I am the first in my generation to do this and now I am thinking of moving to Germany in the next 2 years. My mother is full German and had German married parents which was passed to us children but I am the only one who took the time to follow through and get it. Now at 59 I really long to live and die in German more than ever and I have always had this feeling of being lost in the US.
Any suggestions and things to do before I take this leap of love for Germany? I am looking at Freiburg to move to.
Edit: As so many have referred to the healthcare the VA has FMP which will take care of my current health issues — [https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp)
Unless I rip my arm or legs off I’m pretty covered.
by sgrayban
24 comments
Do you speak German? Have you been to Germany before?
Your age is tricky – health insurance particularly may be an issue (not having it, which is mandatory, but affording it). What do you plan to do in Germany? What are you planning to live on?
Just do it. Can always return. Live and let die better, though as Germany certainly is not known as a desttination for healing
Germany is lost. Many failed cities and ideologues as politicians.
What do you mean by feeling lost in the USA?
To me, you sound like someone who will enrich this country. Don’t get dragged down by the pessimistic comments. You seem to have a rough plan and already people you know in Germany, which is more than the most have heading here
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You never lived Germany.
If you lived at a miltary base in Germany, then you were still in America.
I would really recommend learning German depending on how good it is. As a tourist you will get along with English almost everywhere but as soon as you want to stay longer people will start to expect you to learn German it a bit. (Also makes it easier to find friends, which, as many questions in this sub already explain, will be best achieved by joining a club.)
Just read all your comments, you did your research and wish you all the best. Don’t rely too much on Google maps for local transportation. Use DB Navigator for trains only, and the local transportation app of the area you’re in for buses, trams, metro. Those are the ones that reflect any sudden changes in schedules due to Störungen. Also, it’s better to book a seat in ICE trains if there’s high occupancy. And if you’re taking a train after your flight, book a flex train ticket in advance to account for any delays in schedules. My last flight from Warsaw for example got delayed by 50 mins then 3 conveyor belts were out of service in Frankfurt, which took another 40 min to get my checked-in luggage, that’s rare, but it can happen, so yeah, a flex ticket gives you 24hrs window to use it, and peace of mind.
There is a train station inside Frankfurt Airport for regional and ICE trains. If the DB Navigator app suggests for whatever reason you take a journey from a bus stop outside to the Hbf, ignore it, unless the RMVgo App also says so. The easiest way to get from FraPort to anywhere else is through the train stations underground, either the ICE directly from the airport, or taking the S train then change to the ICE at Hbf.
You’ll need to book an appointment for the Anmeldung at the Bürgerbüro once you’re there in Freiburg, the rest you’ll figure out as you go.
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If you love mountains you may also take a look at the “Allgäu” and the german alps in general. There is a US military base in “Garmisch-Partenkirchen”. Or my city – Kempten which is a nice place as well.
Freiburg is great! I lived there and really love the city. Nice choice. People are also more relaxed and nicer in Freiburg.
My German is A1 and I already made friends here. Based on your comments, I think you will have a great time here.
I’m happy to hear you are decent.
I would advise to get to know the Lokal dialect and culture – Germany isn’t just Germany and if you feel connected to your specific families roots, you’d probably get more out of specializing. Other than that – willkommen!
Freiburg is a great place with stunning mountains and great location to visit France-Switzerland or go to the Lake of Bodensee, Bavaria etc. The city is like a huge garden, well planned and very cozy.
You have a good “income” so you can afford quite a decent life there. If you are into nature and mountains it’s a great place to live. Also one of the sunniest cities in Germany. Kaiserslautern is not even close comparable to Freiburg/Schwarzwald. I think south Germany is the best spot to live, can’t speak for Bavaria, but Baden-Württemberg is a great place to live and especially the spot you have your eye on 🙂
I would say just go for it. You’re retired and making good money, you can go back at any time if you don’t like it.
Just come, buy the Deutschlanticket and spend the days traveling around Germany, which is beautiful.
And as someone who comes from a place with constant political and economic turmoil, it’s relaxing to get out of your country and forget about all that.
Also you have time, use that time to learn proper German and your stay here would be even better.
I’m trying to bring my mother here from the US. I married a German and have been here six yrs. This thread has answered more of my questions than any other post, forum, group etc. I’m glad you are getting all your i’s dotted and t’s crossed. It’s refreshing to see someone of age taking the leap and being well informed.
This will be an adventure. You’ll make it through anyways. So, I personnally would say: “Welcome to Germany!”
It may take some efforts and time to get everything sorted out, but on the other hand you’ll enjoy some freedom the U.S. do not grant (e.g. being free to drink beer in public). You’ll possibly miss other freedom you had in the U.S., e.g. traffic regulations are a bit more strict here. But once you understand the reaaon behind, you’ll love it.
Freiburg is a very good place to live, good choice btw.
Get prepared for strong racism. Welcome to Germany.
Freiburg is nice if you plan on not having a car. Beautiful surroundings, excellent public transportation system (IMHO one of the best in Germany).
Apartments to rent are really hard to find, also expensive. If you are sure, try to get into Familienheim eG, which is some kind of buildings union (Baugenossenschaft, I’m sure my translation is broken). They have several years of waiting on their backlog of rental applications but the apartments are rather affordable.
If you have a large chunk of savings (or just sold your house in the US), you could also buy or build something. Properties in Germany tend to be much more expensive than in the US, but the build quality usually is something else, too.
Go for it!
U.S. Americans have an odd relationship to their own country. I think this desire to cling to places you never grew up in (“I really long to live and die in German more than ever”) says a lot about the USA’s messed-up history and relationship with itself. It’s a very entitled attitude.
But if you move with humility, spend years establishing roots and connection, and contribute to a country, more power to you.
You might have to pay tax in Germany and the US. Just FYI. I don’t know how a US pension is handled by German bureaucracy.
Feeling like not quite belonging: I think one of my favorite books from when I was a child nailed that (at least for me, book is “Erzähler der Nacht“ by Rafik Shami). In it there’s a character who has travelled and lived in far away countries. While he was there he didn’t fit in because he was a foreigner, when he came back home he didn’t fit in because nobody believed his stories/he experienced things different to the people who had always lived in that one place.
I have decided for myself that there will always be a residual feeling of not quite belonging no matter where I am and that decision on its own has brought me some peace.
Good luck with your new adventure!