To relocate or not... what to do?

Moment of truth... Been offered a fab job for a blue chip firm & am seriously tempted. However, they've not exactly been forthcoming in providing any relocation info (the reloc firm "does it all") & cost of living (it's €'s for £s here - really?) for me to calculate if the offer, bottom line is OK?

Can anyone help to fill any of the gaps pleeeze!?
1) renting flat within 30mins commute of Wappenhalle, Konrad-Zuse-Platz, D-81829 - is this even possible...?
2) cost of public transport for daily commute (assume train?)
3) household bills budget for a singleton who like to live a little
4) better to flat share, rent furnished or ship furniture over & rent "unfurnished"?
5) sensible choice on what to do about pensions (Brit national)
6) do UK TVs+DVD players etc work OK?

It's a local rather than expat deal so I'm not so sure the paycut is workable... Munich sounds great but it's gotta pay - will it?

Thx

I searched for "cost of living" at the top of the page and got these results. Perhaps if you look there first, you'll find a lot of your questions have already be answered elsewhere...

Look out for the tax difference

That's Trudering/Moosach area. No problem. Besides, 30 mins by public transport will take you across the city almost!

It depends™. Seriously. A 3 ring ticket (basically the main/inner part of the city) will cost 45 Euros (unlimited travel within that area), and a 4 ringer is 53.50 per month. Trudering s-bahn station is in ring 3. You might still find it cheaper to buy a 4 or more ringer, it depends whether you go out into the country much.


The first or last are almost easier in terms of choice. Most places here are unfurnished (including not coming with light fittings!).


If you find out, tell me

Tartan's right. They really gouge you for tax here. Expect to only see half of your gross salary if you are making a decent wedge. I know at least one person here negotiated to have the same nett salary here as he received in the UK. A slick idea that I wish I'd thought of!

Consider that a large chunk of the bite which is taken out of your pay covers the social insurance, including fairly good health insurance, so your basic needs there are covered. You might want supplementary insurance as well.

The social insurance has nothing to do with the health insurance. There are a variety of options regarding health insurance, both public and private, which also affect the cost, depending on age, marital status and dependant children...

OK - read through all the COL threads & have kinda worked out take home €s would leave moi with about £2,200(ish). So, minus flat/house share (another €800-1k?) & €100 to commute, that leaves €1k+ to maintain my lavish lifestyle...mmmh?

Not having to suffer London/City commuting today, the joys of Munich public transport seems to be highly affordable & could even be a novelty after I get over the shock of selling my cherished but fast falling apart car...

Any other dos/don'ts before signing on the dotted line... it's a take it or leave it offer with 6mth probation! (UK homeowner - rent out until 6mths is up or sell up to cut costs?)

+ve note - what's the best way to carve out a social life to avoid home sickness...?

Why not fly over for a weekend to take a look at the place? There is a lively expat community so you won't feel homesick. Takes longer to get to know the locals though. Come along to some TT events and you will soon meet people.

Sorry, but if your TV is a potential deal breaker, either you aren't serious or the job sucks.

Time to re-prioritize. Maybe you're looking for an excuse not to come.

Ask your employer who the relocation company is (some are better than others) and exactly what the firm actually pays for. This bit can be expensive. If it's all covered by the relo agency and paid for by your new company, fine, but if not, then beware. Don't forget you may need to pay 2-3 months net rental on your new home as commision to a housing agent, and 3 months deposit on your new home rental. These two alone can be more than €6000. You may need new furniture to suit/fit your new home, along with a new TV to work on the local system. As with all new homes, there are startup costs to get it running (here in Germany Kitchens and light fittings are not always included in the rent!) It may take 2-3 days to find a new home, and 2-3 days to sort out the paperwork to formalise your residence here. Be sure your new employer allows you this time off or you lose holiday pay.

Without being a bringer of doom, make sure you know what you get, and what you don't. What you don't get you pay for...

YL6

I recommand to share a flat with others. If you speak German, try to share with Germans, then you can practise a bit, and they will help you with your new live in Germany, e.g. tax or simple things like "the nearest (whatever) is..." and for sure they will be able to tell you a good dentist. Some German denstists can be such (xxx), (you can tell I don't like dentists )
Back to the topic: try to share a flat. That is what I did when I lived in Edinburgh, made life a lot easier, and there was always someone around to chat with, so you won't feel that alone in the new town.
If you decide to share, make sure you have a furnished room (best including pillow, duvet, and bedcover).

I wouldn't try too hard to help this person. MAxUK joined the forum on September 18, entered the two posts (above) and haven't been back since...