How do Poles feel about their neighborhoods? ThinkCo surveyed our feelings

Wiktor Bochenek

01 of September '22

The report "Happy Home. A district of diverse needs"

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How do we evaluate our immediate surroundings? What do we rate better, our neighborhoods or cities? A team of analysts from ThinkCo decided to study how the neighborhoods we live in affect how we feel about cities.

The report "Happy Home. A neighborhood of diverse needs" is a continuation of thereport on the level of happiness of residents of Polish cities, discussed onour portal. Like the first report, the ThinkCo think tank developed it in cooperation with Otodom.pl. What can we learn from it?

we appreciate our immediate surroundings better

Twelve of Poland's largest cities were included in the report. In this part of the survey, respondents assessed their level of happiness in the context of the city and the immediate neighborhood. In none of the places surveyed was satisfaction with life in the city higher than satisfaction with life in the neighborhood. Our immediate surroundings are thus rated much better than the city as a whole. What are the disparities in specific cities?

Happiness level of residents by city and neighborhood rating

A dream about Warsaw

Most Warsaw residents feel happy in their city (59%) and immediate neighborhood (63%). The most satisfied respondents were found in Żoliborz (66%), Wola (66%) and Bielany (57%). Residents mostly feel more comfortable in their own neighborhoods than in the city. Exceptions include Wola and Praga Północ.

What elements positively influence the assessment of life in the capital? First and foremost, public transportation and access (39%), availability of stores (36%) and access to entertainment and culture (34%). The most frequently cited negatives include the cost of living (54%), the environment (33%) and neighborhood relations (24%).

Warsaw

krakow's spleen

Cracovians are more satisfied with their city and neighborhoods compared to Varsovians. As many as 65% of respondents feel good about their city. 68% of residents said they feel happy in their neighborhood. Bronowice definitely stands out in this comparison (86%), mainly due to its excellent transportation, green areas, infrastructure for children and neatness and cleanliness.

What do Cracovians rate positively? First and foremost, access to entertainment and culture (43%). This is the only indicator that reached such a high level only in Cracow. Equally important are the availability of stores (37%) and public transportation (35%). As in Warsaw, the cost of living ranks first as a negative element (54%). Immediately behind is the environment (48%) associated with the classic Krakow concourse, and public transportation and access (25%).

Krakow

Meanwhile, in Lodz

In Lodz, 54% of respondents feel happy in their city, and 61% feel happy in their neighborhood. The happiest neighborhood is Retkinia, and the least happy is Radgoszcz. Lodz is the only city in the list of cities with more than 500,000 residents where less than half of 18-24 year olds say they feel happy (49%).

Positive aspects according to Lodz residents include the availability of shopping (38%), access to entertainment and culture (28%) and, interestingly for a city of this size, the cost of living (24%). Negative aspects are mainly the issue of neatness and cleanliness (39%), the environment (30%) and public transportation and access (30%).

Łódź

happiness in the city of a hundred bridges

Wroclaw residents feel happy in their city (64%) and immediate neighborhood (67%). Among the happiest neighborhoods are those located on the Big Island (Biskupin-Sępolno-Dąbie-Zacisze-Zalesie). As many as 91% of interviewers in this part of Wroclaw felt happy in their neighborhood.

Among the positive aspects, Breslau residents included access to entertainment and culture (43%), availability of shopping (39%) and transportation (30%). Again, as with most large cities, the cost of living (54%), the environment (36%) and public transportation and access (34%) are problems.

Wroclaw

Esoteric Poznań

In Poznań, as many as 66% of respondents feel good about their city, and 69% feel good about their neighborhood. Rataje is a neighborhood where as many as 80% of respondents are satisfied. The highest percentage of happy people was recorded in the 61-70 age group (as much as 75%).

Poznań residents praise public transportation (34%), the availability of stores (32%) and access to entertainment (31%). On the other hand, they are negative about the cost of living (49%), the environment (41%) and neighborhood relations (23%).

Poznan

Living in the vicinity of the sea

For Gdansk residents, the percentage of happy residents is exceptionally high. Only neighboring Gdynia beats them in the list of cities. As many as 75 percent of respondents from Gdansk feel happy in their city, with a difference of only one percent when it comes to neighborhoods. The happiest neighborhood is Jasień-Kokoszki (90%).

What do Danzigers consider positive elements? First and foremost, access to entertainment and culture (37%), the environment (37%) and public transportation (33%). As in other large cities, cost of living (56%), public transportation (24%) and access to health care (23%) are problems.

Gdansk

looking for similarities

Information about other cities, as well as suggestions for solutions to improve cities, can be found in the report on ThinkCo's website.

Analyzing the report, one can see that the biggest problem of large cities is the cost of living. The exception is Lodz, where the issue of cost of living was viewed positively. It's also hard not to highlight the issue of communication and lack of greenery. The report compiled by ThinkCo could become an excellent tool and signpost for local government officials, the question is, could they use it?