Brittany Balinski, 35, her 44-year-old Polish husband, and their four children moved from North Warwickshire to Gdansk, Poland, earlier this year. The family sought an improved quality of life, which they found in Gdansk, where they are experiencing lower living costs.
Balinski's husband, who had worked night shifts as a HGV driver in the UK, experienced a decline in his quality of life. After considering friends' positive experiences emigrating, Balinski decided a move overseas was feasible for her family. Brittany's content creation business and her remote job provide sufficient income to support the family regardless of location. The family sold their three-bedroom home in the UK for £275,000 in December 2025.
They now rent a six-bedroom house overlooking a forest for £1,400 per month. This is higher than their previous UK mortgage of £850 per month, but their overall bills are at least £150 less. Balinski noted that while rent is higher, the additional space, peaceful environment, and improved lifestyle make the move worthwhile.
The relocation was facilitated by her husband's Polish nationality and their children's dual British and Polish citizenship. Balinski received a one-year D visa, with plans to pursue residency. To minimize disruption to the children's schooling, the family rented a friend's cottage for the final 11 weeks of the school term. During this period, they visited Gdansk for three nights, finding the city comfortable and safe, and secured a school for their children.
The cost of the move was under £3,000. This included a £500 van rental for larger furniture, a £1,500 courier service for other belongings, and approximately £700 for Brittany and three children to fly, while her husband drove the remaining child and their dog to Poland, a journey of about 19 hours.
Balinski stated that many daily living costs are lower in Poland. Diesel prices are approximately 35-40 pence per liter cheaper than in the UK. Their weekly grocery bill has decreased from £230 to around £170. Eating out is also significantly more affordable; a meal for six at IKEA cost £12.60, compared to an estimated £24 in the UK. A typical family meal out now ranges from £45 to £60, versus £80 to £100 in Britain. A veterinary consultation and prescription, which cost around £80 in the UK, now costs £30.
Life in Poland has presented some adjustments, including a more traditional approach to handling utility paperwork, which requires the landlord to be present for the transfer of accounts. Balinski has enrolled in a Polish language course and is adapting to driving on the right side of the road. She highlighted the peaceful surroundings of their new home, noting the absence of road noise and the proximity to a forest and the beach.
Balinski emphasized that the move was possible due to her husband's Polish nationality and has no connection to political or cultural factors. While acknowledging that moving without ties to Poland might be more challenging, she stated that Poland offers a more accessible and affordable relocation option. The family has been sharing their experiences on social media, receiving generally positive responses.