Need advise on move to Germany

[SpecM]

-So... the wifey and I want to move to Germany. Maybe in three months time, give or take. We havn't made our minds up yet, but we are in the "seriously considering" phase.

-How do I look for jobs/housing in Germany? I'm rather skilled (as an automotive technition) but I'm not so sure how the auto-repair industry works over there. Sheesh, how would I ship my tools (I don't want to have to buy more!) How do I apply for government visas/work permits/driver license/whatever? I've never lived outside NC, much less the US!

-My father speaks rather fluent German, and he has been coaching us in the language/culture. Does anyone here live in Europe, or travel there, and want to give me some pointers/suggestion about life in Europe?
-Or anyone else with any helpful info, please chime in. Thanks fellas.

:hitler: sorry couldn't resist ;)

[Jscotty]

Why are you moving to Deutschland in the first place? Is there anything out there for you or are you just attempting to escape the US for personal reasons?

[SchnellerVert]

Pepare to pay thru the nose on taxes as a foreigner. About 43% from a friend of mine that worked abroad on local economy.

He had a TESA job, but company paid taxes to German Gov't. Housing plentiful, your savings will get beat up bad in the conversion to Euro right now as the dollar is at all time miserable again.

Cost of living in N.C. can't be that bad to consider a move abroad without some sort of Corporate sponsership to just pay moving costs.

[SpecM]

-No, cost of living is rather low here in NC. I don't want to "escape the US" per se, just want a complete change of scenery. My dad always talked up Germany and that got us very interested.

-If I was to be hired by a German company, I don't imagine they'd finance the move huh?

[Jscotty]

No, they will not finance the move.


Although one thing that I would suggest is calling or making a trip to the German embassy. Its right here in DC and in NY they have some sort of German information center. Talk to them and I am sure that there is someone who can tell you anything that you need to know about their country.

[SchnellerVert]

No, they will not finance the move.

They might....just depends on how you negioate your pay and benefits plan.

[Jscotty]

In order to be sponsored you would have to be of some use to them. You would have to posess skills that they don't have over there or perhaps something that is very high in demand. Also that could happen if you have some degree of tenure established in a german owned company located in the US.

I figure that I wouldn't want to be sponsored for just some regular factory or repair shop job. If you decide that you dont like the job and you want to quit, the Fűhrer himself might bring a cannister of gas to your home while you are sleeping.

[kommissar]

I was in Germany as a student for a semester. I was a student, so the process for you will probably be a bit different, but this may help you out anyway.

In order to stay there I had to fill out a lot of paperwork. The three things that I can remember most clearly are the:

• Registration/Notification (Anmeldung): I don't know what the English is, but you have to "register" that you are living in Germany within 2 weeks of arrival, I believe (for non-tourists). I don't know why, but you have to tell them where you live.
• Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung): After you have been living in Germany for a period of time, but BEFORE your 3 week stay as a "tourist" runs out, you must apply for a residence permit. You do this at whatever district office (Bezirksamt) is nearest to you. They ask for stuff like proof of income, what you are doing in Germany, etc. After this I was permitted to get a job if I wanted to.
• Notice of Departure (Abmeldung): The opposite of the Anmeldung, for when you go home.

Who do you expect to work for when you get there?

[ldsbeaker]

I was there working for 6 months, then came home.

oh yeah, I'm in the Marines, and was deployed there. ;)

I've thought about doing the same thing after I get out. Get a government job with one of the military bases. Or is it called "civil service"? either way, besides being a whole hell of a lot more expensive than NC, I would highly recommend it.

[Yakinho]

I would be living in Italy if it weren't for the HORRIBLE exchange rate right now. My cousin just moved there to be with his mother (late cancer diagnosis) and out of his 50k american dollars, he got 35,000 euros. Lost a lot of money.

edit: cousin, not brother.

[Jscotty]

out of his 50k american dollars, he got 35,000 euros. Lost a lot of money.

Not really. By the time he comes back, that 35K will probably be worth well over $100K in the US.

[vlad]

I would just got there for a visit first, stay for 3-4 weeks, get a taste, see if you like it there, then think about the move

[KangamangusDriver]

I would just got there for a visit first, stay for 3-4 weeks, get a taste, see if you like it there, then think about the move

I agree!!!

[FJ40]

Have you been there? Speaking from personal experience, you DEFINATELY need to go there and see if you love it or not. I moved from Portland to Austin (without having been there for an extended period of time) and never really loved it, despite the fact that I fully intended to.

A move from one country to another would be a much more disappointing experience if it turned out you flat out didn't love it. With that said, I'd love to get the opportunity to go to (not necessarily stay in) Germany.

[whowhatwhere]

You should definately take a trip there just to taste. Go to the smaller citys/towns and see how things work. You cant get very far in Germany without knowing German.

Have you considered any other countries? If not, take a look at Sweden.