Question by C.J. Bligh: What are the most important things an American moving to Prague or the Czech Republic should know about them?
I may be moving to Prague, Czech Republic, in August or September to teach English. I have been told Prague is the nicest city in Central Europe, but I also realize that moving to a country overseas is a huge step. What sorts of things, positive and negative, should I know about Prague and CZ before I consider a move there?
Best answer:
Answer by NICK
That you need a working visa
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I can only advise from a tourist side of things as I have been eight times to Prague for vacations. Long weekends mostly, I have seen the seedy side where there are prostitutes, drugs, and pick pockets but all European capital cities have these attributes as I’m sure most countries do.
Like with any Capital cities don’t eat and drink in the main tourist squares as you’ll get ripped off and the waiters don’t seem to have much time or patience for you as they are well aware they can fill your seat time and time again if you are unhappy.
Feel free to wonder down the back streets and allies just remembering to keep your wits and don’t keep going if there arn’t many people around. The local bar and eateries are great not only for inexpensive local fresh cooked food and ales but also for chatting to the locals who are welcoming and friendly. Just be sensible like you would in any new territory – keep valuables safe, don’t flash your money etc.
Prague is a beautiful place with outstanding scenery, architect and fascinating history. I think you’ll be very happy working there and living there. Personally i think you should read up on Prague, the culture, the people etc and don’t just rely on people’s opinions as I have many friends you have been there and each trip has been a totally different experience.
If you have the time before you work there to visit Prague i would strongly recommend this, and ideally go through the week not the weekend when it’s geared up for tourists.
One thing you have to remember when moving somewhere new especially another country is the sights and scenery will become everyday like where you live. Your main point of being there is your work…. the life and friendships you build there will come in time not over night.
That without a lot of bureaucracy, a non-EU national won’t be staying more than 3 months.
Unless you get a proof of a job offer, and the prospective employer can prove that there are no EU nationals around qualified to do the same work, then you’re out of luck. You won’t even get to consider moving there. And given that the EU has Ireland and the UK, both of which have English as their main language, and both of which are suffering from high unemployment, I don’t fancy your chances.
The local language, which you will need if you teach to beginners, is totally different from English.
And if you do not know the language yet, or any of the sister languages like Polish, Slovak or at least Russian or one of the southern Slavic languages, you will not be able to pick it up within the time you still have before going.
Nor in the first three years of living there unless you spend all your time learning the language.
And, as already said, getting a work permit with the long stay visa will not be easy, maybe not possible at all.
Prague is a great city, but to say it is the best while there are so many competitors?
I have been there and was not overly impressed. The weather did not help, raining most of the time, but I have seen enough cities to look beyond that. Do not get Prague as the best unless you have seen a lot of other cities in Europe, East as well as West.