Given that Berlin is so full of immigrants from all over the world, getting to create this kind of mixture of languages has been a unique experience I don't know that I would find anywhere else. Applying for my first visa to stay in Berlin as an American was a daunting task and something I grew to dread. But now that I have had three visas under my belt, I consider myself something of an expert, and gladly offer up advice to friends. I even once considered charging people for my consultation services, but that would have probably actually violated the terms of my visa.
I've come to view the bureaucratic process as a bit of a scavenger hunt, with each piece of the application process a new challenge to overcome. I even find it a bit fun. The first time I was invited to go swimming at a German lake with Germans, I was shocked to watch as everyone around me freely and openly changed or completely stripped off for all to see. And I actually became the spectacle myself as I asked my companions to hold up towels for me so I could feel some sense of privacy putting on my swimsuit.
The dos and don'ts of public nudity in Germany.
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Fast forward four years and I'm still no FKK enthusiast, but at least I'm not as prudish about my own or others' bodies. Perhaps the biggest adjustment I will have to make living elsewhere is the importance Germans and Berliners place on taking time to really enjoy life. The fact that they have a term for the time of day after work hours - Feierabend - and that this term truly carries weight says something about the culture.
When the supermarket manager chides you for showing up right before their doors close because it's already Feierabend, you know he's really upset. It's a sacred time, Feierabend. Then there's the legally mandated vacation days, nine public holidays, sick days you don't have to accrue - I highly doubt I'll ever find such perks in the US. Basically from how I approach my social life, to how I approach my professional one at work, Berlin has taught me to relax, worry less and let go more. And that's surely something I won't lose.
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Other pages Apartment rentals Noticeboard Discussion forum. Move To Germany Collection. How living in Berlin has changed me for life This content was produced independently by The Local and contains advertiser links. This content was produced independently by The Local and contains advertiser links.
She says she will never be the same thanks to life in the capital city. Learn online, face-to-face with expert teachers Just as unexpectedly, I've realized that I am no longer the same person as I was in when I first came here, and probably will never break the habits I've picked up since. Never wearing heels to a club again Photo: Expecting a wide range of cheap, tasty food and beer. Sign up for our free Today in Germany newsletter. Get notified about breaking news on The Local.
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How living in Berlin has changed me for life
Tip of the week: Your guide to visiting German Christmas markets. Germany agrees compensation for Kindertransport refugees. More news Your essential guide for doing Christmas just like a German. Whereas in the U. S you graduate with a mountain of debt, in Germany, you can start earning a full salary without the burden of paying back your education. This might sound strange, but it is not a myth. All stores are closed down on Saturday evening and do not open until Monday morning. Sunday is a time of rest or drinking in Germany, so anticipate it and use it well.
Most foreigners when they first move to Germany forget this important fact and might end up without bread on Sunday, so be sure to go to the store on Saturday and pick up food and other things you need. Germany is in the middle of Europe.
How living in Berlin has changed me for life - The Local
And travelling in Europe is much cheaper than in other places, especially in the U. You can be in another country in a few hours. It gives you immense opportunities to travel even within the country as it is quite big, and outside of it too, to see different cultures.
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People go to Germany with the expectation of eating lots of sausage and nothing else. Germany has a wide selection of foods, from the meat to the desserts. You get a huge range of breads and other baked goods as well.
You might not be able to find the comfort foods of your own country easily, but you will have the opportunity to try many different dishes and ingredients that will be delicious. The crown jewel of Germany is of course the beer. Everyone knows it and everyone expects it. The beer is brewed better and the selection is humongous. Germany is a huge country and each place has a distinct atmosphere and opportunities. So here we have listed some of the best cities to live in Germany according to job opportunities. Then we will also list some of the cheapest cities in Germany. These cities are in the list since they offer immense job opportunities.
Many high ranked German companies are located there and they all have vibrant infrastructure and high salary potential. These are the cheapest cities to live in Germany. If you are on a budget and expect to not be making a lot of money the first few months or years when you are in the country, it is best to move to one of the cities above. Avoid moving to huge cities and the capital Berlin, since they are extremely expensive.
In addition to the best and cheapest places to live in Germany, you most likely want to know what the living cost in Germany is. More specifically the cost of living in Germany for a family. Based on statistical data, here are 15 cities of Germany and their cost of living index. The higher the cost of living index, the more expensive they are. To have a more graspable comparison, we will compare the cost of living for a family of 4 in Dusseldorf and in Leipzig.
In Dusseldorf, you would need around 1, Euros to pay rent for a 3 bedroom apartment and additional 2, Euros to cover other living costs per month. In Leipzig, you would need Euros to cover the same apartment and an additional 2, Euros for other expenses. So in total, you need 4, Euros per month in Dusseldorf and 3, Euros per month in Leipzig. In general, for an expenditure of 2, Euros in Leipzig, you would need 3, Euros in Munich. So as you can see, Dusseldorf is really more expensive than Leipzig. The currency The Euro is the official currency of Germany.