Job Discussion Forums

[nickpellatt]

During those winter months?

I spent last winter in China in temperatures around 2c .... which doesnt sound so bad to you guys Im sure, but this was terrible in a place where houses and classes are built for summer and feature no insulation or heating!

The only place that was ever warm was bed!

So what can I expect for a Polish winter? The climate is my only real concern, and I wonder how you all dress for it, and cope with it? Is there anything I should buy in preparation???

[steviok85]

It's just your luck.
When I was in Poland in 2006-07, it rarely fell below 0. Last year was a chilly one. I would bring a few big jumpers and a big coat but I wouldn't go overboard with thermals and woolies. Some people get carried away with the hype ...

[hrvatski]

2005-06 got down to -30C for a week or so.

If it's -5C in Krakow during the winter it's a good day. -10C is not uncommon. Thermals are a waste of time as you'll get into work / a bar / mall where it's +24C and sweat your arse off unable to do anything about it.

Get shoes which don't let water (snow) in, no need to go overboard, I find Adidas superstars work well. Get a decent thick jacket which comes down below your arse and a couple of jumpers.

And when you're looking at places to rent, find somewhere with new properly insulated windows, and preferably with a central heating system in the basement which pumps heat to heaters in all the apartments, otherwise you'll pay a lot more for heating.

[scottie1113]

Last winter was cold in Gdansk in Jan-Feb, with snow on the ground and temps of -20C to -10C common. That's unusual. But there's no bad weather, only bad clothes. Except for a couple of days when it was really snowing, I wore trainers (as a Yank I would call them running shoes) and gloves. Long unde wear and 2 pairs of socks, a sweater, and a warm coat were fine.

Yes, winter in Poland is a little different than winter in San Diego, but if I can endure them for 3 years, so can you. It's all about your mindset. Don't let your worries about winter influence your decision to come to Poland. It ain't perfect, and it's far from paradise, but I love it here. I hope you will too.

[wojbrian]

Im from the northern US and it was just like home. However, I am part polar bear and am rarely cold.

What you need most of the time is:

1. winter coat
2. gloves
3. hat
4. scarf
5. boots if its real bad

The big thing is to dress in layers and keep cotton away from your skin.

[Hod]

It's great in the summer, though.

[Master Shake]

Just bring a long-sleeve shirt and you'll be fine.

[PierogiMonster]

I agree with all the comments.

'Been through five Polish winters - starting with the -30C 2005-2006 winter.

As a Brit, I don't really mind the winters here: UK winters are damp, windy and it gets 'in yer bones'. Here, just put on layers that you can take off when you get out of the cold. It's only a problem when you get what I call 'two-hat weather', for obvious reasons!

It's not the depth of the Polish winter, it's the length of it that gets some (especially the Poles) down!

[PierogiMonster]

Ahem ... perhaps I should add at this point that, come September, I'll be swopping the Krakowian climate for Oman in the Gulf!

[nickpellatt]

Thanks for the answers ... It doesnt sound too bad then! At least I will be warm indoors, which I wasnt in China...and I think that makes a big difference. The job comes with an apartment and utilities, so that shouldnt be a worry either!

[scottie1113]

What city will you be in?

[nickpellatt]

Bydgoszcz with IH. Quite looking forward to it, but a little nervous at the same time. I do have three weeks to settle in though as Im doing the IHYLC first and then have a weeks orientation before getting stuck in!

Making an effort to learn a little Polish at the moment!

[hrvatski]

They speak funny Polish in Bydgoszcz.

[Phil_K]

How is it in Warsaw and Krakow the first days of September? We'll be there on vacation. Short sleeves? Woolies? Both?

[lundjstuart]