Moving back to the States after years in Germany

I'd like to hear from people who have done the repatriating thing after a long time away, as opposed to people who just went abroad to live for a year or two. I've been living in Europe for 8 years now. Up until the past year or two I never felt homesick at all, but certain aspects of life here have started to wear on me, and I do wish I was closer to my family (just on the same continent, that is--not too close, mind ). While I'm not in a hurry to leave, and haven't actually decided to do so just yet (I know the grass is always greener on the other side, and there's plenty I don't miss about America), I've started wondering what it would be like if I did decide to go back home. When I left I was young and dumb, not older and dumb like I am now, so I left behind a pretty crappy credit record and burned most of my bridges. What happens when you go back and try to rent an apartment or buy a home with nothing to show for the past X amount of years? Am I right in thinking that my stellar SCHUFA record will not amount to anything over there? What about reverse culture shock? I'm curious about all the ramifications of making such a move and whether anyone has found it to be a mistake.

I moved back to Germany a few years ago after having lived in the UK for 7 years - didn't last too long as I'm back in the UK now (because of the job situation).

To start with it was nice being back and a little bit like a holiday, but once you had to get into the Alltagsroutine I started noticing things I wasn't too keen on.

When you are away you gain different experiences, meet people, develop as a person...when you go back your friends who stayed don't share your experiences etc and you will notice that things you didn't notice before in your home country. And some of these things can be very annoying, although you might not have thought anything of them before you left. (e.g. i noticed how unfriendly and rigid people at the Aemter are and how ridiculously unflexible some people are).

i'm not wanting to say you shouldn't go back, but you need to be aware of the fact that your 'home' might seem quite small and maybe even sall minded and hasn't changed with you.

I think that when you spend several years in another place, or places, and don't experience professional or personal cataclycisms which can influence your perspective, you are pretty much never going to be 100% happy anywhere, as there's always going to be things that you miss from where you were before. It's a sort of cross that you have to bear, at least in my experience.

i think depending on which city you'd be going to, renting an apartment before you have a job and with low savings might be a bit of a problem. you might be able to stay in some weekly rate motel at first for a somewhat reasonable price, if you wouldn't be staying with friends or family. once you have a job though, and you can show some proof of your employment, i think finding an apartment is usually pretty easy in most places.

i'm thinking of moving back to the states right now myself, but i don't have much money saved, and i admit that i'm really lazy to go job hunting, especially since i really like the job that i have here, and i'm all in all quite satisfied with the pay and the benefits. my ideal strategy right now is to spend all my vacation time in the u.s. so i go like 3 times a year for a total of 8 or 9 weeks each year. i miss travelling to other destinations, but i never really miss anything about the u.s. that much because the next trip is always right around the corner.

i really do love vacations and holiday time regardless of where i go. even staying at home and not having to get up in the morning is pure bliss for me. so working in the u.s. and maybe even having to call the office to check how things are going during a whopping two week annual vacation seems depressing compared to here, where my boss says i should take at least three weeks each time i go, otherwise it's not a proper vacation.

Totally agree. Moved about quite a bit as well and everywhere I go I miss something from the previous places I lived in...

A lot of us have "the grass is greener" syndrome. I lived here in Germany when I was younger and then moved back to the States. I loved Germany before but of course missed things like shopping malls and all that. I moved back and then I couldn't stand being in the States. Well my husband is German and we decided to move here. Thank God. As far as renting and apartment and having credit problems. I have heard from many friends that now you are required to have a credit check to rent. A friend of mine didn't get a really nice apartment because of her credit report. You've been gone for 8 years you said, well a lot of stuff on your credit report may have come off, usually 7-10 years. So maybe getting a copy of your credit report would be a good idea, to see what's there. My mom tells me every time I get homesick to think of all the things that I love about it here. There are days when I wanna' jump on a plane and head home but she keeps me grounded in the fact that I'm here, its beautiful, and you can't just run away when things get rocky. I hope that some of this helps. From one homesick American to another, I hope things get better.

Very true, however...


shopping malls? Yes, my travels around the world are dictated by shopping malls and their proximity to a Starbucks.


It's only beautiful if you've spent all of your time in a goddamn shopping mall. Christ, you must be from Kansas where the back of a pig is considered the highest point in the state.



I'm just funnin'

I've been homesick for Oregon recently. There are too many damn people in Europe. But, I'm more than likely staying. I'll know in October.

I do love it here for the different experience. As was said previously, there are things I miss about all of the places I've lived. So far, Germany has been absolutely great and I wouldn't change a thing.

These days when I go back for a visit, I have about a three week limit. More than that I can't take unless I was on the houseboat everyday. Maybe if it was more permanent than a visit things would be different, but who knows.

Hey when I was here before I was 11-16. What else does at girl that age think about other than shopping. lol. Now its going to the beach as often in the summer as I can. A lake or a pool just doesn't have the same effect. lol. I'm from the East Coast. Although if I were to go back to the states it would kill me to be able to go shopping after 8 pm. I hate that now. I hate that Wal-Mart is always open. Gives me and the hubby an excuse to stay in. lol.

Again, I was just having fun. Although, I really, really do dislike the folks in my office from NYC and DC and Atlanta. And I thought SoCal was all about the pretentiousness.

I love the beach myself. I've been surfing on the east coast a couple of times and had a great time. I could never, ever live there though. I still haven't tried the skiing out there, but I can't imagine it's all that great.

Anyway, I hope you weren't offended. I just have strong ties to the PNW and am used to taking shit about my area so I love to dish it out

PS - I wish stores were open on Sunday. I'm usually biking or skiing on Saturday, get home Sunday and can't buy my lebensmittel. Lazy-ass Europeans

no there was no offense. i have to admit i miss being able to run to the store for pharmacy stuff at any hour of the night. it sucks to have to suffer because its sunday or its the middle of the night. i don't miss the attitude from the east coast. i am from around the d.c. area. people have really bad attitudes. my family is southern i just lived up north the longest but i try to keep the southern hospitality out there as much as possible.

If you liked Germany at all, you will miss some of that, but remember that as you were gone several years. Things just don't stay the same. I don't know where you are planning on moving back to, but many others from outside the States have moved here since your departure. Suburbs tend to look like small enclaves of the most recent immigrants and those changes have an effect on the retail establishments, restuarants, and overall real estate. I have realized that I am not much like many of the people I now see around my hometown -a place I thought I would retire, but not anymore. As far as your credit rating, some of the other posts can give you more direction. Be aware that there is something called a FICO score in the states. It is your credit rating and is affected by all the details (even small) of your credit history. This is looked at every time one tries to make a loan. Some employers look at your credit too before offering employment. So it is in your best interest to keep your FICO as high as possible. The FICO score has become more important in the last few years. Good Luck on your return!

The stranger in my hometown syndrome applies to me as well...but then this change happens all the time. The Native Americans ended up being strangers in their own land as well.