What do I need to know before retiring in Poland?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Poland, they said...
"Have a very open mind, then make the move and be prepared for the village life. It may not be easy, however, it's very rewarding and beautiful," remarked another expat in Siemiechow, Poland.
"If you plan to settle here try to avoid expat populated areas (even thought it seems like a good plan to stick with people from your country only) as that will impede your assimilation with Poland and Polish culture. One can easily survive with English language only in all big cities and the general command of English is at ok-ish level for 40 yrs old and younger (the younger the generation the better their English) in the whole country. What is more - expect people to be interested in talking back to you in English as everybody tries to improve their language skills. Learn a few Polish words - that will open more doors to Polish hearts than the best English diplomacy. We know our language is deemed to be the most difficult to learn by non Slavic people so we appreciate all "Dzien dobry" from foreigners. And it is generally frowned upon if we learn that a given expat lives in Poland for a few years and still does not even try to speak Polish," said a member in Poland.

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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Poland?
- How do I find a place to live in Poland?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Poland?
- What is the average cost of housing in Poland?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Poland?
- What should I pack when moving to Poland?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Poland?
- Why do people move to Poland?
- What are healthcare services like in Poland?
- What are medical services in Poland like?
- What are typical rents in Poland?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What do I need to know before retiring in Poland?
If you live in Poland, newcomers to Poland would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.