How sleepy is a sleepy German town? (Edelsfeld)

Greetings,

I'm moving to Vilseck area in a few weeks, and very confused on the housing front. I'm a civilian working on post. I can't really tell whether it is currently difficult or not to secure housing.

I've been offered a beautiful second story apt in Edelsfeld - 2 bedroom, 2 bath with garage, washer/dryer, kitchen and all fixtures for 650 euro per month (incl heat and satellite). The current occupant (who is moving back stateside for family reasons) says he pays about 80-100 euro in additional payments. Does this sound like a fair price?

My original plan was to move to Germany and find a place when I get there. However, this little place is very cute and sounds good.

The part that makes me question it is that it's in Edelsfeld, which is about 6.5 miles from post. The guy who's currently in the apt said that he is the only English speaker in town besides one person at the Post Office. I speak some German and would like to improve it (that's part of my reason for moving there) however, I am a little nervous that I might feel isolated. Then again, 6.5 miles is not too much.

I plan to ride my bicycle to work seasonally and was told there were a few hills to get to work. I am not sure how to interpret that. Does anyone have any experience with the roads between Vilseck and Edelsfeld?

Back story: I'm a 33 yo single female optometrist. I recently lived abroad for one year in New Zealand and traveled solo for the last year, so I am perfectly capable of being alone (and enjoy it). However, I love to be with people also, and interacting with locals has really been the highlight of many of my travels.

Thank you kindly, all.

I don't know that corner of Franconia too well, but my general experience is that as soon as you leave the larger towns, it gets very provincial very quickly. As beautiful as the scenery and the beer is, the sad reality is that this is an area in decline, and the average age is high and average income low. The house sounds great though, so it's just a question of what you want from life. If all your new friends live elsewhere, how will you get to the pub in the evening?

With regards to cycling, it's all lovely cycling countryside. If you go to Bayern Viewer you can get a topographical map that will show the contour lines of your route to work.

Edit: I just looked on Wikipedia, and with a population of under 2,000 Edelsfeld can only be politely described as a "village".

I have an idea but what is the exact square meter of the flat? As for other english you will find them maybe not in Edelsfeld, but you will find them in surrounding towns. if you are driving and I assume you are due to the garage then it really will not be that bad. The country side is beautiful although locals in smaller towns can be quite stand offish. Not rude just stand offish Where in the states will you be coming from?

I'm coming from Portland, OR. Recently lived in Auckland, NZ, but grew up in small towns in MN, WI and ND... (was living URBAN - right in the city in the last two places- walking and biking to everything.)

I'm not a big drinker (swear I have the Asian drinking gene even though I am not Asian!) but I like to go out.

I do plan to buy a car once I get to Germany.

I don't know the sq meter of the flat. It looks pretty good sized from the photos.

Yes i remember you, I think. You use to live on Division and I lived on Clinton. Anyway sent you a pm with some info. Good luck dude!

Ya, today's the appraisal for the buyers on my house on Division! Keeping fingers crossed.

My mind is swimming with all the different details.

I honestly don't think I need 2 bed 2 bath. I lived in a studio in NZ which was toooo small but.

Thanks for the note, perdido.

Hi bicyclegoddess,

I live in a military community so I am not sure about the housing market in and around Vilseck, but the community is continuing to grow in population. You have just missed PCSing (Permanent Change of Station aka moving) season. Meaning, a lot of people have moved away, but some are also moving in. There are posting for housing located on and off-post for you to check out when you get here. In the meantime, here are some website you might want to check out. There are probably more, but you may have to do a search for them.
http://anzeigen.grafenwoehr.com
http://grafenwoehryardsales.com
http://www.grafsales.com/classifieds/index.php (less popular)

Just a note: The area here is extremely quiet except for the farming. Making it ideal for outdoors activities such as biking. There is also a German Mountain biking group that my friend was a part of before moving to the States.

I hope this helps a little.

Thanks for the websites, Nirvana.

[quote name='Small Town Boy' date=' 1.Oct.2009, 8:30pm' timestamp='1254421808' post='1782689']
I don't know that corner of Franconia too well, but my general experience is that as soon as you leave the larger towns, it gets very provincial very quickly.

Edelsfeld is not in Franken. It belongs to Landkreis Amberg-Sulzbach (AS) and therefore, Edelsfeld is oberpfälzisch. (Oberpfalz) It's not too far from Sulzbach-Rosenberg (Bundestraße 85 north)