Life in Poland Vs. life in the USA

Comments

31 responses to “Life in Poland Vs. life in the USA”

1. Steve

   This is fascinating. Thank you very much.

   Coming from London, England my view is very different. I find the extreme heat of the Polish summer much harder to bear than the cold in winter. Being outside in 38C/100F temperature is impossible for me: tough when I’m trying to work in the garden. I just reread Lake Woebegon Days about the Minnesota area and was thinking how the weather description in that matched the way I feel about Poland. (I think the extremes are narrowerin Poland in reality.) Poland is definitely a four season country, with the weather of the four seasons each being distinct and prolonged, though not consistent in timing. We are hovering on the borders of autumn and winter at the moment.

   One of the desirable costs I have not yet faced up to is summer air-conditioning, but if I had had a million złoties that wouldn’t be a problem, even with everything is else on your list. In London (200,000 pounds), I’d probably have a flat and be worried about heating costs and little else. Is property really so cheap in the US (in places where they have winter and have to pay for heating) that you could everything on your list for 300,000 dollars?

   Reply
   1. Mark Biernat

      Well London has less extreme weather than Poland. If I had to move back to Europe maybe I would like in the UK because ironically the weather is better. I am in Florida now and really do not use air conditioning yet. remember people lived in hot Florida for hundreds of years without it. Poland has cool summers. It is mostly in the 60s F or like 20 C. I have never experienced 38 c or 100 F in Poland in all the years I live there.Maybe it happens but if you look at the average temperature it is cool.

      Reply
      1. eva

         Mark,

         So you moved back to Florida? Look at you? Aha? Missed USA after all, the best. I love USA and I love Ppland but feel better in USA, I forgot to add I LoVE your articles about Poland vs USA, so great.

         Reply
         1. Mark Biernat

            Thanks for the kind words Eva. I moved back to the USA from Poland, for several reasons, but not really that I missed the USA but mostly I like to do things outside. Here in Florida I surf and play outside twelve months out of the year. Also I wanted to improve my daughters English. However, when I have more cash I intend to build a house in the Polish countryside and spend the summers there.
            I do feel good in the USA, but I love Poland and will do both countries. My brother is an American and UK citizen and has commuted back and forth most of his life. He has a flat in London and a place in Florida and Boston.

            I think the weather is great in the USA and now that prices are equalizing, if you hold two passports or have a visa it depends what you like, romantic, dark cold, gothic cultured Europe or fun in the sun but generic unicultured USA. If we have Global warming and I can surf in the Baltic in January than I will move back full-time.

            There is a difference in culture in the way people relate to each other, for example when you walk into a shop in Poland the clerks watch you and follow you. But in the USA people help you or leave you alone. However, Poland is like Mayberry, it does not have serious crimes, although I was involved in one in Poland and it was not fun. But generally it is safer, it is a sweet society.

            Reply
   2. Paul P. Valtos

      My wife and I plus two sons were in Poland in 1997 and I assume that is has changed much since we visited. We did find the people in the villages to be friendly, more so than in Cracow. My family originally came from southern Poland and we visited some family there. He was a part of the AK, the national Polish Army, Anti Communist. He was also in the Warsaw uprising, the one which caused the destruction of Warsaw. I believe the people of Poland still have that aura about them of nobility about them, a gentility which is where the Pan came from, equal to our Sir. My grandfather came from Poland prior to 1900 and it at that time was still a part of Austria called the Kroneland of Austria or Galicia. It was relatively a poor area and farming was difficult. I could see it when I was there. Actually my family, on my father’s side were imports, Walddeutsche or Germans who were imported by the Emperor to take the place of farmers who died in one of the epidemics. Like in America’s west, 40 acres and a mule. Anyway the poor Poles still have to get rid of the residual mentality of communism they suffered under the Soviet Union. Ukraine seems to be the worst of it since they were occupied since WWI, prior to that by the Poles and the Austrians.

      Reply
      1. Mark Biernat

         No disrespect but you seem to be in a time warp. You are right much has changed. I right this a little bit to tease you so do not take it personally. But you rehash things that more than a century ago.

         It is like going to the South in the USA and talking about the US Civil War. Poland is a modern EU country and in many ways the USA is behind. The USA uses checks in banking still and does not have good public transport for example. Malls often look outdated and run down while in Poland the malls are new and with the best stores. Americans are one paycheck away from being behind in the bills while Poles have their houses paid in cash. Poland is an advanced cultural country and economically I defy any American to go there and teach them about capitalism as I think you will come back with a lesson yourself.

         Reply
2. Szymon Gryg

   I have been in Poland for almost a year now, having moved from Australia with my Wife and newborn child. The summer of 2012 was the hottest and longest on record. Last year, there were definitely several days approaching 40 degrees. However, this is the exception to the rule, I hear!
   It really started snowing for the first time yesterday, the 14th of January 2012. Very late by Polish standards.

   Business in the European marketplace is different from both Australia and the US (I lived and worked in Chicago for several years previously). Sure it’s a free market economy in these post-communistic days, however…. doing business in Europe is much more competitive and is often by invitation. Having the cash doesn’t guarantee the deal but understand the culture and being at least conversational in several European languages matching the intended markets goes a long way indeed!

   To live successfully in Europe, including Poland, you need to be tough but not overly aggressive. I think that being taken for a ride is not exclusively the domain of Poland and in the US it happens on a grander and more subtle scale than here!

   Europeans don’t really tolerate BS and treat you accordingly. Whereas in the US, being a BS’er is considered to be more of an endearing personality trait.

   Reply
3. Mazsolika

   I have never been in US. I would love to be able to compare it as you. Maybe once 😉 I have been in England for some, in Belgium more than a year and I must say that the weather of these countries I couldn’t stand positively… so I moved. Much better I feel myself in warmer countries as Italy or Spain. But also I am interested in checking how it is in Finland, especially in a winter time.. but currently in the central Europe close to me in Romania or even in mentioned just before Italy they could have enough of snow too 😉

   Reply
4. tumpliner

   Are there waves big enough in the Baltic to surf? I really don’t know, but looking at the map it looks so closed in – like there would not be a long stretch for wind to build up the waves. On the other hand, if the water is shallow enough then waves will build up quickly. I have heard that some of the most dangerous sailing in the world is on the Great Lakes in USA because the water is so shallow that big waves can build up without much wind.

   Reply
   1. Mark Biernat

      You can wind surf it and maybe in a storm but compared to Florida or Hawaii, the Baltic does not have the big waves, except during stormy days, then you can surf it. Gues use wet suits and and are out in force.

      Reply
5. AwesomeGirl

   Hi, I am Polish. Did college in the US in experimental animation and a few years in the businesses at dream works etc now but always want to go back to my country but don’t know anymore because I am in have my sculpture gallery and secure job here. I want to know if I can have a future in the field I work as an artist like I do here, what do thing is the best step for me?

   Reply
   1. Mark Biernat

      The chances are virtually the same. It is all about making the right connections in Europe. Try to think of Poland as Europe. Films are being made all over. I think animation on the web and movies, especially out of Hollywood movies are exponentially increasing. This is because the film industry is not about the movie theaters but the market to Netflix and other streaming content providers that demand a constant flow of material that no one can keep up with. In the USA everyone is looking for the next kids movie or animation.
      Your possibilities are limitless, yet it is the marketing and connections that will determine your future in the traditional route or your own ability to market with channels like Youtube. Yes, if you do a few good animations you can market it on Youtube and make money. You need a website etc and all that might take years to learn. But I am doing things like this and so can you. Learn yourself and do it yourself if the new trend.
      My friend wrote a book with a major publisher was on CNN and Time magazine, yet did not make much money, then did one himself and he made money. Understand? The world as we know it and operates is changing and you want to be self educated and ahead of the curve.

      Reply
6. Leann

   Hi Mark-

   You have lots of great information. I am in my mid-twenties and I have been thinking about going to Poland to teach English on a 6th month contract. I would have my TEFEL cert if I do this. Do you know options if I was interested in staying afterwards? Do schools like to hire Americans to teach English? Its a big commitment to come over and I would prefer to stay and not leave after 6 months. I have a decent job in the US and I’m debating on what to do. Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated. I have been to Krakow and Warsaw once before for a short visit.

   Reply
   1. Mark Biernat

      You are a native speaker. You can get a job no problem. You do not need any certification as you are a native speaker. I taught for eight years at many schools and no certification needed. Just make sure you go with a good school that pays you right. Worst case, which is not really bad, you can teach at a Callan school to start, that is what I did.

      Reply
7. Jake Davis

   Cześć Mark,
   I am a US citizen moving to Poland. I was lucky enough to meet and fall in love with a Polish woman this summer. I am currently exploring my options to live there permanently. It seems that the easiest and most common way to do this is to become a native speaking English teacher. Unfortunately I do not have any certification and my research had lead me to believe that certification was necessary. I see that you believe otherwise, which is encouraging. I have no connections to Poland (other than a wonderful girlfriend). What information and advice do you have for me to get a job as a native speaking English teacher? Where do I start?
   I am hoping to move there as soon as possible.
   Thank you for your time,
   Jake

   Reply
   1. Mark Biernat

      You need no certification, just move there and you can start teaching privately or with any private school. Only in public schools might you need certifications, but the private sector pays more.

      Reply
8. Marek

   I stubbled across this blog and wanted to join the conversation. I am 35 years of age and came to the USA-NYC in 1987. I am currently married and we have two kids. I have been thinking of returning back to Poland for good for about 2 years now. Last time I was in Poland was 4 years ago. I really loved it. The only thing that is holding me back is that I am afraid I will go there and won’t find a decent paying job. I currently hold a Masters Degree and work with the disabled population. I know that in Poland these types of jobs are not welled paid. I do also have my small photography business on the side. Which I intend on doing in Poland as well. I am originally from Wroclaw and my wife is from Minsk-Mazowiecki. I was also thinking of teaching English privately on the side. Not sure what I can do in Poland with my education and English. I am not fluent in Polish. I can speak speak and comprehend everything but my reading and writting is not that strong.

   Mark I do have to disagree with you when it comes to the 3 seasons in Poland. My parents live there and they tell me it is actually warmer in Poland during the summer then it is in NYC.

   Reply
9. Shannon

   I can attest to the ridiculous rent, at least in NJ. We pay 1850 for a three bedroom townhouse, plus all utilities. Everything else around is also really expensive. There are far too many families living here that are below middle class, which no longer exists.. My fiancée is from Poland and I am from America.. I have been begging him to go back to Europe ( I think he’s cracking ). The move would be expensive, but in two years living here we have barely been able to make even ends meet.

   Reply
10. Tadeusz, Wisconsin, USA

    I see that the view of the writer is based mainly on Florida’s point of view. I do not like the opinion that Poles are unfriendly, especially in big cities. This is based on the writer experience who maybe landed in some unfriendly areas. A similar situation is here, in the “bakward” communities where some foreigners are treated like a 13 category citizens. I believe that any generalization is risky without providing reliable data.

    I left Poland just before the Martial Law. Since, I have visited my old country many times, mainly on business trips. However, I also spent weeks of vacation there. Many Americans were in my business group while visiting Poland. They were super-sized with the progress that Poland had made since their first visit in 1992. Now, Poland looks like a new country with beautiful cities, rebuilt villages, good public transportation, good standard of living. Are there poor people? Yes, they are; however, they are in every country.

    I am an old man. The homesickness is a difficult part of my psychology now. I plan to come back to Poland not because life there is cheaper and it is not as hot as it is in overcrowded Florida. I missed my Mazowsze, Bemowo (a part of Warsaw), beautiful churches, and my friends. What keeps me here? My children and grandchildren.

    I am a person who greatly succeeded in the USA, despite the fact that was 42 when arriving here and with zero knowledge of English. In other words, the economical situation is not an issue for me. I just missed Poland.

    Sincerely,

    Tadeusz

    Reply
    1. Mark Biernat

       I love Poland. Poland is a beautiful European country and I would say that Americans are friendly when you first meet them but, not always after. That is the culture. Poland in contrast people can be reserved but when you know them they are wonderful. Each person is an individual of course. At this juncture, Poland is a fairly wealthy country, however, you measure that. I live in Florida now but could equally live in Poland and be just as happy. There are a lot of subjective utility preference measure and indifference curves that determine what is economically and socially optimal for an individual.

       Reply
11. Sandra

    This is by far the most insulting thing I have ever read as someone who grew up in Poland and moved to the states in my teens. What you are listing as experiences of Poland and polish people is exactly what I experienced here in the United States. I hope that people do not come across this and read it and it shapes their opinion in any way. Polish people are not rude because of communism. That is the most ignorant and idiotic thing I have ever read. When I went to Poland everyone was overly helpful because polish people Love American lingo and any chance they can get to speak a different language and help a tourist. Poland is not an individualistic country like United States is. When it comes to family orientation and success polish people live under the motto of one for all and all for one. They’ve had hundred of years to learn that family is everything where as in United States people will step on top of each other and use each other to get where they need to be. I’m not sure if you were born in 1900s because you are very behind on everything.

    Reply
    1. Mark Biernat

       Sandra if you read the article it was if anything leaning towards living in Poland, with the exception of the weather. If I offended you in anyway, it was not my intent. Poland is great and I love Poland and would love to live there again. You are conveying your point of view and I mine, but there is nothing over the top wrong with what I wrote. I am Polish. I am married to someone who is Polish. The people have a different society, for example, people in the UK are a nation of small talk. On the surface there are pleasantries but in my experience it does not go deeper. Maybe I am wrong. In Poland like in Norway, people do not warm up as fast. I could be wrong as the world changes so fast, I can not even keep up with the changes in American culture. Thank you for sharing your opinion.

       Reply
12. American in Poland

    Hi Mark,

    I am an American woman, who moved to Poland almost five years ago, from Florida.

    I love living here in Poland. A very safe country, one can meet new people each day, and have very intelligent conversations on a variety of subjects.

    I left States, after living in several parts of the country, because it seemed everywhere I went there was, and still is even more, the culture of superficiality.

    In States people care about their Resume/CV, their credit score, etc. There are a lot of educated people in States, however most of the most empty and ignorant people I came across are from States.

    Poland for me is a wonderland, full of culture everywhere I look….in the food, architecture, the beautiful Churches, and in the eyes of Polish people.

    So many Polish people ask me why would I ever leave everything in States, in Florida esp, to come to Poland.

    I fell in love with a Polish Man of course. Main reason.

    In States I also had enough of the ignorance and violence, especially drugs and guns so easily accessible. For me States is not a country for love or for family. It is a country that uses people for work and money, it has no heart or soul.

    Poland has the Heart, it has the Soul. It is a safe country. Yes people are grumpy sometimes, but I got used to it, I don’t take it personal. There could be more sunshine, and less smog in some cities, but otherwise for me, it has been an Honor to live here.

    Pozdrawiam,

    American in Poland

    Reply
    1. Martin

       Mark, quick question. I see you are either back to Poland or still in Florida, I could not find how old this post was. Your current profile says you are due for PhD in Economics at the Polish university, and will be graduating in 2021. Is it because Poland has free higher education? Why not in USA to do your PhD? Just wondering?

       Reply
       1. Mark Biernat

          I live in both countries. I am more in Florida but go to Poland and also stay there.

          Reply
13. Christopher de Vidal

    I appreciated this article. I live near St. Augustine also (Jacksonville) and just met someone from Poland, and wanted to understand the culture better. Thank you.

    Reply
14. Ed Ski

    Ed, I see. So you use whatever resources are more readily available to you, due to your 2 Passport status, but mainly free higher education in Poland, versus, here in the States. That is self explanatory. I was born there, came here in 1965, attended Catholic schools almost my entire life in CT. Since 1994, have been a resident of Tampa Bay area. You should try the Gulf waters in summer here, if you never have. Hands down beats the East Coast of FL., and I prefer the Sunsets over the Rises. although both are awesome. Sorry, don’t want to sound mean, cruel or biased here. But, I visited only Once, in 2008, for one month, since I arrived in the USA. As long as you can speak some Polish, they will warm up to you, unless you are not nice. Human Nature being what it is, ALL People are different based on how they were raised as children, also their environment. But, once reaching Adulthood, they can be as nice, or be jerks, as much as they want to. Sounds to me as your own Opinionated Stereotype of certain Polish people, in Certain Geographic areas, that you are basically, more or less, Stereotyping Based on Your OWN Personal experiences. I wonder how you interacted with all of this crude and cold, post Communist Poles. Just expressing my Personal Opinion here based on all of the responses and feedback that you gave to other people who have taken time to write you a response. Your Blog here was somewhat helpful in my reading, but, I think it’s somewhat biased and skewed. Have a GREAT DAY. Na razie Panowie. Do Branoc. I still speak and write fairly well after being in the states for over 55 yrs now. Not like a Scholar, but, my Cousins were amazed that I still spoke quite well, phonetically and grammar wise, after visiting in October 2008 after being gone since 1965. Almost 44 yrs. Arrived in NYC, Jan-1965. I always joke to people that we were high class Pollocks, because we arrived by plane, not by boat via the Stefan Batory.. Long story short. My Great-Grandfather arrived here in the early 1900’s, worked and got Married here, then had my Grandfather on my Dad’s side was born in East River, New Jersey. I have never dated everything to the T, in a chronological timeframe, but, before WWII started, my GGFather returned to Poland after saving money and then bought farm land in Kopaczyska, Brodowe Laki area. That is how we were later able to emigrate and come to the USA, while most ALL of my Blood Relatives were not able to due to the Political State that Poland was in after WWII. Thankfully, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachov, took care of all that, and basically helped in the demise and downfall of Communism, Socialism, whatever, AKA, the Iron Curtain come down, gradually, all over Eastern Europe. I saw where I came from, Cow Country. I don’t blame you for trying to Save Thousands of Dollars in your Quest to attain your Ph D. But, you could use more appropriate language to describe your own Countrymen and Women. I think Diplomacy and Tactfulness, is what is needed more of in your blog. As my Parents used to say to me as a child when I did something wrong, or more so inappropriate…. WSTYT Dowidzenia Panie. Bring your soap and towels to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You wont want to leave after you’ve tried the Suncoast of Florida

    Reply
15. Stan

    Hello,
    Interesting observations, and mostly accurate. Of course, these are subjective opinions, but I admit they were explained in a very honest manner.
    About me. Twenty two years in Poland. Then about 40 in America, mostly in Pennsylvania. And yes. I know Florida like a tour guide. I was there countless time on a job and for fun for an extended amount of time. My background? Law in Poland, MBA in America and and a prestigious position with the government.

    I am in Poland now most of the time and I want to sell my place in America after two years of travel. Why Poland? The climate of Pennsylvania is terrible. Actually the entire eastern part of the country is awful. I used to dream of moving to Saint Augustine! Well, you can read opinions on the Internet why not to live in Florida. I am in agreement. The warmth or rather the heat and humidity of the eastern USA is unbearable. Today I am a on the coast of the Baltic sea and it is 68 degrees. Heaven! I live here. Before I just exited suffering for months as I am an outdoor person. I walk about 12 miles a day. So the climate is a great win for Poland, not for America. However, Americans are more polite and not as messy. Also, they take more pride in their work as they want to please you. They are more honest. Do Poles want to use me? Not really. I offered a few people free vacations. I just wanted to pay for them and they would go without me since I have my own plans. Only one family agreed out of quite a few. It was a gift and not a lone as I am in a comfortable position.
    Poland is safer, offers more when you look at the size of the country. And for much less. The food is much better and it is do much easier to find good cheap for Americans accomodations. For Poles everything is expensive.ametica has much better roads and used cars. I would never buy a used car in Poland from not a dealer. Poland has also great beaches. You can’t swim here with pleasure as the water is cold, but for walking the best. Florida beaches are not even close and I know them very well. Here you find seclusion and wilderness unknown to Florida. Of course for people who love wildlife and mountains, the USA is the most amazing place. The national parks are out of this world and I spent about two years of my life in the most famous ones. Yes, i spent lots of time in Everglades, Ding Darling, Merritt island national wildlife refuge and others.
    Ok, it’s very late. Just my two cents. Almost forgot. My ametican friends seeing my pictures of Poland and hearing my description are adki g me why should I even consider living in America. My answer is medical and dental care. Much more expensive, but in a different league.
    Sorry for the mistakes. It is too late and I am too lazy to make corrections.

    Reply
16. Stan

    One more thing. Mark, you noticed it and we hate it. In Poland they watch you thinking that you may steal in a shop. It is pathethic! However, i noticed this in a few other European counties. In America it would be an insult! Shopping there is easier, more pleasent, but you pay more, too.

    Some of my Polish and American friends retired in Florida and a few escaped after two years. The heat was too much for them. Winters may be fun there. True!!! But I am an alpine skier so I go to the Alps nowadays to live in small dream like villages for a few months. Much more interesting than Florida, which was my original plan for retirement. Not anymore. The Alps are the best for us.

    Reply
17. lilith

    I found this blog looking for a solution to my dilemma. I left Poland as a teenager, lived in the US for 16 years where I was successful professionally (great job, living location, and awesome lifestyle), and returned to PL 2 years ago. I’m not sure why I returned other than a nagging feeling to change something. I used grad school as an excuse even though I didn’t need it. Now I’m done with the grad school and need to make life changing decisions. I can try to go back to my awesome life back in the U.S. or start from scratch here in PL.

    Some of the tings I don’t like about Poland: people are reserved and it’s hard to make friends; most people in their 30’s are married with kids so it’s hard to meet single peers who have time to hang out; bad customer service (no country beats the US in customer service, which I miss horribly); in smaller cities/villages, personal interests take precedence over professional duty (if someone doesn’t like you, they won’t help you even if it’s their job); men appear rather cold in relations with women (I’ve been paying my way on dates with polish men, which rarely happened in the US); also, I lost the privileges that come with being a skinny blond in the US since most women are like that in PL (good riddance of entitlement); weather is not as good as Cali and I am bored in winters (used to be a very outdoorsy person).

    Some of the things I recall not liking about the US: superficial culture (people don’t open up so it’s hard to forge deep/meaningful connections but it’s easy to meet people to hang out just to kill time), weak family orientation (SoCal at least); lack of cultural diversity.

    Reply
    1. Mark Biernat

       I love Poland and I love the USA. It all depends on your personal taste. I love the weather here in the USA and the large roads but the culture is eons better in Poland for stimulation of the mind. But it depends on how you explore and live your life. For example, I play chess. I can play that in Poland or the USA. We go on day trips in both places. In the USA by car and in Poland by train.

       Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.