Home, family and education
Renting and buying a home, family matters, children and school.
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Buying a Home in the USA as a Polish Immigrant: Mortgage, Costs, and Step-by-Step Process
How to buy a home in the USA after arriving from Poland: who will get an FHA loan and who a conventional one (from May 25, 2025 FHA only for citizens and Green Card holders), how much cash is needed, money and gifts from Poland, pre-approval, offer, inspection, closing, and taxes after purchase.
How to Rent an Apartment in New York City Without a Credit Score
Specific strategies for new immigrants: guarantor, larger deposit, shared apartment, no-fee apartments – what works in 2026.
How to Find Housing for Seniors in New York City?
Learn about the housing options available for seniors in New York City, including NYCHA senior buildings, Section 8 programs, Mitchell-Lama, and senior housing lotteries.
Polish Saturday Schools in the USA: How to Find a School and Enroll Your Child
This article explains what Polish Saturday schools in the USA are, the schools operated by the Polish government (ORPEG at the diplomatic missions in Chicago, New York, and Washington, and the free online school named after KEN), how to find a school in your area, what to ask during enrollment, and how a child's return to school in Poland works.
FHA Loan in the USA 2026: Can a Pole Without Credit History Get a Loan?
An FHA loan is a government-insured mortgage with a down payment of 3.5% and a credit score starting from 500, available only to U.S. citizens and Green Card holders with an SSN from May 25, 2025; this article explains MIP, limits for 2026, loans without a credit score, and when a conventional loan may be better.
How College Works in the USA – Community College vs 4-Year, Public vs Private, Costs
American college is not 'studies' like in Poland – it is a 4-year undergraduate program culminating in a Bachelor's degree, separate from graduate school (Master's, PhD).
Newest guides (28)
Domestic Violence and Immigration Status in the USA: VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa (2026)
How to escape violence without losing your right to reside in the USA, including self-petitioning under VAWA without the abuser's knowledge, U Visa for crime victims, and T Visa for human trafficking victims: who can apply, costs, confidentiality, and changes in ICE policy.
SCRIE and DRIE – How to Lower Rent for Seniors in New York?
Learn how the SCRIE and DRIE programs can assist seniors and individuals with disabilities in New York in reducing their rent. Understand the requirements, application process, and potential savings over the years.
How to Find Housing for Seniors in New York City?
Learn about the housing options available for seniors in New York City, including NYCHA senior buildings, Section 8 programs, Mitchell-Lama, and senior housing lotteries.
How HRA Works in New York: A Guide to Social Services
Learn how the Human Resources Administration (HRA) operates in New York, including a guide to SNAP, financial assistance, Medicaid, HEAP, and other services available to New York residents.
SNAP in NYC – How to Obtain Food Assistance?
Learn how to access the SNAP program in New York City, including requirements, application through ACCESS HRA, and support amounts.
Buying an Apartment in Poland While Living in the USA – Power of Attorney, Financing, Taxes
Purchasing Polish real estate from the USA can be done through a power of attorney (PoA with apostille) or in person, with various financing options and tax implications to consider.
Selling Property in Poland While Living in the USA: Power of Attorney, Notary, Taxes
How to sell property in Poland from the USA: why the power of attorney must be a notarial deed, why a notary public with apostille is insufficient, the sales process and costs, PIT after 5 years (different for inheritance and gifts), housing relief for residents of the USA, and reporting to the IRS, FBAR, and Form 8938.
OSHA Card in the USA: 10 or 30 Hour Course, How to Obtain It and Where It Is Required
The OSHA card is proof of completion of a voluntary safety training course (10 or 30 hours) that does not expire federally but is required in states like Nevada, NYC (SST card), New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for public construction projects; learn how to choose a course, where to do it legally, and how to avoid scams.
FAFSA 2027–28: how to apply, Pell Grant, federal loans, and parent without SSN
FAFSA 2027–28 will be available starting September 23, 2026, detailing eligibility for federal aid, Pell Grant amounts, loan limits effective July 1, 2026, and application procedures for parents without an SSN or with an ITIN.
How College Works in the USA – Community College vs 4-Year, Public vs Private, Costs
American college is not 'studies' like in Poland – it is a 4-year undergraduate program culminating in a Bachelor's degree, separate from graduate school (Master's, PhD).
School Bus in the USA – How the Yellow Bus Works, Zoning, Safety, Law
The yellow school bus is an iconic element of American schooling – free public transportation for most public school students, with eligibility criteria varying by state based on distance from school.
Back-to-School Supplies in the USA – free lunches, P-EBT, Title I assistance
The typical cost of back-to-school supplies in the USA ranges from $200 to $600 annually (including supplies, backpack, clothing, and shoes), with low-income families eligible for various assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Title I funding.
Enrolling a Child in Preschool in the USA – Pre-K vs Preschool, Public vs Private
The American preschool system is divided into: preschool (paid private for ages 2-5, typically $800-$2,000/month), public Pre-K (free for ages 3-4 in many states: NYC 3-K and Pre-K for All, NJ Abbott districts, GA Pre-K, FL VPK, OK, VT, DC), and kindergarten (ages 5-6, part of public school, free and mandatory in most states).
Affordable Daycare in the USA – Head Start, CCDF Subsidy, How to Reduce Care Costs
Daycare is often the largest expense for families in the USA ($12-25k/year), but there are real ways to lower costs, including Head Start, CCDF subsidies, and various tax credits.
How daycare works in the USA – types, costs, licensing, how to enroll your child
Daycare in the USA is not a single product – it encompasses a spectrum of options: daycare center (50-100+ children), family child care home (up to 6-12 children in the caregiver's home), in-home nanny (1-3 children in your home). The average cost of full-time daycare for 1 child is $12,000-25,000 per year (NYC, SF $25-40k, Midwest $9-12k). Each state licenses daycares – child-to-caregiver ratio, required training, inspections. In most states, children 6+ weeks old already qualify, but popular daycares have year-long waiting lists – enroll your child when your wife is in the 3rd-4th month of pregnancy. Financial assistance: CCDF subsidy for low-income families, Head Start (0-5 years), employer dependent care FSA (up to $5,000 pre-tax), Dependent Care Credit 35% of expenses up to $6,000.
Funeral homes in the USA – costs, planning, traditional burial vs cremation, Polish community
A funeral in the USA costs between $7,000-$15,000 (traditional) or $2,000-$5,000 (cremation), with the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule requiring funeral homes to provide written price lists and allowing a la carte selections.
Buying a Home in the USA as a Polish Immigrant: Mortgage, Costs, and Step-by-Step Process
How to buy a home in the USA after arriving from Poland: who will get an FHA loan and who a conventional one (from May 25, 2025 FHA only for citizens and Green Card holders), how much cash is needed, money and gifts from Poland, pre-approval, offer, inspection, closing, and taxes after purchase.
Renting a Room Instead of an Apartment in the USA – Roommate, Sublease, How to Find (2026)
Renting an entire apartment in expensive cities (NYC, SF, Boston) can be impossible for a new immigrant; renting a room for $700-1500 is an alternative, with a complete guide on roommates vs sublease, where to search (Roomi, Polish community Facebook groups), agreements, housing scams, how to be a good roommate, and eviction risks.
FHA Loan in the USA 2026: Can a Pole Without Credit History Get a Loan?
An FHA loan is a government-insured mortgage with a down payment of 3.5% and a credit score starting from 500, available only to U.S. citizens and Green Card holders with an SSN from May 25, 2025; this article explains MIP, limits for 2026, loans without a credit score, and when a conventional loan may be better.
Mortgage in the USA – how it works, types of loans, costs, who can get it
Mortgage is an American home loan – a key tool for purchasing a home. A complete guide: types (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo), 15 vs 30 years, fixed vs ARM, down payment (3-20%), PMI, closing costs (~3-6%), credit score requirements, how a Pole without credit history can apply, Polish mortgage brokers.
Child Safety on the Internet 2026 – AI Sextortion, Deepfake Porn, Groomers
AI in 2026 has changed the dynamics of online threats to children; this guide provides Polish parents in the USA with essential information on AI sextortion (deepfake porn), groomers on Discord/Snapchat, screen time, parental controls, communication strategies, and reporting resources (NCMEC, FBI), along with Polish resources.
Eviction in the USA: Tenant Rights in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois
Is your landlord trying to evict you? Eviction in the USA always goes through the courts. We explain notices and timelines in New York (including Good Cause Eviction), New Jersey, and Illinois (Chicago), what landlords cannot do, how to defend yourself, and where to find free legal help.
Renting an Apartment in the USA Without a Credit Score: What Works, Documents, and Security Deposit Limits
How to rent an apartment in the USA without a credit history: what landlords check, guarantors, private owners, room rentals, documents, and explanation letters. Security deposit limits in NY, NJ, MA, MI, and Florida, rights after being denied due to a report (FTC), and signs of fraud.
Polish Saturday Schools in the USA: How to Find a School and Enroll Your Child
This article explains what Polish Saturday schools in the USA are, the schools operated by the Polish government (ORPEG at the diplomatic missions in Chicago, New York, and Washington, and the free online school named after KEN), how to find a school in your area, what to ask during enrollment, and how a child's return to school in Poland works.