Moving back to Poland (Gdańsk) with family vs staying in Liverpool at 24?

[Natka58]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and outside perspectives on a huge life transition. I’m 24 years old, but my family moved from Poland to Liverpool when I was just 8. Liverpool is where I grew up, and it’s the only home I really know as an adult. I love the city's energy, music, and the warmth of the people.

However, my family has decided to permanently relocate back to Poland, specifically to Gdańsk. I have the option to go with them, but it means leaving the UK life I’ve built behind.

Gdańsk is one of the biggest cities in Poland, located right by the Baltic Sea, and it has a lot of industry and job opportunities. Still, it would be a massive culture shift for me since I left Poland as a child.

If you were 24, would you take the leap to move to a major Polish coastal city with family support, or would you stay independent in Liverpool? I’d love to hear from anyone who has visited Gdańsk, or anyone who made a big international move in their 20s!

Do you speak Polish fluently?

Do you speak fluent Polish? Do you have a good network of friends in Liverpool?

This is not your only opportunity to move back to Poland of course - you can do it whoever you want, if you want.

Yes I speak polish fluently.

Maybe go for a visit to Gfansk for a few days to see how you find it and help you decide?

I’ve been to other Polish cities in the last year and was impressed with the modern infrastructure- lots of new railway lines, trains and fantastic new roads. Poland seems to be on the up.

At 24 it's not a lifetime commitment, it's an experiment. Unless you have a fab job keeping you here, I'd want to spend some time in Gdansk.

I would have gone at your age. My 20s were spent travelling around the U.S., and living in a few places like Chicago and Los Angeles. I’m from there but it was a great age to explore and experiment. You might meet new friends doing the same, and it could be a whole new experience.

Loved Gdansk and Sopot was the nicest place I’ve been in ages

I’ve never been to Gdansk, but I’ve been to Liverpool. For that reason, I’ve voted for Gdansk.

Would being fluent in English give you an advantage re jobs back in Poland?

Gdansk is very expensive now, it has never been a cheap city, now is worse. Speaking English is not huge advantage in Poland , as lots people do it. Wages still smaller than in UK. Gdańsk is great for visiting , very beautiful city, but it’s different than permanently living there.
Do you have a job in UK , what exactly ? Will you have a good job in Poland? Where you’ll going to live? For 24 years old without big help from parents, it’s easier to get onto property ladder in Liverpool than in Gdansk.
If you can stay with family cheaply or for free, give yourself six months or so and try Gdańsk. If you’re not going to like it, you can come back to Liverpool.

Do you have both British and polish citizenship? Would staying here or going there enable you to get either one if you don't have both?

I genuinely don't know what I would do OP.

I guess it's worth remembering you could always move to join your family later on, maybe more easily than moving back if you're not a fan?

I loved Gdansk. It was beautiful. V clean and friendly people.

I loved Liverpool. I thought it was stunning. Loved the music vibe. V friendly people.

I was on holiday in both places though. I wasn't thinking as a potential resident.

I think you're 24. Nothing has to be permanent.

What are your job prospects like here in the UK? What are your job prospects like in Gdansk?

Will you regret it if you don't go and give it a try for a few months? Are you giving up a lot here if you did try it out?

If I said to you "there's no option, no choice, your family is staying in Liverpool, you HAVE to stay in Liverpool".......what does your heart say?

Why don't you go for six months and see what you think? No need to make a final decision now or for a long time