If you left Germany, where would you go?

I am not colourblind I do know the difference between blue and grey!

Apparently not!

Having just returned from a 2 week stint in texas that included 4 days on lake travis, I envy you.

Haha, half the Germans I know want to go to Australia, probably for much the same reasons. Young Australians (and Germans etc etc etc) just want a change and to see the world, nothing to do with how good or bad the country is. If you're curious about the rest of the world then Australia is a long way from anywhere.

Myself, I will probably be moving back to Australia with my German GF in a couple of years, I do really miss the place, much as I recognize that Germany is a great place to live I really struggle with the language and that limits my ability to feel part of things here. Although a stint in Canada would be nice. Can't work up too much enthusiasm about the USA or Britain, even though I would prefer somewhere I can work in English. Spent a lot of time in various parts of Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, China) working on projects and would not want to do that again despite the generous terms expats in those places often get.

well i've had one winter here and i see no reason to put myself through another. and the summer is certainly nothing to write home about. i spent the 2006 summer in germany, and thought, "ok, this'll work..." but later discovered that that summer was a fluke. schadenfreude. working from home i need some decent sunshine and/or nature, otherwise why bother going outside when all you will see is gray cement, gray skies and stony faces.

thanks for the info timmeh, good to see favorable comments from a new zealander. wetsuit, no big deal, got used to a thick one in n.cal. Nelson, nz, looks like it could be an interesting place, small city w/coasts and mountains, and apparently a lot of artists there (this is where the One Ring was forged!!!) not to hijack the thread into a nz q&a.. but i do have a lot of questions about nz..

I've worked with loads of New Zealanders who really genuinely love the place (except for the exchange rate). It's isolated but on the whole suits many people, in that the country is far from others but people tend to be pretty warm within communities. The South island is one of the most spectactular and beautiful places I have ever seen, and from what I saw on a recent holiday there the arts community is thriving. At one stage I was slotted to spend 6 months working there but it all fell through when the company changed hands, can't say I don't regret that sometimes.

Having done the US and Japan they are both definitely not places I wish to return to live. Visited several time both Australia and New Zealand and neither of them enticed me to come and live, although nice places to visit. French speaking Cananda impressed me, but probably where I would really like to try in Scandinavia, expensive I know.

Weatherwise does not bother me as I have never been a person who chooses where they live just because of the weather.

I'd go back to France, which I still miss most days. And southern Sardinia, where I'd like a second home. Canada, to see for myself, because I've heard too many good things not to. London, but not for long. And maybe Ireland, just as long as I can live at no. 33.

Okay, okay, so it was Edmonton. And I would rather go through a wet, grey winter at -15 than the nice -45 (that's with windchill) that we get for around four weeks every year. To each their own, I guess. *sigh*

I think I'd enjoy Denmark. Maybe not forever, but I would like to spend a year or so there, since everyone seemed generally happy there and the place was indeed very pretty. Parts of it look similar to the town right next to us, actually... Then again, Denmark is only about an hour's drive from here...

i think i'd move to southampton in the u.k. i just got back from a trip to chichester, having flown into and out of southampton. the surrounding countryside is very pretty, the climate is fairly mild (saw some little palm trees and eucalyptus, and a bunch of other trees that totally reminded me of northern california), and london isn't too far away. i really like the u.k. it seems like it has a diverse population of mostly happy people. for the most part everyone seems so friendly, well mannered and polite over there.

Well, well, well... what a thread.

This was just what i was thinking.

I'm currently going through an absolutely gut wrenching relationship break-up, I don't know if I can stay in Germany purely for all the constant reminders Cologne or the rest of the places I went with her would give me.

I was considering my options - and despite having a genuine deep love for Germany, I am at a complete loss at what to do.

Ho hum... back to love sickness.

were i in such a funk, i'd consider a backpacking trip for a couple of months, to take my mind off all things familiar and discover something new.

When you're love sick it's probably best not to make any hasty moves. Take it slow and think about what you really want for your future. Good luck.

Singapore, because my wife is from there and I would have no problem getting a PR there.

A small Greek Fishing Village, possibly on the Peloponeese (sp)

Fishing for a living... selling and trading fish for Veg and drinks.. etc.

I dont really want much anymore...

Open to most places but ones I would definitely give a whirl are San Francisco or surrounds and Portugal where we're currently looking to buy something and which is the most likely next move.

Also kind of drawn to Argentina and India.

I could keep moving every few years for the rest of my life if someone let me, I always get sick of the packing and unpacking but there's something addictive to it. Wouldn't move back to London though, I miss it but it's not somewhere I want to live anymore.

Get thee to Buenos Aires lad. Let the beautiful portenos take your mind off troubled times.

Home to Scotland.

I like the bit about moving back to Scotland too, as it's true what Gemini said earlier, your true (lasting) friendships were made when you were in your younger years ...

Munich is starting to smother me, I think Mango Bay on Kao Tao would be good idea ... Feel free to come and visit ...

back to California. If it had to be Europe, then Spain... all the charms (and good food) of Italy, without as much chaos. Plus I really like taking naps.

Come to Berlin, everybody loves you here...

Tasmania, to breathe the cleanest air in the world.

Vancouver Island

Back where I came from - Vancouver, B.C. Because it's where I belong. Now to convince the other three family members...

I'd like to go and live on Captiva Island off the West Coast of Florida. Been there a few times and just love it...

Anywhere there is more diversity, dynamism and lust for life.

Vancouver - Destination of the Newlyweds and Nearlydeads.

piggyback here--How's the humidity there? I watch ARD newscasts via the web and see rainclouds followed by temperatures of around 20-22 Celsius. You've got to be wet and sweating, correct? (Thanks for any replies!)

I spent a week, yes a whole week as a tourist last year in Hamburg shortly after my ex and I broke up. I fell in love with the city and thought to myself, if a move within Germany, that would be it. I just wandered around - a lot. I was broke so I just wandered. Well, I just found out my ex got a job in Hamburg and will be moving their soon. That's irony for ya! But Spain - I loved Madrid and Valladolid. I was hoping to pick up Spanish by the time I'm 40. Okay I got a few years left


All the places I've ever lived were chosen based on past relationships. It scares me to think my next move may be because it's what I want and where I want to go. And I just don't know. I've got a great job, but this area of Germany - I just don't feel at home here.


Hope the heart is doing better now. I moved to Mannheim first and foremost for a job, but my ex was here. It seemed to me to be a perfect combination. Then he dumped me after 7 months after moving in with him. I don't love Mannheim, but if it weren't for my job, I would have picked up and left and started over, but I am just tired of it. I've given myself another 18 months to figure it all out.

As much as I loved Austin, I don't know how I will get used to only 12 days of holiday a year. The U.S. - *sigh* all this paid vacation...

Chicago, Charlotte, NY, maybe even Cali. Someplace with verve.

You need to go to England then, Wigan to be precise.

I'd love to say Argentina, but they've got Germans there too.

hi funf, i'm a big fan of heat and humidity. i loved living in florida and japan for just that reason. right now germany is not that hot, but the air feels fairly moist. it's not really hot enough to sweat unless you're excercising. i've sort of been dreaming that if i ever moved back to the states, i'd want to move to miami. i'd love to live in hawaii, but i like having the potential to just get in the car and drive to someplace really far away, so florida would be better.

Having Rudys and good Mexican food available > some extra vacation

Okay, you're not my type in one. Gads, I hate humidity, which is why I asked. I remember some humid summer days in Holland, but I can't believe all the thundershowers followed by high heat in Germany that I am seeing. Thanks.

You think that 22°C is sweat-inducing "high heat"? What Celsius-Fahrenheit conversion chart are you using?

Kay, you aren't dealing with someone who is playing with a full deck here.

Yes, I know, she seems to be a permanent "UNO".

"Back to Canada for me."

Smart girl!

Paia(Maui), Hawaii

"I am not colourblind I do know the difference between blue and grey!"

Come to Alberta the bluest sky all around and business is good. Mind you, it will freeze tomorrow:-(

I'd go back to Chile, coz I absolutely love it there, love the mentality of ppl, the way to live, etc.... should've never left in the 1st place...Chile it is...and yeah apparently they have Germans too but I never met one not even at the BIG German beer festival in Valdivia hahah!

Somewhere where the sky is bright and time moves slowly! Amrum, perhaps - worked there for two years...half the island is beach, even in high season there´s always a corner free just for sitting and watching the sun on his way through the sky. Warm sand, cold water and a view all the way to the horizon *sigh*

We´re thinking of buying sth in Southern France, hopefully near the sea, maybe grow vines :-)

As per the research, it is found that time moves slowly, on the mountains (proportional to the height).


Its indeed laidback and pretty good weather, out there in Southern France. I don't really know if that would be good for living there, but a holiday home is definitely a great option.

"Its indeed laidback and pretty good weather, out there in Southern France. I don't really know if that would be good for living there, but a holiday home is definitely a great option"

That´s the idea :-) Actually, buying sth old and worn and create a holiday home after our own ideas might be an option...

I unfortunately know Mannheim relatively well and can understand your predicament. There are other places where you could live in that area right?

Switzerland or southern France.

Sigh.

Back to either Boston or Burlington, VT. The latter especially- I have always felt "at home" in Burlington. In my opinion, not much can beat a small city with beautiful surroundings, a unique 'european' feel and a relaxing atmosphere brimming with culture! Oh, not to mention friendly people! Just thinking about it makes me homesick...

That's exactly what bothers me atm.

I am back in Germany now for 8 months and still not settled again...
I already think about leaving again, because my fellow compatriots are just a pain in my neck.

Maybe I develop a misantrophy, but I feel not that bothered by english-speaking people...it is the german mentality I don't like and cannot get used to anymore...
I prefer friendly, maybe shallow friendly but friendly people around me...modest, restrained and relaxed people who maybe apologize to often...but still are friendly...and humorous.
I've left Ireland mainly for weather-, healthy- and safety reasons - but miss it deeply for the rest. Made some good friends over there, had a very good job, my work was appreciated, lived by the sea, had a lot of entertainment at weekends...but the weather was just crap!
I think about going to AUS or NZ for a while, not long, just a few months, maybe 1 or 2 years, but hate the necessary preparations, jobseeking a.s.o. - it's so exhausting. I also would love to got to one of the hawaiian islands, if I could get a job there for a while...
I definatelly need to live somewhere with more sunny days than in Ireland, UK or Germany...
At the moment I feel frustrated and don't know where I belong to. I'll definatelly wait till next year till I leave again but I am sure this day will come...

Silky