Moving to Germany, what do I do?

Question

I dont know what to expect.. my husband is in the army, we will be there for four years. I dont know what I'm to do to be prepared. We have two sons, 1yr., and 6yrs. old. Can anyone give me some advice.

Answer 1

try to learn as much german as possible!!!  the easy stuff like ordering from Mc donalds, and saying thankyou and please.  You'll end up in a town thats used to Americans so it wont be as hard to communicate, but you'll make them SO much happier if you at least attemps to speak the language.   Be prepared to make less money over here.  Your BAH is usually more than your COLA so expect money to be a little tight in the begining.  Shopping is a lot harder too.  I live in smaller military community and our commissary is the size of a large gas station!!  If we want to do any real shopping we have to drive a couple hours away!

Answer 2

Grab a camera and lots of film take plenty of pictures and don't forget the ones you love!

Answer 3

go have fun with it, my husband is in the navy and we were stationed overseas, we tried to see it all but run out of time.

Don't take anything electric - they have different plugs and voltage. Other than that enjoy.....

contact me if you like - been there done that....

Answer 4

go with the flow of things, you will have alot of fun there it is very beutiful country and learn a little german its not that hard of a language

Answer 5

pack up your stuff.

Answer 6

Prepare for Culture Shock! But once you get used to it (which you will in 4 years), you will come to love it. I have not yet met any americans who didn`t like Germany.

Good luck and don`t be scared!

Answer 7

You really should have posted this in the Military section.

The USO offers tons of tours that you can go on.  The Stars and Stripes newspaper (http://www.estripes.osd.mil/) has a section every Thursday called "Travel" that highlights different parts of Europe for your shopping/sight seeing pleasure.  They also advertise Volksmarching if you're into that.

Since Germany is only about the size of Montana, you can spend your 3 and 4 day weekends traveling to different countries, shopping, sight seeing, etc.  Germany has different store hours than the US.  MOST stores are open until 8 pm, but are closed on Sunday.  There are a variety of fests in the spring, summer, and fall, and during the winter you have the Christmas markets, skiing, and sight seeing.  The people are friendly and you don't have to learn German, tho I do recommend it.  Classes are offered either at the college, the Volkshochschule (German school) and the Kontact club, as well as different tutors.  

I have been stationed in Germany for the last 6 years (this time) and have had a great time.  You will enjoy it.

Answer 8

Lock and Load !