New in Hamburg (or new to this forum)

Hello all. I just stumbled across this site while searching for a German language course in Hamburg. I thought I'd register, put up a post and see what happens.

I moved to Hamburg 5 weeks ago with my German girlfriend and our son so am still really new to Germany. I don't speak German but so far this hasn't posed too much of a problem. I've actually only come across one person so far that didn't speak English, which was an old lady in Aldi. When I said in German that I don't speak German (I've at least learnt this) she simple spoke German to me again but slower and louder. I thought it was only the Brits that did that. Start a German course in October so should be able to sprechen sie deutsch soonish.

Anyway I'm 32 have a 1 and a half year old son to hang out with but would like to meet more English people living in Hamburg of a similar age with similar interests.

I'm interested in football (LFC), design, street art, music and drinking cold beer when I get the chance. I’d love to go and see St.Pauli play so if there are English St.Pauli fans out there give me a shout.

Hope to hear from someone soon. I’d hate to have a big 0 next to the replies column.

Cheers, Mat

The first thing that usually happens is that someone sees your post and writes to say "Welcome to Toytown!"

I'm nowhere near Hamburg so I'm afraid I can't tell you where and how to meet other English speakers, but I'm sure that some of them are on TT and will write in. Also, don't forget to consult the events and meetups section, there's bound to be something of interest - and if there isn't, you can always suggest something yourself!

All the best,
K.

Well you just missed British day (I also missed it). And you are just in time for the British consulate closing down.

There are even some welsh-speakers in the area (not me!)

Don't lose hope in meeting other Brits/English speakers, Mat. The Hamburg section is growing and there seems to be new members here every week. We're trying to publicise the site up here and may about to arrange a big TT meetup if we can get enough interest. Not sure about your choice of English footie team but there are St Pauli fans here.

You didnt indicate in which part of Hamburg you are located (its a big area) or if you are/intend working.

If you are on the west side of Hamburg you could well bump into a number of Brits involved
in research at the DESY laboratory (thats what pulled me out here all those years ago but I have since lost touch with most of the goings-on there - the DESY bridge club used to run at our house but
is in a defunct state since some years - the club that is...).

I also believe that there are some involved at Airbus in Finkenwerder.

Hi All,

I have been here just over a year now, but haven't really bothered getting together with any ex-pats on a regular basis so far and have just stumbled across this site. I also have a German girlfriend (what we men will do for love!!) and live two minutes away from the Alster in Hohenfelde.

I learnt German for six months at school, but still have a long way to progress. You are right and it is very easy to fall into the trap of speaking English all the time because most people are happy to want to talk English if they can.

I'm 36 years old and have been to St.Pauli a few times where the atmosphere is usually pretty good. However the standard of football is pretty dire, but it is probably not much better than in Newcastle where I come from at the minute. I've also been to HSV, but I find it not so good in terms of either getting there and also there are not many pubs in the vicinity.

Perhaps we can all meet for a pint or two. I certainly like my football and am also into gigs and concerts and anything sporty really and a good curry!

I'd like to be able to get a dose of good English humour which is probably what I miss more than anything from back home.

Martin

@ Biffski: Get yourself down to Finnegan's Wake near the Rathaus. They show all Premiership games on a big screen and have loads of expats in there as well as locals. You'll allways end up chatting to someone about the game and you'll get to know a few people.

Hey, everybody,

My name is Mitch. I just joined Toytown because I will be moving to Germany in January to work with an engineering firm in Nuemunster. They are currently setting up a place for me to live, and have told me that they would try to get me a place in either Hamburg or Kiel. No word on the exact location yet, but I figured if I do end up in Hamburg, this would be a great way to get to know some people right away, and maybe get some meetings set up.

I'd love to hear about any of the social events you have in Hamburg, or just suggestions for making my stay a little more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to hearing back from all of you.

Thanks!

If your place of work is going to be Neumünster then it will be a hefty (time-consuming & possibly costly) commute from Hamburg or Kiel to there.

Neumünster is a bit over 50km from Hamburg as the crow flies...

Additionally you should put a bit more information into your profile (interests etc)
so that those who might advise you have some clue as to where to start from...

Hi all!

I heared about this website from a Canadian lady I worked with at Airbus (thanks Becky). I thought it would be cool to ckeck it out some time and contibute to some fun in the forum.

I am from Holland, but used to live in California, Arizona and Texas as well. And at work I work with so many English speaking direct and indirect colleagues that next to German I get to speak a lot of English too. I can imagine that there are some people here that also work at Airbus and recognise me from my intro. I work for CAX support so I get to meet a lot of people at many departments, either on the phone or in person.

After 2 years my German became quite fluent and I have a German girlfriend. And my English was already fluent as well. I speak so much English and German and now I need to practice my French again since I also need to be in Toulouse quite often, that it is affecting my native language which I hardly speak anymore. I also get to experience both sides of both languages as I hear native English speak German and vise versa and when I struggle with translations. It's funny sometimes =)

Anyway, I already wrote some in the forum before I made this intro. I hope we can share some more entertainment, information and relaxation in this forum.

Martyn

How do everyone!

Happy Christmas and all.

I too am moving to Hamburg in February and quite fancy the idea of a curry group.. having lived near B'ham for many years.

Is there a large ex-pat network in Hamburg already? Does anyone play badminton or squash?

Am trying to decide where to live at the moment, have heard that Altona, St. Pauli, Schanze, Eimsbüttel, Bahrenfeld, Winterhude and Eppendorf are all lively areas. Is anyone able to express any preference? I'll be working in Georg.Heyken-Str south of Harburg but would like to live in central Hamburg to increase my chances of building up a good social network.

Any advice, suggestions or general banter would be appreciated.

hey yeah i wanna play some badminton and tennis! (squash i've never tried yet, but am keen also!) it's my third or fourth day in hamburg, and finding it pretty fun to experiment with my german i'll start work at GE healthcare in Hoheluft, and live in othmarschen. i'll be keen for some sports or general socialising after 5pm in the week days if anyone keen oh yeah, im 20 years old, kiwi girl from New Zealand

Hey Jun,

Sounds cool... How are you finding it all? And what is Othmarschen like?

I'm 24yo Male and keen to meet people of a similar age, well in fact all ages to be honest.

Seeing as you're there first you can do the groudwork and find somewhere we can play. Perhaps we can setup a group if others are up for it??

Can't wait to move out there!!

Hi newbies
I'm not even a newbie yet. I guess that makes me a prenewbie. I'll be moving to Hamburg in March with my German girlfriend after seven years slowly going spare in Cornwall.
I'm a musician and professional graphic designer.
I lived in Lubeck for 2 years about 10 years ago (I'm 37) and taught english there from home. I hope to develop design commissions through networking with business students who want to improve their conversational english, with a view to self-employment, if feasible.
My big concern is wether i can get English telly; I'm not square-eyed, but it is simply the best in the world, especially now with bbc3 + 4 etc. Couldn't live without the comedy and documentaries. Does anyone know if it's poss to get freeview channels on cable? or satellite? or?? We'll probably move to Ottensen.
Does anyone know of a library with a good English section? the Lubeck one was superb, and I'm a voracious reader.
For other people just landed in a strange land - get on MySpace. It's got to be a great way to keep in touch with other Hamburger patties. (ahem).
I'm www.myspace.com/leeboydmusic
my 'official' music site is www.leeboydmusic.com
my graphics site is www.leeboydgraphics.co.uk
Really excited about the move now. We've been discussing it for a year, and now the decision is made, it feels like a snowball slowly building in momentum and size as it rolls down a hill.
If there are any expats with businesses who could use any kind of design for print or web at great prices, and would like to work with a native English speaker, do get in touch.
Count me in for the curry gang!!! I need spicy grub regularly or I might suddenly die, really. it's a very rare condition.
Looking forward to seeing you all in the Spring!
Tchuss!

Yes Lee, English TV is not a problem. A satellite dish is pretty essential, although you will need a south(ish) facing balcony (if you're getting an apartment) or some other way of pointing your dish at the Astra 2 satellite. It's a constant problem with expats and landlords. Some landlords take exception to dishes or where they are positioned. Search the site for info posted previously. Keep in mind the fact that even with a South facing balcony, signals can be blocked by trees, other buildings, etc, so there's no guarantees.

We know a pretty good guy in Hamburg who can set you up with a dish once you've got here. Either bring a Sky box with you from the UK or go online and check out some of the sites that will supply you with a Skybox thru a dodgy UK address. - StoreSatellite is one. GermanSky is another.

Important: You are not really allowed Sky in Germany, so DO NOT let Sky know you are watching from Germany. People have done this before only to have their cards cancelled.