Living in Szczecin
The northwest port city near the German border — shipyards, the Dźwigozaurs, and surprisingly low rents.
Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read
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The city
Szczecin is in the far northwest, near the German border, with about 400,000 people. It is a major seaport and a planned city with star-shaped squares modelled on Paris.
Why consider it
- Low rents among big cities.
- Maritime jobs plus a growing services sector.
- Close to Berlin and the Baltic beaches (Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje).
- Plenty of parks and the Oder waterfront.
Rents (rough)
- Studio: 1500–2100 PLN/month.
- 2-room: 1900–2600 PLN.
Landmarks
- The Dźwigozaury — monumental concrete harbour cranes, an industrial landmark.
- Wały Chrobrego — a grand waterfront promenade.
- The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in the centre.
FAQ
- Is Szczecin on the sea?
- Not directly — it is on the Oder river and Szczecin Lagoon, about 65 km from the open Baltic coast, but it is Poland's northwest seaport.
- How close is it to Berlin?
- About 150 km northeast of Berlin, roughly 1.5–2 hours by train or car.
Sources
- City of Szczecin — official portal (English) (updated 2026-01-12)
Read more
- Cost of Living Across Polish CitiesRent, groceries, transport, and leisure costs compared across Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Łódź, and Poznań — with monthly budget estimates.
- Living in Gdańsk (Tricity)Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot — the Baltic tri-city, shipbuilding heritage, beach life, and a quieter pace than Warsaw.
- Katowice and the Silesian AgglomerationThe industrial heart of Poland transformed — Katowice, the Silesian metro, mining heritage, and a rising tech scene.