Where do the people of Katowice want to live? Does price decide?
Text from 2015. Laws, rates and prices may have changed since then. Ask an agent
Where do the people of Katowice want to live? Does price decide?
About 300 thousand people live in Katowice. Unfortunately, the number of registered residents in the city is falling year by year. According to a forecast by scientists from the University of Silesia, the downward trend in the number of residents will continue as long as there are no changes in the city authorities' policy. How should property owners react in this situation? Are there places in Katowice that are particularly worth investing in? Are the preferences of Katowice residents determined by the price of a flat?
One of the reasons for the shrinking number of residents in Katowice is the situation on the labour market. In Silesia, economic activity based on mining and steelmaking dominates. The lack of satisfying work for young people, together with lower earnings, causes many people to migrate.
It should be remembered, however, that flat prices in Katowice are very low compared with other cities. This is a strong argument that encourages many buyers to invest in these areas. For example, in Kraków rents are about 200 PLN higher than in Katowice. It is also more profitable to buy a larger flat in a Silesian city. Incidentally, all property-related costs in Katowice can be as much as 50% lower.
| City | Average price per sq m of a flat in the largest Polish cities in 2014 / Median price per m2 |
| Katowice | 4,464 PLN |
| Lublin | 4,630 PLN |
| Poznań | 5,369 PLN |
| Wrocław | 5,355 PLN |
| Kraków | 6,076 PLN |
| Warszawa | 7,133 PLN |
(Source: Home Broker and Open Finance; based on transactions carried out by the companies' clients)
| City | Average rents in Polish cities in June and July 2014 [PLN/month] |
| Katowice | 1883 |
| Lublin | 1795 |
| Poznań | 1547 |
| Wrocław | 2068 |
| Kraków | 1963 |
| Warszawa | 364 |
(Source: Bankier.pl based on data from otoDom.pl)
Thanks to the lower price, properties bought in Katowice have a much faster return on investment. This in turn translates into higher profitability and greater profits. It sounds great, but it is easy to make a mistake here and invest in a property that does not match the residents' preferences and expectations. The fundamental question is therefore: where do the people of Katowice want to live?
After analysing various districts of Katowice, I present a few selected places. These are districts that have been very popular with residents for years and are regarded by most people in Katowice as attractive.
Śródmieście
According to statistics, the most popular district of Katowice to live in is Śródmieście. Renting is particularly popular here. The area, located in the centre, is one of the most urbanised places in Katowice. The most important centres of culture and social life, which attract the people of Katowice, are located there.
However, the multitude of attractions drives the price up. The cost of property there is one of the highest in Katowice. Renting a flat costs 1,800 PLN a month on average. That is why many people give up on living in those areas and look instead for alternative districts with lower prices but good connections to the centre. Owners who still have difficulty finding a buyer for their property in Śródmieście should pay particular attention to this.
Koszutka
It is the smallest district in Katowice and is strictly residential in character. Located close to the city centre, yet quiet and peaceful, it attracts an ever larger number of residents. Koszutka is a special place. The specific atmosphere of this area, which gives residents a sense of community, means that the people of Katowice see Koszutka as an exceptionally charming place.
Koszutka is where the people of Katowice are keenest to buy property. Prices in brick buildings start at 3,500 PLN per square metre. In new blocks of flats in Koszutka, on the other hand, prices range from 4,500 PLN to as much as 8,000 PLN per square metre. It should be noted that prices here are slightly higher than in other districts. Interestingly, this does not deter buyers from living in this district at all, unlike in Śródmieście.
Osiedle Paderewskiego
Regarded by the people of Katowice as one of the most attractive places to live. The estate is close to the centre, well connected and has plenty of green areas. People in Katowice often name Osiedle Paderewskiego as a place where they would like to live. The average price of property per square metre is 4,500 PLN. The cost of renting, meanwhile, is about 1,900 PLN for 55 square metres. Despite this, Osiedle Paderewskiego enjoys great popularity.
Ligota
It is a place inhabited largely by students. The district is home to the Medical University, hospitals and quite a few halls of residence of various universities. Part of the district is surrounded by forest, which makes it attractive to most residents of Katowice.
In Ligota, unlike in Osiedle Paderewskiego, low prices matter much more to the people of Katowice. A property costs 4,100 PLN per square metre here on average, which is as much as 400 PLN less than in Osiedle Paderewskiego.
As you can see, price does not always determine the preferences of the people of Katowice. It mainly depends on the type of district, the distance from the centre and the tastes of different age groups. In some places too high a cost can deter buyers, while in others it will not be too much of a problem. That is why it is so important to know which target group the listing is aimed at. Then you can choose a suitable place, optimise the price in the right way and set the strategy for selling the property.
