Potential Move to Germany! 🇩🇪

sskkmm

sskkmm

Power User
This could be a very, very big shift in life from Oahu to Germany! Will know soon if my wife gets the job offer.

Suddenly realizing how many things (like amps and powered speakers) I have that I just can't use there. Hmm.
Luckily the computers and Fractals and most studio things will be ok with and IEC cable swap, but then I wonder how much I should keep in storage vs. trying to sell. Will be gone for 2-3 years, so will I really want these crappy Alto speakers or my XR18? etc.

Oh, actually I think the XR18 will be fine, so maybe I do take most of the "studio" stuff here and pick up some monitors once we get over there.

Wireless? I have QLXD4 - uses G50 -470-534Mhz range - that legal there? Etc. Much to learn.


Once we know if we are def going and the timeframe/location I will be reaching out for help and future bandmates or recording gigs!
 
Last edited:
The free frequency band for private use is Sennheizers E-band 820-865 Mhz, where you can use 820-832 and 863-865 from. Yours is allowed for professional use, the full band, but you need a registration then.
 
I am sure that you do not need to register. This frequency range is free for professional use without registration.
And we are all professionals, aren't we? :tearsofjoy:
 
sskkmm said:
This could be a very, very big shift in life from Oahu to Germany!
Click to expand...
Worse weather, better beer! Fewer volcanos, as well. Maybe after a while the two of you may think: "I came for the job, but I stayed for the Bratwurst people!"

Hmmm... I think I just accidentally invented one of those modern company slogans/taglines, but for a country: "Germany - the Bratwurst people". But Schnitzel lovers would be sure to revolt against that. Anyway, you'd be welcome here, so "Ich drücke Deiner Frau die Daumen, dass sie den Job bekommt!" 😃

(Start watching all those "We're Americans in Germany" YouTube channels, if you haven't already.)
 
sskkmm said:
This could be a very, very big shift in life from Oahu to Germany! Will know soon if my wife gets the job offer.

...I wonder how much I should keep in storage vs. trying to sell.
Click to expand...
Good luck you you both. It's a good opportunity to reflect on the things collected over the years and let go of some things. Take some time to go through your things and think carefully. In hindsight, I found I overdid it a bit when I moved and regretted getting rid of some personal effects, some books. Anyway, don't rush it; but do you really need to hang on to that box of wall-warts and power chords...? Sure they'll come in handy sometime...
 
Well Germany is not so big, but still has a pretty wide variety of places ... I live in the Munich area and it is very nice, once you get used to see the sun only 50% of the days :) (I am Spanish) but we are close to the Alps and there is a ton of things to do. Beer is great, internet is mainly DSL, and Germans love paper .... where exactly would you go to?
 
Peavey Herman said:
Worse weather, better beer! Fewer volcanos, as well. Maybe after a while the two of you may think: "I came for the job, but I stayed for the Bratwurst people!"

Hmmm... I think I just accidentally invented one of those modern company slogans/taglines, but for a country: "Germany - the Bratwurst people". But Schnitzel lovers would be sure to revolt against that. Anyway, you'd be welcome here, so "Ich drücke Deiner Frau die Daumen, dass sie den Job bekommt!" 😃

(Start watching all those "We're Americans in Germany" YouTube channels, if you haven't already.)
Click to expand...
This remembers me a famous phrase of one US president "ich bin ein Hamburger". It was before McDonald's came to Europe.

(Joke : I think he actually said "Ich bin ein Berliner").
 
And where would you be living? North south middle, eastern part?
I lived 3 years in Frankfurt and actually found a great cover band scene over there. Lots of contests in medium size venues. But that was 20 years ago.
 
UPDATE -
she was selected for the job; we are just waiting for the compensation package etc should be early next week. Start day is prob July sometime.

Job is somewhat remote (no office in the region) so we have flexibility in where we live. Big issue is a school for our kid - she’s been a junior in high school.

Many are telling us to look seriously at Stuttgart but 🤷‍♂️
 
Congratulations you two, or "herzlichen Glückwunsch euch beiden".

Looky here and maybe here for some info; contrary to Mohi (and firmly without wanting to get on their bad side), I wouldn't want to live in Bavaria for reasons I can't go into here. And Munich is HELLA expensive, so watch out for that.

Regarding Stuttgart, I recently read that south-western Germany has actually been rather popular with and welcoming to American expats for decades. But just do your due dilligence and google around a little. Watch out/research areas for flooding ("Hochwassergebiete") or extreme winter conditions. I assume you will be renting a house/appartment, so maybe look for median rent and cost-of-living info.

IDK which is the best "Bundesland" (federate state) to live in, so I'll just shut up now. Except:
 
Stuttgart region should be a good place to live. Hence all depends what side you will be working. Sure that the countryside will be less expensive regarding rent, but the weekends might be long. Quite close to Strassbourg and the black forest region and even Switzerland and Italy lake region are not too far away. Hope you'll like your stay.
Finding a band should not be too difficult, I found a band quite easily in Frankfurt region via internet announces (in 2004 this wasn't necessarily the habit yet).
 
Welcome to Germany and congrats to you two🤘

Everything in South Germany is great, that's the best place to be (Baden-Württemberg or Bayern). If you ever need anything, just give us a call 😉
 
Have been living for 36 years near Stuttgart. The area is a nice place to live, not too far away from France, Switzerland, also, Italy, good schools and quite some US army infrastructure ... I'd just avoid Stuttgart City. It has turned into a shit hole in the recent years (just my two cents, of course). Impossible to find a an affordable home and quite some violence down town lately.
 
G66.eu said:
[...] that's the best place to be (Baden-Württemberg or Bayern). [...]
Click to expand...
Many Germans are quite outspoken when it comes to their region and/or federal state. I'd take any such statements with lots of salt. The south definitely has beautiful nature going for it. Personally I wouldn't give up the laissez-faire welcoming people vibes in the Rhineland (NRW) area for any of that.
 
I think Bavaria is just great, leaving aside the high rental prices in Munich, but no other city in Germany is significantly cheaper. In all places where there are good jobs you will find the same situation.

What can be indeed a bit shocking about Bayern is that they are very traditional in some senses, and stuff like opening hours can be frustrating if you come from almost anywhere in the world. And On Sundays everything is closed. But you can buy a beer on the street and drink it while in a park without being arrested 😊.

You have the alps very close, I live in the South in a rural area, where prices are a bit lower than in the city (not much) and in 40 minutes I can get to literally hundreds of amazing places, like mountains, lakes… not to mention for kids it is very cool, as you have times of parks and attractions.

My wife is German, from Saarland, and we go often, and though it is also nice, to my eyes it does not have the attractive of Bavaria.

In any case, once you come, get ready for paying almost 65-70% in taxes, between income and VAT 😅.
 
I live in the Netherlands myself but could easily see myself living in Germany. For work I have been on dozens of trips in the area around Schwäbisch Hall and Crailsheim (north east from Stuttgart). People are friendly, food is good and from what I can see there is a good work life balance and everything seems to be a bit more relaxed than over here.
 
Mohi said:
no other city in Germany is significantly cheaper
Click to expand...
What!? 🤯 I'm sorry, but that statement is flat out wrong, to put it nicely. (No disrespect, though.) Göttingen is waaay cheaper than Munich, for instance - but it's also waaay smaller. This article might be almost 2 years old, but it correctly states Munich as the nr. 1 most expensive place to live in Germany (and Stuttgart isn't all that far behind). And during the intervening time, it certainly hasn't gotten cheaper.

If you insist on living in Germany's biggest cities, prepare to foot big bills, at least for rent, residential parking, and amenities. There are also (admittedly less extreme) differences in normal cost-of-living expenses (groceries, utilities, public transport, etc.). However, in Germany you do not need to live in a "Großstadt" to get good Internet and general infrastructure.

And beautiful inner-city parks, even more beautiful surroundings and buying alcohol and drinking in (most of) the streets: That's not just in Bavaria. (Or so I've heard, I don't get out much. 😂😝) Sports, nightlife, concert venues, clubs and bars - yeah, you'll find more of those in bigger cities, and would therefore be able to find a bigger, more diverse music scene, as well. If you need to live in the biggest, most sprawling cities in order not to feel like you've moved to a retirement home - understood, most everything in America is bigger, better, faster, more and open 24/7. But be prepared to pay for it (and even then, forget about the 24/7 aspect.)

To be fair, when when Americans think of Germany, they seem to be mostly thinking of Bavaria - so if that's what you know and love and want to experience: fine. And despite my earlier comment, there's much to like about Bavaria. (If only it wasn't so bavarian! 😇) But still: Munich is the most expensive place to live in Germany by 25-30%. And maybe that'll be alright with sskkmm, we know nothing about their future income, disposable or gross (and I'm not asking).

Further reading (all German, sorry) here, here (statistics and charts) and a Google search for germany's most expensive cities as a starting point.

(Again, Mohi, I respect you and your experiences, preferences and opinions and I'm not trying to start an argument with you or "want to be right" about this. ☮️ I just want sskkmm & spouse to make an informed decision, especially if they have some leeway in choosing their location.)
 
Last edited:
Peavey Herman said:
What!? 🤯 I'm sorry, but that statement is flat out wrong, to put it nicely. (No disrespect, though.) Göttingen is waaay cheaper than Munich, for instance - but it's also waaay smaller. This article might be almost 2 years old, but it correctly states Munich as the nr. 1 most expensive place to live in Germany (and Stuttgart isn't all that far behind). And during the intervening time, it certainly hasn't gotten cheaper.

If you insist on living in Germany's biggest cities, prepare to foot big bills, at least for rent, residential parking, and amenities. There are also (admittedly less extreme) differences in normal cost-of-living expenses (groceries, utilities, public transport, etc.). However, in Germany you do not need to live in a "Großstadt" to get good Internet and general infrastructure.

And beautiful inner-city parks, even more beautiful surroundings and buying alcohol and drinking in (most of) the streets: That's not just in Bavaria. (Or so I've heard, I don't get out much. 😂😝) Sports, nightlife, concert venues, clubs and bars - yeah, you'll find more of those in bigger cities, and would therefore be able to find a bigger, more diverse music scene, as well. If you need to live in the biggest, most sprawling cities in order not to feel like you've moved to a retirement home - understood, most everything in America is bigger, better, faster, more and open 24/7. But be prepared to pay for it (and even then, forget about the 24/7 aspect.)

To be fair, when when Americans think of Germany, they seem to be mostly thinking of Bavaria - so if that's what you know and love and want to experience: fine. And despite my earlier comment, there's much to like about Bavaria. (If only it wasn't so bavarian! 😇) But still: Munich is the most expensive place to live in Germany by 25-30%. And maybe that'll be alright with sskkmm, we know nothing about their future income, disposable or gross (and I'm not asking).

Further reading (all German, sorry) here, here (statistics and charts) and a Google search for germany's most expensive cities as a starting point.

(Again, Mohi, I respect you and your experiences, preferences and opinions and I'm not trying to start an argument with you or "want to be right" about this. ☮️ I just want sskkmm & spouse to make an informed decision, especially if they have some leeway in choosing their location.)
Click to expand...
No worries, I do not know how we could have an argument over rent prices 😊

I have seen many stats about prices and honestly I do not think they ever helped me to find a location here in Germany. I pay now half of the so called average price in Munich for sqm in a house with pool and sauna, and it is not any rara avis. Averages can be useless if you consider the different areas where one would want to live and the services offered, for example once I got an offer to work in Darmstadt and looking for a house I found the prices were, for what I wanted, the same as in the Munich area.

I guess if the OP is considering moving, will do the due diligence of looking for what they want and how much are they willing to pay, that is what counts. Beyond reading this post :)

I love mountains and lakes, I come from the Pyrenees and can’t like more this environment, I do not like Munich so much tbh, because I dislike cities in general, but beyond rent prices it ain’t that bad, and is a laid back one, plus I have seen here lots of bands, from niche Intervals or Polypha to Bon Jovi or Def Leppard, there are a few good rock bars …

I am sure he will find the right place, there is a lot options.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom