Best Places To Live & Work in Poland

Poland probably isn’t the first choice for ex-pats, global nomads, and retirees when it comes to planning the future. Are they missing something?

Poland boasts a rich history, over 1000 years of culture and tradition, natural beauty as well as very hearty and tasty cuisine. Does it tick all the boxes?

If you’re looking for a place with charming corners, relatively low cost of living, top universities, affordable housing, and bohemian nightlife, Poland should be on the top of your list. Being one of Europe’s best bargains country Poland offers many career opportunities, especially for those educated in the medical or IT sectors.

There are plenty of international firms located in major Polish cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, or Wroclaw, which seek employees, including those proficient in multiple languages.

There are tons of ways language skills can pay off. You can work as a freelance translator, tour guide, or become an online tutor (Preply, Italki). Besides, there are plenty of jobs available for foreigners in various fields, including transportation, chemicals, food processing, iron, and steel.

But before you take the next step and start your new life abroad, you’ll need to decide which area of the country perfectly suits your needs.

There is a lot to think about, from the average cost of living, dining out, spending time off outdoors to the best ways of socializing. We would like you to get a clearer picture of various aspects of life before committing to the move.

Without further ado, let’s check out our list of best places to live in Poland.

1. Krakow

Let’s start with the past capital of Poland. Krakow is loved by tourists and locals alike for its rich history, food scene, vibrant nightlife, and exciting museums. Besides being a famous tourist spot, the city of Krakow offers copious job opportunities, high wages, a low crime rate, and a superb life-work balance.

If you base yourself in Krakow, you will have close at hand Tatra Mountains along with hot spot Zakopane, which are the perfect getaways from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Krakow is a very compact city, with well-developed transportation, top European universities, where a typical person earns around 8.290 zl. An important point is a fact that cultural diversity is not uncommon in Krakow, and the residents are amicable.

Krakow is a great place to settle down for anyone who is after the quality of life and rewarding job opportunities.

2. Warsaw

A city different for everyone – you either love it or hate it. At first glance, it might seem a rushy and pretty busy town where the aggressive drivers take the lead. Then, on the other hand, it opens loads of career opportunities where people are experiencing a highly successful life filled with passion and joy.

Marc Anthony wisely said, ” If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

People are often claiming that Warsaw is ugly and gray, and yet before the war, this city was called the Paris of Europe!

But Warsaw, like the phoenix rising from the ashes, was reborn, and today is full of life. There is no lack of green spaces, perfect for outdoor activities or cozy pubs and restaurants ideal for socializing. Living in Warsaw comes at a high price. However, when you compare the cost of living to other major cities of Europe, Warsaw can appear relatively affordable.

Warsaw has an excellent transport system provided with buses, trams, metro, and railway. Taxi-like services are also available in town, including uber, myTaxi, or iTaxi. Besides, Warsaw is deemed very safe, but be aware of opportunistic crimes like theft or pick-pocketing.

3. Gdansk

Gdansk is a beautiful, stylish seaside town located in northern Poland. Its clean air, the proximity of the sea, cultural life, and excellent link transport make Gdansk the perfect place to settle down for those seeking comfort and happiness near the stunning scenery.

This friendly, welcoming city is considered to be one of the happiest places to live in Poland, no wonder why its residents are honest, helpful, and peaceful.

You might not have that many career opportunities like in Warsaw or Krakow, but you will benefit from the high quality of life and relatively low living costs. Gdansk no lacks other vital benefits, including top universities, seaside restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and incredible beaches.

Furthermore, Gdansk, with neighboring Sopot and Gdynia, form a so-called tri-city. Needless to say, a dozen or so minutes are enough to enjoy the charms of the tri-city.

4. Wroclaw

Wrocław – the capital of the Lower Silesia Province and the fourth largest city in Poland is renowned for its beautiful bridges, vibrant nightlife, a high number of students, marvelous architecture, and of course for being the cultural capital of Europe.

When thinking about life in the capital of Lower Silesia, it is worth being aware of the costs of everyday life, which are among the highest in comparison to other cities in Poland. Wroclaw is the second-fastest-growing Polish city after Warsaw, thereby creates many careers, education, and business opportunities.

Despite the high cost of living, frequently new residents settle in Wroclaw due to its continuous development in many areas of cultural and social life.

There is no shortage of renowned universities, remarkable monuments that reveal the story of the city, or idyllic bridges perfect for romantic walks. You don’t need to worry about having a car in Wroclaw as the city offers several forms of sustainable transportation, from modern air-conditioned buses, electric cars, or scooters to city bikes for rent.

Like any other major town in Poland, Wroclaw holds a number of gems on its map. You will find there places loved by locals and tourists alike, such as pubs abundantly stocked with craft beers, clubs playing real music, or traditional restaurants serving tasty dishes.

In terms of safety, Wroclaw is generally a safe city even away from the urban center in surrounding areas. Wroclaw is the best bet for those who love to soak up the culture by being just a few minutes away from artistic and entertainment hubs, including theaters, museums, malls, or casinos.

5. Poznan

Poznań is an economically influential and robust city with an attractive cultural, sports, and educational offer. It’s full of joy and youth, which isn’t surprising – after all, Poznan has the most significant number of students. Besides, Poznan is called a city of startups where creative people with an idea for their own business can gain support from city officials.

It is said that in Poznan, it is relatively easy to find a genuine job, buy or rent an apartment at an affordable price or start your very own business. Poznan is a beautiful place to live, full of architectural gems, friendly locals, loads of parks and green public spaces, as well as cozy pubs and restaurants.

Considering the quality of life, transportation, education, career opportunities, cultural life, and overall cost of living, Poznan is one of the best places to work and live in Poland.