Job Discussion Forums

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

Hello everyone!

I have a very general question that hopefully some of you can answer:

I am moving to Prague from Canada and currently looking for a place to live through the internet. However I'm running into one problem: I do not know what districts of Prague are the best to live in, if there's any parts that I should avoid, and how close all of the districts are to the center.

I realize that Praha 1 and 2 are considered the center. I would obviously love to live in this part but I don't want to restrict myself. The school I'm teaching at in September is in Praha 3, so I would not like to live far from this district. Does it take long to travel by public transportation from Praha 6 for example, to Praha 2?

Any information you can give me would be appreciated!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Just be sure you're near a metro station or major tram lines. Prague's got great public transport.
It's rather risky to arrange long-term accomodation via internet. Are you just trying to find something temporary? It's better to do this in person, if at all possible. Your school should also provide some assistance in terms of finding a suitable place.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Ok, part 2. Living in the centre, while it sounds attractive, can actually be quite stressful, because of the tourist hordes. Remember there are literally millions of them around all the time.

Secondly, if you're going to be teaching business English, you will not likely have that many classes actually based at the school. Check on this, if you're not already sure ... most private schools require teachers to travel to corporate offices 90% of the time to teach their clients in-office. This may not be the case if you're teaching in some special situation. Anyway, if you're not going to be working actually at the school much, it doesn't matter about living nearby. You basically just need easy metro access.

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

Thanks for the input!
I'm teaching young learners so I am 99.9% sure that I am staying put at the one school in Praha 3.
Your thought about how staying in the city center would be too touristy really got me thinking. Due to the fact that I am moving to Prague alone, I think I am just scared of getting an apartment too far away to get to any social events, or my school or such things like that.
Do you reccomend me looking for a short term lease to start, and once I'm there look for a longer term? I'm arriving Sept 1st, to June 30th.
Is Praha 3 less touristy?

Thanks again, much appreciated Smile

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I would do it as you say - find something for a month or so and then look when you're here. You really don't need to worry about being 'far' from the centre. I lived in Prague 9 and was only 15 minutes from the centre by metro.
Most of Prague 3 is nice.

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

Oh ok perfect, you put my mind at ease! I was offered a room in Praha 6,and the girl who lives there says its 35 minutes to the center by public transportation..which scared me a little....I think I will look around a little more.

Thanks again Spiral!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

35's too long. Avoid living at either of the ends of the yellow line metro(Zlicin, Cerny Most, etc..) Really, most of Prague is within 20 minutes of the centre by metro. You don't need to be right in the central circle, but you do want to be on a decent metro line.

If someone offers you neighborhoods, I might be able to give you better info. I don't know the entire city 'like the back of my hand' but a lot. And others on the board are also quite knowledgeable.

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

I can't express how thankful I am for this information!
When I do hear of more neighbourhoods, I will definitely take advantage of your offer.

Thanks again,
Leah

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

Hello again,

someone e-mailed me about a place and it looks great, but I just want to check the location. I have yet to recieve an exact address, so if you don't know where I'm talking about thats ok Smile

She writes: It is in Praha 5 Andel right in the city yet most convenient with metro,tram and bus stops all in 2 minutes walk.

Let me know if you know where this is, if its a good neighbourhood, and if its easy to travel to the city center and Praha3.

Thanks once again,
Leah

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Andel's great for transport connections, and, while there's a bit of development in terms of a mall, I think most of the area's quite nice.

Obviously, the desirability of individual addresses can vary (you might want to ask if your bedroom window would be on the tram line, for example) but I'd personally think living in Andel would be fine.

LMS · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Ontario Canada

Hey!

Do you have any idea where this is, and if so is it in a good neighbourhood?? ANything you can tell me about this area would be great!

Jindricha platchty___________, Praha5 15000 Smichov.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Smichov's sorta central, there's a train station there. A bit seedy around the station, but might be nice a block or two away. Without going to the actual street address to look, it's hard to say.

Again, I'd ask about travel connections and whether the location is quiet.

It's honestly just tough to try to do what you're doing from abroad!

If you want to work out some private agreement, maybe you can hire someone to check these places out for you.