New in Düsseldorf (or new to this forum)

Hi Butterfly, if you are looking for a place I found this site http://www.koeln.e-rent.de/en/. It is in English, Spanish, French, and German. You can find a place in Dues, Koeln, or Bonn. This can help you and they are flexible with the terms to start with.

Hey All,

I am an American who has been living in Düsseldorf on and off for the better part of 2 years, but have recently moved here permanently. I am looking for work and a gym and I will be starting German lessons at Berlitz later this month. I am trying not to get frustrated about the lack of quality work for English speaking residents and looking to get involved in some activities or groups to give me something else to do. I am a 35 year old male and recently married, my partner is 34 and he is German but he works 2 jobs right now. I am on a leave of absence from my job as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines in the U.S. and right now have tooooooo much free time. Hit me up if you know of any good events coming up or a group of people hanging out, dinner, drinks etc.

Hi, I'm from Denver, you can come over any time and have coffee between Wed-Friday's. I have a dog, we always take our guests to walk the dog. I live in Bilk, right on the S-Bahn.

Lack of quality work for English speakers? Don't get me started.

Don't get your hopes up, my friend, unless you are with an international company. Only the international companies will offer you the professional and quality atmosphere to which you are accustomed at Continental. (My uncle has been a pilot there for over 20 years).

You will never find quality work with local or purely national companies. I have been here for 4 years, I speak fluent German and I have just started working for some "Nationally recognized and acclaimed Universities". (I edit and write English curriculum.) Please. "Nationally recognized" means only more of the same beaurocracy and frustration, quality is the last word they have in their dictionaries.

Try for an international company.

If I were you, I would apply with Lufthansa or German Wings, I have gay friends working for both those companies and they are very happy. Their English skills are highly appreciated and they say that the working atmosphere is very nice. Then, you can also go home or to other countries where English is often spoken.

We look forward to meeting a fellow American,
Sara and Chasca (the dog from Denver)
0160/93356959

Thanks CHASCA,

I really dont have high hopes. The whole reason for me taking this leave of absence was really to be able to go to school here and learn the language. Since I married a German the government will "sponser" the course, meaning they are paying for "most" of it and it really is an opportunity we (as a newly married couple) couldnt pass up. I however would like a part time job just to keep me busy and out of the house, look I realize that it will be hard to find a job here until I learn the language...I guess I just thought there would be more of a selection than there is. looks like I will end up washing dishes or something in a restaurant, which is ok because again, I realize that I am the minority here and honestly a bit underqualified just because I cant speak the language. All of my friends here have day jobs so I am pretty much on my own. Thats also why I would like to join a gym, I am going to a couple this week just to check them out. Coffee and dog walking sounds great too. Maybe we could meet up sometime next week? Let me know.

-Larry

Greetings all! 10 years in Germany, 6 in Düsseldorf, but new to this site. I'm Australian, married, late 30s, live and work centrally in Düsseldorf. Somehow I've never really established a network in D-dorf, and so I'm looking to perhaps attend some events, etc. Yep, that about sums it up!

There is an event this Thursday organised by a different Dusseldorf social group - I'm not sure whether or not we're supposed to avoid discussing alternatives to Toytown Dusseldorf on this group though...

the meeting titus_ni refers is by Expat Meetup group. It takes places this Thrusday at 8 pm at O'Reilys, Marktplatz 6 (Altstadt). I think its not a problem to mention this!

Hi,

My name is Naoki. Japanese guy but grew up in the UK. 29 yo. Not new to DUS but new to this Toytown. I went to the Greek dinner last week which was very good! Hope to see some of you again soon. Naoki

What's the best way of approaching these people as I'm on my own here. I can imagine walking in and everyone already knows each other. I'm a bit shy, see.

Just go.
Really good bunch of people. First time I went I was alone too and although it sounds a bit cheesy everyone was truly smiling and welcoming. I've made some great friends there.
See you tonight!

Is this a regular thing, or have dang65 and I just asked at the right time?

It's always the third Thursday of every month plus the occasional other one for special occasions, always o/s O'Reillys at 8pm, so yep, think that would be regular.

They need to rename the Meetup group though, as it currently operates as American Meetup in Dusseldorf when in truth they're prob only about 5%

Right you are. (I'll be the terrified looking one in the corner.)

I'll come along too, see you there

But without that 5%, life just wouldn't be the same, baby! :

@ Larry/New2Duss

if you speak English, it should not actually be a problem in getting a job in Düssseldorf.
what job experience do you have?

Hi guys

I am brand new in town!
Originally from Cape Town, lived in Dublin for 7 months, moved to London for 1.5 years and now I find myself starting all over again in Germany! Moved here by myself and must admit I am slightly intimidated by the whole culture/language difference. Would love to build up a network, and I must admit I do miss having English chats! So far I have been embracing the German culture by eating schnitzel, drinking Altbier and yip, even cycling to work (first time in 20 years on a bicycle, so if you see an unstable blond on a bike...run!!). My company put me up in a small little hole in the North of Dusseldorf, not bigger than a single garage.. but at least I have running water and a microwave that Noah might have dropped off his Arc! ha ha! Needless to say, I dont wanna spend every night there and quite frankly I am WAY over watching CNN (as that is the only English channel I got!).

Cheers x Janine

hiya, come to O'Reillys in the Marktplatz this Thursday night!!xx

Cool. Will definitely see you there!

I'll be at O'reilley's tomorrow night as well for the Democrats Abroad meeting, so I would be happy to meet you. Don't worry, your experiences are no different than the rest of ours. I would love to say that it slowly gets better, but, honestly, I can't. So, you have the right idea. Meet lots of people and find some of them that you can laugh with. You will need all the laughter you can get pretty soon when the whole day is dark and the people become the same way too. You know, Julian is also from South Africa, you should meet him, he is a lovely person. That way, you will have a compatriot nearby.
You are always welcome at our house, by the way, for a coffee or chat. Chasca, my American dog, and I welcome you.
Sara

I unfortunately couldn't make the Thursday meeting but will try for the next one.

To Jackermann, if you want to receive lots of UK television you can do it with a satellite aimed at Astra 2.

Is there going to be anyone of you at O'Reilleys this Thursday or someday this week? What other meetings might there be in Dusseldorf or 50 km to the north thereof?

Well, I am taking part on this thread too. lol

I am German, but I grew up in South America (uninteresting fact - I hated my life there).
I live in Düsseldorf since February. My German language skills are still missing a bit though.
I am able to speak and write English almost to the level of a native speaker and I'd love too keep in touch and know some people, especially because my friend base here is too small and I am really outgoing. And I love parties!

I am a 22yrs old girl.
At the moment I am studying German to sit the language exams in April and apply for University. I will study Medicine.

NRW Forum this Friday - great opportunity to meet new people!

Hope to see you there!

hello all, am not in Dusseldorf but in Dortmund which is not far anyways.. i would love to join weekend meetups and perhaps a few weekday meetups.. Is there any regular Dü meetups on cards.. when is the next one? thanks

Hi All,

I am looking for some brits or english speakers for socialising and the such like. I'm new to Duss having been seconded here for 6 months. Currently staying in Karlstadt and keen to explore, sample quality food, beer & wine, potentially all at the same time. Also keen to improve my basic deutsch language skills.

Feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks.
J.

Hello All,

I've actually been in Düsseldorf (Stockum) two months now but have just managed to get internet connected at home (!!) so now I can finally introduce myself to Toytown. I'm from UK, late thirties and out here by myself. Hobbies are triathlon and going out to pubs, clubs, gigs. Ying and Yang you may say. Been pretty busy with work and settling in so far but now is time to start exploring the city. I'm currently trying to learn the language and doing a course two days a week but it is slow progress so far. Mind you, English is the company language so it's not so bad

Basically looking to meet new people in the Düsseldorf area for sport, socialising and going out. Would be interested to know if these meeting in O'Reillys are still taking place.
Cheers,
Gavin

They're still happening at OReillys, next one is this coming Thursday.

OK, thanks. I've got German classes on Thursday nights for the rest of the month. Will see if I can pop in later in the evening but will probably need to catch the meeting in December instead. My brain is normally too frazzled with german grammar rules to hold a coherent conversation after the lesson!

at what time is this OReillys thingy? guess with the train travel from dortmund i can make it by 8... if thats early enough?

Eight is about normal, people arrive from half 7 onwards through to closing. It's upstairs and is normally quite obvious which is the Meetup group.

Hey all,
I am a kiwi also new to Dusseldorf. Keen to meet up with other english folk so I can have real conversations again :-) Also love to find some buddies to hit the town with.

Keen to join in the fun - not sure I can make this Thurs, but if not will def try for next month.

Cheers,
K.

thursday a meetup---sounds good. i will be there around that time i could sure use a drink in the middle of the week after work:) till then.

Sorry to intrude on this topic but cannot find what Im looking for. I'm new in Waltrop/Datteln area. Anyone know of any English groups around there??? I cant find anything and am feeling lost. Thanks
lucy

You've reminded me of when I used to listen to BFBS the time I was resident of NRW, olimog. Do they still broadcast up that way? I don't know if there's still a British base in Münster to the north of where you are, or Gütersloh to the north-east.

cool will definitely be thr!