Is the Salary for a Postdoc in Krakow Enough to Live Comfortably?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the adequacy of a postdoc salary of 3160 Polish zloty (approximately 760 EUR) for living comfortably in Krakow, particularly for two people. Participants explore various aspects such as housing costs, food expenses, and health insurance, while considering the overall cost of living in the city.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Rajini questions whether a postdoc salary of 3160 zloty is sufficient for two people to live in Krakow and inquires about housing and saving potential.
  • Some participants suggest that while 3160 zloty might be manageable for a single person, it may not provide a middle-class standard of living for two, potentially leading to a more "undergraduate" lifestyle.
  • Housing costs are discussed, with estimates ranging from 800 zloty for a shared room to 1200-2000 zloty for a one-room flat, depending on the type of accommodation.
  • Food expenses are debated, with estimates for one person’s monthly food costs varying from 400 to 600 zloty, depending on shopping habits and dietary choices.
  • Health insurance costs and availability of family accommodation at AGH University are also raised, with suggestions to contact the university for specific information.
  • Participants express differing views on food budgeting, with some arguing for lower costs while others emphasize the need for a varied diet, especially for a pregnant partner.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the sufficiency of the salary for two people, with varying opinions on living standards, food costs, and housing expenses. The discussion reflects multiple competing views on budgeting and lifestyle choices.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the salary may be subject to taxes and deductions, which could affect the net income. There is also uncertainty regarding the specifics of health insurance coverage and accommodation options.

Rajini
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Dear All,
Curious to know about postdoc fellowship amount.
Is it really very low as 3160 polish zloty (=760 EUR) per month?
Is it sufficient for two person to live in Krakow with this salary?
How much would be the house rent (i cook myself)?
Is it possible to save some money?
Thanks all for your reply.
Regards, Rajini.
 
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I don't know Kraków to well, but I know a thing or two about Poland in general.

Rajini said:
Is it really very low as 3160 polish zloty (=760 EUR) per month?

Make sure it is what you will really get - it can be lowered by taxes.

Is it sufficient for two person to live in Krakow with this salary?

I know people living for less in Warsaw, which is a more expensive city. Definitely doable, doesn't have to be easy.

How much would be the house rent (i cook myself)?

See http://olx.pl/nieruchomosci/mieszkania/wynajem/krakow/ for examples.

Is it possible to save some money?

Not much probably.
 
3160 zl is not bad salary for single person. However if it's for two people... I think you can do it but it won't be middle-class standard. Rather than that it will be "undergraduate" standard. Let's see:

- rent: 800 zl for a big room in a flat shared with other people and 1200-1300zl for a 1 room flat (bedroom/living room, kitchen, bathroom), nothing fancy but water and internet included, forget about 2 room flat, it costs around 1600-2000 zl

- food: one person spends on food around 600 zl, if you cook for two people it will be cheaper but still around 900-1000zl, nothing fancy: soup, bread with jam or cheese, joghurt, chicken with some veggies and potatos/rice, forget about expensive meat, cheese or alcohol

No matter what you do for two people food&rent will be around 60% of your salary. Isn't it more convinient for that other person just to get a job?
 
Hello Borek, Rika,
Thanks for your information. I need to know one information regarding health insurance. For usual illness (fever, body pain, etc) how much it cost? Also any healt care system for pregnant ladies?? how much it cost per month?
Is there any family accomodation available in AGH University managed campus?
Thanks again.
Regards, Rajini.
 
I think you should contact AGH - my bet is that you will be already insured. But that's why I suggested to check details, it is quite likely that the sum offered is a total pay, from which insurance and taxes will be subtracted, leaving you with a net pay - lower than €750.

No idea about accommodation. They may have something, they may have not. Ask them.
 
Rika said:
- food: one person spends on food around 600 zl
Jesus, Rika. Where are you shopping, in Alma? Eating out every day would cost you that much, unless you only dine in fancy places. Cut it down to 400zł tops, unless you really can't wrap your head around cooking.
 
No way - an average meal in a bar/not fancy restaurant costs around 15zl which is 450zl for dinner only.

I don't shop in Alma but I don't need to in order to spend more. I just eat real ham, fish, nuts, vegetables, buy some coffe or juice during a day etc. Yes, you can eat for 400zl but it's very student-like food - noodles with cottage cheese/sausage for dinner, bread with cheap meat (or ketchup :d) for breakfast and fast-food cheeseburger or instant noodles for supper and you can't buy any coffe or juice during your work. If OP has pregnant wife then she can't eat crap like undergraduate students.
 
No, I actually only meant dining out. It never crossed my mind to eat breakfast out, to be honest. I agree it's untenable eating out three times a day.

Anyway, it's difficult to argue about those things on the net, as I'm sure our body weight and eating habits may differ, and we both may have different tolerances and definitions of what constitutes sub-par and what quality food.
Let me just say that I do manage to maintain a varied and satisfying diet that's free from noodles, ketchup, shoe soles and other desperate measures for 450-500/month, and leave it for Rajini as a point of comparison. But I like cooking and have no qualms about eating tripe or hearts, so I'll grant you this might be a somewhat finely-tuned achievement.
 

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