The best cities in Poland to live in: which one should I choose to move to?

Overview of Polish cities

There are 964 cities in Poland, but not all of them are suitable for comfortable living. From this broad list, we have selected five of the most attractive settlements and analyzed what exactly they can interest people who want to move, and what is questionable about them. Poland ranks high among the countries where citizens immigrate to, especially from Belarus and Ukraine.

This country does offer many opportunities to start a new life, but if you are thinking about moving, it is important to choose the right city that will become your new home. We decided to focus on cities such as Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Krakow and Wroclaw and have prepared a detailed study of each of them. In this article you will find not only factual data, but also hidden aspects, pros and cons of each city based on reviews of people who have already made the move.

Warsaw: Capital of Poland

Let's start with Warsaw, which is the capital of Poland and the most expensive city to live in the country. It is often referred to as the “city of the phoenix” because Warsaw has been destroyed but always rebuilt anew. It is a modern European metropolis with diverse architecture and a population of over 1.8 million.

The winter months here are cold, but the lively atmosphere and busy evening life will help overcome the discomfort of the chill. The average salary in Warsaw is approx.$1650per month, while the monthly cost of living for one person reaches approx.$770not including rent. Renting a one-bedroom apartment here will cost from$700to$900.

Functional aspects of Warsaw

The functional aspects of Warsaw should not be forgotten. The city offers free co-working spaces such as Google Campus, which are popular among freelancers and digital nomads. One of Warsaw's residents, Marina, talked about her experience of living in this city after a year and a half:

“Warsaw is really diverse - it has neighborhoods with historic panel houses, abandoned courtyards and unkept streets, as well as modern neighborhoods with ultra-trendy apartment complexes and adorable playgrounds. Sometimes such modern ensembles appear right in the old neighborhoods, which is very surprising. We live in the neighborhood of Jolibozh, there is a lot of greenery, cozy alleys and small parks. There are enough stores and cafeterias in our neighborhood. I really like this place.”

Transportation and leisure

Public transportation in Warsaw is excellent: you can easily get around on streetcars and electric scooters. However, for shopping or trips out of town, you'll need a car. Constant congestion during rush hours quickly wears away the idea of commuting by car. In addition, Warsaw offers a variety of leisure activities for all tastes and budgets: there are sports complexes, parks, water parks and excellent restaurants.

Getting to know the locals

One of the positive aspects is the abundance of dog owners, which gives you the opportunity to make new acquaintances with the locals. People who share a love of dogs often socialize, which can be useful for learning Polish. In general, the local population is friendly - only on one occasion did I encounter an unkind attitude when I was at a doctor's appointment.

However, even then the problem was that the doctor expected me to be fluent in Polish, even though I had just started to master the language.

The cons of living in Warsaw

• High cost of renting an apartment. To rent an apartment for a family of four, it would cost a minimum of$1000-1200per month.
• Difficulties in getting children into school or kindergarten. Childcare facilities do not require enrollment, but finding a place in a popular institution is often extremely difficult.
• Bureaucratic difficulties - at every stage of life in Warsaw a lot of paperwork has to be done.

To summarize briefly, I can say that I like Warsaw. This city sometimes reminds me of Minsk with its architecture and atmosphere.

Poznan: the harmony of a big city and a small village

Now let's talk about Poznan. This city is unique in that it organically combines the atmosphere of a big city with the coziness of a small village, which allows its residents to find a balance between active life and tranquility.

Transfer to Poznan

When you decide to start a new life in this beautiful city, you will be surrounded by magnificent Renaissance buildings, verdant parks and all modern amenities. Poznan, located in the west of Poland, is a great destination for traveling to nearby countries - Berlin can be reached in just two hours.

According to information, the average salary in Poznan reaches approx.$1,270.per month, and living expenses, excluding rent, are approx.$690.. As for rent, the price for a one-bedroom apartment varies between500and600 dollarsper month.

Unique features of the city

One of Poznan's hallmarks is its famous croissants, which are even honored with a museum. Eugene, who has been living in the city with his family for two years, shared his thoughts:

“Poznan is a very warm and cozy city, which makes it particularly attractive. There are no large avenues or abandoned industrial sites here, although some such places are found. The streets are narrow, they usually have one or two car lanes, and the sidewalks aren't wide either, but cyclists can travel on separate bicycle lanes.”

The houses are located close to each other, but the low building does not create a sense of compression of space. Every second or third block contains a park. In general, parks make Poznan unique compared to other regions. Residential development often takes the place of once-existing forests, where only a small number of trees have been cut down and parks have sprung up among residential neighborhoods.

General structure of the city

The city is quite compact, and you can walk from the center to the outskirts in an hour and a half. All the districts are harmoniously developed, each of them has:

• Schools
• Stores
• Kindergartens
• Parks
• Historic and modern buildings

Personally, I haven't come across any obviously inconvenient places in Poznan. Everyone chooses the right neighborhood for him or her at his or her own discretion. The city's attractiveness lies in its coziness, created by its low buildings and narrow streets. As you greet the morning on your balcony with a cup of coffee, you are greeted by your neighbors, the cleaning staff, the baker from home and the letter carrier.

Therefore, Poznan fosters a measured life and the ability to enjoy simple moments: it was here that I started to notice birds singing, enjoy flowering plants and walk in the park even in the rain.

Disadvantages of the city

Disadvantages include the sluggishness of some city services, such as:

• Administrations
• Internet service providers
• Banking institutions

In addition, two or three times a year Poznań faces air pollution problems and once a year it is recognized as the most polluted city in the world.

Life in Gdansk

Gdansk, located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, has a population of a little more than470,000people. It is not only Poland's largest seaport, but also an important transportation hub with its own airport and railway station, making it convenient for travelers and lovers of short weekend trips.

Moreover, Gdańsk is a city with high happiness rates: approx.80%its residents claim complete satisfaction with their lives and describe themselves as happy.

Wages and cost of living

The average salary in Gdansk is approx.$1,400.per month, and living expenses for a single person, excluding rent, are approx.700 dollarsper month. The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment varies from600to750 dollarsper month.

Amber and culture

A famous amber trading center, Gdansk offers many opportunities to buy this unique material in jewelry stores, souvenir stores and street markets. There is also an amber museum.

Gala's personal experience

Gala, who has lived in Gdansk for six years, shared her perception of life in this city:

“I'll start with the positives. I especially like the fact that the sea is accessible in Gdansk. Although it can be cold and in summer is often covered with algae, it is pleasant to sit on the shore at any time of year, smelling its salty odor and even finding amber thrown up by the waves.”

There is a significant Russian-speaking community in Gdansk. Moving to another country is always challenging, but there are many people in Gdansk ready to help and answer any questions in the local chat rooms. Here in Treichgrady, wildlife can unexpectedly meet in the very center of the city.

For example, I met a large wild boar near the train station, which is amazing how close it is to the old town! Foxes are often seen in the parks, but a few times I observed them even in the center (in the Wrzeszcz area). I've encountered roe deer during my morning runs at the lake near my house, and a red squirrel was our neighbor, settling in the hollow of a tree across the street. It was frightening at first, but with time you begin to take it with calmness, just like the Poles and wild boars you think of as stray dogs.

Harmony between people and nature

I am convinced that the harmonious coexistence of people and animals in the urban environment is the cornerstone of life in megacities.

Krakow: A Picturesque City with a Rich History

Krakow is a vibrant and rapidly developing city with a population of over 780,000. It is famous for its rich cultural heritage and impressive medieval architecture. A walk through the Jewish Quarter and a visit to the largest market square in Europe will be an unforgettable experience.

Krakow has recently begun to attract the attention of IT professionals due to the opening of many technology companies. The average salary of local residents is about 1500 dollars per month, while the basic living expenses excluding rent amount to approximately 710 dollars.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from $630 to $830 per month.

Krakow's Entertainment Opportunities

Krakow also offers a variety of entertainment options, including one of the largest amusement parks in Poland, Energilandia. Masha, who has been living in Krakow for four years, shares her views on the positives and negatives of living in this city.

Benefits of Living in Krakow

• Public transport: A high level of public transportation that allows quick access to various areas, although there may be delays in some cases.
• Quality of life: there is a city beautification team that can be contacted with any questions.
• Cleanliness: is kept clean at all times and has never experienced a lack of trash cans or dirty streets.
• Parks: all parks are decorated in a modern way and recreational areas are always available.

Architectural Attractions

Krakow's architectural sights also deserve special attention, as the city abounds with historical buildings. Krakow offers many cultural events: you can visit museums, exhibition grounds, concerts and various master classes. For lovers of outdoor activities, there is always something to do on weekends.

The convenience of the local airport eliminates the need to travel to other cities for air travel. The convenience of the local airport eliminates the need to travel to other cities for air travel.

Disadvantages of Krakow

However, Masha emphasizes that the city has problems with air quality, as it is located in a basin where the concentration of fresh air is often low. Local residents often suffer from sinus problems and headaches.

Another problem is the constant traffic jams, which makes Krakow more convenient for cyclists and pedestrians. She also notes that there is not enough green space in the city, unlike in her homeland, Belarus, where there are many trees.

In winter, the air quality deteriorates significantly, and in the mornings it is very difficult to see anything but your own footsteps. Public transportation fare is 4 zloty (approximately 0.85 dollars) for a 20-minute ride, while in Warsaw the fare is slightly lower at 3.40 zloty.

Wrocław: City with a Thousand-Year History

Wroclaw is another Polish city with more than a thousand years of history and a population of about 644 thousand people. In 2016, Wroclaw was awarded the status of “European Capital of Culture”, which significantly increased its attractiveness to tourists. The city has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including its own airport, which makes traveling to other countries very convenient.

Economic Indicators of Wroclaw

The average salary in Wroclaw is comparable to Krakow and is $1,500 per month. The standard of living is close - about 710 dollars excluding rent, and the cost of a one-bedroom apartment is also in the range of 630-830 dollars per month.

Unique Charm of Wroclaw

Wroclaw is famous for its unique charm, which is given by the more than 600 gnome statues scattered throughout the city. Dasha, who has lived in Wrocław for six years, shares her impressions of life here.

She calls Wrocław a truly beautiful and diverse city, full of history and tradition. In the oldest part of the city, known as the “Old Town”, you can see buildings dating back to the 10th century alongside modern structures, creating a wonderful mix of styles.

Romantic Atmosphere

Thanks to this, Wrocław is rightly called the “Venice of Poland”, as many bridges cross the city, connecting different districts with the Odra River. Walking along the cobblestone streets where the nobility used to pass through creates a romantic atmosphere: torches are still lit by hand.

Economic challenges

However, living in Wroclaw can be quite an overhead, as housing prices are quite high, and even with one average salary, it can be difficult for some individuals to cover the cost of rent.

Conclusion

When I reflect on living in Poland and choosing the best city to live in, I am glad that we have the opportunity to explore unique cities such as Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Krakow and Wroclaw. Each of them has its own unique features that can be a deciding factor when choosing a place to live.

Warsawsurprises with modern achievements and a rich history, combined with a fast pace of life. At the same time, its high housing prices and bureaucratic complexities may discourage some emigrants.

PoznanWith its cozy atmosphere and the balance between city life and nature, it is suitable for those seeking comfort and tranquility. But it also has its challenges, such as the smog and slow city services.

Gdańskis also attracted by its maritime atmosphere and friendly community, where emigrants can feel more confident due to the presence of Russian-speaking neighbors. Despite this, the cold waters and nature-adapted animals can sometimes come as a surprise.

Each of these cities has its positives and negatives, and based on the personal experiences of people who have gone through the relocation process, I have come to the conclusion that the choice of where to live in Poland depends on each emigrant's personal preferences and circumstances.

That's why it's very important:

• Do your own research.
• Perhaps visit each city before taking such a significant step.

Poland offers great opportunities for living and working, and I am sure that anyone who is ready to open up to new experiences and adapt to a new life will find the perfect place for themselves in this beautiful country.