How do we get by for 3 months in Tuebingen?

Question

My boyfriend and I will be spending almost 3 months in Tuebingen starting next week (he's going to the university there, and they're paying for an apartment for him/us), so I get to play hausfrau. I've looked around online about what to expect, but I can't find any info of where to buy basic food and supplies, or things to do by myself during the day while he's in class that aren't overly touristy/expensive. Do they have American style grocery stores in the town, or is it all small specialty shops? And about what percentage of the people speak English? I can read German decently, but I can't understand conversation.

Answer 1

Tübingen is a university town and like most other university towns the world over..there are plenty of cheap night spots etc. German supermarkets are not that different from US ones..mainly just smaller. Aldi, Lidl, Norma and Penny are the big nationwide discounters. WalMart has thankfully left this country! Being university students you will probably have no trouble communicating as most all German students are eager to practice their English. You´ll probably also have many offers to show you around and help out in the begining. Cheap eats and conversation can usually be found in the University Mensa (cafeteria). Most museums have student admission prices. You can also just walk and wander or bike through the beautiful city and countryside for free. Try also www.tuebingen.de..they have an English page also.

Answer 2

For food just get into the next supermarket around the corner, just as Tübingen residents do. Of course you will not find american style grocery stores: hey, you'll be in germany and not in an american colony (hmmm, on the other hand side there might be such things as WalMart, ...). Although probably smaller in size german supermarkets offer a good variety of food - maybe more healthy food than you get in the USA. Try the bread: it's quite different from that fluffy tasteless white stuff ;-)

Except for old people most germans will speak at least a little bit english - students might be more fluent.

For more information look at these pages and follow also external links provided on them:

http://wikitravel.org/en/T%C3%BCbingen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCbing...

Answer 3

30% of the town are college students. Therefore everybody (!) young speaks English. Don't even think of asking an elderly lady for directions, usually they do not speak English, and if they do, they do not like our president.

1. "super" markets in town are the size of a 7/11, i.e. American convenience store. Prices are quite reasonable. Reason, they are franchisees of large nation-wide discounters. Also German students are the most stingy in the world. OK, I forgot about the UK.  Hint, real good chocolate is only 1/3 of US

2. This summer being hot:

Go to the pool. Ask frat students if they will allow you on their  Stocherkahn (a Tuebingen kind of gondola). Every fraternity seems to have one. Just sit on the really high wall facing the Neckar River and tan. Do what Germans do, take hour long Schnefters (hikes) to the country side. Tuebingen and the Neckar valley is beautiful. Eat out in the country, the wine is good and dirt cheap. The beer, luke-warm, light and lousy. Their cuisine is just that "country". "Ye Olde Grease Spoon" that is them. In town try a "mit Doena ist es Schoener" pita pockets --my kind of Turkish Delight.

3. night life is less "excited" than in the US. Everybody goes to just a small and cozy place and enjoys a glass of wine, some simple food and, most important, each others company. Since you are spoken for, you miss the best: Several ten-thousand young men, eligible, educated and eager to impress a young American.

In a word, enjoy !