Accompanying spouses in Stuttgart

Hi everyone!

My name is Veronica and I am 32 years old. I am originally from Chicago and I am one of the many non-working spouses who are here because of their husbands'/boyfriends'/partners' jobs. I love this country and do not regret the move, still I am finding it difficult to meet new friends who are in the same situation. While my husband is at work, I am involved in many activities: I do some graphic design projects, I learn German (although right now, it's quite ein bisschen) and I explore the city. I would love to meet friends here in Esslingen/Stuttgart who are in the same situation, who bring their experience from all over the world and need some company, even in the form of an email...although coffee and chat would be better. Please leave your posts here and if we get to be at least three or four we can actually meet for coffee!!!

Hi Veronica

I just got here about 3 weeks ago, from Virginia. we're in Boblingen... would also love to meet new people and explore together! I love food, working out (yoga & running), garderning (theoretically, at least). also trying to learn German... coffee & chat is a great idea.

Hi Veronica, Hi L(anynumber)!
What do you think of this idea?
I'm German so please excuse my lousy English, but I can tell you a little about the Germans and German oddities.
Welcome to TT!

Hello all,
Would also like to meet I live in Esslingen am Nekar, in the old town part just off the market plazt, just got here about a month ago. German is poor but learning, going to School to be a teacher( online) I am 44 and enjoy cooking, hiking, geocashing, gardening, and just about anything that involves the outdoors. Oh I havent met a dessert here that I haven't loved. Having a great time would love to be able to share it with others and learn more.
Sheri

Hiya! It's great to see responses!!!

I as well live in Esslingen but always tend to venture out to Stuttgart because the crowds remind me of the atmosphere in Chicago. (L_7788) I am currently in the process of "trying" to run but I find myself resembling the episode of Friends when Rach wants Phoebe to run with her but Phoebe is reluctant...come to find out, the way she runs is very comical. Well, hello...I'm Phoebe! lol. I've realized how out of shape I truly am. I do like working out at the Gym at Das Dick in Esslingen though.

(L_7788 & Swil) I'm learning alot about gardening but coming from Chicago (which we call the concrete city...it's all in the words) I never really learned much about gardening. Well, my neighbor is in the process of teaching me. I'm sure this is going to be quite the challenge for her and I.

Where should we meet? I am up for either Esslingen or Stuttgart area or pretty much anywhere I can get too by bus or train. (Swil) I have to admit, I haven't found a pastry over here I haven't enjoyed either and you have to admit the coffee is very good. Let's figure out the general area to meet and then we can offer our suggestions.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all!

I too travel by bus or train I haven't gone by myself yet, I tend to walk everywhere. The burg is quit the hike. I up for anywhere I just need and address so I can plug it into vvs I go to the farmers market Wed mornings and have to be home for a call from my mentor thurs afternoon(school stuff) other then that I pretty open to when. What are you near in Esslingen maybe we are neighbors?

Ohh, I know what you mean about the Burg! This I would like to call my weekly exercise and then when I get to the top, I pull out a book. I'm a bookaholic, I agreed to move over here IF my books came with me, and they did. I too go to the Farmers Market as well, I usually go on Saturdays but we could always meet at the market on Wednesday. I am just on the very tip of Mettingen when you first come into the town (literally the 3rd house). I'm about a 15 min walk to the Das Dick building. I am over by the Marktplatz very often. Oh and if you are ever up to studying our German with one another, I would love that.

I am on Milchstrasse I go to the market on sat too with my husband He works during the week. I am always up for practicing german but you are way ahead of me I am sure I am about a 5 min walk to the marketplatz When do you want to meet? and where I think we are probably blocks from each other

Sounds like you two are neighbors!
We're still in a hotel (getting a bit tired), hope to settle down soon. My employer in the States allows me to work from home (lucky me), so during the day I'm mostly home with my laptop. probably won't be able to meet you during the week but there're always other opportunities, and I do hope to make new friends and share our experience.
How do you both learn German? attending classes? I follow an on-line course from Deutsch Welle, seems to be working fine until, I turn on TV and understand nothing
Veronica - I'm not a very good runner myself either... took me more than a year to get into it! only ran once since I got here though... do you follow classes in your gym? I'm considering joining a gym too, but a bit worried that I won't understand a thing

Yea, I think we might be! But don't think you can't meet up with us because you work, we could always get together on the weekend.

You are very lucky, I wish I still had my job from Chicago. I'm in Design (Graphic Design - 9 yrs) and I'm currently networking and trying to find work over here. My visa is sponsored by my husbands company which is fantastic but still finding it quite difficult. As for the language classes, I took an intensive course at the Volkshaschule (sp?) in the Das Dick building for 6 wks, afterwards I found an online program that is completely free and great (www.livemocha.com) In addition I also have Rosetta Stone. I know what you mean about watching TV and understanding nothing. It is frustrating.

As for running, yea, I just started running last week. For the most part, I like to go to the gym and do the eliptical for 20-35 mins, then I have a routine that was set for me by a trainer (weight lifting). He didn't speak much English but there was another person in our group that did, so this helped. I haven't taken any classes yet but I can hear them when I use the eliptical. I'm sure this could be a very entertaining experience. I should try it and let you know how it goes.

For a short 4-month period, you sure are fully engaged! that's great... I need to spend more time learning German - been too easy on myself
Yeah leaving behind a career is difficult. I certainly can understand. On the other hand, you never know what new opportunities this opens up. Hope all works out for you soon.
Let's try to meet for coffee some time in August? There's a cozy cafe overlooking the Schlossplatz in downtown Stuttgart (Konig cafe?). I'll find out the exact location & name if you're interested. we can do a bit shopping or walking in the park afterwards... hope more people can join us...

Hi,

I am also fairly new to the area as an accompanying spouse and would like to meet some people. We live in Vaihingen. In my previous life I was a high school math teacher in Maryland and I am not used to all of this free time! I enjoy cycling, reading, cooking and knitting but am willing to try/learn something new. As many of you mentioned, I am also working on learning German. I have a long way to go. I look forward to future posts and hopefully meeting up one day.

Is there no teacher sought in Boeblingen Elementary, none in Patch, neither in Robinson? (just as an idea) Afair there were vacancies when I was Hausmeister over there.

Hello All!


I, too, am a non-working spouse and just arrived last weekend. I am very active and enjoy yoga, pilates (in the process of finding a good local studio for both - any suggestions?), running and biking. For leisure, I read, shop and love a good latte. I am looking for some sort of Newcomers Club here (maybe there is) but this is a great start for sure. Does anyone meet regularly here? I would love to meet and chat over coffee. Any takers?

Hello,

I would be interested in meeting new people in the area. I'm not new to Stuttgart - me and my husband have been here for almost 2 years but it's always nice to meet new people.

Looking forward to the meetup!

Jenny