The Polish Tiger

Dzien dobry from Krakow. 

Many of us are aware of the Irish Tiger - the artificial property boom and subsequent bust in Ireland - but I am currently sitting in an apartment on the edge of Krakow which seems to prove a Polish equivalent.  The flat's 15-20 minutes easy walk from the centre and very nicely appointed. 

But out of the 15 blocks of some 15-20 flats each, I can see but a handful open, perhaps 5%.  Most are empty and have never been lived in.  They lack furniture and even the protective plastic on each of the new doors has not been removed on most of the flat doors. 

It is a complex, built in a rush to fulfil an anticipated market need and no one has taken it up.  Just are there are housing estates in Dublin with no inhabitants (check Michael Lewis’ Boomerang Tour of Europe out for details), the same is true of Krakow. 

In the UK some complain that Poles are taking many of our jobs; other point that these are roles (plumbing, cleaning, fruit-picking) which some Brits are not qualified or willing to do.  I have heard rumours of the reverse here in Poland: Poles complaining of Brits taking their jobs in academia, management or building.  I have no evidence.  Bar the fact that I have just spent a naughty evening in an Irish Pub. 

Not my normal choice of holiday drinking venue but when there is a need to watch some cracking 6 Nations Rugby, I will find the best location I can.  [As an aside Ireland/Italy a good match, England/Wales a great match but rugby was the ultimate winner]

Anyway, as I sat there, a variety of Irish, Welsh and English companions joined my father and I for conversation as the matches progressed.  It was clear that people are coming to Poland for work as well as culture; the relations between our countries are not simple and both countries are employing each other’s citizens for work. 

And this is one of the successes of the EU: we can travel and work far more easily than any time in the last century.  But it is also a problem. 

This apartment complex is empty because international travellers have not bought a little holiday flat for their breaks away in Poland’s second city.  The professional firms have not provided enough jobs for Poles to need a little flat near to the work.  There has been a perceived need for accommodation which has not materialised. 

Now that migration back to Poland is increasing, the balance may change but with blocks of flats so empty as this one, it is clear that boom and bust has a few more years to play in this and many other EU countries.