So moving to Germany next month.

[Saltex]

So I was in Germany last month for 3 weeks doing some work, I didn't do any sight seeing, I wanted to treat as a work thing only so I could get an idea of how it is to work and live in Germany, and it was for me honestly amazing. With the money that I was making there, cost of living was just way cheaper, yes you would probably never own your own property, but what stops me from investing in property in South Africa anyway. The amount I made there in 14 days of working in total, would probably take me 2 months come up with over here, and no I don't mean by converting, your money just goes way further I found, a 1000 euros for me goes further than that of say R10000 here.

So I just found for someone that is young like me, it would be much more easier for me to start up a life there than what it is in SA. I took a big gamble, within a week I was back I decided to see if I could get a permanent job there, and by luck someone refereed me to this guy who offered me a position and wants me to start next month. So I've pretty much sold everything, my car etc. and just given up what I have here to take this opportunity, hopefully I am not making a mistake but my gut said to go for it, it's taken alota balls to do this, I never thought it would actually be so tough emotionally on me, I thought it would be easy just to pack up and leave haha,but now I see it is actually a big deal and am beginning to stress now.

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

Good luck man. Don't visit the brothels.

 

[Haldex]

Awesome country, very cultural, really enjoyed it there.
Goodluck and enjoy it!

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

It's worth a try - although food/clothing/electronics are substantially cheaper, your cost of living (and this depends if you live in the city centre or on the outskirts with 1-2 hour commutes) is certainly higher (a 1-bedroom/bathroom flat in Munich for example will cost you EUR1500 upwards - if you room-mate you might get to Eur 500-600). I worked across Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hannover for 5 years and would never want to live there (and the saving/earning all the extra cash is an illusion if you are not disciplined, as you will very likely party it away or gadget up on all sorts of electronics).

 

[I.am.Sam]

where in Germany

I didn't like it there ...too boring compared to CPT

but good luck

enjoy the cold and rain and snow in winter

 

[Nod]

Say goodby to proper meat. Their food are very processed in general, but nothing stops you from buying fresh fruit and feggies every other day.

Accommodation is very expensive, depending on how far you are from the city center.
It gets cheap the further you are from the city, but then you will have factor in travel costs.

You will also find out that they have an "amt" (department) for everything. And every one have their share of forms to be completed.

You will probably make easier friends with other immigrants. The Germans keep to themselves in general.

Oh, and climate wise, I experience -20 in winter, and today it is 30+. Your summer clothes from SA will be perfect, but your winter clothes will not work at all. Invest in a good winter jacket. Something you can take off when shopping, as their shops are heated, and walking around with 5 layers of clothing is not much fun.

 

[TJ99]

Lucky bastard. Enjoy the civilised world.

 

[Saltex]

It's worth a try - although food/clothing/electronics are substantially cheaper, your cost of living (and this depends if you live in the city centre or on the outskirts with 1-2 hour commutes) is certainly higher (a 1-bedroom/bathroom flat in Munich for example will cost you EUR1500 upwards - if you room-mate you might get to Eur 500-600). I worked across Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hannover for 5 years and would never want to live there (and the saving/earning all the extra cash is an illusion if you are not disciplined, as you will very likely party it away or gadget up on all sorts of electronics).

I was in Bochum, and you can pick up 2 bedroom places for between 500-700 euros a month. Obviously if you are going to be living in a city it is going to be expensive, just like any other city in the world. You must also realise that as South Africans we tend to convert the whole time, but when you look at what you get paid here compared to there, that 700 euros isn't actually that much compared to here.

I mean over there I would be earning between 3000-4000 euros a month, In SA I would be making about 15000-20000 a month, now in SA that is supposed to be considered an OK amount and a bit above average, but now work out how far that 20k would get you here and then work out how far that 4k euros would get you, I would say in Germany your money probably goes 2-3 times further than what it does here.

Also there is no point of having to live in the city, public transport is so good there and cheap, that to travel to the city really doesn't feel that far away, I mean to be a 100km a JHB is far becaue of fuel costs, wear and tear on your car etc.

 

[ShaunSA]

Good luck man. Don't visit the animal brothels.

ftfy

 

[Saltex]

Say goodby to proper meat. Their food are very processed in general, but nothing stops you from buying fresh fruit and feggies every other day.

Accommodation is very expensive, depending on how far you are from the city center.
It gets cheap the further you are from the city, but then you will have factor in travel costs.

You will also find out that they have an "amt" (department) for everything. And every one have their share of forms to be completed.

You will probably make easier friends with other immigrants. The Germans keep to themselves in general.

Oh, and climate wise, I experience -20 in winter, and today it is 30+. Your summer clothes from SA will be perfect, but your winter clothes will not work at all. Invest in a good winter jacket. Something you can take off when shopping, as their shops are heated, and walking around with 5 layers of clothing is not much fun.

Ya the meat is horrid, I've noticed alota germans are vegetarians, because of the way they treat animals there. I am a tattoo artist so I deal with people on a daily basis so it really isn't that hard for me to make friends and meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

 

[Nod]

Ya the meat is horrid, I've noticed alota germans are vegetarians, because of the way they treat animals there. I am a tattoo artist so I deal with people on a daily basis so it really isn't that hard for me to make friends and meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

Nice. The Germans like their tattoo's, so you should do well.
If you get internet at home, don't go for 1und1. T-Mobile is slightly more expensive, but they have a international call add-on for 15Euros, which allows you to make free calls to SA. I found this out too late.
Also, when you sign any contracts, keep in mind that the notice periods on these contracts are normally 3 months, and they will extent it automatically when less then 3 months is over on the contract. They will also, only cancel some contracts if you supply them with proof from the Einwohneramt that you are moving.

 

[BLIXEMPIE]

OP, what is your age? What kind of work did you get?

 

[azbob]

Ya the meat is horrid, I've noticed alota germans are vegetarians, because of the way they treat animals there. I am a tattoo artist so I deal with people on a daily basis so it really isn't that hard for me tomake friends and meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

 

[Shellyb1]

....meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

lol...Hello Clarisse.....

 

[Saltex]

OP, what is your age? What kind of work did you get?

I'm 23 and a tattoo artist, I did a guest spot there last month for 3 weeks, and after the time I was there I was just like it is not logical for me to stay in SA. It actually showed me how we as South Africans struggle to survive and make ends meat. I mean you know how weird it is to see road workers and they are actually able to have an okish leaving? There is no big gap between the rich and the poor.

 

[Saltex]

View attachment 59917

/facepalm I see what I did.

 

[Nod]

/facepalm I see what I did.

Well, with their horrid meat, you just might have to meat your friends

 

[ShaunSA]

Ya the meat is horrid, I've noticed alota germans are vegetarians, because of the way they treat animals there. I am a tattoo artist so I deal with people on a daily basis so it really isn't that hard for me to make friends and meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

I'm 23 and a tattoo artist, I did a guest spot there last month for 3 weeks, and after the time I was there I was just like it is not logical for me to stay in SA. It actually showed me how we as South Africans struggle to survive and make ends meat. I mean you know how weird it is to see road workers and they are actually able to have an okish leaving? There is no big gap between the rich and the poor.

If you really have this meat obsession Germany is the place you want to be

 

[Saltex]

Well, with their horrid meat, you just might have to meat your friends

What work are you doing in Germany? Do you have any regrets being there?

 

[dews]

Ya the meat is horrid, I've noticed alota germans are vegetarians, because of the way they treat animals there. I am a tattoo artist so I deal with people on a daily basis so it really isn't that hard for me to make friends and meat new people as it is just apart of my job.

Please stop meating people, they are not to be butchered willy nilly.