Bolesławiec is too expensive

A bitter comment from one of our readers appeared on the istotne.pl discussion forum. Adela, a Bolesławiec resident since birth, does not hide her disappointment:

A friend of mine from Poznań noticed that our small town is terribly expensive when it comes to housing prices, fuel prices and the prices of other services. She stated that in such a small town, which is not a tourist attraction, something is wrong.

At first glance, a quiet county town such as Bolesławiec should not surprise anyone with high living costs. Meanwhile, as residents point out, housing and rental prices are increasingly matching those in large metropolitan areas.

“I realized that I am renting a studio apartment for 2,000, and for that amount you can rent one in a large city such as Poznań,” Adela adds.

Out-of-this-world prices?

According to listing portals, the average rental price of a studio apartment in Bolesławiec currently reaches PLN 1,800–2,200. By comparison, in Poznań or Wrocław it is possible to find similar accommodation at the same or a lower price, often with a better standard and location.

The property market is not the only thing causing problems for residents. Residents are outraged by the high fuel prices at local stations and are increasingly choosing to refuel outside the town. According to the data, lower prices can be found in nearby towns such as Jelenia Góra, Legnica, Lubin and Wrocław, as well as in Lubań, Lwówek and Zgorzelec counties and in Lubusz Voivodeship. Furious residents even organized an online protest under the slogan #NieTankujęW Bolesławcu.

That is not all. Building-supply stores are expensive, hairdressing and beauty services are very costly, not to mention the out-of-this-world prices in local restaurants.

Why is Bolesławiec so expensive?

There may be several reasons:

• Limited housing supply—smaller towns have a much poorer rental offer than metropolitan areas, allowing landlords to dictate high prices.
• Lack of competition—fewer companies mean less choice for consumers and greater freedom to set rates.
• The proximity of the motorway and Germany—some prices may be driven up by demand from people working abroad or passing through.
• The effect of a closed market—residents accepted rising prices for a long time, so nobody had any incentive to lower them.

Will anything change?

Growing awareness among residents may be the first step toward change. Loud signals, such as Adela’s comment, show that the people of Bolesławiec are beginning to compare their town with others and notice disturbing differences. Perhaps it is time for local authorities and entrepreneurs to consider how to stop this trend—before more residents decide to move to “cheaper” cities. In the poll, we ask what you think.