Comparing life in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein

Hi TT-ners!

I'm searching for a property now and I found a great apartment, but it's just outside Hamburg, in Schleswig-Holstein. Locationwise it's perfect for me. My question is: if we compare Hamburg to Schleswig-Holstein what's the difference in laws/government support.

For example, here in Hamburg there is KITA, which enables working parents to get some financial support from government to cover daycare/kindergarten costs. Is there anything like that in Schleswig-Holstein? Are there any other significant diferences I should know about?

Thank you for your replies!

Leyli

If your going to live in a village brace yourself for some "looks like a stranger" talk for about 10years until they except you in there midst Or u join the volunteer fire department and go bowling with the lot.

I'd always look like a stranger, everywhere

Even if I look like locals in places like Cairo, Malta, Singpore, it's always confusing for people to see me with my two blond blue-eyed kids (I have black hair, brown eyes and look Middle-Eastern). Very often I'm asked whether I'm a mom. I was even asked whether I'm a nanny (every white expats in Singapore has nanny or maid)

Here it's even more confusing: I'm from Russia and speak Russian to kids. So when people hear where I'm from, they don't get it cause I don't look Russian

Of course it's nice to live in the city, but commuting everyday from, for example Eimsbuettel to Othmarschen (where my daughter's school) and back is too much, especially considering that I'm a single parent.

I don't suppose it is that much different. We live in S-H but it's been some time since our kids were in Kindergarten. Kindergarten fees are however means tested..ie those that earn more pay more up to a certain max limit. I'm not sure if any kids got into Kindergarten for free but there were definitely some people paying practically nothing.