Is this expensive or how does this work? And finally, do you have to pay property taxes on your home if you purchase one? Thank you in advance for addressing my questions. Have a pleasant day!
Moving to Poland from the US
For real estate try these guys, www.tecnocasa.pl for taxes they are very low if you are talking property taxes compared to the USA. Other taxes like income are a bit higher and there is a VAT but yearly real estate and insurance is low.
Health care you can buy from the government ZUS or a private insurence comany like www.ergohestia.pl I recommend. I have used them a few times. It is not too expensive and nothing compared to the west.
Car insurance is normal but again in PLN so relatively lower.
Once a US citizen you always are unless you renounce it which I do no recommend. You always must report income, even if there is an IRS exclusion it must be reported world wide.
Ask questions if you need to I want to be a resource to people.
Basically Poland is great, but there are some differences which I do not want to go into and would rather you discover for yourself both good and bad. But ask questions if you like.
Moving to Poland from the US
Moving to Poland with family
Hi Mark. I am looking into moving to Poland Warsaw area in the summer. I have never been there and need to know. What steps I would need to take in order to successfully move my family and myself there? If i apply for a student visa, what kind of visa would my husband and kids have to apply for? How easy is it to find an apartment over there with moving on a whim? Are there any good temporary places to move into for transition purposes? How is it with registering kids into school there?
Thanks for any information you can provide me for a whimsical kove starting from scratch.
Moving to Poland from the US
Hi Rebekah, the main thing is do you have a visa? After that everything else is easy. Really, you can look in warszawa.gumtree.pl for a flat or with tecnocasa.pl – very easy to find many places. I like Warsaw actually, lots of shopping and history. Schools are easy, as there are public and private English schools. You have many choices and medical care can be cheap.
The main thing is what is your visa. Someone can teach English at a school and get a work visa I think, do you have any connection in any way to Poland? If yes, even great grandparents you are in. You do not have to worry about anything except documentation. Even if you are Jewish Polish it does not matter. So that is my first question to you. Do you have any connection?
You can live on a student visa and I think your family can do. There is an office or foreigner affairs in Warsaw and they can guide you.
www.malopolska.uw.gov.pl check this site for more answers, I know it is Krakow, but it has the same information. Ask me anything you like. I lived in Poland for many years and most(but not all) of the time it was an amazing experience. Poland is a special place.
Moving to Poland from the US
Mark, Currently there is no visa for us but I was looking at a visitation visa since we currently do not know where to live and I dont know what school to look at for the language class to get the student visa. Any ideas on that one? I am going to be done with my TOEFL certification at the end of June and our goal is to be in Poland by the end of July. So my husband and I have just started working the passport issue and we are now beginning the visa process. Thanks for the heads up on it. The websites that you recommended are great. I was having a really hard time finding websites with good info on houses, flats, etc.
Unfortunately there are absolutely no ties into Polish ancestory at all on either side. Do you think that will really hurt our chances of being accepted over there?
Also, how easy is it to get a car over there? Are they fairly expensive?
Thanks.
Rebekah
Moving to Poland from the US
Cars are cheap if you get a Fiat. I would recommend a Fiat or something basic. auto.pl is one site for example. But they are all over Poland, good working cars and much cheaper to maintain than the USA, but gas is more.
I mean you can pick up a car for a few hundred dollars or 50 thousand, it depends what you want. You can get a good car that runs for 3 thousand dollars and it would be great, but for 1000 it is possible too.
I did not have a car most of the time I lived in Poland. If your city has trams there is no reason to have one. Consider Wroclaw for example, maybe more livable. I would say Krakow, but I am not advising this city now because of the pollution.
I think you can teach at any school because English is always in need. If you can teach medical or business English even more.
Visa is based on what you do. You can get a student visa for sure, and maybe a work visa, Polish or Jewish ancestory would have helped with a greencard.
I think focus on schools that will sponor you, really it is all about the visa. If you can get this than your lifestyle will be very interesting and nice. You will be in the center of Europe and your kids will enrich their brains many fold compared to the average American.
You can think of a business to start you will even be better off. A lot of opportunies to create a business in Poland. Each person I know that lives there has found their way, as it is a growing dynamtic economy. Foucs on the visas and ask questions.
Moving to Poland from the US
Going to Poland to study
Hi Mark,
It is interesting to see an American living in Poland point of view. I have been living tin the States for 10 years now and had a good experience. In the past months things have been going downwards and the lack of family is getting to me. I am from Warsaw and decided to go back there to finish college. I lost my appetite for NY, maybe temporarily. The fact I do not have to cover living expenses makes the decision so much more appealing. What is your opinion on college degree from Poland and will it be valuable here in the US? I am considering architecture or computer science, also studied in English.
Thanks for your input!
Moving to Poland from the US
Life choices Poland or the USA
I am 48 and have a Master’s degree in Economics from Trinity. I have had a lot of business experience, including running large departments for big companies. So I think I can talk with some authority on the subject.
The bottom line is if you have a degree you are in the door. It does not matter from one country or the other. I really think it is what you can bring to the table in terms of value added to a company. I use to hire people from all over the world and with all kinds of degrees like music or history in my accounting department if I thought they could do the job.
People do not care as much of where or what you study as much as can you do the job. This is the USA. In Poland they do care. If you study something you are pretty much expected to be that. In the USA, I have seen ballet dancers who are bankers and stock brokers who studied art. It does not matter. It is a different culture.
However, if you have specific knowledge like java programming and you can use it not just book knowledge you will be paid more, until all this get outsourced of course.
So I highly recommend you study what you love and not worry about jobs as the job market changes and the skills needed are here today and gone tomorrow. If you are really worried about money, you can study something medical like speech therapy and you will always have work. In the USA you might need certifications but your education is transferable if you study in Poland. Computers or architecture are great as they are specific skills. I like them both. Go with what you love.
English by the way will never hurt you, my friend studied English and now teaches in Poland and is an published author, write books about the Amish. – amishamrica.com is his site.
About dating and family. If you can find an American guy that would be great. But NYC is not the place to look. And NYC is very expensive. I could not afford it. After 10 years in Poland I now live in St. Augustine, Florida for a fraction of the price up north. I pay no heating bills, you can buy a house in the Palm Coast near the beach for 50,000 3 bedrooms 2 bath and have payments of 350 dollars or less a month. All new. Why anyone would pay so much in NYC or Chicago is beyond me. Life here is easy going and warm and sunny everyday. I buy locally grown food.
I would not look for a guy in NYC many guys are players. Just just my advice with dating and family. I did not miss my family to much in Poland nor my wife her here as we have skype and are together 24/7 and have a daughter so we have our own family. I highly recommend this. It is like the meaning of life to have your own family. Nothing better.
Poland Vs the USA in terms of life? Well it depends on what you like. Poland is romanitic and beautiful and sweet. But it is cold and dark most of the year. I prefer the sunshine of Florida to be honest now.
Moving to Poland from the US
Mark, what a great reply! I am almost touched
It’s as if you were speaking the words of wisdom… I was 18 when I came to NY hooked on the colorful streets and easy going attitude of everyone. I had so much motivation and energy that I literally dropped everything in Poland and escaped. I was in great highs school planning to go to college, as all of the “good” teenagers do, but I fell in fatal love in NY. And a guy I had met. Go figure.
I had to start working right away and fell in a dental field, sort of by accident. Last 6 years I spent working as a dental practice manager in Midtown. As I was getting close to the 5 year mark, I could not stand my money-driven boss, looking at our daily production and always wanting more. He made me feel as if it was my fault patients were not willing to spend $2500 per crown…
Recent family events, the fact I lost my eagerness, and a feeling of being stuck in the same place made me think of taking a break for a moment.
You are so right, there is no good guys in NYC! So many people yet everyone is so unattainable. I have learnt the hard way. After the first looong relationship of 8 years, another one came along. It turned out to be a failure as well.
At this moment, not having any emotional support, I am not seeing myself finishing school in NY. I was taking classes part time in city school, but can’t see myself restarting again.
It was so refreshing to read your point of view regarding college. I fully agree that once you have that diploma, it can open a lot of doors. This is something Id want to do for myself. It will definitely give me a better standing and self-esteem. And when it comes to work in the US, and probably Europe, it’s what you bring to the cable that counts.
As much as I am scared, I am also excited. College in Poland is a totally different experience.I have to remember though, that Poland is not as easy going as US. But I think I will survive.
I too love warm weather. Florida is a great choice once you have established yourself to your satisfaction. Long term, I will probably want to move somewhere warm as well. Maybe I should make my mom come to live in Florida with me
Mark, are you ever planning to go back to Poland?
Thanks!
Moving to Poland from the US
Poland and America - family, dating and finding an idealist
The world has changed. I use to think I would live in my small town my whole life, when I was a kid. Then people started to move towns and states and now countries. The world is becoming smaller. I mean when my grandparents came to the USA in the early 1900s from Poland it was like crossing to another planet. Now people fly back all the time and have Skype and people are friendly in both places.
I believe in God and see the world as one and do not define myself by political boundaries. Poland or USA does not matter as much as where you are supposed to be in your life. political divides I hope are becoming less meaningful like state boundaries. That being said I think we will build a small house in the Polish countryside some day and have a presence in both. My brother has done that with his dual US and UK citizenship now for 25 years. He lives most of the time in Florida and part-time in London.
Portland is great I am highly recommend the series Portlandia to get an understanding of what it is like. My friend did move from there as he did get depressed with the rain, just for your information.
I do not have any wisdom but just writing some of my ideas. I think your priority needs to start your family. Forget anything else. I mean of course you have to live work-study etc, but time stops for no one and you have to find your price. Sorry I realized that also. We are all young and beautiful but that is for a reason, to find our one and only so we can feel at home no matter where we live.
NYC is the worst place to find this guy. I mean when I go there my adrenaline is pumping but you can not live on that high, it is not soul food.
You do not need to live in Poland to find a Polish guy of course because there is sympatia.onet.pl/ and catholicmatch.com for example. He of coruse does not have to be Polish, you could meet a American cowboy speaking rounded American English. I am not saying this for you, but for anyone.
I just can not stand how the men in the world have become players and cool. I guess this is the world today. Women give much of their life and beauty and have nothing to show for it. Just know if this happens it was not the right one.
Also there are just as many hot good men as players. It is wrong that bad boys are the only hot ones. If you want to find a good man, he has to chase you and commit to you before he gets any of your time.
My key advice is this. Read my lips: Find an idealistic guy. If any guy is not idealistic he will not get married. The guy has to be idealistic to have any sort of life. If he is not then in the first storm he will disappear or with time at least. Women go for none idealistic men because they think he is the best they can do. Wrong, go for a guy who reads Shakespeare and goes to church and believes in true love.
Find a guy who beleives in true love and marriage and not divorce. I found Kasia who is my one and only and she see the world this way and I am very thankful to God.
If you could find a guy like this, then Poland or America does not matter. You have your life together.
Moving to Poland from the US
Leave a reply to Moving to Poland from the US