Brittany Balinski, 35, her husband, 44, and their four children moved from north Warwickshire to Gdansk, Poland, in July 2026. They traded a three-bedroom semi-detached house for a six-bedroom, three-storey home overlooking a forest, but describe the experience as 'swings and roundabouts'.
Reasons for the move
Brittany said her husband's quality of life had been declining after years of working night shifts as an HGV driver in the UK. After visits to friends who had moved abroad and were thriving, she realised she could support the family with her remote job and business from anywhere. Her husband is a Polish national, and their four children hold dual citizenship, allowing Brittany to apply for a one-year visa with the option of residency later.
Cost comparisons
The family sold their UK home for £275,000 in January 2026 and rented a friend's property for £2,700 for 11 weeks before moving. In Poland, they pay £1,400 rent per month for the larger home, compared to their £850 UK mortgage. However, eating out, petrol, and diesel are cheaper. Brittany noted that Polish wages are lower, but diesel is about 35-40p cheaper per litre. She said: 'It's swings and roundabouts really, you choose what to put your money into.'
Logistics and settling in
The move cost under £3,000. Her husband drove a van with their eldest child and dog, while Brittany flew with the other three children for £700. The family had a 'reccy' to Gdansk in December 2025 and found a school all four children loved. In their new home, Brittany said: 'I've never felt more comfortable and have really made the right decision by my children.'
Life in Poland
Brittany appreciates the quiet and nature: 'There is no road noise... it's overlooking a lovely patch of forest... you can only hear the birds.' She also noted that days out are cheaper, citing a meal at IKEA for six costing £12.60 compared to £24 in the UK. The response to her social media updates has been 'overwhelmingly positive', though some political comments turned sour. She said the move was 'deeply personal' and down to her husband's nationality.
