Posted on 02/10/2007 2:26:35 PM PST by lizol
Why Krakow has moved into pole position as Europe's No 1 hot spot
The 'new Prague' tops the league with house prices soaring by 58%. Rupert Jones and Jill Papworth report
Saturday February 10, 2007 The Guardian
Last year it was wonderful Copenhagen; this year it's cracking Krakow. Poland's ancient royal capital was this week named Europe's number one property hot spot after notching up a 58% hike in house prices last year - rising to almost 100% in the sought-after medieval centre miraculously spared from Nazi destruction.
While much of the UK media has focused on the large number of Polish plumbers and other workers flocking to our shores, savvy British property investors and holiday home buyers have been going over there and snapping up apartments in Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk.
Article continues The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors looked at the rates of house price growth in 26 European countries, and found that all but two saw values increase during the year. Poland was the star-performing country, with prices rising 33% in 2006, having jumped 28% in 2005. Denmark and Bulgaria came second and third with 22% and 20% respectively. In fact, 13 of the 26 countries enjoyed double-digit growth - more proof, if it was needed, that bricks and mortar are hard to beat as an investment.
Bottom of the table were Portugal, where prices fell 1% - not great news if you own a place on the Algarve - and Germany, which continued its poor run with zero growth. Britain turned in 9%-10% - around the same as that holiday home favourite, Spain, and well ahead of Italy at 4%.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.guardian.co.uk ...
Was there last spring. Very enjoyable.
Poland has a number of towns with beautiful old town centers. They've all been preserved or rebuilt to look like it used to be. My daughter and her husband got a good deal on some land in the countryside and plan to put up a house out there.
Heck when I got to Europe, I'm going to CESKY KRUMLOV!!!!
I've never been to St. Petersburg, unfortunately.
But I've seen many pictures, and I've heard it's a great city.
Surprising...Portugal is one of the warmest places in Europe.
Krakow is beautiful but cold.
speaking of PolePosition... i'd love to see Poland get a Formula-1 race some day.
Tremendous photos! WOW! I certainly would like to visit Krakow one day. Thanks for the link, lizol.
Been there several time over the last six months. I find Krakow being very drab, depressed and trying to get over the Soviet Occupation. There is a split between the old and young. Everything is now being privatized and the old are loosing the governemtent stipend. The young are excited for their newfound freedom.
Went to a park in the middle of Krakow one evening and listened to a group of Polish kids sing songs (not organized) it was one of the most moving experiences, the songs were of hope and freedom. Just below the Cathedral in Krakow.
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