When I started looking for housing in Poland, I was in Tanta, Egypt, and I thought it will be easy. I searched on Google "cheap room in Poland" and I found many results. But the problem is, most of them want you to be in Poland already. That was my first shock.
I made many mistakes at the beginning and I want to share them with you so you don't do same mistakes.
My first mistake was Facebook groups. I joined like 10 groups named "Rooms for rent in Warsaw" or "Indians, Egyptians in Poland housing". Most of posts there are scams. One guy told me "Pay 300 euro now and I will keep the room for you". He didn't even show me the room in video. I said no. After I searched I found 3 other people said he scammed them. So please, never pay before video call. This is my number one rule.
After one week of losing time, I found 3 sites that really work if you are outside Poland. I will explain them one by one.
First site is http://OLX.pl. This site is very famous in Poland, like OLX in Egypt. You can use Google Translate to translate the page to English. I was looking for a room, not full apartment because full apartment is too expensive for one person. In Warsaw, a small room is now around 600 to 750 euro. That is too much. But I found in Wroclaw, my room was 420 euro with bills. In cities like Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, prices are 350 to 550 euro for a room. You need to write simple message to landlord. Don't write long paragraph. Just write: "Hello, I am Mohamed from Egypt, I will come to Poland for work next month. Is the room still available? Can we make video call?" Most of them will reply.
Second site is http://Otodom.pl. This one is more professional. The landlords there are more serious and less scams. The price is a little higher than OLX but it is safe. You will find pictures are real. I contacted 5 people there and 3 replied to me. One landlord spoke English very well and he helped me a lot. He explained to me what is czynsz and kaucja.
Let me explain these two words because they are very important. Czynsz means administration fee or bills. Sometimes landlord says rent is 400 euro, but then he says plus czynsz 250 euro. So total becomes 650 euro. You must ask "Does the price include czynsz? Does it include water, electricity, internet?" Write it clearly. Second word is kaucja. Kaucja is deposit. Usually one month rent. You pay it before you enter. If you break something, they take from it. If not, they give it back when you leave. I paid 400 euro kaucja. It is normal.
Third way is Gumtree Poland. Not many people know it, but it has cheap offers because Polish people use it too. You can find room for 300 euro in small cities. I didn't find my room there but my friend found.
Now, how did I pay and make sure it is safe?
I did video call. I told landlord "Can you show me the room now on video?" He showed me. I saw the window, the bed, the kitchen. I also asked him to show me his ID and the contract paper. He showed me. Then I paid only kaucja, not full rent. I paid via Wise, not Western Union. Wise is cheaper and safe. You can make account from Egypt easy. I sent 400 euro as deposit. He sent me contract on email. I printed it and signed.
After that, when I arrived in Poland, I paid first month rent cash. And I got the key.
Some tips from my experience that will save you money:
1. Don't look only in Warsaw. Warsaw is the capital and it is most expensive. Look in Wroclaw, Lodz, Katowice, Lublin. These cities have many jobs and rent is cheap. My job was in Wroclaw and rent is 30% cheaper than Warsaw.
2. Try to find room near your work. Transport in Poland costs money. Monthly ticket in Wroclaw is around 25 euro. If you live far, you pay more.
3. Ask if you can share apartment with other people from Egypt or Arab countries at first. It will be easy for you and cheap. Then later you can move alone.
4. Start searching one month before your flight. Don't start 3 months before because landlords want someone now, not after 3 months. One month is perfect time.
5. If your company offers housing with job, ask many questions. Ask if it is free or they cut from salary. Sometimes they say free housing but it is 4 people in one small room. So ask how many people in room.
I know it is stressful to find housing when you are still in Egypt. I was very stressed too. But it is possible. I found my room in 12 days. I contacted around 30 landlords, 10 replied, 3 did video call, and 1 accepted.
The last thing, please keep all messages and payment receipts. If something goes wrong, you have proof. And never send money to personal Facebook account. Only bank account with same name as ID.
I hope my story helps you. If you are coming to Poland soon, start now on http://OLX.pl. You will find something good, but you need patience.
Good luck with your move.