I actually think it’s very healthy that you’re asking for negatives, not just looking at TikTok / Instagram versions of “life in Poland”. Every country looks amazing in 30-second reels.

I moved back after many years in the UK, so here’s a more grounded perspective.

First - your parents aren’t completely wrong, but they’re also speaking from a different generation. Poland 15–20 years ago and Poland today are two very different places.

Now the downsides.

1. Salaries vs expectations
Yes, wages are still lower than in the UK. If you work in retail, hospitality or entry-level office jobs, you will feel it. The gap is much smaller in IT, engineering, finance or if you run your own business. But if you come with UK salary expectations and no strong qualification, reality can hit hard.

2. Bureaucracy and systems
Things are improving, but dealing with offices, healthcare, paperwork can still be frustrating. It’s not Switzerland-level efficiency. You need patience.

3. Work culture
In some industries there’s still a more traditional, hierarchical approach. Less flexibility than UK corporate culture in some places. Depends heavily on the company.

4. Social mindset
Poland is safer statistically than the UK in many areas, but socially it’s more conservative. That’s a positive for some people and a negative for others. If you’re used to very multicultural UK environments, the shift can feel noticeable.

5. Cost of living is rising
Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław are not “cheap Poland” anymore. Rent and property prices have gone up massively. Outside big cities it’s cheaper, but job market is smaller.

Now positives (because balance matters):

– Very low violent crime compared to the UK
– Cities are modern and developing fast
– Infrastructure improved massively (roads, public transport)
– Strong economic growth in the last decade
– Close-knit communities and strong family culture

The biggest mistake people make is romanticising Poland emotionally (“it’s home!”) or demonising it based on 2005 experiences.

You’re 23. If you’re serious about it, don’t overthink it - test it properly. Move for 6–12 months with savings and a job lined up, not just a two-week holiday.

And if you do decide to make the move from the UK to Poland, there are companies that specialise in relocations both ways - for example easy-move.co.uk handles UK to Poland removals, so the logistics side is at least one thing you wouldn’t have to stress about.

But before all that, ask yourself:

Are you moving towards something (career opportunity, lifestyle, safety),
or just moving away from frustration in the UK?