Job Discussion Forums

[simon_porter00]

[naturegirl321]

How much is the interest rate? Can you pay more than the fixed amount each month?

[Rusty77]

TO Dynow,
I appreciate your comments, and your ability to avoid mincing words... However, you didn't read my message very carefully and your assumptions are pretty ridiculous.
My rent is simply the market value in a large Polish city--not quite 2000, but about 1800 by the time the czynsz and bills are paid.
I know that you didn't mean any offence about my girl, but I mentioned that she CAN'T work (due to a serious illness), not that she took advantage of me selfishly by refusing to work. She has had quite a few medical expenses that the 500 PLN per month she gets just don't cover.
Your advice about finding cheaper accommodation and materialistic attitudes of Westerners is a bit cliched and redundant, I'm afraid. If you'd read my message a bit more carefully, you'd have noticed that I recommended finding cheaper digs and NOT going through an agent. Also, I stayed here and paid bloated rent to support my girlfriend. Luckily, though, she's recovering from her illness and things are looking better for her.
If my attitude came across as complaining too much, that's perhaps because I'm a bit frustrated and need to vent. Poland is truly a remarkable place, just not one that's ideal to settle down in at this point if you're an ESL teacher and footing all of the bills.
Dynow: loosen' up, dude. And pick your fights--or perhaps read between the lines-- more carefully.

[dynow]

hmmm...

ok. well, i think maybe we need to disect your original post, if I may:

1) 1700 is not 2000. honestly, it's not. I can feed myself for a month on 300 PLN.

2) You mention my assumptions as rediculous....what is rediculous is to somehow say that you do not recommend a girlfriend.....in Poland. You are blatently categorizing the women of an entire country. Now THAT is rediculous.

3) Sorry to hear about your girlfriend's health concerns, that is very unfortunate, but that is YOUR situation. Anyone else with a girlfriend/wife with quality health can go out and bring in another 1,000-1,500 a month (just like you mentioned in your first post) which would take care of most or all of your rent. Free and clear 4000 PLN with no rent cost is 'doin' alright' in my book.

I understand your desire to rant about your own situation in Poland, but for someone who's never lived here and is completely unfamiliar, your post can be misguiding. Yes, again, Poland's got it's issues, but I can't quite justify yours without pointing a finger atleast once or twice.

4) I can't speak for Canada, but where I come from, if you are paying half your take home for the month in rent, unless you are earning some serious cash, meaning that other half left over is still a big number, you are not making it. It is impossible.

For example, if I may: I'm a Jersey guy. If you are earning $40,000 a year, say fresh out of college, and want an apt., for you to live on your own in a small flat will run you about $1,000-$1,200 if you want to be a reasonable distance from work and not live in the sticks. Paying this much in rent a month, driving a little Honda Civic, and adding up all the other bills (utilities, cell phone service, car insurance, student loans, gas, food.....bare essentials) will run you to nothing. You will have absolutely no money whatsoever at the end of the month, and if and WHEN something comes up like a speeding ticket, car needs repair or have to pay a deductible for an accident, X-mas time, or whatever unexpected costs may arise, you will be going to your savings (if you have any) or running that good old credit card.

With that said, just about everybody lives with a roommate to lower rent costs, which half the time ends up being a total stranger, for their first few years on their own. Most people don't get their own place till they are married, and many live with their folks till they are well into their twenties.

So getting back to your situation...when I read that you were able to pull this off on your income alone, paying really high rent to boot (which I still say is unnecessary, how big is that place? is it right in the center of town or something?) I gotta raise an eyebrow. I lived on my own for 2 years in Jersey, corporate job with great benefits, always had a roommate to lower rent costs, drove a little car, and even with no real financial unexpected hardships suffered like my car breaking down or something like that, not to mention I don't have any expensive spending habits, I would have been up the creek without a pierogi without my savings account. I went on 3 vacations during those two years, all of which were paid entirely from my savings.

I have read between the lines. All of them. And what I am projecting here is far from a cliche about 'money isn't everything'. What I am saying is that I worked my tail off in the states, got a good degree and worked for a great company, and could barely swing it on my salary, and that is without paying for somebody else! I am now here, I work half as much with half the effort, and as a rookie (living in a large city) making far less than you, I can cover my bills just the same.

I'm sure you're a good guy Rusty, and I think I am doing some venting on my own at your expense, but it's just how I see it. I have no idea what it costs to raise children out here, but for what it's worth to others reading this post considering coming out to Poland, if I was taking home 4000 PLN a month, sharing a flat with my girlfriend who was making another 1500 PLN a month, I would be dancing in the streets. Or dancing to the nearest restaurant, I should say.

[naturegirl321]

I really think it depends on the lifestyle. Many people I work with would cring if they saw the place where we lived. But we're doing ok and save about 200USD in rent. Just don't get used to an expat lifestyle and I think you should be fine.

Also, I think that the average for a TEFL teacher is 500 to 700 USD in many parts of the world. YOu have to plan well if you're going to live off that.

[Rusty77]

Dynow,
Sounds like you also have some serious venting to do
Congratulations on your ability to live on 300PLN per month. Perhaps you could spend some of that money, though, on an English dictionary and learn how to spell "rediculous".
Thanks for the "good guy" concession, but I don't need any platitudes, especially since--you were RIGHT about this-- I appeared to be generalizing Polish women, by implying that one should not become involved with one. Point taken. It's not fair to generalize in such a way. But, my comments were a reflection of my own experiences. I'm sure there are exceptions (independent women in Poland). I just haven't met any yet. And I've dated more than one.
Also, you described your situation, at length, about the costs of living. Again, I think you missed my point about this. I am simply asserting that it's not a piece of cake to save up funds here, with the intent to implement and access all of the things that go hand-in-hand with settling down. On 4,000 a month I have been able to live fairly well, had a vacation in Canada, etc.; just simply haven't a lot to show for it (in the bank). But I work very hard and have little free time. (work Mon through Sat.) I'm simply thinking about the big picture and my life in the long term. I'm probably not as young as you.
And, while we're nitpicking about numbers: 1700/1800 is pretty close to 2,000, especially when the exact monthly amount is variable. FYI, the flat I have is 50sq.m., nice, with a balcony, but nothing special. Just basic living accommodation for 2 people.
So I concede it is possible to live "fairly well" as a TESOL teacher in Poland, if you work hard and long hours. And if your partner/room-mate is healthy and working If I was staying, though, I think I'd be a little bit concerned about the escalating property values in places like Poznan and Wroclaw. That and a few other things (different thread, though).[/i]

[dynow]

is it just me Rusty, or did you totally edit your post that I commented on??? 1700 became 1800.......those kinds of things.

For the most part man, I can totally see where you are coming from. Honestly. You may not have been dealt the BEST hand, so I can excuse some of it.

And about the 300 PLN, i don't think it's completely out of reach for any one person living in Poland to spend 75 PLN a week on food. By cooking simple meals and not going out to eat, it can quite easily be done.

One last thing: I still don't think I have missed your point. I think I have simply reminded you and other readers of this thread that for a young professional worker, the grass is no greener on the "more western" side.

Oh, and although it's always a bit petty/tacky to point out someone's spelling mistakes, thanks anyway. I've been spelling that word incorrectly probably my whole life up till now. Thanks man!