POLAND -- A RETIREMENT HAVEN FOR POL-AMS?

Polonius3:

I've been asked by Pol-Am OAPs whether Poland would be a good place for them to spend theri retirement years. These are both Polish-born who may have spent 30-40 years in America as well as US-born who would effectively be moving to a different country, although perhaps not as foreign as Bolivia or Germany. The idea of retiring in the ancestral homeland is not all that uncommon in the US amongst Americans of German, Italian and Irish background. What do you think?

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Jul 24, 09, 13:44 / #
I've been asked by Pol-Am OAPs whether Poland would be a good place for them to spend theri retirement years. These are both Polish-born who may have spent 30-40 years in America as well as US-born who would effectively be moving to a different country, although perhaps not as foreign as Bolivia or Germany. The idea of retiring in the ancestral homeland is not all that uncommon in the US amongst Americans of German, Italian and Irish background. What do you think? ATTENTION MODERATOR: Can this also be simultaneously posted on the PF's US Polonia link for added exposure?

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 13:55 / #
I think it sounds romantic but the reality is anyone who can afford a quality life in Poland can afford a quality life in the USA. I think it is a step down and they would regret it in all but a few cases. Why move to a place with horrible weather and less options? If it were a country with nice weather and quality equal to the US I would consider it.

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 13:57 / #
Oh and before some idiot says "but the weather is bad in some places in the USA...blah blah blah".....of course it is...my point was why move to a place unless you life will be better...

mvefaThreads: 11 Posts: 972 Joined: Jul 21, 09	Jul 24, 09, 15:52 / #
I think poland would be great...i mean no offense, but what does the USA has to offer? I would die if i had to live there. Life is so boring (Except New York) Most of the people live in suburbia, where there is NOTHING more to do then take the car and go to the mall... What else can it offer?

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 15:57 / #
mvefa: I think poland would be great...i mean no offense, but what does the USA has to offer? I would die if i had to live there. Life is so boring (Except New York) Most of the people live in suburbia, where there is NOTHING more to do then take the car and go to the mall... What else can it offer? What do you think Poland has that is so much more exciting? You have obviously not spent any amount of time in the US if you claim the US is boring and Poland is not. Everything you just complained about in the US is equally applied to Poland. In the USA goods are cheaper...quality better...there are a variety or climates or geographies to choose from...just a few advantages.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:01 / #
There is an interesting blog, published by a retired American of Polish descent, who also happens to be a member of PF. He is keenly interested in geneaology, and moved to Poznan well over a year ago with his wife. It's interesting to follow his day to day activities, adventures and misadventures. You can read it here.

PlasticPoleThreads: 10 Posts: 5,429 Joined: May 28, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:03 / #
mvefa: but what does the USA has to offer? Luxury exec homes and shopping like you aint seen before...

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 16:03 / #
I am still laughing at the comment from Mvefa that the USA is SOOO boring and Poland sounds GREAT! WTF kind of alternate reality is he living in?

PlasticPoleThreads: 10 Posts: 5,429 Joined: May 28, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:04 / #
He's Muslim. That says it all.

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 16:09 / #
PlasticPole: He's Muslim. That says it all. Oh yeah...kebab shops are less popular in the US...I can see why he is angry now.

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 16:16 / #
But back to retiring...people generally want to live someplace with a nice climate and affordable costs...Poland has neither. I would bet the bank that most of them would regret the move after the 'honeymoon' phase wore off and they say how much of a pain in the ass just doing some basic things is here...and the fact that goods cost MORE often than in the US.

mvefaThreads: 11 Posts: 972 Joined: Jul 21, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:17 / #
Me muslim? where did you get that? hahah, im dutch by the way.. and to answer your questions, i go to the US every year (because i have to) and if you do not live near a city, its laaaaaaaaaaaaame and you know it...even americans think that...no kidding, all you can do is go to Mall...or taco bell... PlasticPole: Luxury exec homes and shopping like you aint seen before... Isn't the USA the worst hitten by reccession? huh...and by the way to iluminate your mind a little, the most luxurious ways of living (proven not by me) are in Dubai, hong kong, Paris, Investigate a bit more...or is it that you've never been outside the USA..boo boo boo.. and i stick to Poland, cause its so much historical, so much natural beauty, so much of a complex society, which will take you longer to absorb and to understand. No offense again but american society is very simple, so no challenge...and Dont get me wrong,, i have a lot of american friends, but its just that if you are not near a big city, then i could not get throught a month...Personal opinion...

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 16:20 / #
mvefa: and i stick to Poland, cause its so much historical, so much natural beauty, so much of a complex society, which will take you longer to absorb and to understand. No offense again but american society is very simple, so no challenge...and Dont get me wrong,, i have a lot of american friends, but its just that if you are not near a big city, then i could not get throught a month...Personal opinion... You truly are a lost soul and it seems beyond help....best of luck.

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 16:44 / #
Mvefa shows an attitude all too common from people who are from smaller and more insignificant nations. They love to slag off the USA in some ridiculously obvious projection of their own feelings of inadequacy. Anymore I just roll my eyes at this pathetic show.

PlasticPoleThreads: 10 Posts: 5,429 Joined: May 28, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:10 / #
haha, there's plenty of gyro shops here...

PlasticPoleThreads: 10 Posts: 5,429 Joined: May 28, 09	Jul 24, 09, 16:47 / #
mvefa: american society Have you ever been to the US. Once people come here they usually don't want to leave. mvefa: Isn't the USA the worst hitten by reccession? Where I am is pretty good. It's worse in other areas. Depends on where you live and who you know... mvefa: hong kong, Isn't Hong Kong one of the most polluted places in the world?

mvefaThreads: 11 Posts: 972 Joined: Jul 21, 09	Jul 24, 09, 17:11 / #
haha tj123 must i like the US then? MUST I? is that what you are implying? read carefully: MUST I? huh Anyway boy, u really seem a bitter person, i come across your comments in other threats and they are all negative and Bitter, read mine, enlightent yourselve, baske your self in my inteligence, let down the chips though ;)

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 17:37 / #
mvefa: haha tj123 must i like the US then? MUST I? is that what you are implying? read carefully: MUST I? huh Anyway boy, u really seem a bitter person, i come across your comments in other threats and they are all negative and Bitter, read mine, enlightent yourselve, baske your self in my inteligence, let down the chips though ;) I can't understand half of what you are saying. And yes it is quite clear you are envious of the USA :)

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 [Suspended]	Jul 24, 09, 18:05 / #
Polonius3: I've been asked by Pol-Am OAPs whether Poland would be a good place for them to spend theri retirement years. These are both Polish-born who may have spent 30-40 years in America as well as US-born who would effectively be moving to a different country, although perhaps not as foreign as Bolivia or Germany. The idea of retiring in the ancestral homeland is not all that uncommon in the US amongst Americans of German, Italian and Irish background. What do you think? Ignore TJ123, he's an exceptionally bitter person who appears to be unemployable and unattractive to Poles. From what the blog that ShawnW posted (it's a fantastic blog, I love reading about someone much older's experiences in Poznan!), you can see that it is a challenge in some respects, but in other respects, it's a very rewarding place. I think it's a fantastic idea, provided they're financially secure. The fact that they're both Polish born means that they shouldn't have anywhere near as much culture shock, and being able in your retirement years to jump on a train and have coffee in Alexanderplatz or Wencelas Square is something that you'll never experience living in America. Health care is dramatically cheaper here too from what I understand. I'd tell them to investigate it, and if they can make the numbers work, then they should go for it.

tj123	Jul 24, 09, 18:19 / #
Delphian honestly can you just stop following me around? You are like a mosquito buzzing around everything I write. Can you not stand on your own writing? Do you always need to comment on mine? Just mind your own business...shoo fly shoo.

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Jul 25, 09, 14:52 / #
Neither is Polish-born. Dave is a US-born Polish American and his Mrs is of non-Polish descent.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Jul 25, 09, 15:10 / #
Polonius3: Neither is Polish-born. Dave is a US-born Polish American and his Mrs is of non-Polish descent. I still think their perspective is a valid one. David's status does fit your original context: Polonius3: These are both Polish-born who may have spent 30-40 years in America as well as US-born who would effectively be moving to a different country His lovely wife Joan, not so much. Also, I know people who have been out of Poland for as little as 15 years, who find it hard to adjust going back for visits, let alone living there. Things have changed dramatically in that time.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Jul 25, 09, 15:19 / #
Polonius3: These are both Polish-born who may have spent 30-40 years in America as well as US-born who would effectively be moving to a different country, although perhaps not as foreign as Bolivia or Germany. I've heard a lot of retirees are going to Costa Rica. It's really cheap, housing and health care and fairly close to the US.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Jul 25, 09, 15:28 / #
scrappleton: I've heard a lot of retirees are going to Costa Rica A website with a focus on retiring abroad. They don't really have a lot to say about Poland (that I could find anyway)....

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Jul 25, 09, 16:03 / #
ShawnH: A website with a focus on retiring abroad. Thanks bro.. I'm only mid 30's but I'm starting to think I might have to. Europe's nice but that darn Euro would make it very expensive I would think.

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Jul 25, 09, 16:46 / #
Some, perhaps even most but certainly not all are guided solely by financial considerations. Amongst those Polonian OAPs retiring in Poland family and cultural consideations are also taken into account. A lot depends on the individuals' personal habits and preferences. Back in the good ol' (bad ol') commie days (100zł= $1), one couple from Cleveland retired in Poladn (she was Polisdh-American, he Irish-American) and saw the world. They took trips aboard Polish freighters to the four corners of the globe (most freigth ship have a few pasenger cabins aboard). They could have never afforded that living in the US. And every year they visited their kids in the US or the kids visited them -- more oftdn than some families whose kids are in California or Hawaii.

LAGirlThreads: 13 Posts: 598 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Aug 12, 09, 03:21 / #
If I had family in Poland then definatly I would retire in Poland. I do plan to retire and live the last years of my life in the UK hopefully.

Amanda91Threads: 3 Posts: 336 Joined: May 27, 07	Aug 12, 09, 03:38 / #
tj123: the reality is anyone who can afford a quality life in Poland can afford a quality life in the USA. you got that right

agaa	Sep 28, 09, 22:57 / #
It has been 12 years since I left Poland- 1st winter in US -30F, all schools were closed in my city for days and no I do not live in Minnesota 1st summer in US 100F, humid, my heart almost gave up, many people died from heat 2nd and 3rd summer back in Poland 30 C, no humidity, very green, lots of clean lakes where you can actually swim, not just ride a boat You can travel to every Europe country for vacation. So in winter, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy and many other warm places Lots of Anyone had pizza in Poland? I visited my city again last year I can't wait to win a lotto

KIEROWNICA64	Oct 3, 09, 17:50 / #
I've lived in the US for 45 years. We're planning on retiring to Poland in about 10 years. Having a connection there is very important. I look forward to the climate, culture and people. Having visited many times I'm confortable with what we are getting in to. As to the cost of living in the US, wage and especially property taxes are high and growing faster than wages. Health insurance is a joke. I work for a name brand company with "good insurance" and the percentage of pay for the insurance, co-pays, and care are ridiculous for routine care let alone getting sick. Poland may not be for everyone but it will be good for us.