Is Warsaw the Best City to Live in Poland? (Expat Review)

Warsaw divides people — some love it, others hate it. After 2 years here, I’ll show you the real pros & cons of life in Poland’s capital: rent prices, districts, safety, transport, hidden spots & more. Is it worth moving here? Let’s find out.

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0:00 Why Warsaw splits opinions so much
0:41 Our first months here vs now
1:19 Renting & buying an apartment: prices, tricks & pitfalls
3:28 How green is Warsaw really? Parks & forests I love
4:24 Air quality & safety — what’s the real situation?
4:55 Jobs & salaries — is Warsaw really worth it?
6:25 Transport, metro, and what surprised me
7:44 Everyday life: shops, healthcare, events
9:20 Interesting places you can’t miss in the city
11:52 Quick trips outside Warsaw (hidden gems nearby)
13:56 Pros of living in Poland’s capital
15:00 The biggest cons (and deal-breakers for some)
15:26 Final thoughts — could you live here?

💛 I am Kate – Ukrainian girl, and you are on my cozy channel about life and travel in Poland. Here I show the atmosphere of beautiful and interesting places in Poland and share my experience of living in different parts of this country. My husband Andrew and I work remotely, and we don’t like to sit in one place, so every month or two we move to a new city. Subscribe to travel with us!

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Videos you might be interested in:

▪️ 1. Living in Poland 2025: The Truth No One Tells You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzgbSdW1tcY&

▪️ 2. I Found a Hidden Polish Town… And It Left Me Speechless! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32eCuoyh0ik

▪️ 3. Why Poland Has Europe’s Deadliest Air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWVjtw-kjQ&

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Some people hate Warsaw, while others love it. 
Why such a strong divide? And should you move here at all? In this video, I’ll share my 
personal experience after living here for two years. We’ll talk about costs, lifestyle, 
neighborhoods, surroundings, and much more — plus, I’ll show you some places and life hacks 
you definitely won’t hear about elsewhere. Warsaw is all about growth, 
opportunities, skyscrapers, and green spaces. The city itself 
has about 1.86 million people, and the whole metropolitan area is around 
3.3 million. But is this really the right city for you? Let’s find out by looking at the 
pros and cons of living in Poland’s capital. We’ve actually lived in Warsaw twice: the 
first time was for a month at the end of 2022, right after moving to Poland. After that, we 
spent time in five other Polish cities — and eventually decided to come back here. 
The first time, we knew it was temporary, so we rented a small apartment 
in the very center. It was cozy, but not practical for long-term living. 
The price was pretty high for what we got. This time, we approached it differently. We 
started with an Airbnb, then made a deal with the landlord for a flexible year-long contract 
at a slightly lower price. Either side can end it anytime, and our deposit is guaranteed back. 
Usually, when renting through local websites, you pay several things: the rent itself, 
a building fee (called czynsz), utilities, a deposit, and sometimes a realtor’s 
fee. In our case, it was just the rent and deposit — and for Warsaw, we got a 
really good deal: about 4,100 PLN per month. The apartment is simple and cozy, nothing fancy. 
But we love it because it has a beautiful view, lots of sunlight, two separate rooms, 
a grocery store literally next door, and the metro within walking distance. We live in Ursynów, which is considered one 
of the best districts for families and a calmer lifestyle. It has plenty of parks, good 
infrastructure for kids, reasonable prices, and easy access to the blue metro line. Personally, I 
love that Warsaw has a metro at all. In Wrocław, it used to take me an hour to get to the center 
by tram — here it’s about 30 minutes by metro. Since I don’t like noise or crowds, I 
rarely leave my district. And right nearby, there’s a beautiful forest where we 
love cycling and relaxing in summer. According to recent surveys, 
Ursynów, Mokotów, Żoliborz, and Wilanów often get high ratings for quality 
of life. Praga-Północ, Białołęka, Ursus, and Targówek usually get lower scores. But keep 
in mind: these rankings change all the time, and even within the same district, one street 
can feel completely different from the next. When it comes to rental prices, Warsaw is 
the most expensive city in Poland. Here are the average prices by district [show on 
screen]. The rental market changes quickly, so it’s best to check sites like 
Otodom for up-to-date listings. If you’re looking on Airbnb, start about 3 
months before moving — you’ll have more options and likely better prices. For local websites, it 
works differently: you have to monitor listings constantly and be ready to visit as soon as a good 
one appears. Buying an apartment here feels almost impossible. Even with a good salary, it could 
take 10–20 years to save up for your own place. Many people assume Warsaw must be loud — and yes, 
some areas are. But not everywhere! In Ursynów, it’s actually peaceful and calm. The 
vibe really depends on the district. An interesting fact: about 25% of Warsaw’s 
territory is green space — parks, forests, and gardens. So there are plenty of 
places to walk, run, picnic, or cycle. Some of my favorites:
Kabaty Forest with its cozy relaxation area (though the outdoor 
pool there is freezing, even in summer!), Wilanów Park with stunning gardens 
(paid entry, but free on Thursdays), Skaryszewski Park for picnics, and of course, Łazienki Royal 
Park, the city’s classic. Other great spots include Saxon 
Garden (Ogród Saski) in the center, Pole Mokotowskie, Kępa Potocka, 
and Bielany Forest. Right now, they’re even building a new park near our 
windows — a nice surprise when we moved in! Air quality here is… average. Warsaw, Wrocław, and Łódź are all in the middle range for 
pollution levels. If this is important to you, check out my separate video about 
protecting your health in Poland. Overall, Warsaw is considered a safe city, but, 
like any big city, safety levels vary by area. For example, in Śródmieście there are 
more pickpocket incidents due to tourists, while Praga-Północ just looks rough in some spots. 
Personally, I’ve felt safe everywhere I’ve been. Work & salaries I don’t have personal experience working 
in Poland because I’m self-employed, and my husband works remotely for an 
international IT company. On average, salaries in Warsaw are 10–20% higher than in other 
Polish cities. The highest-paid fields are IT, management, finance, law, and medicine. Many 
international companies have their offices here, especially in the city’s business district. Good 
job search sites: Pracuj.pl, Praca.pl, Jobs.pl, and Indeed for international roles. There are also 
lots of Facebook groups and of course LinkedIn. But here’s the thing — before you 
can even apply for those jobs, you need to be legally settled in Poland. 
And this is where most people get stuck: Google searches, Facebook groups, ten different 
‘rules’ from ten people. Honestly, it’s messy. That’s why I like KartaPobytu.pl. It’s the 
first online platform in Poland that takes you through the residence card process 
step by step. You upload your papers, and a real legal team checks everything 
before it goes to the office. What makes it stand out is the control you get: 
your case is online 24/7, in your own language, without wasting hours in queues. It saves 
a huge amount of time and energy. And since they guarantee a positive decision or refund, 
it’s really safe to try. With my code KATE10, you also get 10% off. Link’s in the description. Public transport
Warsaw has buses, trams, and two metro lines. Schedules are easiest 
to check on Jakdojade (website or app). Ticket prices:
20-minute ticket – 3.40 PLN 75-minute ticket – 4.40 PLN
90-minute ticket – 7 PLN Discounted tickets are half-price.
The fine for riding without a ticket is 270 PLN. Tickets can be bought in machines 
at stops or through apps like moBilet, mPay, SkyCash, and Jakdojade. If you travel often, 
it’s cheaper to get a pass via mobiWAWA. Warsaw is also well connected by trains and buses 
like FlixBus, and there are two international airports: Chopin and Modlin. Taxis are 
affordable compared to other European capitals: about 2–3 PLN per km plus an 8–10 PLN starting 
fee. The cheapest apps are Bolt and Uber. I love Warsaw’s bike-sharing 
system — Veturilo. It’s super easy: the first 20 minutes are free, and 
there are stations all over the city. Driving here can be stressful:
Parking is paid almost everywhere, starting at 4.50 PLN per hour.
Traffic jams are brutal, especially during rush hour.
Gas costs around 6–7 PLN per liter. Everyday life
Groceries and shopping are plentiful. However, I’ve been disappointed with Biedronka recently 
— there’s always a shortage of good meat, especially chicken. Markets can be hit-or-miss 
too: sometimes you get amazing produce, other times spoiled food or overcharged. 
For consistency, supermarkets are easier. Tap water in Warsaw is safe to drink, according 
to the city and official water company. The quality can vary depending on the 
building’s plumbing, so we still filter ours. Healthcare is better here than in smaller cities 
— there are many English-speaking doctors. We use ZnanyLekarz to find them. 
The downside? Tests and lab work cost noticeably more than in 
other cities. For example, we once went to Łódź to do blood tests while 
filming a video — it was cheaper and fun! Warsaw is full of events, workshops, and 
networking opportunities. It’s hard to get bored: you can take a ceramics class, go to a concert, 
or just meet new friends. There’s also an app called Locals, which helps you discover cool 
events and places. For kids, there are many high-quality Polish and international schools, 
good playgrounds, and plenty of activities. When it comes to infrastructure for kids, 
Warsaw really does well. The city has plenty of both Polish and international schools, and 
for migrants’ children there are extra Polish language classes and programs designed to 
help them adapt to a new culture. There are also many highly rated preschools, 
safe and well-maintained playgrounds, and a wide variety of after-school activities 
and clubs for kids of different ages. If you’re wondering where to 
go and what to see in Warsaw, you can start in the very center of the city. 
Take a walk around the skyscraper district, then circle around the Palace of Culture 
and Science, and, if you want a great view, go up to its observation deck, which costs 25 
PLN. From there, you can either continue on foot or take a short ride to the Old Town, where the 
best plan is simply to wander and explore freely. My favorite spots there are Castle Square, Market 
Square, and a viewpoint over the Vistula River. For something a bit different, Warsaw has 
several unique places worth visiting. The Copernicus Science Center is an interactive museum 
where you can learn about science through hands-on experiments, and it’s fascinating no matter your 
age. Elektrownia Powiśle is a trendy shopping and dining space with a very cool vibe, built on the 
site of a former power plant. It’s perfect for shopping and grabbing a bite at the food court 
decorated with neon signs. Another interesting spot is Praskie Koneser, a creative cultural and 
shopping complex built where a vodka factory used to be. Today, it’s home to Google’s campus, as 
well as interesting exhibitions and events. There are also two beautiful historic market halls, 
Hala Gwardii and Hala Koszyki, which combine a retro feel with modern industrial design, 
offering plenty of places to eat and explore. To explore Warsaw for free, you can listen 
to Chopin music benches (if they’re working, of course), go up to the rooftop garden 
of the University of Warsaw Library, which also has another viewpoint, walk along 
the Vistula River boulevards, check out around a hundred murals scattered throughout the city, 
watch the multimedia fountain show in summer, and visit dozens of museums on their free 
admission days. This could be the Chopin Museum, the Neon Museum, the Pinball Museum, the 
Pharmacy Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Royal Castle, and many more. I personally 
liked the Royal Castle thanks to its audio guide. There are places to eat here for every taste. From 
Polish cuisine, we tried Gościniec and Zapiecek, although I liked the Wrocław Pierogarnia in 
the market square much more. When it comes to Georgian food, I completely fell in love with the 
Little Georgia restaurant. The best sushi we’ve ever had was from Mama Sushi, and surprisingly, 
it was a delivery order. As for coffee shops, I’ve only tried a couple of spots 
so far, but I really liked them. We’ve talked about Warsaw itself, so now let’s 
explore a bit of the surrounding area. Just a couple of train stops from the city, there’s 
a glamping site with cozy round houses shaped like little planets. That’s where Andrew and I 
celebrated my birthday — it was one of his gifts. It’s not the cheapest place, but for a couple of 
days of relaxation without a car, it’s perfect! About 50 kilometers from Warsaw, there’s a 
little-known town called Żyrardów — a quiet, post-industrial gem with an old 
textile factory, peaceful streets, and lots of nature. We even filmed a separate 
video about it, so you can check that out. Among the bigger cities nearby, we’ve 
managed to visit Łódź and Lublin. Łódź really surprised me with its contrasts and 
modern creative spaces. The places that stood out to me the most were Manufaktura — a revitalized 
shopping center, surprisingly beautiful cemeteries with impressive architecture, Róża’s Passage with 
its touching story, and the Fuzja district with its slightly eerie assembly hall. On Łódź’s main 
street, we also had a delicious, though not cheap, meal at a Polish restaurant. And we stayed in 
an attic in a neighboring building — sounds funny without context, right? It was hot and 
cramped, but at least the price was good. Lublin, on the other hand, completely stole my 
heart. The highlight for me was the ethnographic open-air museum, where everything is done 
with such love and attention to detail that it’s impossible not to feel nostalgic. You 
can walk through the recreated village streets, step inside every house, and meet adorable 
sheep, horses, and roosters — it truly feels like touching the past of the Lublin 
region. The Old Town is also a must-visit, with every street telling its own story and the 
parks offering a sense of comfort and peace. These are by no means all the towns and villages 
around Warsaw worth visiting. We’ll keep exploring more places together, but for now, I’ve 
already shared a few trip ideas with you. Now, let’s quickly go over the 
pros and cons of living in Warsaw. Starting with the pros — 
and there are quite a few: First, there’s no shortage of anything here, 
whether it’s doctors, interesting places to visit, or great restaurants and cafés.
Second, the city is full of life. You can really feel the energy of 
the capital, with events, concerts, and exhibitions happening almost every day.
Third, there are plenty of parks and green spaces where you can relax and recharge. And what’s 
nice is that life in the outer districts feels calm and measured, away from the city buzz.
There’s a metro, public transport runs on schedule, and cycling is generally a 
pleasure (though in some places bike lanes are a mess). And, of course, having an 
airport nearby makes traveling much easier. Another big plus is the large community 
of expats, which makes adapting easier, as well as endless opportunities for 
building your personal brand, career, or business. On top of that, salaries in Warsaw 
are higher than in most other Polish cities. Now for the cons.
The biggest one is definitely the high cost of housing, both for renting and buying.
There’s also noise in the central areas, especially in the evenings and on weekends, 
which can really drain your energy. Like most big cities, Warsaw also has 
traffic jams, and long public transport rides are unavoidable if you need to go 
somewhere not connected by the metro. So, Warsaw is an ideal city for those 
who love the rhythm of a big city, are looking for opportunities to grow, and don’t mind 
staying active. There’s always something to do, somewhere to work, and ways to relax. But if you 
dream of complete silence, a slow-paced lifestyle, and very low expenses, the capital might feel like 
a challenging place to live. Personally, I didn’t fall in love with Warsaw right away — I’m someone 
who prefers living close to nature, somewhere in the forest. But that’s not very practical, and 
honestly, I’ve come to feel really good here. So tell me — what do you think of Warsaw? Have you 
been here already, or are you planning to move? I’d love to hear about your personal experience. 
See you very soon in the next video — bye!