Job Discussion Forums

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

Occasionally people post things on here which are intended to mislead, as they are assuming a false identity. I made no such accusation, but I did wonder if this was the case here because you've only posted two things and they appeared to contradict each other. I was awaiting some clarification.

Please explain how it is "sad" and "unprofessional" to wonder about such things. The very point is to maintain high standards for this forum.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Just curious, dynow, if Gdansk was your 2nd choice of cities in Poland, what was your first?

I spent many hours before I came to Poland scouring this (and other) sites trying to find out which cities were best. What did you read, or who did you talk to, that made you want to come to Gdansk?

I still rank Krakow as the #1 city in Poland, just because everyone seems to speak so highly of it. Maybe next fall...

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

Master Shake,

My #1 city is Wroclaw. It seems to suit me best. The location is perfect, very close to Germany and Czech Republic, Slovakia, making traveling easier. Also the demographic. From what I have researched and heard from my Polish friends and family here in the states, Wroclaw has a good number of young people, universities, and a great arts scene as well. It's a big city, but won't have nearly as much hustle and bustle as Warsaw or Krakow. I grew up in the suburbs, but currently live in a city and am enjoying myself, and Wroclaw seems to have a good combination of both. For my first city to live and work in Poland, I think Wroclaw would be my best bet, but who knows?

Regarding Gdansk, what first caught my eye was all the rivers that ran through it, and being it is right on the sea is interesting as well. I also like that Gdansk is part of that 3 city junction with Sopot and Gdynia. It would be a good opportunity to travel to other nice cities for a day trip or even for a long evening. Just last night, I was speaking to my cousin, she was raised in Katowice, and she said that I will certainly like Gdansk.

You could say that I have been spoiled with having plenty of Polish people here in the states to ask about different cities in Poland, but my research on the web and in books usually supports whatever opinions they may have. They all have had great things to say about Zielona Gora as well.

Nonetheless, I will never know till I'm there to see them for myself!

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Yea, I have heard a lot of good things about Wroclaw as well. But its hard to ask people here about that city because it is spelled nothing like it sounds in Polish!

Honestly, though, I have been thinking that it might be interesting to try a smaller, 'friendlier' city next fall, especially once I learn some Polish. Lublin and Opole both sound cool and big enough to have at least some sort of nightlife.

In bigger cities it is easier to get by because (relatively) more people speak English and they are used to dealing with foreigners, but, well, that kind of makes it less of a challenge somehow.

Know any smaller cities (less than 100k people) that strike you as interesting?

rickf · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 2

I'm an American who's been living in Rzeszow for the last 2 years. YES has a good reputation here and is well run, maybe a little controlling, from what I've heard (never worked for them). For a city of about 170K people, there are a surprising number of schools. Ask for 43 zl/45 minute teaching hour, AFTER TAX. You can expect to pay 700-900/month for a decent if not fancy 53m2 flat. I like it here, but will probably be looking for a larger city next year. Send me a private message if you want more details abou the city, etc.