I moved to Prague with my family in September 2008. It was a huge decision to leave London, where I had lived my whole life and for 5 years with my wife Helena. We had a daughter in 2005 and my wife was expecting our son the year we decided to leave, mainly, for financial reasons.
Helena had inherited a small flat in Haje years back and it was the fact that we had this ‘leg up’ which convinced us to try our luck here. 6 years on we are very happy we made the correct decision.
Although I’ve been here for 6 years now, I’m still amazed at how beautiful this city is whenever I travel to the centre. I love scenic view from Letna park down over the river, bridges of Prague, Hlavni Nadrazi, Strelecky ostrov...............so, so many things to like. There is a real sense of history here that you can almost taste in the air.
Life here............and the language!!
When I first ventured out to do some food shopping. I have to say I felt quite uncomfortable! I knew very few words and stood out like a sore thumb!
So, I’m in Albert supermarket for the first, and unfortunately not the last time, and the lady at the till puts my thing through and says ‘vsechno?’ I reply: ‘Prominte Ja nemluvim Cesky!’ I asked my wife later what it meant and she told me she was asking is that all?! I told my wife I think her name was Brigada..............she laughed. No, that means she is a part-time worker. Lessons would have to be taken and learned.
6 years on I understand almost all conversation and speak.......well at least to a certain degree. A language which initial sounded as fast as a machine gun has, over time, slowed down and become understandable. I’m very happy to fell more involved with people here. As we don’t live in the centre less people speak English so I get to practise more. I feel Czech people really do appreciate a foreigner who tries to speak. Although, having said this, it is very common for me to be speaking Czech and the Czech person to use English on me. We’ll all need the practice I suppose!
Pluses and minuses?
Lots of pluses to living here in my opinion.
It is a small city, easy to get around on a very reliable (and cheap) public transportation system. There are lots of parks to play in for the kids...............but look out for dog’s poo! One of the biggest negatives here is that people don’t pick it up! Even if they are themselves with children.
Cheap, great quality, beer.............say no more! Prague enjoys great seasonal weather and people love to be outdoors so it is always possible to meet new people. My kids love to slide down the hills next to our flat on their sledge!
The main negative for me was people’s poor attitude towards customers in shops. But over time this has become ‘water off a ducks back.’ But I had to laugh a few days ago when I checked my receipt to find I had been charged for 5 rohliky when I only had 2 and was told to go and get another 3 no!!! Classic Czech customer service!