What is Germany like to live for a year ?

I studied abroad in Germany for a year in school. I loved it there, but I knew German fairly well heading over there.

Where are you headed? Where do you come from? Have you been to Europe before?

Culture shock is strange for many people. The smallest details (peanut butter being hard to find for instance) would bother some other Americans I knew over there to no end, and they were things I didn't even pick up on.

I was in North Germany and the lack of light in the winter bothered me sometimes. It is a pretty tolerant country and just about everyone speaks english really well so in that regard it's pretty easy to make your way around. France was a huge culture shock to me because I didn't know anything about it and didn't speak any french.

Running was pretty good where I was lots of bike trails, tow paths etc. I even won a low key track race and had beers and brats with the ppl I raced against afterward.

But I am the type of person who'll talk your ear off if you let me so, if you define more clearly what info you want I'll do the best I can.

To broad a question. It's like asking, what's it like to live in the U.S? Quality of life will depend on where you are and what you are looking for. I love Berlin, but others would hate living in a large city.

Average rental - studio apartment - big city - 500 euros/month, small city - 350 euros/month

Travel pass (bus and metro) - Berlin - around 50 euros a month

Typical meal in small restaurant - 8 - 12 euros

movie theatre - 8 - 12 euros

Germany is prosperous country, but the cost of living is cheaper compared with many other European countries, especially for rent and living expenses. Germany has low unemployment, around 5%, and a regular job (not skilled) will bring in 1200 - 1500 euros per month.

Quality of life is high, and sports facilities are among the best in the world. It is a country of sports clubs, because scholastic sports are not stressed.

Germany has high education standards (a lot of top class engineers and computer programmers) despite an average school day starting at 8am and finishing around 1pm, even in High school. They focus on quality rather than quantity.

Although most Germans live comfortably, they are much more economical in their expenses and do not consume energy to the extent that your typical North American family wastes energy. A lot of solar panels, wind power electricity supplies, and every city and village has miles and miles of cycle lanes.

One of the best countries in the world for quality of life, and value for money.

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Studied abroad there for a year. Came back to the States in '08. Still wake up most mornings wondering why I haven't yet moved back there.

Only real drawback for me- Peanut butter comes in very small containers and is very expensive

Not sure where I would live, where ever job is ?

East coast USA is where I reside.

Never been to Europe unless Calgary counts haha

I would try to learn German before gong, come from a German American background.

Is it easy to meet Germans ? I have read that they keep to themselves.

Imagine you saw some nice German cars ?

Was autobahn fun !

I dont eat peanut butter.

So are German women pretty average or better looking then our fatties ?

Get used to alot of complaining.

Want to hear more wrote:

I dont eat peanut butter.

So are German women pretty average or better looking then our fatties ?

aren't most supermodels German?

I found most people to be friendly and helpful. Berlin has a young population and Berliners did indeed seem more attractive than the women around where I live in the states, but it could have just been the exotic factor. Lots of cute girls riding bikes too, which is a turn on for me. Haha. If I was you, I'd go. I'm planning on going back as soon as I can.

I lived there for 4 years

1) Running is excellent - but run on trails/track/park- Germans don't run on sidewalks through town - running is for the woods or park.

2) Berlin Marathon is awesome

3) Local races are very good and very inexpensive - active cross country scene in Nov and Dec - club level cc races which includes adults and masters

4) Be careful with the euro - when you see 100 euro don't in your head think oh 100 dollars - more like 130 dollars

5) autobahn - autoban the is the word for highway so there is not one particular autobahn - often there are traffic jams, speed is not unlimited in all places and lots of camera (plus on red lights as well)

6) German people - some reserved some friendly - most speak English

7) train system is great - also to see Europe as well

8) German people follow rules - i.e. even if no cars around they will wait at crosswalk for the green walk sign

Is it true most of the German men wear black turtlenecks and go by the name Dieter?

9 ) German people do not wait in lines.

Germany is the tits. Weather is so so, a little more rainy than most places in the states. The women are smokin. great bodies, great asses, but likely way more sexually competent than you so be intimidated. Transportation is phenomenal, you can get anywhere. It is expensive though. The food is great, the beer is unbeatable. Most Germans have a great balance of work and social life, although it is true that they don't wait in lines and can complain. On the whole they will love you as an american. they will slam you from time to time for it, but you can tell that they envy you to some degree. This is changing though, as they're becoming superior to us quickly. but for now, they'll like you for your knowledge of whats cool. At least as a younger person (the elders still straight up dont like you). It is also a land of rules, which most of them follow and is why they are so damned prosperous. If I could practice my occupation there I'd go in a jiff with my wife and raise my kids in their phenomenal school system. COnsider yourself lucky for the opportunity and GO NOW

So are you saying there are no lines ? Or Germans get pissed when there are lines ? I knew this old guy who hated lines and was in grocery store, line was taking forever, just sat his bags on floor and walked out. Knowing his temper it was a wise move.

germany is like living in a locker room. smells. people don't wash their clothes nor their bodies. sidewalks and roads are cracked and full of pot holes. dog shit on the sidewalks since people don't pick up after their animals. on trains the pee and crap gets dumped on to the tracks so they tell you don't use the toliet when the train is in the station. the roads are crowded and highways are backed up so even people with nice cars can't drive as fast as advertised. overall i'd try it just to say you did it but i would'nt want to live anywhere in europe since it smells there.

Is that what you mother told you ? Did she also tell you your trailer was the nicest in the park even if it is a old single wide ?

There's a huge difference across Germany, especially East/West because of the whole Communist thing. In general East Germany is kind of shitty. Bavarians are pretty much just weirdos.

germany is like living in a locker room. smells. people don't wash their clothes nor their bodies. sidewalks and roads are cracked and full of pot holes. dog shit on the sidewalks since people don't pick up after their animals. on trains the pee and crap gets dumped on to the tracks so they tell you don't use the toliet when the train is in the station. the roads are crowded and highways are backed up so even people with nice cars can't drive as fast as advertised. overall i'd try it just to say you did it but i would'nt want to live anywhere in europe since it smells there.

Yeah, that's all 100% true. And if you believe that, please stay away.

in europe people are reserved and non-exciting. if you like that sort of subdued culture then it's nice. but even small cities in the u.s. are exciting with people trying new things all of the time. europe is stagnant and the culture demands that people think of the group. the can't excel as individuals which makes the people bland they way they are. it's nice to see such harmony in the beginning but after a while it's depressing knowing that europeans spend their entire lives in blissful mediocity.