Poland, known for its pierogies and potatoes, has become a favorite expat and digital nomad destination. With its beautiful cities, breathtaking beaches, and diversified geography, Poland has a lot to offer.
Relocating can bring culture shock, and it’s up to you to make it seem like home. However, we can assist you in making that initial decision by helping you find the best places to live in Poland.
Best Places to Live in Poland for…
- Expats: Wrocław
- English Speakers: Szczecin
- Digital Nomads: Gdańsk
- Solo Travelers: Warsaw
- Couples: Kraków
- Groups: Lublin
Top 10 Places to Live in Poland
1. Warsaw
Best City to Live in for Solo Travelers
Cost of Living:
$$$
Warsaw is dedicated to informing the public about its sad past. Many museums are devoted to displaying historical events and the current state of Warsaw. To discover more about the city’s rich history, visit the POLIN Museum of Polish Jewish History and the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
Tip: Because of the number of times it has been destroyed and rebuilt, Warsaw is known as the “Phoenix City.”
Who Would Like to Live There: Solo Travelers, Foodies
Pros:
- Food trucks and ice cream carts can be found near parks in the summer.
- People in Warsaw are friendly.
- Known as a “foodie” city.
Cons:
- Vandalism and theft are issues in Warsaw. Follow our tips for staying safe while traveling alone.
- Living in Warsaw is expensive.
- Winters are unrelentingly cold.
2. Wrocław
Best City to Live in for Expats
Cost of Living:
$$$
Wrocław is a city where you can walk right through history. Climb to the top of St. Elizabeth Cathedral for a stunning panoramic view of Wrocław, or take a river Oder cruise. Make sure to sample some of Poland’s greatest pierogies.
Tip: Over 600 gnome statues can be found throughout Wrocław.
Who Would Like to Live There: Expats, IT Students
Pros:
- The crime rate in Wrocław is relatively low.
- Public transportation is affordable and of good quality.
- It is one of the best cities to study and work in IT.
Cons:
- Wrocław is an expensive city to live in.
- The weather is very wet and humid.
- There are still problems with vandalism and theft.
3. Kraków
Best City to Live in for Couples
Cost of Living:
$$
Kraków has something for everyone, from towering castles to snow-capped mountain ranges. Hike through Ojcow National Park to find the Wieliczka Salt Mine’s underground lakes, or visit Energylandia, Poland’s largest amusement park. Make a point of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau as well.
Tip: A hidden knife can be found in Sukiennice.
Who Would Like to Live There: Couples, LGBTQ+
Pros:
- It has something for everybody to discover.
- English is extensively spoken in Kraków.
- LGBTQ+ communities are prominent.
Cons:
- Vandalism and theft are issues in the city.
- Living in Kraków is expensive.
- The public transit system is in poor condition.
4. Lublin
Best City to Live in for Groups
Cost of Living:
$
Lublin attracts thousands of international students each year. It’s a student’s paradise, with a beautifully updated university and many exciting attractions to visit. The Fontanna Multimedialna Lublin, a colorful fountain surrounded by restaurants and pubs, is a must-see.
Tip: With over 5,000 international students, Lublin is the largest university center in eastern Poland.
Who Would Like to Live There: Groups, Students
Pros:
- Lublin is one of the least expensive cities to live in.
- More LGBTQ+ friendly than some other cities in Poland.
- One of the best cities in Europe for students.
Cons:
- Lublin has a moderate crime rate, with vandalism and theft being issues.
- Winters are freezing and windy.
- Healthcare is of moderate quality.
5. Gdańsk
Best City to Live in for Digital Nomads
Cost of Living:
$$
Gdańsk is where World War II began, but don’t let that stop you from exploring this great city. Visit Westerplatte, ground zero of World War II, if you’re interested in war and the military. Neptune’s Fountain and the Golden House are among the many other outstanding attractions.
Tip: It is the home of Goldwasser, a root and herbal liqueur with 22 karat gold flakes.
Who Would Like to Live There: Digital Nomads, Military Enthusiasts
Pros:
- Gdańsk has a relatively low cost of living.
- High-speed wifi and plenty of coworking spaces.
- The public transportation system is well developed.
Cons:
- With a moderate crime rate, vandalism and theft are still issues.
- Winters are long and very cold.
- There are tons of tourists during the summer.
6. Poznań
Best City to Live in for Families
Cost of Living:
$$
Poznań has a ski slope and an island right in the center of the city. If you’re a beer connoisseur, there’s a Poznań Pub Crawl Tour that includes a stop at Lech Browary Wielkopolski, the brewery that produces Poznań’s famed beer, Lech.
Tip: Poznań is famed for its croissants and even has a museum dedicated to them.
Who Would Like to Live There: Families, Pensioners
Pros:
- Poznań has a low crime rate.
- It’s a small city with a big city feel.
- English is widely spoken.
Cons:
- The cost of living is relatively high.
- The winters are long and very cold.
- Women still have to be careful walking alone at night.
7. Szczecin
Best City to Live in for English Speakers
Cost of Living:
$
Szczecin is a major seaport famed for its technology museums and Haussman-style avenues. The Szczecin Philharmonic music hall and the Szczecin Underground are both worth seeing.
Tip: The layout of the main roundabouts follows Orion’s belt.
Who Would Like to Live There: English Speakers, Tech Buffs
Pros:
- The cost of living is low to moderate.
- Most people speak English.
- Szczecin is a very green, eco-friendly city.
Cons:
- The crime rate is moderate, with vandalism and theft being issues.
- Most places close at around 11 pm.
- Winters are long and very cold.
8. Rzeszów
Best City to Live in for History Buffs
Cost of Living:
$$
Rzeszów is a tiny city with a lot to offer in terms of sights and things to do. Visit the Market Square, where townhouse number 19 dates from the 16th century, or go to the historic well where Rzeszów residents used to get their water.
Tip: The Monument to the Revolutionary Act’s form has sparked debate, with some claiming it resembles donkey ears and others claiming it resembles female genitalia.
Who Would Like to Live There: History Buffs, Small Town Seekers
Pros:
- Rzeszów has a low to moderate cost of living.
- The city is small and easy to get around.
- High-speed wifi.
Cons:
- English is not spoken very widely.
- There is a moderate crime rate, with vandalism and theft being issues.
- Winters are freezing.
9. Łódź
Best City to Live in for Film Enthusiasts
Cost of Living:
$
Łódź is an artsy city with a rich history, best known for its National Film School, where Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polanski learned their trade. The Botanical Garden is essential for nature enthusiasts, while Radegast Train Station, which served as a departure point for Auschwitz, is a must-see for Holocaust history buffs.
Tip: One of Europe’s largest Jewish cemeteries is located on Bracka Street in Łódź.
Who Would Like to Live There: Film Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers
Pros:
- The cost of living is relatively low.
- The Polish film industry is based in Łódź.
- Nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful parks.
Cons:
- The crime rate is moderate, but be aware of vandalism, theft, muggings, and hate crimes.
- The winters are freezing.
- English is not widely spoken.
10. Katowice
Best City to Live in for Nature Lovers
Cost of Living:
$$$
A small mining town, Katowice is a great spot to live if you want to be near the country. Travel to the Valley of the Three Ponds and Kościuszko Park if you’re interested in seeing some lovely scenery. The Guitar History Museum and the Silesian Philharmonic are also worth visiting for music lovers.
Tip: The Spodek is a UFO-shaped arena built in the 1970s.
Who Would Like to Live There: Nature Lovers, Music Enthusiasts
Pros:
- The accommodation is affordable.
- Most of Katowice is forest and has one of the biggest inner-city parks in Europe.
- The public transportation system is well developed.
Cons:
- The cost of living is relatively expensive.
- The crime rate is moderate, but be aware of vandalism, theft, muggings, and hate crimes.
- Winters are freezing.
FAQs
1. Is It Safe in Poland
Poland has a low crime rate, with vandalism and theft being the most common crimes. Unfortunately, hate crimes and muggings continue to occur in several areas.
2. What Currency Do They Use in Poland
The Polish złoty is the national currency. While some businesses accept the Euro, it is not commonly accepted throughout Poland. Learn how to create an online bank account, a popular tool among expats and digital nomads.
3. What Language Do They Speak in Poland
Polish is the primary language of Poland; however, it has many different dialects.
4. How to Travel Around Poland
Although public transit is the most convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation in Poland, it is not well developed in some cities.