Moving a family to Poland, any info, advice needed

thanks for reminding me about the personal goals. it is easy to loose sight of it once you start listening to other people's opinions. People who aren't like you and want different things from life. Our family spend last winter in Costa Rica and it was great but not for us. There were many Americans, Europeans and Canadians living there permanently. They found their paradise.
Thanks for your insight.

wholly, I just realised I typed like a drunk, rolf - sorry for all the typos, .

Some people. Hmm. Next time I'll write you up a sitation for T.U.I. Got it?

allright.

rolf.

Good. And keep that bird grounded while drinking. Last thing we need is a baby delivered to the wrong parents. Ever watch Looney Toons? Those apes sure didn't like Bugs Bunny all that much

Headstrong, you asked at the beginning about some sort of numbers on how much do you need to live in Poland. we found this spreadsheet listing all the expenses for 3 life options n 3 major cities (Krakow, wroclaw and Gdansk). If i find the web site I will forward it. The gist is per month: extravagant life you need ($3.700) that includes car and car payments and all car expenses / Less extravagant ($1.693) with a cheaper car and you can make it for ($656) without a car.
As far as automatic transmission cars those are available but best purchased new. and those tend to be expensive. sometimes you may have to wait a bit to get the car since stick rules in poland. I have no idea why. You may want to consider shipping your car from Canada. I did that and I am very happy when I go there now. You do not pay customs or vat on it. It falls under relocation property. I can ellaborate if you are interested.
Also depending on the timeline of your move, you may want to take care of the schools. Application process even for the private schools has already started in February. I missed some great places for my daughter but I was still able to find a good one. So I hope.
On a positive note I found great cultural stuff for kids in Krakow and the dragon parade is a must. I can't wait. Hope you can make it.

Here is the link:

groteska.pl/aktualnosci_akt2.php?id=82&PHPSESSID=52f3cb0d79 bae354b4068a42b4f6066d

Speachless:
thank you very, very much for the link. I roughly know the numbers about what things cost, but it's better to ask someone who knows the standard of living abroad and can relate to give a more knowledgeable insight.

btw,
Artur: I'll be carefull with TUI.

thanks.

well i have met a polish girl and i would like to move to poland. but yous lot have put me off-ale jaja. plus the fact that alot of poles are coming here means something is not right. i cant really speak the language to save myself as its pretty much gobbledegook. but it would be an experience. such a cultural difference and you only life once. oh and i heard the weather is better ,well in the summer anyway. so i'll see how it goes. off to poland next month to meet my "kochanie" . yes miss zaw in case you ever read this spoko. its a bit tongue and cheek but hey you know me ale jaja anyway papa troops

That explains why you don't show up here anymore!!!
I KNEW IT!!!!

well i am trying to master polish which is extremely difficult, i think she may strangle me soon

edited

plg -souds like you are in love. Good luck with the Polish. My American husband is trying to firuge it out how to use our 4 year old for translatons while living in Poland. They have conversations about it. It is very cute.

Hey, Speachless I think you need to change your profile if you have an American husband. It shows you are male, but shouldn't be female??? Just trying to help out!!!

Hi There,
I am an English Guy with Family looking to move to Krakow.
My wife is from Krakow and we have spent the last six years commuting between Krakow and England on a regular basis.
The country is ideal to bring up a a young family. The Education system is excellent ,the outdoor life and culture are second to none.
If you have the right business acumen you will go far in Poland. The young people in Poland have become disillusioned with the country and politics but if they looked deeper they would find a better quality of life than can be achieved in America or England.Materialism is not everything in life. Would like to talk to you further and may share similar business interests.
Dieter Kollnberger
We are looking at setting up

good points

Speachless, I wouldn't bother with Polak. It’s a waste of your time and energy. As for moving to Poland maybe you should take things slowly. Live here for some time before your permanent move and see if you like it. Good luck.

Hi there
would like to talk to you further may have similar plans and business interests

Regards

Dieter Kollnberger

You don't like hearing the truth...ha..your day will come when you want to buy a house in Poland. Your loan won't cover the first morgage payment.
You will be paying rent for the rest of your life to wealty landlords in GB and the USA.
bubbaWoo will be laughing all the way to the bank

Hello all, my wife started using my profile name when she saw what I was writing. A few comments fired her up. We are in motion to move to Krakow in May'ish. I'd love to talk to Dieter or Headstrong about business. My hope is that we can make food, clothing and shelter; then spend the rest of the time together as a family. And have fun.

looks like a few of us are into bringing something to Poland. very good. I was begining to feel like maybe I am loosing it, .

Here is a quesiton:
how do I find a good preschool. Are there any english language schools? Montessori? how about 1/2 days and such for the very young. I personally do not like the idea of a 2-4 year old child at a preschool all day, 5 days / week. Can a child just start from SK? or do they all have to be enrolled once they are 4, 5, 6?

What's the cost per month of a good (read: best, as in small student/teacher ratio). My daughter is in a good nursery school twice/week with 6 students to 1 teacher ratio.


and the second issue:

pets:
we have a dog and a cat (indoor) that we want to bring with us - at first we are going to live with my family, so there is no problem there, but how about renting and having pets - what's the bylaw?
also this may seem quite ignorant to most - any cat litter yet in stores in Poland, as I know the issue of dry dog food is quite the opposite even though it's not as widely used as in Canada for example.

I know, the pet topic may seem quite unimportant to most, especially when there are bigger issues, but, hey - these critters will come with us.

Anyone can elaborate on this?

thank you.

Dieter - are you talking to me or Speechless? we are bringing something to Poland as well, so hey, any venture may prove to be the right one yet. the new country-new begining policy.

About half a dozen different brands. We get ours at Tesco. All pet stores sell it though.

thank you. last time I was there I wasn't interested in a cat litter, lol, as frugal as it may sound.
you know every country has it's quirks. I thought I'll ask before I bring my critters.

thanks a lot.

Would like to talk to of you return to krakow on 03 rd April
e-mail me dk006g3817@blueyonder.co.uk
definitely interested in setting up a business.
regards
Dieter

would like to talk to you return to Krakow on 3rd April
e-mail me dk006g3817@blueyonder.co.uk
Regards
Dieter