Is Düsseldorf right for me?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer my questions, or provide any advice.

I am a 25-year-old US citizen setting long term plans to move to Europe. My primary reasoning is that I don't like the direction the US is heading in, and I don't think there will be a drastic change of course in the near future. I want to get away from the excessive, wasteful, loud, gun toting, nationalistic, socially conservative, ignorant, SUV driving lifestyle. I am considering Germany first and foremost, because I can get "Reclaimed" citizenship fairly easily because my Jewish grandfather lost his German citizenship during the holocaust and came to the US. I am closely considering Düsseldorf because Vodafone has offices there, and I currently work for Verizon Wireless, a subsidiary of Vodafone here in the US. This leads me to think I might have some headway at getting a job with them.

Though I have not been to Germany yet, I am planing a trip next year, and would like some input on which cities to check out, not just for tourism purposes, but for potential places to consider living. I have read a lot of great things about Düsseldorf, (i.e. the Altstadt, pedestrian only zones, shopping, public transportation, etc.). I enjoy good foods and markets, pleasant scenery and friendly people. I want a city with a great modern, and historic sides to it. Also, I am concerned about some of the stereotypes describing Germans in general, and wonder if they hold true in Düsseldorf, or anywhere in Germany. Please don't be offended, these are things I have read or been told, not my personal opinions:

1. All of the clerks, waiters, cashiers, etc. are rude and unhelpful.
2. The people are cold and unfriendly; don't make eye contact or smile/greet one another, hold doors open etc.
3. Poor hygiene practices and bad smells.
4. Arrogant attitude toward outsiders.
5. Dirty public restrooms/snack stands.
6. People aggressively cut in line.
7. All markets and stores close at or before 6pm and all day Sunday.

I am sure some these stereotypes hold true for certain segments in certain regions, but I am hoping someone can dispel these and other stereotypes as applying to the majority of the population.

Thanks Again.

Are all Americans fat and stupid with no knowledge of anything outside their own country and often their own state?

If the answer to that is yes then the sterotypes you've listed are probably all true too.

You'll find people everywhere who fit whatever negative stereotype you can come up with. You'll also find lots and lots of great people who don't. The only thing that's almost true in your list is that shops are for the most part closed on Sundays. However, 80 million or so people do get along perfectly fine with it.

Even if some of the stuff on the list is partly true, and particularly when you are coming from outside the country certain things tend to jump out at you more, none of them should be a reason to dissuade you from a move to Germany. Yes, you will notice things that you don't like but for most people the things that they do like far, far outweigh any of the negatives.

I understand what you are saying about stereotypes in general, but I'm sure you can agree that some stereotypes unfortunately hold true for majorities, and others are either misconceptions, or only apply to small minorities. That is why I am asking about these stereotypes in particular.

For example, the stereotypes you provided about Americans definitely hold true to the majorities in certain regions. If you were looking to avoid fat ignorant Americans with no knowledge of the outside world, I would suggest staying away from the central and southern regions and sticking to the urban coastal areas where these people are more of a minority.

I know certain stereotypes of Germans are just not true at all. For example: Large Neo-Nazi populations.

I am open-minded and prepared for obvious social and cultural differences, but I also want to be happy in my new home.

Thanks again for the input.

1. All of the clerks, waiters, cashiers, etc. are rude and unhelpful. True - but I find Americans overbearingly the opposite.
2. The people are cold and unfriendly; don't make eye contact or smile/greet one another, hold doors open etc. True - see point 1.
3. Poor hygiene practices and bad smells. Definitely not true
4. Arrogant attitude toward outsiders. Sometimes true, but outsiders can quickly become insiders if they want to
5. Dirty public restrooms/snack stands. See point 3
6. People aggressively cut in line. How else do you get to the fornt of the queue without wasting time queuing?
7. All markets and stores close at or before 6pm and all day Sunday. 8pm in most places, later in others (such as Berlin). Having stores closed on Sunday is a positive boon - see point 1

I walk around most of Germany, compare it to the UK and USA and wonder who really won the war....

Hello!
My name is Ashley. I am 25 years old and moved to Düsseldorf 5 months ago from the states. Here are my opinions for you....

1. All of the clerks, waiters, cashiers, etc. are rude and unhelpful.
Not from my experience. You are going to have the occasional person, just as you have in the states...
2. The people are cold and unfriendly; don't make eye contact or smile/greet one another, hold doors open etc.
Very true most of the time. I live in an area of Düsseldorf with a lot of elderly people, and have better luck with this because they tend to be more friendly. As for people our age in general....yes pretty cold.
3. Poor hygiene practices and bad smells.
Same as in the states....nothing different...you have the occasional smelly person.
4. Arrogant attitude toward outsiders.
Sometimes....its like the Americans with Mexican....Some people are negative, others not....that's just the best example of it in the states that I could think of.
5. Dirty public restrooms/snack stands.
Public bathrooms in the city, from my experience...yes...very dirty. But gas stations, restaurants, etc. no. They are kept clean.
6. People aggressively cut in line.
Once again, you have the occasional old lady....but same in the states....not much different
7. All markets and stores close at or before 6pm and all day Sunday.
They used to and some still do...now most larger markets are open til 8,9 or 10 on weekdays, but Yes they are still unfortunately closed on Sundays.

Hope this helps you a bit. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me or message back on this topic.

Look, every country has its good and bad. You obviously want to get out of the US and experience something new. The easiest route for you would be Germany and Düsseldorf in particular. Just try it. Experience things for yourself. One thing I have noticed in my years here in Europe is that the more "enlightened" Americans come over here and, after a few months, are the ones complaining the loudest. Come to Germany to experience something new or a little different. But do not come expecting people to be more enlightened, philosophizing in cafés. Düsseldorf is a wonderful city (IMO), but people drive SUVs there as well. That you even bring up that most markets close at 8pm and are not open on Sundays sounds like you are trying to have your cake and eat it too. You come over and you get used to it. Sales people, for the most part, aren't friendly - you get used to it. But the experience you gain is worth a lot more than petty issues. There are tons of Americans who live here and somehow we have survived. Everyday may not be a walk in the park, but it wasn't that way in the US either.

He won´t have much of a choice once he has reclaimed his German citizenship ... and renounced his American citizenship in the process

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful. I think I am definitely the type of person who could become an "insider" pretty quickly if people are willing to give me a chance. 8pm doesn't seem so bad, I like the fact that everyone gets time to enjoy life rather than work all the time. It was 6pm that had me worried, because it would be difficult to purchase items after work. It sounds like the stereotypes are either exaggerated or uncommon, (as most stereotypes are). I know every place will have its positives and negatives, and I know that there are SUVs in every country, but I can guarantee there are not as many as here in the states! If anyone else would like to provide me with their own opinions on the positive and negative aspects of living in Germany, and particularly the Düsseldorf area, I would like to read them!

Thanks again!

Cologne would be an option too. Commuting is easy (30 min by train) and imho it's a little more down to earth than Düsseldorf.

Thanks for the tip. What exactly do you mean by "down to earth?" Ideally I am looking for a place that is very pedestrian/bicycle friendly, with good markets for meat a produce, great restaurants and pubs, strong infrastructure and nice parks. Does this sound more like Düsseldorf, Cologne, or somewhere else? Which is more affordable?

Pretty much any city in Germany.

There is a LOT of information on Toytown discussing the pros and cons of every city here. I strongly suggest you read some of the threads on the subject of moving to particular parts of Germany and not expect people to rehash many things which have already been said. In fact, I don't think there's a single thing in your posts which hasn't been discussed in great depth on previous threads. You just need to make a little effort.

I have been doing a lot of research on this site and others. I don't expect anyone to rehash anything, I am just interested to hear people's opinions related to my specific preferences and situations if they are willing to share them on this page.

If you´re gay or catholic move to Cologne.

What more do you need? Either you do it or don't? If you want to live in bicycleland, move to Holland. What info are you looking for? You could move here, and everything is cool or you could move here and fall flat on your face. That could also be in France, Japan, Australia, or Where-have-you Land. What do you want to hear/read that deters you from just taking the plunge? Opinions are like ...

I am just interested in hearing other peoples views and opinions on what they like and dislike in different parts of Germany. What better way than to open a forum topic and allow people to voluntarily provide me with these opinions. If you have a problem with my questions, by all means feel free not to read or reply to these posts. For those who are interested in sharing their opinions with me, I am anxious to read them.

Thank you.