Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some advice please. I have recently been interviewed for a position in Senica, Slovakia and been asked about my salary expectations. I have no real knowledge of the cost of living in Slovakia, (or knowledge of Slovakia in general) so I was hoping someone on here might be able to offer some advice on the country.

The company have mentioned a figure of about 1,700EURO nett per month. Most of the info that I have found online on Cost of Living is for Bratislava, but I am guessing it is more expensive there than in Senica.

A bit about my situation; If I was to get the job, I would be moving with my wife and 18month old daughter. Does this wage sound like enough for a small family to survive on? Anybody any positive or negative opinion on moving there with a family?

I have lived abroad for a few years now in various countries, but my wife has not as much experience abroad as me.

We moved to Bulgaria at the start of the year. Despite the well known difficulties and problems in Bulgaria, (and there are many), I think we adapted well to living there so I think we have what it takes to make a go of it abroad. We are not naive and know it will be difficult, but as I said, we have some experience of living abroad so its not completely alien to us.

Unfortunately, we ended up leaving Bulgaria due to unpaid wages and are now back in my home in Ireland deciding what to do next. This job possibility first came up about a week ago, and I have been trying to gather as much information on the area as possible, before proceeding any further with things.

So any advice would be appreciated on cost of living, lifestyle, moving with kids, schools etc.

Thanks

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

The question is probably what you expect in Slovakia. A lot of people have less, so you can manage, but will the quality of life be better than Ireland (especially if you have to work)? I've actually come back to Ireland and realised how great it is. Although people moan about things, it's possible to live cheap here and have a decent lifestyle. If it has to be Slovakia, I would even consider living in Austria (not too far) because of your child. Although your daughter is still young, she needs to learn the language and German would be an advantage for her later life.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Thanks for the reply,

I know Ireland is not all bad, in fact being home here for an extended period now has made me appreciate it even more. The problem is my job, the industry I am in is dead in Ireland at the moment and I just can't get a break. I have spent the last few years travelling around the world with my job, and this opportunity has presented itself out of the blue. So its definitely worth considering. Its great being at home and around family, but no job prospects at all.

The main problem with living in Austria is the higher cost of living on a 'Slovakian' wage. As I said, having lived in Bulgaria I think we can adapt but just wanted some advice on the country and costs etc before committing further

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

If you were single and didn't have a child, or it was the job of a lifetime with huge salary, I'd say go for it. You'd be far better looking for a job in another field or retraining, if you can't find a job in Ireland. I work for a Software company, although I didn't have previous experience. We have plenty of people from around the world that can't find a job in their trade (teachers, social workers etc.). I'm sure your family can support you here and if you both worked for a fast food chain, would still be better of than there.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Forgot to mention, Slovakia isn't as cheap as you think compared to Austria. Many food products can be bought cheaper in Austria and petrol is also more expensive.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Whilst I have no knowledge of Senica, we made a move from the UK to Bratislava almost on a whim two years ago. The offer of a job came along and we took it. The plan was not to stay there forever (we didn't) but as a means to an end. We had never lived outside the UK before but if you have lived in Bulgaria you have experience of less-developed nations.

It depends on your lifestyle of course but living is possible (in Bratislava) on that amount of money. Your main cost will be accommodation but we had a two-room apartment pretty close to the centre for around €650 a month, all inclusive of everything except WiFi. I imagine - but don't know - the cost of accommodation will be cheaper in Senica.

We found food and drink to be relatively cheap but not as food was more expensive than we thought. We actually did some of our shopping in Slovakia, Austria and Hungary as we could had some different food choices in each country and prices weren't always predictable. We drove and bulk-bought food and drink. I expect you could drive into Czech republic easily from where you will be.

Petrol is expensive in Slovakia but much cheaper in Austria and Czech.

We found eating out particularly cheap outside the city centre.

We liked that Bratislava is in a good spot for visiting other places of interest very easily but struggled to integrate and there were few Brits who actually seemed to want to be there. We found Slovaks friendlyish but distant.

I can't comment on life with kids as we don't have any but we found it appeared to be family-friendly. People seemed to do stuff with their kids.

We missed living in what we consider to be a fully-developed country and moved to Germany after 18 months but this was always a part of the plan.

Whilst 1,700 euros is a reasonable amount of money, it doesn't allow you to do much in fully-Western countries with higher prices. Is your work transferable to a western economy with western wages? Apart from a couple of things (primarily accommodation and medical costs) the cost of living in Berlin is not much higher than in Bratislava yet our earnings are significantly higher. Can you use this as a stepping-stone to a different move in the future?

Have you thought of having a short trip out there to take it all in?

Best of luck.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Hi,

Thanks for the information. Its good to hear from people who have done it.

As I said I have lived abroad before for years. In fact this will be country number 6. So I know what is to be expected from living abroad, I know how difficult it is to integrate etc. but I don't think the problem is insurmountable.

We have thought of other Western countries, but really its just difficult to get work. I took the job in Bulgaria as a career move, it wasn't the country of choice, but was a good move on the career ladder.

Unfortunately, we spent quite a bit to get set up out there (perhaps naively) and then they stopped paying me, owing me over 3,000 euros by the end. So its at the stage now where we are back in Ireland living with family, and not really in a position to wait for the perfect job to come along.

The job is with a German owned company, (which could have its own perks further down the line) and would also be the step up career wise that I had hoped the Bulgarian move would be. So I guess in a way it could be a stepping stone.

And yeah, I think we are going to take a trip out before the end of August, to have a look round and see what we think then. Just wanted some advice on whether it was 'do-able' before committing to flying out!

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

I suppose I should have said as well that I enjoyed my experience living in Bratislava even though it wasn't my dream city and I don't regret making the move at all.

Back to the costs a little, you will live cheaply if you don't mind living seasonally and are prepared to cook from scratch. We found food very affordable.

Public transport is also pretty cheap and there was a very good service in Bratislava. Again though, not sure in Senica but I expect it will be decent enough.

Just think of all the destinations that you have just a couple of hours away - Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Budapest. They are all manageable for a weekend and there are tons more.

The weather is much better than Ireland (although flipping hot last summer) with so much less rain.

If you have no job in Ireland then, as long as you are up for a little adventure, what have you got to lose?

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

The weather isn't better than Ireland if you look at the cold winters and the shorter evenings in summer + the beaches and surf aren''t great either:lol: But honestly I don't agree that he has nothing to lose. It's not like he's a teenager looking for an adventure. You said: Whilst 1,700 euros is a reasonable amount of money, it doesn't allow you to do much in fully-Western countries with higher prices. Is your work transferable to a western economy with western wages? €1.700 is a Western wage in my opinion and would be considered a decent wage in Berlin which is cheaper than Bratislava. The problem I see is that the salary is for three, the wife doesn't speak the language, they don't know anybody and will she ever have job prospects. After 2 years they'll move to the 7th country and will have to start all over again. Just think of all the destinations that you have just a couple of hours away - Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Budapest. They are all manageable for a weekend and there are tons more. It does sound great, but you still have to be able to afford it and it's cheaper to get a Ryan Air flight from Dublin with the added benefit of having family to look after the child. @IrishGuyAbroad, you wanted an insight. Nobody can give you a real insight and it's only opinions. If it's your dream to move to Slovakia and you think you can make it work, go for it. In my opinion it's just a waste of time and you'd be better off working here and learning new skills. Your wife could also work and you have family. It usually takes 2-3 years until you've built something up and are settled.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Whilst I don't want to get into a great debate about the relative costs of living in Berlin and Slovakia, I can tell you from my own experience that the cost of living in Berlin (primarily because of accommodation and medical costs which are considerably higher) is more than Bratislava. I have lived in both cities.

One person taking home 1,700 in Slovakia could support a family whilst it would be a struggle in Berlin.

Numbeo.com shows that the cost of living in Berlin is roughly 25% more than in Bratislava yet average wages are approximately double. Whilst numbeo is not spot-on, I find it reasonably representative of the costs. The cost of living in a small town in Slovakia will be less than living in the capital city so a salary of 1,700 will go even further.

I am curious then Moses123.....when you lived in Slovakia or Austria (I am not sure which) did you head into the other country for some of your purchases?

Whatever you decide Irishguyabroad, I am sure it will be the right decision and if I can help with any specific details once the move is going ahead, please feel free to ask?

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Lived in Germany for 15 years and am fluent in German, been in Austria and have friends from Slovakia who are now happy to be in Ireland

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

I'm not saying I have nothing to lose, but like I say - I have no job. I spent four years working my way through college to get myself a qualification, and that qualification has allowed me to travel. I got stung (unluckily) in Bulgaria, and now I have no job because of it.

Its not as easy for me to just go back to college and retrain as you say. I have a wife and child. I may have family but they have lives and jobs too, so for me further education is not really an option.

Everybody I have spoken to has said how nice the weather is in the summer, I don't know where in Ireland you are, but where I am it certainly doesn't feel like summer.

It is a job I can do in any country, the problem is getting someone in 'any' county to hire me. Its not a job I can do from a distance, I need to be on site each day. And at the moment, I am jobless and this guy wants to give me a shot. Slovakia is not, nor never was, my dream country. Its not somewhere I have always wanted to live, but at the moment it is the only place willing to give me a job.

I know its a problem as you say that "the salary is for three, the wife doesn't speak the language, they don't know anybody and will she ever have job prospects".

But isn't that the case for most couples who go to start a new life somewhere? I am not saying it will be easy but every country I have gone to,I have not known anybody. Most of them I have not spoke the language. If everybody took that attitude we would never move anywhere other than an English speaking country.

I don't mean to come across as being rude, and I am grateful for your input. But at the moment, I have no job in Ireland, and life is not as easy as dumping my daughter with my family, while me and my wife go to work in a fast food chain as you have suggested.

So, with all of that said, I don't have a lot to lose. My daughter is still some way off school going age, and if these guys are willing to give me a shot, then there is not a lot to lose, in my opinion anyway

Also, the reason the Slovakians in Ireland are happy is probably because they earn more in Ireland than they would at home. The same as an Irish guy getting a 300k job a year in US would be 'happy'. Again, just my opinion but I dont think its a fair comparison that just because there are Slovakians happy in Ireland, then no Irish would be happier in Slovakia!!

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Hi Rammy,

Thanks for the reply. I would think that the living costs (including the accomm and medical) in Berlin are more expensive than Bratislava - thats what I have been told on some other forums. And I would be inclined to agree that small town Slovakia will be cheaper than the capital.

We are going to go out at the end of August and see how it goes. I said in my other reply, its not like its the dream move for me. But its a country where I can get a job and a wage that allows us to survive reasonably comfortably, so I do think it is worth pursuing a little further. It might be that we go out in August and not like it, but I don't think we are in a position to strike it out completely just yet.

I'm sure I will think of other questions further down the line, so you will probably be hearing from me!

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

As said, it was just my opinion. You've answered your questions really so Slovakia it will be and only you can find out if it will work. I don't know what you studied, but people all over the world study and end up in another job. Nobody dreams of working for an insurance company when they're 18 and why would working for a fast food chain be bad. It's a job and can be just as rewarding. I'm in Co. Galway and had an amazing summer so far. The past few weeks have been really nice and we sat outside until 9:30/10pm every evening, so I don't see a problem. We also have a place in Spain, but work life balance is great in Ireland and many people are thankful to be able to live here. Of course it's far from perfect, but as said just my opinion. Good luck anyway and I hope it works out for you. Just to add to that:
But isn't that the case for most couples who go to start a new life somewhere? I am not saying it will be easy but every country I have gone to,I have not known anybody. Most of them I have not spoke the language. If everybody took that attitude we would never move anywhere other than an English speaking country.

That's correct, but I doubt you will start a new life in Slovakia if you and your wife aren't willing to learn the language.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

It sounds to me as though you are thinking it through, weighing up pros and cons and making an informed decision which to my mind is exactly the way to do it. If it was a choice of unemployment/burger flipping in Ireland or having a job in Slovakia which pays twice average earnings then, to me, there is no choice and who knows where this will lead. If it doesn't work out you can head home.

I would ask your employer what help he can offer in terms of securing a place to live and investigate that during your August trip. Beware too that a one-bedroom apartment means a studio as the living room is ALWAYS classed as a bedroom.

We had spent a lot of time in Budapest before we moved and had been to Brat a few times so had half an idea what to expect.

I think your young one will have it the easiest as she will naturally pick up the language and it will force you to integrate a little. I think I said before that Slovaks are family-orientated.

Back to the weather - the Slovaks talk about weather more than the Brits! - we found that seasons are more defined than the UK so there are longer colder winters but longer hotter summers. Autumn and Spring were shorter and once the weather broke, it stayed like that for ages. So it may be sunny for 2 weeks but in the winter it might snow for days on end. The beauty of this was that you knew what to expect.

You said you have lived in other places - whereabouts? I'm just curious. I really think your overseas experiences will help a lot.

Happy to help if I can.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

@rammy100. Don't get me wrong, but I just wanted to help him as he's not moving for a huge wage. Just because he's getting more than the average person doesn't mean he'll have a better life over there. What's wrong flipping a burger (just an example)? A couple working at a fast food chain here can afford a 4 bed detached home, go on holiday twice a year and have a decent life. Yes you can rent a 1 bed apartment in Senica for €300 but you still need a car to get around to visit those nice places and petrol is nearly the price you pay here. My work colleague is Polish and his brother works for a fast food chain. He just bought a nice detached home with decent size garden for his family here in Ireland. He's doing well and I don't understand the mentality of some people here downgrading someone because of their job. Not one person I work with studied what they're doing now and what's wrong with that? Just something to think about and all I'm saying is what happened in Bulgaria can happen again.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

I never said we would not be willing to learn the language, of course we would.

I never said it is a bad job, it's just not for me. I am lucky to work in a field that I am well qualified in, and a it is a job that I enjoy. Unfortunately, the industry is dead in Ireland, so I am forced to look further afield. Of course I would like to stay and get a well paid job in Ireland but its not going to happen, this industry is all I know, and working in a fast food chain just doesn't appeal to me,

I don't for a minute doubt Ireland is a great country, but the option of retraining and dumping my daughter with family is not an option for me at all either; I have skills that are more valued in Europe at the moment than in Ireland, so for me it'd be foolish to pigeon hole myself into staying in Ireland and going through the uncertainty of retraining/upskilling etc. Lots of people do it as you rightly say, but at the same time lots of people also move abroad to follow their career.

I'm sorry but I cannot for a minute believe that. The average fast food chain pays about 8.50 an hour, less than 400E a week. That is absolute pie in the sky, there's no point pretending otherwise. Maybe someone who owns a fast food chain could afford that lifestyle but certainly not someone working there. I have plenty of friends who did that kind of work while at college, and they certainly did not have enough for a 4 bed detached house, 2 holidays a year and all the rest.

What happened in Bulgaria can always happen again, but I would think the chances of it are small. As I said above, the contract is with a German company who are pretty well known in the industry and I doubt they would risk their reputation on not paying someone

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Yes the employer has already offered to help me with the accommodation. So that will be a help if we do decide to make the move. And you're right, burger flipping in Ireland is not the life I dreamed of. If it doesn't work out we can always come home. There is always a chance that something goes wrong but there is a chance of that in everything in life, whether it is changing jobs/moving house etc.

At the moment it is a job, and while it may not be the perfect job, it is far from the worst job. Fortunately we are at the stage where school is some way off for our daughter, so if ever there is a time to try these things and fail, it is now.

I have lived in Norway, studied in Scotland, and then Canada, Cyprus, back to Scotland (daughter was born there) for work for a few years, then briefly Bulgaria. And am now back in Ireland. So I understand the challenges of living abroad. We are both easy going adaptable people, just slightly worried how far off the beaten track Senica appears to be with regard to English speakers or expats, not that that's the be all and end all. Suppose we can judge how far off the beaten path it is in August when we go out and make an informed decision then

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

It was no offence, but why should I lie to you and at least I made an effort to give you advice. The fast food thing was just an example and there are plenty of other jobs. I didn't tell you to dump your child, but at least here you have family which is also important for a child and as you said job is job. I don't know what people spend their money on, but 2 people earning €8.50 the hour can certainly have a decent life here. Just look how cheap property is and your mortgage can be under €500 for a 4 bed detached house 20 mins from Galway City as an example. You said: have plenty of friends who did that kind of work while at college, and they certainly did not have enough for a 4 bed detached house, 2 holidays a year and all the rest. Students (Well that explains it):lol:, because they probably spent all their money on drink and cigarettes.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Figure you mention is a good salary for Slovakia.
To rent a decent flat in Bratislava is around
400 euros p.m.
COL is not cheap though
Good Luck

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Hi,
the information above is really helpful, i an also planing for the relocation in the Sweden. this data is definitely help me out.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Just to give anyone who is interested an update...

I made the move here in mid September, my partner and daughter joining me a few weeks later. My employer helped us find a decent apartment, bit on the small side but a good starting point. E450 per month with all bills included, so we are happy enough with it.

Still saving towards a car, will probably wait until after Christmas at this stage, so it has been a bit of a drag been stuck in the same town for so long.

First impressions, I am happy enough. The job is going well, but communication is VERY difficult. Trying desperately to work on the language, but its been difficult. We are a bit off the beaten track, probably the only foreigners in the whole town, and not too many English speakers (which of course we knew already). Some restaurants here do have English menus (not sure why) so eating out is no problem. Cost of living, day to day things and the weekly grocery shop has been ok and affordable so far. No regrets yet anyway, although it is early days. Priority is to work on the language, and get ourselves a car so we can begin to experience a bit more than just this one town.

Also at the moment, we are in the process of getting everything registered, letters from landlord, contracts etc, bit of a pain but has to be done

Anyway

Thank you all for the advice, was a big help in us reaching a decision...

emmacurlin31, are you moving to Senica or to Sweden? I am sorry I didn/t quite understand your post

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Well congratulations! Strangely, I stumbled across this post last week and wondered if you had made the move.

My biggest struggle was with a small apartment. The two-bedroom place of course is only one bedroom and, after living in a 3-bedroom house with a big garden it was a bit of a shock. I can recall my first reaction as I walked in the door was "is this it? I can't live here". Still, I did and in time I actually learned that two people and a small dog don't need a 3-bedroom house with loads of "stuff". I can now live quite comfortably in a much smaller place although I can tell that some of my friends think we're mad. They are the ones living in huge houses with stressful jobs though.

I have to say that a car made a big difference to me in Slovakia but I would try to have a few short breaks using public transport or a hire/borrowed car as it helped to ease me in. Might help you too.

I also learned to keep costs down by shopping seasonally (food is really cheap in-season), cooking from scratch (of course you need time to do this) and bulk-buying when things that I would use are on offer. I still do this now and cringe at the amount of money we used to spend on food.

Anyway, best of luck. Winter will be here soon but over relatively quickly too.

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Ata isaeli?

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

Hi rammy.

Not been on here in a while. Still settling in here, picking up some language, although we are going to look at getting some proper lessons in the next few weeks. Also looking into getting a car before the end of the month. Been on the bus a few times to Trnava, not ventured into Bratislava yet though.

The apartment, yeh very small (and not child friendly) and we have been half keeping an eye out to see what is available. Its not a major issue, but if something better came along we would take it. Kind of toying with the idea of moving a little closer to Trnava, but we will see. Not much happening in Senica for my partner to do during the day, and from speaking to some people Trnava might be a better option family wise, although I think to move to Trnava itself might be a bit of a trek every morning!

Plenty of small (and probably cheaper) villages between here and Trnava, and I like the romantic idea of a nice house in a small, sleepy country village, as opposed to the concrete jungle we are in at the moment, but the reality is probably totally different and might be a struggle for 2 foreigners who don't speak the language

Still getting our heads around the shopping,and we are managing a lot better than before. Still covered in snow here, was great to begin with, but kind of had enough at this stage. Slippy pavements and a child with cabin fever is not much fun!

So all in all, still going well and no regrets, just wishing for summer at this stage!

Re: Potential Move to Senica, Slovakia, some advice please?
 

There are not many of us in Slovakia.
Will you be there in June? Perhaps we all could meet up.
My Wife and I are in Saudi at the moment. We live in Trencin by the way.
Drop me a line.
Roy Lewis