Poland inside

Real estate in Poland

2009-07-05T10:50:00.000+02:00

Polish real estate market is overvalued. The prices went down a bit but very slightly and a small flat in Warsaw of average quality costs around € 100,000 what I find rather expensive for a post-communist country.

Most developers hope that people will start buying their flats and houses again but people have problems with financing and now there are very few transactions.
The government guys are trying to stimulate the market and offered a special loan “Rodzina na swoim”. They help for 8 years in paying some interest from mortgage loans and in this way they don’t let the prices go to their real values.

Unfortunately, many former capitalist countries are trying to experiment with socialism what is very risky.

If I were a foreigner, I’d rather buy something in Spain than in Poland now. Prices here should go down at least 10-15%. Personally I guess it could be rather like 20-30%.
You should check them in November or December. They will be more attractive.

Good things in Poland

2009-06-16T19:37:00.001+02:00

What are good things in Poland?

Well, let’s start not with things but people. You can see a lot of attractive girls and women here. That’s very nice.

For people enjoying the nature it’s a really good place – I recommend Bieszczady mountains in the south-eastern Poland. They are wild but beautiful and not so touristy. There are many nice forests all over the country. They are fantastic to walk or ride a bike and there is no real threat from any animals. No snakes or tigers, anything like that.

Talking about food and drink, Polish dry vodka is good but don’t exaggerate and never mix it with beer or some other liquor. Remember that and you’ll be fine provided that you don’t drink too many glasses.

There are many more good things in Poland but I just wanted to tell you about a few of them.

Poland in The World Factbook by CIA

2009-06-11T08:28:00.001+02:00

You can find some essential information about Poland in “the World Factbook” prepared by CIA.

I will try to add some more facts to make this picture clearer.

First of all, talking about Polish government and politics you should be aware of two big parties : Civic Platform - PO and Law and Justice - PiS. The country is ruled by Civic Platform and their Prime Minister Donald Tusk. However, the President Lech Kaczyński is from Law and Justice. The president has much less power than the prime minister.

Kaczyński’s twin brother Jarosław is the most powerful politician in Law and Justice party and he decides about everything important in his party.
Polish public opinion is divided into two main camps supporting two biggest parties. Civic Platform has more supporters in big cities while Law and Justice is more popular in the country.

There are some other less important parties like former communists SLD or the traditional farmers’ party – PSL.

Politics is a delicate issue and I wouldn’t recommend anybody to discuss it openly
in Poland because some people tend to be really emotional.
Poland belongs to emerging markets so it’s neither rich nor poor, somewhere in between. Big cities and popular resorts look more or less the same like in other European countries but 20 or 30 years ago.

However, the gap is smaller and smaller every year.

Most people are happy if they earn about $1000 a month (more than 3000 PLN). In big cities many of them make twice more.

The current exchange rate is around $1=3,20 PLN.
When you arrive in Poland don’t change money at the airport (only a small sum of money) but do it in the city centre in places with a sign “Kantor” on them. They offer better rate and give you a receipt. They don’t give fake money.

The prices in shops are similar to other European countries but some articles like food are cheaper.

The roads in Poland are awful and renting a car is not a good idea if you aren’t a really experienced driver.

Welcome to Poland!

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2009-06-11T08:26:00.001+02:00

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What to drink in Poland?

2009-04-26T09:10:00.000+02:00

In Poland people drink more or less the same global fizzy drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Fanta and so on. You can buy them in any store.
There’s wide range of fruit juices as well.
Polish people like vodka, not all of them but quite many. You should learn some basics about it.
Don’t mix it with any other alcohol, eat a lot of fatty Polish cuisine, move a lot (dancing advisable) and you should be more or less fine next day. If your body is not ready for such strong alcohol, never try to compete with locals. Just let them show off.
If you prefer drinks, choose Żubrówka with apple juice. It tastes good.
Beer is quite good quality and you can drink local beer as well.
Poland has no good wines so you have no choice but buy imported (similarly with other alcoholic beverages like whisky or gin).
People who like tea should be careful because in Poland they serve you made of small tea bags –you have to ask for real tea.
Coffee quality isn’t astonishing but always use the same trick. Find the place where locals drink it.
In general drinking in Poland except for vodka and tea is nothing strange so don’t be afraid.

When to come to Poland

2009-04-19T09:53:00.000+02:00

Poland offers both the sea and the mountains. However, the water in the Baltic Sea never gets really warm and if you want to enjoy some swimming the best idea is to come in August and the warmest water is in Zatoka Gdańska. Sometimes it’s not very clean. The seaside offers really beautiful beaches and you should see them yourself.
The mountains are not as high as the Alps but you’ll find them nice. Zakopane is the most popular place so you shouldn’t go there during high season (December-February) if you don’t like crowds of tourists.
People who enjoy real nature must go either to Puszcza Białowieska or to Bieszczady Mountains. I think the best time is spring (April-May).
In general Poland looks very nice in spring and the temperatures range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. Nights tend to be quite cold (frost possible).
So if you want to enjoy your stay the best time is spring. If you like historic places, go to Kraków and Auschwitz.
Poland is really attractive and the prices are still not very high. You won’t be disappointed but do come in spring.

Arriving in Poland

2009-04-12T09:27:00.000+02:00

When you arrive in Poland, the very first thing you need is local money - zloty.
I guess most of you come to Warsaw by plane.

I tell you, change only 20 dollars or euros there because you’ll get much less than in other places. Now the exchange rate is about 3,30 for the dollar and 4,40 for euro but financial markets got crazy and it could be quite different at the moment you arrive.

So now you’ve got 60-80 zloty and what next?

If you are tired, you would take a taxi, right? And now there’s a trick. There are many guys in at the exit offering you their car.

Always ask about the price. Currently there are three legal taxi companies operating in Okęcie airport. They are called MPT, Sawa Taxi and Merc Taxi. However, most passengers don’t even get to them because of soliciting guys.
Remember, the price of your ride to the city center should be about 10 dollars or 30-35 zlotys.

If they tell you something different just take another car.

If you want to save money and don’t feel tired you can take a bus 175 to the center or at night it’s N32. One way ticket costs less than dollar.

When you arrive at your hotel and leave your luggage or/and take some rest the very first thing you should do is change more money. Do you think you should go to the bank? Wrong.

The best place to get a good exchange rate is called “KANTOR”. It’s a legal place, don’t be afraid. They always put their ask and bid prices on the board. Don’t forget to ask them for a receipt.

Of course some of you arrive in different cities in Poland or just come by train or car. The procedure is similar. Never change money on the border or at the airport and always ask for the price when you talk to taxi drivers and you’ll be fine.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in Poland!