Job Discussion Forums

[scottie1113]

I can only speak about prices in trojmiasto and Bydgoszcz, but prices are relative to what you earn.When I first visited Poland I thought it was cheap because I was making good money in the US, but now that I'm here, I no longer think so. I get paid in ZL, not dollars, and I make a hell of a lot less in Poland than I did back in California.

Food costs the same in Poland as it does in Germany, but Germans make a lot more money than Poles. Only a few things are cheaper here than in Germany. Cosmetics, for example. I'm going to Germany on Thursday for six days to see my fiancee, and she asked me to bring a few things because of the price differential.

[Scawie]

Anything with an international brand (clothes, electronics etc.) costs more here than in the UK (yeah, more than rip-off Britain) despite the average salary being about 1/3 (IIRC). A nice house in Krak�w will cost you at least 300,000 GBP, similar to Bristol, UK prices. Land is plentiful, so you can buy a patch in a village 10-15km from the centre and build a detached home for 100,000 - 150,000GBP (which probably wouldn't be possible 10 km from Bristol).

[mitsui]

what is the zloty to the dollar now?
I remember several years ago it was 4 for $1.00
I think the stronger zloty must be the problem.

I have heard that Prague costs more than it used to as well.
I guess the days of pints of Czech beer for 50 cents are long gone.

[bookishbloke]

Mitsui, the higher costs in most of the countries that joined the EU in 2004 are as far as I know partly because they have already adopted the euro (Slovenia, Slovakia, Malta) or because the local currency is pegged or tied to the value of the euro prior to their meeting the necessary economic requirements which will allow them to join the eurozone. I have heard that Latvia has 20% unemployment and property has fallen in value by a third. It would be interesting to know how the CR and Poland compare.

[nickpellatt]

So what does this mean in terms of the actual cost of everyday items? I will be working in Poland from September in Bydgoszcz. Im not looking to get married, buy property and Im not really bothered about travel either really. I know Im not likely to get rich, and I accept that. Just wondering about costs of simple everyday things.

For example -

A ticket for the cinema
A local beer in a local pub/bar
A takeaway meal
A pub meal (no drinks)
A good meal (no drinks)
A cup of tea in a cafe
Staple items (bread/milk etc)

I understand prices can vary...so just a general idea is OK. This will be my third country to work in, and Im not the kind of person who craves steak, imported beer, nightclubs. An idea of local prices is fine

[Master Shake]

I'll take this one.

These are Warsaw prices which are a bit higher than Bydgoszcz:

A ticket for the cinema - 14 -30zl (depending on when and where you go and if it's 3D or not)
A local beer in a local pub/bar - 6-10zl
A takeaway meal - 10-20zl (kebap is always one of the cheapest options)
A pub meal - really depends on the pub. (Expat pubs are usually more expensive)
A good meal - what's 'good'? I rarely pay more than 25zl for food when I eat out.
A cup of tea in a cafe - I don't drink tea, but coffee is 5-12+zl
Staple items (bread/milk etc) - cheap! especially when compared to the above

Hope this begins to put it in perspective for you.

[nickpellatt]

Thanks Master Shake, I am expecting a lean year in terms of finances...so its good to get an idea of just how lean!

[wojbrian]

It's not that bad Nick. Food is cheap for the most part.

The expensive part is eating out. I liked the milk bars. They serve homemade Polish type food at very good prices.

If you get a year pass for the mass transit in your area it makes it real inexpensive to travel.

[Master Shake]

[nickpellatt]

Thanks for the tips guys...I have just spent 6 months in China and the cost of living is so low there that I have eaten every meal in a restaurant and cooked nothing. I guess I could do with losing weight so if Poland is more austere its not the end of the world haha

Im hoping to have over �1000 start up cash to help out so I should be OK! (accom and utilities incl)

[TwinCentre]

Well done M/Shake on eating out for 25zl, I can't do as good as that..

For me, eating out in a 'decent place'....the average would have to be 55zl per head, including a beer or two. For the top restaurants (there are only a few) you would expect to pay upto 150zl, just like any other city.

For less than 30zl per head, you would be talking chain places.

And I'm not that big...getting more plump though...

Ta
TC

[silesia]

The prices you're talking about seem reasonable for Warsaw.Here in Jelenia G�ra you can eat very well for around 30 zl.Beer is also pretty cheap at around 4-5 zl for a half litre.I work for a State Institution so the salary is not great, but the benefits are there.For example being paid for the holidays etc.Poland is no longer a cheap country I agree,but it is possible to live quite well still.

[justflyingin]

[nickpellatt]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown! I am expecting to eat fairly basic staple items and manage without too many expensive imported items! Bread and eggs all the way at those prices!

[maniak]

electric bill for our family, $300/month
tank of fuel--diesel, 300 zl

Right on with the rest of the prices, my only beef was with these two. The average fuel tank is about 50L so that comes to about 210zl, and that is one huge electricity bill if you correctly quoted it in dollars. I pay 250zl a month and thats for 7 people.

Some other prices:
deodorant - old spice 15zl
bottle of average whiskey 50zl, vodka 25zl
average utilities per month (water, gas, elec, trash) about 100zl
internet connection 2gb with cable tv 70-100zl
prepaid phone cards are expensive, i have a plan for 215mins for 130zl
car insurance, i pay 1200zl a year for OC/AC/assistance
late night taxi, distance of 7km 30zl