Job Discussion Forums

logorhythmic · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

Any comments about living costs in the city of Szczecin?

hrvatski · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270

For how many hours? Is it gross or net? Will you be payed the same rate everything month, regardless of holidays?

If it's as I suspect - around 21 hours and the gross monthly wage, then it's low. Though Bell Szczeczin is supposed to be a great school.

lundjstuart · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Warsaw, Poland

Glenlivet · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 179 Location: Poland

hrvatski · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270

Yeah ok sorry, net.

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

logorythmic, I'm an American working for Bell in Gdansk. PM me and I'll give you some more info.

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

rents in Szczecin 1000- 2000 for a 1 bedroom flat.

It depends what you are looking for. If you don't mind hearing the click clack of high heels at 630am from the person above you getting ready for work, hearing your neighbours fighting all hours of the day, dogs barking uncontrolled, then take a cheap flat.

Oh dont forget the neighbour who decides to run the washer at 5am or 1am thinking that nobody will hear it. :/

approximate monthly expenses>
90zl bus/tram pass
100-350zl for community common area maintenance(garbage/sewage)
100zl for internet and cable tv
100zl electrcity
200zl gas if you have a water heater/heat

just keep this in mind.

Income tax is 19%
ZUS payment will be about 800zl a month

On a side note.- i had an interview with Bell in Szczecin 3 years ago with the DOS at the time (Chris_____? can't remember the name of the Brit idiot)
We were a good 30 minutes into it, and he asked me a question, then while i was in the middle of answering it, he stood up and said "ok thanks for coming in, I'll send you an email if we are interested" (real professional :/)

I got an email the next day with "Thank you for your interest in Bell, however we are not interested at this time, best of luck in your future'

It was my second job interview for ESL work.

Harry from NWE · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 283

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

Your 2400 net is after tax and you won't pay ZUS because you'll be an employee of Bell, so no need to set up your own company. You may have Saturday classes-ask your school about this-and if so you'll be paid extra. My first year I got about 560 zl per month for them. You can live on that, although it won't be a lavish lifestyle.

Don't know about costs in Szczecin, but here in Gdansk I live in a shared two room flat in the city center just five minutes from my school. Our rent is 1400zl and electricity and gas bills are much less than what other posters have said.

You'll pay 80 zl every month for medical insurance with Alliance. Bell pays the other half for you. In addition, they'll help you obtain your residency card as well.

You'll be working on a monthly contract which means that you'll receive your full salary even during the two week break at Christmas and again at the end of the semester, plus you'll be paid for holidays.

All in all, it's not a bad deal. If you want more money, try Warsaw. But then you'll be in Warsaw. Some people love it; I prefer the north. And Bell's a good school. Again, if you want more details, pm or email me. I'm always willing to help a fellow American learn the ropes.

logorhythmic · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

Thanks for the info, scotte - it's a big help! If you have any other info,
please PM me (I haven't been on long enough to do that yet, and your email didn't work).

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

My monthly bills are about half that.

Water heater is electric, which I don't like, but we take short showers. We have central heating which is included in the rent. No monthly admin fee, and the garden is nice. Lots of plants, trees, and flowers, including roses in season, plus I've got flowers on my sunshine facing balcony in the afternoon. Gas range, and we both like to cook.

No cable TV-who's got time for that? I watch Formula1 at Rooster on Sundays-- and internet connection is about the same as everbody else's but I can't find last month's bill.

What we save on bills we spend on beer: Mr Tyskie and Uncle Okochim, but you've seen my posts on the Mr Tyskie thread, I'm sure. Absinthe-the pub-is our living room. It's where we meet our friends and it doubles as an office during the day for my private lessons except for one who comes to the flat. And no, I don't drink beer during them, only coffee.

I'm happy to live where I do and in November I'm going to try to buy it. I'm not sure of the exact size, but I'd guess about 45m. Two rooms, a large kitchen, and bathroom plus the entryway with a closet. Not spacious, but more than adequate for my needs and the location is great.