Moving to Frankfurt from a very comfy life in UK

Hello Everyone,

You brave souls! You are all embracing life at it full. I am married to a German chap. We have lived in England for five years, now on the door step of where I grew up. Before that we lived in the States. I did a 9 month stint in Germany ten years ago, and it was very hard. I didn't know the language and lived in a little Dorf. Bad times, Bad Times! Now I am a little more optermistic. Thank hevens for this web-site I think it must be so much easier when you can share the challanges if a new country. I also think it is now possible to get Sky TV in Germany, and order goods over trhe internet.

We have a comfy life here in the U.K but were feed up and don't have much to do. We like the idea of a upmarket suburb near Frankfurt (any suggestions?) We have kids and need schools and playschool (Kindergarten).
Luckly I have kept taking my German lessons for about eight years now, but still have along way to go (How long will it take!) I imagine myself in some rented suberbia balling my eyes out with the lonely feeling. I know after a while you do have to get on with things and I think about the long term (No pain no gain!). Does Germany have a better quality of life? Hubbie seems to think so (But is he a bias German ?).

I have said that a internet connection would be my first priority if we decide to take the plunge!

From the small amount I have read on this site it seems like a life line to the ex-pat and I think this would make such a diference.

I will be greatful of any tips you have.


P.S Know of any removal company that cares about moving your stuff overseas?

Are you planning on working or does your family plan on living on his salary?

World Wide Shipping seems to be pretty reasonable.

I lived here for 6 years with my wife and 3 kids then moved back to the UK.
The difference in the quality of life had me running back here 3 years later and we will stay now.

I don't want to bring my kids up to be teenage delinquents in the UK and feel that I am offering them a much better life here.

So my advice is to go for it and good luck!

We moved from the UK to Friedrichsdorf (see here too) in October last year. LOVING it.

• You're 25 mins from downtown on the S5
• You're 5 minutes from the walking trails in the Taunus
• You're 5 minutes from the A5 (all points north and south) and 10 minutes from the A661 (Koenigstein one way, Offenbach the other)
• IKEA and Hornbach (and trust me, you'll need both) 15 minutes away by car - plus 20 minutes to the nearest "Malls" (Nordestcentrum and Rhein-Taunus Centrum)
• Great food market Weds and Sats
• All the local shops you need within walking distance - and a huge Toom for those weekly big shops
• Bad Homburg is just down the road (you don't have to like the people, folks) - but the place is great for shopping and generally pottering about - and Jacques' Wine Depot, of course
• We hear there are plenty of good schools in the area (including the Montessori)

Good luck with your relocation!

Kuzzer

I think the most important thing is that you maintain positive thoughts about Germany. I am sure that in a short amount of time you'll get to know nice Germans and expats in the area so don't think about being lonely.

Germany equals higher standard of living for less money. It's a no-brainer really. Good luck with the move, and don't make the same mistake twice – move somewhere reasonably large and with an international population.

It's a roller coaster of emotions moving to Germany, but like many others on this board I voted with my feet and honestly can't imagine ever living in the UK again. The Mrs. and I may leave Munich to go to the US for a year or two at some point but we'll come back here most likely. I hear Frankfurt is deserted at weekends when all the commuters go home again, there's a passage in Frank Skinner's autobiography (worth a read, esp. if you grew up in Birmingham, the one in England, not any of the ones in the US) that goes 'you never know how long a long weekend can be until you've spent one in Frankfurt'. Seriously, give it a go, it'll be better than the UK.

You will be able to enjoy a very comfy life in Germany, dare I say, even more comfy than in UK, so no need to worry on that point. Particularly if you`re thinking in terms of places like Bad Homburg!

Like the point about Frankfurt weekends. Very true. Its a funny little place.

thing is, there is more to quality of life than what things cost or things that you can list. Its more of a state of mind if you ask me, which can often be related to how much a sense of belonging you feel and how 'at home' you feel.

I'm not sure quite what you mean by 'havent got much to do', but why do you think you will have more to do in Germany?

Also I suspect that the differences in life quality may be greatest for those on low or middle incomes - if you are well off and have a comfy life in the UK then I'm not so sure the differences are as great - just different

Bring bacon

I agree with this sentiment. Many posts on TT refer to the better quality of life in Germany, and most express this in terms of material benefits. But for me, and the reason why I am actively moving to Germany, is that feeling of finding your spiritual home, the place you belong, your geistige Heimat. Why I should feel this way I cannot comprehend, but after visiting many places across Europe, Germany has so struck me sideways that I have actually been tearful leaving the place. I love the UK, don't get me wrong. Yes, even Nottingham . And I too have a comfy enough life here. But I truly feel that I'd be much happier washing dishes in a Berlin restaurant than doing what I am doing here in the UK. Mid-life crisis cliché? In truth I think quite possibly, but if you have found a culture and lifestyle that so melds with your sense of being, and it is just on your doorstep to boot, then why not go for it?

What if I have found a culture and lifestyle that doesn't do all that sense-of-being-melding-thingie-whatsit?