Dylan,

Thank you for writing so nicely about my mother country.

I have lived in the Chicago area for thirty-some years, so I agree with most of your observations. However, recently, I spent some meaningful time in Poland as well.

On one occasion, I got sick and needed to see a doctor. I could not get an appointment. My family assured me that it was normal.

I disagree with you on transportation. Years back, I spent some time in lower Manhattan in New York. I did not need a car there. I have a family living on the north side of Chicago; they do not have a car either. They use Uber for longer trips.

However, the population density in Manhattan or the north side of Chicago is an exception in the U.S., but it is common in Europe.

Before emigrating to the U.S., I lived in Katowice, a little south of the center. Most of the stores I needed were within a healthy 10-minute walk. So, I was doing this before getting a car. Then, I opened my own service business. I soon noticed that a simple daily shopping routine took me an hour walking or half of that time by driving. My time was valuable, so I was driving.

My family lives in the suburbs of Gdańsk. Before they had a car, they also walked in various directions to the stores, anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes. Now they drive.

Lastly, Planet Fitness charges me only a $10 monthly fee. And it is more than I need.

Nevertheless, I am still considering moving back to Poland.