Recently, a lot of people around me have been talking about Warsaw, Poland’s capital, as the “new Berlin of Europe” – a city pulsating with young energy, creativity, and opportunity. Before Poland joined the European Union in 2004, Warsaw was often seen as a rather unattractive and underdeveloped post-Soviet city.
Since then, however, it has gradually reimagined itself as a hub of economic growth, innovation, and cultural development. This successful transformation has made it an increasingly attractive destination for expats seeking a dynamic yet affordable European city to call home.
My close friend Alexandra, a data scientist who has been living in Warsaw for 15 years, confirms this trend: “When I first moved here, Poland and Warsaw were not on the expat map. I used to travel to Germany and marvel at how developed those cities looked. Nowadays, when I travel and compare other European cities to Warsaw, the latter often wins in terms of overall comfort and accessibility.
“It’s a surprisingly well-organized city with a rich cultural and gastronomic scene, as well as plenty of job opportunities for foreigners.”
The presence of expats in the city became especially palpable when I explored its restaurants, cafes, and leisure activities during my last visit. So many places are run by expats, diversifying the city’s fabric and making it an even more interesting and exciting place to experience. Whether it’s a cozy specialty coffee place with a wide range of Belarusian desserts, an Italian restaurant, or a dancing event organized by the expat community, Warsaw’s multicultural atmosphere really stands out.
Innovation and opportunity
This year, Warsaw has secured third place (sic!) in the prestigious “European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025” ranking, which evaluates cities with the best investment potential. The report by fDi Intelligence analyzed 521 European cities and regions, assessing their investment potential across five key categories: economic potential, human capital and lifestyle, cost effectiveness, connectivity, and business friendliness.
In the “major cities” category, Warsaw climbed from fourth place last year to third this year, trailing only London in first place and Dublin in second.
The report demonstrates that Warsaw has outperformed other European cities in attracting jobs linked to foreign investment over the past five years. Major global companies such as Google and Visa have chosen the Polish capital as a key location for their operations, attracting more and more human capital.
The report also highlighted Warsaw’s emergence as a leading hub for software development, noting that the city has attracted over $1 billion in foreign direct investment in this sector since 2020. Notes from Poland, a local English-language news platform, quotes Warsaw city hall, which celebrated this achievement: “Considering that just two years ago Warsaw was not even ranked in the category of human capital and lifestyle, securing the position as the second-best city in Europe is a remarkable success.”
Not bad at all, I agree!
Rich cultural scene
To me, however, Warsaw’s allure extends beyond its economic opportunities. It’s obvious that the city puts an emphasis on the development of its cultural and artistic scene. Known as the “Paris of the North” before World War II, Warsaw was nearly destroyed during the conflict, with 85 percent of the city reduced to rubble.
The post-war reconstruction of the city under the Soviet regime, used to stir a lot of controversy. It wasn’t until relatively recently that the most hated Soviet-era construction in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science, was accepted by locals as an important part of the cityscape.
Warsaw still has a small but fascinating Old Town, while Prozna Street, the last remaining street of the Jewish ghetto, serves as a reminder of the city’s once-thriving Jewish community, once the largest in Europe. The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, along with the recently reopened Museum of Modern Art and the Copernicus Science Centre, contributes to a rich cultural offering.
Affordable cost of living
Indeed, one of Warsaw’s most appealing features for expats is its affordability. Compared to other European capitals, the cost of living here is significantly lower, allowing expats to enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank. Accommodation, whether in the city center or quieter neighborhoods, is reasonably priced (between 500 euros –to-700 euros for a 1-bedroom apartment), offering a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Daily expenses including groceries, dining, and transportation are also affordable. Public transportation, in my experience, is also quite efficient and cost-effective.
It seems that for those who are not concerned with good weather, Warsaw is a great choice – here, one can live, work, and enjoy an all-encompassing cultural scene, from theaters and museums to restaurants and cafes, without the hefty price tags often found in Western Europe, and contribute to the city’s rapid growth.
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See more about Poland here in Dispatches’ archives.
Nina Danilova is an art writer and contemporary art curator. She is about to finish her PhD
in Culture Studies. She grew up in Russia and lived in Germany, Estonia, Italy and
Portugal, where she is currently based. She is passionate about history, languages, food,
and dancing.
