Howdy.
I’m Phil. I’m an Australian who has been living in Warsaw, Poland for a little over 18 months. Nearly 2 years, now that I think about it.
In that time, I’ve learned a lot about myself. A lot about Poland and Warsaw. I love this place. I love the country, the culture, the people.
I made this image, using information from the Polish government to show a little about exactly who else calls Poland home.
Please include attribution to expatspoland.com with this graphic.
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Anyway, Uber drivers, friends of friends, colleagues – they all constantly ask me ‘Oh wow, Australia, WOW no way! Why are you here?’ They’re even more blown away when I tell them that there’s a small community of Australians and Kiwis (New Zealanders) that call Warsaw home.
That’s not me, that’s Ryan – my fellow Melbournian who also lives in Warsaw.
In my hometown of Melbourne, Australia, we’re known for a huge Greek and Italian population. The smells, sounds and tastes down Lygon St on any night of the week rival that of Rome, Athens and Naples.
There’s the Asian communities in (believe it or not) China town, Springvale and Box Hill that add so much colour and vibrancy to our city – and yes, there’s even a Polish community. Every Saturday, as close to November 11 as possible, Melbourne celebrates the Polish Festival in Federation Square.
These cultures are one of the many things that make Australia rich and beautiful.
In my time here, I’ve met people from some far off countries – some countries that I can’t even locate on a map – As a geography nerd, that’s a little disappointing.
Bolivia
Kazakhstan
Serbia
Peru
Laos
Spain
South Africa
So many people, from so many countries, have fallen in love with Warsaw, and with Poland.
They have made a decision to leave their lives and reside here.
They choose to be here.
They want to be here.
These people add value to Warsaw. These people are part of what makes Warsaw so brilliant. We bring cultures from all over the world into one of the most forgotten cities of Europe, to cities all over Poland. The way these people segregate into Polish culture and celebrate it is a beautiful sight.
And that’s what this blog is for.
Expats of Poland.
Foreigners in Poland.
My goal is to hear the stories of foreigners in Poland, who come from all over the world.
On occasions, I may get a little passionate, too.
From Rzeszow to Zielona Gora, from Racibórz to Gdynia, my aim is to take the stories of foreigners in Poland and show Poles, Europeans, Australians and any other nationality that this country is loved, cherish, respected and desired by all walks of life.
Lecimy!
Heya. I’m Danielle .I’m south African and study in Warsaw . I’m in my final year but finding it hard to enjoy my time here. It is a great city but tough to get out and meet people due to schedules . I was just wondering if you maybe had some ideas for someone to do things to make it bit better.
Hey Danielle! I’ve not met many South Africans here! Hmm, I guess it depends what you’re into really. There’s always a lot happening in the expats in Warsaw Facebook group – have you checked that out? https://www.facebook.com/groups/wawexpats/
From Fiji, but staying in Krakow for 5 months now… doing some research with AGH University..
Hi! I am doing research about Kazakh people in Poland. Do you know the approximate number of Kazakh people? I still could not find.
Hey Assol!
All the statistics that I got for this picture, I got from this website: migracje.gov.pl/en/statistics/scope/poland/type/statuses/view/map/year/2018/?x=-0.3508&y=3.6566&level=3.06614
Hi all
I’m a South African currently working on Germany since February. In August my work assignment takes me to Wroclaw. I am super excited. I have been there on a few occasions for a couple of days and it is beautiful. I’m looking for an apartment close to the city center. At least 2 bedrooms – my family is joining me at the end of the year. Apartment needs to be dog friendly!
Appreciate any advice.
Cheers
Martin
Hey Martin, nice to hear from you!
My best suggestion is to look online – otodom.pl is the place to go 😉
Hi Phil hows it going man? my name’s Mike and I’m an Englishman with a polish wife. We have a little girl and are expecting another and now are seriously considering a move to Poland. My wifes family live In a village just 15 minutes from the rzeszow city center. We’ve been coming to Poland for holidays for the past 10 years and have always been teasing the thought of moving here permanantly as it’s such a beautiful country with such lovely people. It’s a no brainer for my wife but I have a few reservations. I’m just worried things might go tits up and we make a mistake. I guess what I’m trying to say is, do u have any advice and what is the hardest part about moving here?
Hey Mike!
Nice to kinda meet you! Rzeszow is a beautiful part of Poland. Very untouched by tourists – which I guess is a good thing if you wanna live there 😀
I can understand your concerns – especially with a young bub and another in the oven. Look man, I hate to be all romantic about it, but you’re never going to know if you don’t do it. As you said, the people are so friendly here and that’ll play most of a bearing on your life – how you interact with people. I guess you need to also know what are you going to do for you. If you want to chat a bit more about it, feel free to email me! philexpatspoland.com 🙂
Hi Mike. Just found your comment about you possibly moving with your family to Poland. I’m actually in the process of looking for participants for House Hunters International tv program. We are looking for expats moving to Poland! Are you looking to buy or rent a flat, an apartment or a house? Or maybe you have just rented one? Share you story with us! Start your adventure on our set! If you are interested, please let me know.
I will be moving to Poland with my wife and two small children, a 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy. We are from Toronto Canada and We will be purchasing a home near Torun. I am interested in hearing what you are all about!
Hey Michal nice to hear! Torun is without a doubt my favourite place in Poland, I’m sure you and your family are going to love it!
Hi. I am currently living in the UK with my Polish wife. We are considering to quit our jobs, sell our house and move to Krakow to start afresh. Our main motivation is for a better quality of life – financially and socially. We both have pretty good jobs in international industries. Im curious to see how other expats have found life in Poland and if our dreams of better stability and life could be real.
Hello! I am an Englishman who has been living in Poland for four years now as an English teacher. I really don’t know how I ended up here but it definitely was never supposed to be a long term thing. However I was here for one year then moved to Spain, and by some weird twist of fate as soon as I got to Spain I missed Poland. I mean REALLY missed Poland. The people, the food, the Zabkas (lol), the sound of the language (which I am slowly, SLOWLY starting to unravel), I just couldn’t get Poland out of my mind. So I came straight back after 3 months in Spain and haven’t left since then! Part of what makes it so great is the job, I teach mainly adults and Polish adult students are the BEST, so motivated, funny and good-natured. Nearly into my fifth year now and it really is feeling like home. When I go back to England or France (my family is split between the two) it feels very bizarre. Yes I don’t enjoy how broke I am every time I go back to Western Europe (Zloty translate SO badly) but every time I think of leaving Poland for a better paid country my heart hurts a bit! I really, REALLY love this country and I can’t see myself leaving anytime soon. Anyway sorry for the rant I’ve had some wine. See ya 🙂
Hello fellow expats,
I’m an American currently living in France, but I lived in Poland 1990-1992 while serving as an advisor to then-Minister of Finance Leszek Balcerowicz. Some years later, I turned to full-time writing, and my first novel set in Poland, The Fourth Courier, will be released in two weeks. It’s an atmospheric piece that portrays Poland at the very end of the Cold War.
The Polish Cultural Institute of London has featured it in this month’s newsletter:
http://www.polishculture.org.uk/literature/news/article/the-fourth-courier-by-timothy-jay-smith-7530.html
And the American Library Association has given it an incredible review, ending with:
“Smith skillfully bridges police procedural and espionage fiction, crafting a show-stealing sense of place and realistically pairing the threats of underworld crime and destabilized regimes.”
Hopefully it will interest you. You can pre-order now from wherever you tend to buy books. I hope you will read and enjoy it.
Thanks for your consideration,
Timothy Smith
http://www.timothyjaysmith.com
http://www.facebook.com/TimothyJaySmith/
Hi Phil, What is the safest, reliable, cheapest mode of transport to travel in Poland ? I am traveling to Mielno, in the coast. I can’t drive myself, so no option to rent a car. I would need pickup from Berlin, drop off. And also a trip to Gdansk.
Thanks
Hi! I’m Aggie living in Zielona Góra and I’m polish with english husband. As he wanted to come here – I miss UK. Anybody around to help :P?