Can we survive in Czech Republic?

Question

Hi, thanks for viewing my question. Well my husband and I are going to be moving to czech fairly soon and he is a mechanic here in the US and wants to continue to do the same in Czech as he is also basically a fluent speaker. I would like to know do you think we could live off his income alone in czech as we would like to have children there and I would love to stay at home or do work for a church in prauge. Should we save money here in the US then when we go to convert the money it is alot of czech money? What should we do about jobs. Oh, and I barely know any czech. How long do you think it will take a mechanic with a college degree and 10 years mechanic experience to find a job? I know we wont have the mass luxury here like we do in the US but my husband desperately is being called to his home land even though he is a US citizen. Thanks! Any answers or advice would be GREATLY appreciated! :)

Answer 1

I am not really familiar with the situation in the Czech Republic, but my sister in law is from Slovakia, the neighboring country, with a like economy. There it is nearly impossible for a family to live from one income, once the children are old enough they need to add to the family income too!
Wages are rising now they are part of the EU, but the prices too, and those seem to go faster than the wages.

Safe as much as you can, for it will be hard to make a lot of money when you are just arrived in a new country, whatever the monetary situation.

In all of Europe the stay at home moms find it very hard, money wise, as the norm is for both parents working at least part-time.

You might be able to get a part-time teaching job, as you are a native English speaker.
If you are going to live in or near a bigger town you are likely to find business people willing to pay good money for quality training.

Czech, (like Slovak with which I am familiar) is a difficult language, you will need to study it seriously, ask your husband to start teaching you the basics now and get a textbook explaining the grammar.
But if you live in an all Czech speaking environment, you need to speak it, and you will learn faster by total immersion.

Answer 2

I lived in the Czech Republic for a year from 2003-2004... My husband and I met there, and we return a few times a year... It depends on where you go and what you want. If you have saved a stash of dollars that is good. The dollar is worth 20 1/2 crowns. ( a pint of beer is about 22 crowns for expensive ones... a pizza is about 54 crowns...) You can easily survive if you are prudent. Electronics and Clothes in the CR can be *expensive i.e.- the price they are in malls in the states...public transport is very efficient and very cheap. Hospital treatment is the same. So if you prioritise you can live comfortably. You will have a problem getting work. I suggest you start contacting schools that teach English and try getting on the list of prospective teachers. Also post ads in the Prague Post (English newspaper for CR)
Your husband will probably have no problems getting work, depending on where he goes. Praha is a big place, with more opportunities than other cities, but conversly it is more expensive. If it were me I wouldnt dream of living in Praha without two-incomes. It can easily be done, but you are talking an apartment... Try Olomouc...its the best place in the CR (aside from Cesky Krumlov-but thats more of a vacation spot where as Olomouc has everything...) Its an old University town and there are 3 or 4 English language schools that are always hiring... Its cheaper than Praha. The question I guess is where your husband has contacted for jobs. Good luck! Dont be scared, its a wonderful country. The language is difficult, but possible.

Answer 3

As ex-Czech patriot, I just came back this week from Czech Republic. It is very attractive, free, and rapidly modernizing country. It is part of EU; hence, a free world. It is also one of the most liberal and freethinking country in Europe. While the remnants of communist times are still clearly present, it is fully integrated in the West. Prague is probably the best place to live; it has busy life, exceeding Munich, Vienna, or Budapest. There are countless places to eat, drink, and entertain. Other cities except Brno are rather small. Every city and town has malls with a choice of goods to that one in the USA. The incomes are rising, but still lower than in old EU; but you pay less for food, housing, and services. Taxes are lower than in old EU or even in USA for families with children. The job opportunities are good, since economy is growing above 6% for several years, and the sign for hire are everywhere in major cities. However, it would be hard to live for you on one income, so I advise you to find a job, where you can utilize your English. There are numerous multinational companies in Prague such as Honeywel, CsC, Exxon, MS, IBM, Citibank, GM…Get your resume ahead of time, do not wait on the last moment. US dollar is falling and it is only 45% of value that was in 1999 and do not count that your money would bring you too far. It is no more post-communist world of the 90’s and present quality comes with a price. Do not let Czech Republic to compare with Slovakia or Poland, because their economical and social structure differs from Czech. Czech Republic is far wealthier, it is ahead of Portugal and catching up Greece. Almost every historic city has its center renovated and cleaned up. People dress nicely and drives western cars. Only problematic areas are former industrial coal mining cities like in the northern Bohemia (Most, Teplice) or Moravian Silesia (Ostrava). Everywhere else, the country looks fairly good.

Answer 4

I think your husband shouldn't have a huge problem finding a job... especially if he has 10 yeat experience... I think the main issue is going to be financal...
as you described your family's situation... I think it's going to be very challenging to survive on just one income... I'm not sure how much mechanics get paid in the Czech Republic but I believe this profession belongs to the lower paid job category... I would seriously reconsider staying at home... you may be able to find a teaching job over in Prague...
wish the best to both of you and good luck...