Germany is one of the most developed economically countries in the EU situated in west-central Europe. With 81 million people population Germany is the second largest exporter and third largest importer of goods. It is one of the world’s leading economies with the service sector being mostly developed (71%) and then industry (28%). A lot of international corporations are based there so moving to Germany without speaking German and finding a job is very much possible. As an international move, moving to Germany from the US requires a lot of planning starting from getting to know the country a bit. In this moving to Germany guide you will find information about the country, cost of living information and valuable tips on moving and packing. Here is your guide with tips on moving to Germany.
Moving to Germany Guide – Cost of Living
Rents vary between €300 and €1,200 depending on the location of the place and the number of bedrooms. This means that the rent will be approximately about 20% of your monthly expenses unlike the situation in the USA. Utilities will cost you about €100-€150 a month again depending on the size of your home and number of people living in it. A meal in a restaurant – lunch or dinner, would cost you about €20-€25 per person which is pretty much also what you would pay in other EU countries like Spain, Cyprus, the Netherlands, etc. This means that you should have a minimum of €800 per person per month for your needs. Considering that the average salary in Germany is about €2,000 this means that you can have enough financials at your disposal if you are part of an average family with two working adults and two children. Also have in mind that Eastern Germany is a little bit cheaper than Western Germany.
Tourism in Germany
There’s a lot you can see in Germany especially in summer. The country has kept numerous castles all over its territory so it is great to go and see them when you can. A great period to visit Germany is in the summer when the flowers are blossoming – all the castles are built with huge gardens with flowers, statues, fountains which makes the scenery incredibly beautiful. In the region of Brandenburg there is a lot to see. In Potsdam there are the Cecilienhof Palace, Charlottenhof Palace, Sanssouci Palace, Orangery Palace and a lot more.
In Berlin you can see the Berggruen Museum which contains artwork from Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Georges Braque, Paul Klee and Henri Matisse. You can visit the so called “museum insel” (“museum island”) situated near the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) which is of course an area with museums you will certainly enjoy taking a look at. The Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin is also an amazing castle to visit. If you want to do some cheaper shopping you can find great deals in Kreuzberg – a region with a large Turkish community.
Transportation in Germany
The transportation is regular and very accurate. It includes trains, metro, buses and trams. You can get a ticket for your train trip by a machine that is situated on every train station. You can buy tram tickets from a machine inside the tram and for the bus – directly from the driver. In some of the cities there are night buses. On every stop in the city you can see electronic information about which number of tram/ bus is coming and at what time. Almost everywhere on metro/ tram stops you will be able to find maps pointing where you are and a map of the region. The trains are equipped with monitors showing you which is the next train stop and what route the train is going. Trams and buses also provide electronic information so the possibility to get lost is minimal. A lot of people speak English on a comparatively good level. For example, if you go to Berlin and ask to be directed somewhere in German it is very likely that people will answer you in English just because they see you with the map and realize you’re foreign. On the other hand, Spanish is a favorite language to Germans so if you don’t speak German Spanish can also help you if you know it. In general Germans are very kind to tourists and will always help you if you ask for advice. This is the kind of spirit Europeans generally have to tourists.
Moving to Germany Packing List
Prepare your moving to Germany packing list carefully. As a foreign country move all of your belongings will have to be shipped over the ocean and to a very large distance. This is why international moves are the most expensive one. And in terms of valuing your money it is advisable to review your belongings and what to pack for moving. Make your moving to Germany packing list after you declutter your home and leave behind the majority of little, inexpensive and least emotionally valuable to you items. Considering the type of this move for many of the things you may decide to move it will be cheaper to sell in the USA and buy all new in Germany. That is of course if you have decided on a permanent move. If you are relocating to Germany for a short period of time put part of your things in storage so you can regain them after you go back to the US.
Moving to Germany from the USA Movers
First of all get several international estimates and compare carefully the costs of different services. Choose a company based not only on the prices that it gives you but also based on its performance. When relocating to Germany the type of the move requires from you to carefully select your moving company. In all cases begin the organization of your move to Germany from the USA as early as you can. Organize a date with the moving company and start planning the rest of the details. Talk to the movers when they will be able to ship your things to your new home. Because of the large distance be ready to wait for up to several weeks. Plan what to bring with you and how you will spend the time in your new home without the things that the movers will transport for you. If you are renting a place that is furnished most of your worries will be solved but if you are buying a new house or apartment you need to decide how to furnish it. Is it going to be cheaper to sell your furniture in the USA and buy new in Germany? Think about what you need because this is the basis on which the Germany movers will give you an estimate. The cost of moving to Germany will depend on where you are coming from in the USA and where in Germany you’re going to, how many people are moving and how much is the luggage to be transfered. Hence the cost of moving to Germany will vary. If you don’t understand all terminology used by movers you can take a look at this glossary of moving terms.
Tips on Moving to Germany
Hopefully this guide with tips on moving to Germany will help you in your move to this new country. For more information about relocating, check out Umzug Bewertungen. For more info on your relocation – working and living in Germany, you can find books on moving to Germany one of which you can see on this link. Good luck with your relocation! If you liked this article please give us a g+ from the bar to the left so that your friends will also be able to get advantage of this free useful information.
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