My friend Daniel moved to Kraków from Portland, Oregon, with the MBA Enterprise Corps in 1995, fell in love, and never left.
He’s not the only one: More than a handful of my friends decided to stay in Poland after their experience in the Corps. “That’s how much we love it,” they say.
Other expats are finding it to be a sophisticated, well-situated, lovely place to live.
“Kraków is a wonderful city that offers a lot at good value,” explains Daniel. “It is an affordable place to live and hold real estate. Plus, it’s livable and walkable, and the restaurants are great.
“And,” he adds, “there are cultural outlets for everyone. We love the festivals that happen throughout the year. Our favorites are the Summer Jazz festival, Kraków Film Festival, Kraków Film Music Festival, and the Jewish Culture Festival.
“And Kraków has a great selection of venues for concerts, sporting events, and plays. Plus, the Kraków Opera always has wonderful productions.”
In fact, his life in Kraków was so attractive that his mother decided to join Daniel and his wife Gosia there in 2017. Neither has any regrets.
She lives in a newly renovated apartment a few blocks from Daniel and Gosia and spends her time traveling in Poland and abroad and meeting up with friends from InterNations and IWAK.
Daniel speaks Polish fluently, but, although his mother doesn’t, she’s had no problems there.
“It’s a quiet, urban, mellow lifestyle. We can walk out our door and be in the Old Town in 15 minutes, or walk to the zoo or forest in 45. It is safe, clean, and one of the greenest cities in Europe.”
Today Daniel is semi-retired and spends a large part of the year traveling.
“Kraków is the perfect base for that. It’s an easy in and out from here. We are close to the Polish mountains, lakes—or the Slovenian Alps or Croatian coast. We use our car a lot, but a quick plane or fast train ride can get you anywhere.”
Daniel was no stranger to traveling. He studied Spanish at the University of Madrid and earned an MBA from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
He credits the MBA Enterprise Corps for the positive start to his life in Poland. His career began at Major S.A., a supermarket chain, and from there he spearheaded the turnaround and development of the SPAR supermarket chain, re-launched Burger King in Poland and established its presence in the Czech and Bulgarian markets, and developed the Retail Redistribution service line in Europe for C.H. Robinson.
He co-founded EB Krak, a beer distribution company for Brewpole, Poland’s largest brewing investment group, and, as its Director of Distribution Development, managed 20 independent distributors, supplying a quarter of all beer sold in Poland.
“To live in Poland,” says Daniel, “you need three things: an open mind, flexibility, and curiosity.
“When we first arrived, the Poles thought Americans weren’t that smart. We weren’t able to speak Polish very well, and we tried to manage people the way they would in the States—with kid gloves.
“The Poles didn’t respond to that. Once we figured out how to develop solid relationships, things improved. Of course, change takes time. Some things
worked, and others didn’t.”
And business today? “I’m very bullish on Poland,” says Daniel.
Cons? Probably the backpackers and tourists that come on the weekend.
“The cheap tickets from Manchester mean that a lot of people come here for stag parties on the weekends. So we avoid the square after Thursday and in the evenings after 10 p.m., when things start getting in full swing.
“Besides, Kraków is so close to so many attractive destinations that we welcome the excuse to get away for a few days and take weekend trips to the mountains or other countries.
“The only downside of Poland and perhaps Kraków is the pollution. Although the city of Kraków has strict measures against burning coal and using fireplaces,
the towns around Kraków have no such measures.”
Still: “Kraków is the best place to live in Europe. I don’t think I’d live anywhere else.”
Sincerely,
Siri Lise Doub
Contributor, Overseas Living Letter
