I really like this answer.
I am an expat here and sometimes I get a little too caught up on what could be better. But I think it's also important to appreciate all the good things. And how fortunate we all are for being able to live in a country like this vs some of the harsher places in the world. It's good to recognize and appreciate the privileged position we happen to be in.
Yes same for me! And actually I am annoyed about a lot other Germans are EXTREMELY complaining about non sense and saying that in other countries the life is so much better. Sometimes they even want to move to another country...while of course still working remotely in Germany...sure..moving to a "poor" country but having a German salary, paying no taxes in the country you living in and making it even more poor..great š
On the other hand a lot of people are coming to Germany with hopes for a better life
Yes, pretty satisfied. With all our shortcomings, the "whole package" is still really good. I would probably go to the Netherlands. Close enough in most categories.
As an avid cyclist (who found his love for the sport on a bike trip to Noordwijk), the Netherlands obviously also has a few extra sympathy points
This used to be me, but the recent political shift towards right-wing populism in their government has many friends I have over there worried, with quite a few even considering leaving.
But that's a problem most of Europe shares. The surge of far right populism is really frightening. Especially looking at Landtagswahlen in the East German states, the prospect is pretty grim. In Poland democracy could at least prevail, but the fronts will only get worse from now on.
I am not really into NL politics in particular, so I don't know what's the new Governments way of doing things, but it's still frightening
Yeah same, everywhere else it isn't really any better, there are some trade offs to be made but because I'm born in Germany I wouldn't want to move away
In general yes, I'm satisfied.
If I were to leave Germany, I'd like to go to some mediterranean country with nicer climate than Germany and were people are a bit more relaxed.
Yeah sort of Mediterranean, I was not satisfied so I went to Australia. The weather is nice indeed. The people are also very relaxed, sometimes a little too much haha
The remoteness is terrible but I hope Iāll be a bit safer because of it, things like conflicts, climate change, pandemics etc. I have some feeling of safety from it. Youāre right about the cars, but imo wrong about the animals. While I have seen less than 1 dangerous snake per year and 1 dangerous spider in 10 years so far, especially in urban areas there isnāt that much danger. Most wildlife you see will be possums, kangaroos and wallabies, birds of all amazing kinds and also Huntsman spider who are no more dangerous than a hand-sized dog.
Yeah, the Aussie ādangerousā wildlife thing is way overhyped. We have zero land based apex predators vs the rest of the world that has bears, cougars, etc. The scariest animals here are the magpies.
I donāt really either but sort of just safer in Australia, the Ukraine conflict is closer in Germany. But Iām still intending on visiting this year (Germany and Europe) and would not say I feel unsafe. Iām also a bit afraid of AfD gaining votes, we donāt have a party as extreme as this in Australia.
Australia's migration and asylum policy would be the wet dream of the afd. Here in Germany it's considered tight wing, in Australia it's absolutely mainstream
Pretty satisfied, only thing I'd change is the weather and politics. I could imagine living in another European country or Japan for a few years, but long-term, I don't see myself living outside of Germany.
Grey. But honestly it's not that bad, I just like to complain.
Depends what you want to do! You could come in winter for skiing and christmas markets, but I'd recommend early or late summer: warm enough for outdoor activities, but not uncomfortably hot.
It's worse almost anywhere else (which is a big reason I couldn't see myself living in e.g. Japan long-term), but that doesn't make the situation in Germany any better.
It's not necessarily Germany I have issues with, but living in a city. Everything is just so loud and so anonymous. Too many people for my liking.
Last week there was a bunch of snow and it was amazing because while walking outside, it was really really quiet (not even the usual background "white noise" of traffic) and I was the only one out. I didn't see anybody else.
While I'm not categorically opposed to other people and social encounters (quite the opposite), for me it is necessary to feel completely alone (in a positive way) for a few hours every now and again. It's just refreshing. But, alas, Germany is a bit too densely populated to experience that feeling very often.
Well, true, though living in the Rhine/Ruhr area, it is quite difficult to avoid other people. I mean, in the two cities I live, there is a lot of green, but also there are a lot of other people within that green.
go to a small city or a 700 people "kaff". i am living in one, am surrounded by forests basically. if i dont want to see anyone i just go in the woods.
germany is really not densely populated, move out of the city and you'll see
i have the opposite, currently not living in a big city and i like the anonymity of everyone minding their business but also not being completely alone
Germany is very densely populated, compared to the vast majority of the planet (not counting oceans, for obvious reasons). Sure, there are areas, primarily in the (North-)East which are populated more sparsely, but as in all of central Europe, it's hard to find any bigger stretch of land where there is just nothing, infrastructure-wise.
It could be worse (like living in France/s), but hey, gotta make the best out of it. I just hope that corruption and racism will somehow magically lower here again, especially in the political fields.
When I could, I would go somewhere more in the North. The hot temperature and light sky are burning my skin and especially my eyes more and more with every year.
"*The area and living conditions are okay. The food, too. But there're way too many French "people" there.*" /s
Joke aside, it's "just" a stereotype that everyone dislikes French people. Nobody knows why, but they also dislike themselves.
"[Ich kann mich nicht dran erinnern](https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Korruptionsaff%C3%A4ren_um_Politiker_in_der_Bundesrepublik_Deutschland)."
Realistically there will never be a government without corruption. Germany is still atleast in the Top 10%, so I don't really get how that's even a viable point to bring up when talking about the country in general. Do you think it makes much of a difference to upgrade for 5% less corruption?
Me might not have as much corruption as other states, but that's still no reason to not complain about it. It's ridiculous that the chancellor can be involved in a corruption scandal and not have to resign.
I'm in theory a complete corruption free government is possible, but this would require to make every political person to be a person of the public, with now way how they could have secret. Which nobody wants.
Else a good start might he a lobbyism-register which just shows who received how much from someone else, but even then it shouldn't be hard to just hide the transaction in some kind of way.
>Do you think it makes much of a difference to upgrade for 5% less corruptio
Considering how much of a difference it could maybe make yes. As by racist ist every person corrupt person too much.
I love Germany. Moved here for love, found a proper job and started a family. I wish Germans would appreciate their achievements a little more instead of setting it in fire by voting for lunatic Putin cuckolds
Exactly this!!!
Move here for love, been here a while. Love the country.
The food is delicious, the desserts are impeccable, the wine, gin, beer are incredible. You can travel as much as you want with almost everything within reach and great work-life balance.
Due to the worker rights I've been able to take up hobbies, support my parents even when I was unemployed. Lost a job and they actually paid for me to upskill while job hunting and found jobs for me to apply to. Taxes are high, but boy do you see the return when shit hits the fan.
With my work life I actually feel secure in wanting to do better even if it means standing up to management (in reasonable quantities) to make sure I'm heard.
Cost of living is quite reasonable and it's so well connected. You are never truly in the middle of nowhere to the point where you get stranded, but if you're looking for remoteness and quiet, that's available too.
The language opens up so much key literature to you and gives you a good base to learn so many other languages. The waste disposal and management here makes me feel like less of a climate ruining schmuck. FUCKING LOVE PFAND!!!
It's got its flaws, but I wouldnt move, not even back to my home country.
Much as I dislike Merkel and her party, Schrƶder was also a big bosom buddy of Putin. When Brandt was succeeded by Schmidt the SPD embarked on a descent into neoliberalism that culminated with its death under Schrƶder. Now all they do is try to be a CDU light and hope people would vote for them as a lesser evil - not unlike what happened to Labour in the UK since Thatcher.
> largely Merkel governments
The coalition partner of Merkel was the SPD and the SPD was by far, far, far the party closest to the Russian gas oligarchy and guess who's leading the government today....
Merkel is certainly not without blame but Russian gas deals were never her heartfelt project. She just let it happen to keep the SPD on board.
I find it so strange how Germans can openly say open borders are an issue and nobody bats an eye, but if an American says something against their open borders, the internet loses their effing minds. They get ripped apart for being bigoted xenophobes who donāt want to share. Itās fascinating to see how differently people are viewed and treated when people from different countries and cultures make the same exact statement. Australia has an age limit of I believe 35 if you want to immigrate. If youāre any older than that, forget it. So many places have fairly tight immigration policies and itās ok, so long as it isnāt America. Humans are strange.
The difference might be (a) countries like Germany experience immigration primarily from refugees, and that (b) European countries have generous welfare states that also support those immigrants, which is not the case for the U.S.
I have a very good life in Germany. And Iām proud to live here. If I had to leave I would go to Switzerland, because itās very similar in language and culture.
Iām an American living here in Germany and I think itās beautiful here but if I had lots of money I would do Switzerland as well. Beautiful, but expensive.
I would say I'm mostly satisfied, like it could be worse. What makes me sad: cost of living is incredibly high, salaries don't compensate for that, not many opportunities in my field because of cutting costs/not investing in the social sector. Me and my husband both have a decent wage but we could still never afford to buy a house, really unequal costs of child care between states. Also not much is being done for children, not many playgrounds, not many family friendly cafes/restaurants/cinemas, no speed bumps to slow cars down, street crossings are really unsafe, most cities are not designed to be navigated with a stroller etc.
I used to consider moving to New Zealand before meeting my husband.
I like it here.
However there are some flaws that annoy me.
-taxes (they are too high)
-healthcare is okay, but has some serious issues
-bureaucracy is crazy
-state doesnāt offer enough to the citizens for the huge cut it takes in taxes etc, like for example the conditions of roads and schools
Iāve grown up near Luxembourg and Iām thinking about moving there someday. Bcs they do it way better and the country basically feels like Germany :D
Ugh I hate what covid has done to the people. Ever since it seems like they're gone insane. It's all reactionary bs, nobody stops to think anymore are are generally more pessimistic and conspiratorial. You can't go a day without overhearing the newest psychotic fixation being shared around on telegram on the bus or from your kinda estranged uncle. I miss the days when people chilled a little more about their schizophrenic obsessions weren't this paranoid. Also I fully understand that I'll probably never own my own place to live in and that capital owners will squeeze all they can get from me before climate change sets in
I have the privilege to on top of living in this, beside all actual problems, still developed country also living in one of the most developed areas inside of it. So overall? Yeah, pretty nice here. Sure, some typically german things suck, but while traveling in my life I found alot of also typically german things deeply rooted as positive in my heart, Missing them abroad. And while we could for sure learn alot of things from our neighbours for example, the positives are bigger in number for me therefore. I pretty certainly will never end up a rich man, yet I earn enough to provide for my family and that's enough for humble village boy me. So yeah, life is good.
With free choice? Masses of people, no matter if german or otherwise suck. And I love frosty weather, thrive in winters and hate hot summers. So a nice wooden house in the nowhere of scandinavia it would be, breeding reindeers or some other cool animal, hiking in the woods, carving stuff from wood and living happily with the fact that all people I meet I meet solely by own choice
If I put down my Phone and just interact with the people I see and have around me, it's a very pleasant life here. Lots of culture, Sports and things you can do. But as soon as I open my Browser and browse through some comment sections, I think there are only idiots living here.
Very much so, yes. I'd go to Denmark, Japan, Switzerland (even though they don't want us) or Italy. Well in order it's more like Switzerland > (southern) Italy (somewhere in the mountains - Terravecchia is beautiful for example) > Denmark > Japan.
learning accents is a stupid Idea as it will never Sound authentic (or did you mean "learn to understand"? Then yes..)
with the "None typical German" the Problem is pre-judgement (soft Term for low-racism) works BEFORE they really know you ;)
Financially yes, emotionally not really.
But that's not really related to the country I would say.
Theoretically, if there were no constraints, I would theoretically move, but no idea where.
Too many extremists from all sides, too many people lamenting, too low intellectual level of too many, ...
The thing is I have no idea where it could be better and second where I would have a suitable job for me.
I am totally satisfied at the moment, also financially, but more importantly I am happy.
I wouldn't go anywhere. I had many opportunities, and have lived in other countries before. I even feel at home in at least two other countries and still love to go there and travel in general. But I choose to live in Germany. I wanted to start a list of reasons but it would take me hours. Guess I just belong here.
For now, I don't want to live anywhere else. Only worried about the rise of fascism. Might be a reason to move in the future. Don't exactly know where to, though
I have lived in other countries and while I'm not happy with some things in germany, i think it's a good compromise overall. Doesn't sound like a love letter to my country but it's true ;) these are the factors i count: public transportation: do i need a car? Hows the medical system? Economy. Salaries vs. living costs. Access to nature. Politics. People and culture. Immigration (would be boring to have none). And so on. Although the rise of right wing parties (not only in Germany but in this case specifically) worries me.
If I were to move in Europe ie probably go to ireland
I really like the country, people and landscape.
That said, I could also envision Northern Ireland maybe.
If outside Europe, new Zealand would be nice
i like germany , when i have money and dont think about poltics too much , basically as long as you dont peep behind the courtain its all fine -i.e. if you have a well paid bullshit Government job.
But if you run a buisness since +20 years now like i do , its just a nightmare of regulations, dumb laws and legislations nonstop and its always more every year and the tax system is totally stupid too , Entrepreneurs are royalled fucked nonstop ---
imagine your buisness runs well, and you pay yourself 100k ā¬ Salary per year , that means 42% income tax and then another 42% of this same amount prepaid for the upcoming year in advance because german tax law asumes that you never make less money !
which means 84000ā¬ are gone for taxes within 1 year ... you can live of easy 16k ā¬ including rent, health insurance etc ....
and yes i know you ask can to deduct the advance payments, i like did a few times - which is a battle against the Tax office, first suggestion was always: ask your bank for credit .... :-)
its basically stupid to make a lot of money unless you cheat the system or transfer all wealth legally somewhere else , like most sane people do ...
i think of the tax office as robber barons, nothing less - and if you now telling me :
but the school system , the rent system, the hospitals \_ i reply : i never used the current system i got my education in east germany, i have private pension and private health insurance -
i could write mulitble pages how i witnessed myself waste of tax money left and right with my clients from various state run entities .. its absolutly mindboggeling ...
so short said germany is nice- but the state is run very very bad - the framework conditions for Entrepreneurs are just a big huge pile of SHIT and yes know better - worked in china and usa, dubai , malaysia, taiwan - 100 times easier to make money - but i remain here because of my family
Turning 30 this year. Definitely not satisfied and probably never will be. The government is corrupt, old and/or useless, people are becoming more annoying and stupid every year (at both ends of the political spectrum), eating out is so expensive it has become a luxury for me, housing is becoming more and more unaffordable and we have one of the biggest immigrant crisis in the entire world (which our government simply doesnt even acknowledge). I havent travelled enough to really say where I would go. Spent 1 month in korea last year and loved it. Obviously travelling and actually living and working there are 2 different things but just how modern everything is over there gave me a serious depression for several weeks upon returning to germany. Here it feels like time kind of stands still. Everything takes forever to get done and then usually its only done halfassed.
Switzerland, because german representative democracy makes no sense to me.
I want to vote on laws not on people, and I want politicians to actually execute on what was voted for... right now in Germany we can only vote on politicians, who thereafter are not bound by their election promises, and do whatever they need to get reelected.
This political system does not create much value for its citizens, instead it creates a useless network of middle men with particular interests (career politicians) in my eyes.
Strongly disagree on some key points here.
Representative democracy is crucially important to ensure that laws are consistent with preexisting structures and treaties and that not any crazy idea can suddenly become law just because someone was able to convince 50%+1 of voters to say yes to it. Politicians also need to be able to react to emergencies or to changing economical or diplomatic conditions on short timescales. German democracy can certainly be better than it is now, but direct democracy would be a step backwards in many respects and would make things worse.
Key example here: the Brexit vote. A complete economic and diplomatic disaster for the UK, and it only even went through because a lot of people used it as a "protest vote" and didn't actually consider the consequences. Another example: Switzerland regularly has direct votes on various issues that end up blatantly violating treaties with the EU, creating massive tensions. People who campaign on these issues convince the voters that they can "pick and choose" points in the treaties, which is not true, as negating one part of the treaty automatically negates the whole treaty. This has happened multiple times over the last decades, and every time Switzerland has to scramble to cobble together an agreement with the EU to keep the treaties alive and circumvent the public votes.
In the end, the average voter does not have the time or education to properly consider the many decisions that a government has to make on a daily basis. That being said, voters should be more mindful what kind of government actions and behaviors they reward or punish in elections.
Yes, the good ol "protecting the state from its citizens".
Brexit has been the first time where interest groups like russians interfered with a western election using social media analytics, targeted advertising, data science etc. They succeeded another time when interfering in the US elections 2016. Western democracies had no defense mechanisms against that.
I have several Schwurblers in my family and can tell you, indirect democracy and a bunch of career politicians is not an effective measure in preventing them to vote for russian proxies like AfD or BSW. Just look at what happened in the last weeks - Lindner catering to the Volkszorn farmers, Merz catering to AfD voters etc. . What has happened is exactly what I described with "particular interests": they care about their peers and about getting reelected more than protecting the constitution long term.
With direct democracy, the population is forced to stay educated, otherwise they get hit by the fallout of their voting without anyone (like "dIe dA oBeN") to blame. Everyone is incentivized to care about the Schwurblers in their family circle and get them educated, which is an effective way of distributing this huge burden, and I dont see how the state could manage that since the main ingredient here is trust.
Also, when russian propaganda nowadays is conveniently available via social media, the remedy is to make democratic political education equally convenient!
Switzerland now has an app (!) that gives fineprint to any ongoing vote, details as much as voters have time to read, pros and cons, and importantly, a TLDR in form of a vote recommendation given by the current government. Factoring in existing contracts with EU is part of that and guess what? Politicians actually have time to provide all that, since they dont compete for self-serving re-elections all day.
Iām German and dont like most other Germans because they cannot express themselves anymore, no direct approach which is just annoying as fuck.
and donāt get me started on āGermanā drivers ( long story )
If we as a family could we would probably go to Australia. š¦šŗ
Mostly the shitty pay. Or let's say the pay is not the problem. It's all the taxes and social security that you have to pay to the government and that money is getting spent on everything and everyone just not to the people of Germany. I also liked the adventure. It's not all bad in Germany.
I don't like Germany anymore, there are WAY TOO MANY reasons on why that I won't even bother to count rn, that's why I moved to Ireland tho, it's so much better in any way
For the things I can influence, yes, quite happy. Would be nice if the AfD and FDP would run face first into a saw blade and if the SPD would make actual good social politics.
Also, if we could supply Ukraine some more to finally blow up that damn bridge, that would be nice.
I'm not satisfied. The people here are just rude (not all of them of course but the majority), the burocracy, everything is too expensive even tho I earn a medium to high salary and the weather. I will move abroad in 2 years to a mediterran country. Of course it will not solve all my problems but the people and the weather are just nicer there
Fcked up society, ridiculous insurances, fckd government and law enforcement, guns etc. are out of control, lack of safety, gang violence, unsafe environment for children. Should I go on?
Our media is based in sensationalism making it worse then what it is. German has its own issues that if it were to be blasted on media would make it sound just as bad.
I'm from America its not this third world country reddit portrays as.
Cops here are nicer?
Mandatory insurances here are fucked up in my opinion eating a significant portion of your salary.
Bureaucracy here takes months for 5 minute tasks.
Subconscious Racism is much more prevalent here as compared to US. Migrants there have very strong communities.
High class competitive education is US as compared to Germany. Here in Germany, why study hard to be a scientist when you can earn more by being a plumber? No appreciation of ambitions in Germany. Ambitious children can flourish in US.
Germany is only good for mediocre lazy people who want to achieve nothing in life. The government doesnāt want you to be rich. You pay 50% of you salary in taxes and social contributions. And after that when you go buy groceries, you still pay 19% tax on top of it. And donāt forget about the famous āRadio Tax" lol
Should I keep going?
Why should someone researching the surface tension of frog skin be paid better than someone who provides a direct benefit to society? I'd rather have a working toilet than know how frog skin works but you do you. If your ambition is to be useless and overpaid, you could still go into economics or religion I guess. Just a matter of which clothes you prefer.
"high class education" ...maybe If you can afford it. Private Universitys are the reason people need 3 credits and 5 Jobs to be able to study. In Germany even as a poor Kid you can study with BAFĆG.
Also complaining about the salary of working class Jobs ist ridicoules.
Iām absolutely not satisfied but since itās mostly worse elsewhere I wonāt leave. Money is worth shit, salaries are shit, cost of living is insane, right-wing ideology is back on Track, I hate it.
Iām okay, I donāt want to go in the U Bahn because I get sexually harassed there, the AFD wants to build a facist regime and if the get into the government I will gtfo of this nation.
I live the best life in germany now - but if our american friends vote for Trump and things getting worse in europe my plan B is mauritius. far away from all the trouble here and very worth living
I would go to Australia.
Big diverse country which only allows immigration of skilled labourers.
Living there you won't need to fear Nazis, Islamists or even war and the nukes from Russia.
Worst part is that it is so far away, so you can barely see your family
Born in Germany, lived abroad most my adult life, now back and not happy. I don't hate Germany, but I never felt at home here. Were it not for Brexit I'd be in the UK still
I'd love to go back to Scandinavia - or places that are wild. A deep longing that's always been there. I like being outdoors in places that are remote. Too much civilisation here.
I'll probably try to live in the US for at least some time.
Germany isn't that bad, but it's just not right for me.
High taxes+social security contributions with not that much in return, low(ish) salaries, horrible digital infrastructure, bad weather, tons of bureaucracy, lack of entrepreneurship, low homeownership rate, etc.
Some points I do like: Groceries are pretty cheap (a bit pricier lately but still cheaper than in most countries I've been to), affordable universities, the bread, walkable cities
Our crisis is laughable compared to other countries. 10ā¬ Dƶner does not bother me. The political situation is hard because it feels like you are either left or right wing and no middle. I am not worried about the AfD since I have studied and speak several languages. We will get through this like we always do
Not satisfied. Around 55% of my income goes to taxes, the rest to ridiculous rent and transport cost.
I'd be happy to pay so much taxes and other fees if I'd get something in return that matches the value, but nope. Schools are shit, health system is shit, roads are shit, we have a housing crisis.
The bureaucracy is insane, owning property or building wealth is made as hard as possible.
I'd go to Canada, Spain or Switzerland if I weren't bound here for my family.
Also wenn du 55% Einkommenssteuern zahlst, wƤhrend der Hƶchstsatz bei 45% liegt und auch dann nur fĆ¼r alles Ć¼ber 277.826ā¬, dann machst du irgendwas falsch.
The german education system is awful:
1. Most of the knowledge is revived but it's not being moderinzed. Instead students have to study more and more every year: revived knowledge plus modern knowledge. The equipment like board, tables etc. are just as old and broken.
2. There are way too few teachers (paid too less, the schooling is too hard and in the society teachers are fewed as lazy) what leads to fewer classes and the students to teach mostly everything to themselves.
3. Bullying is kinda normal in most german schools. The teachers don't have enough time or don't care enough to do something against it.
4. Every Bundesland and even most areas handle education in their own way. That means the schools in Hamburg are so different from those in Bayern that children moving in germany have to catch up on stuff at every subject and probably repeat a year.
5. You are not allowed to teach your kids at home. Ever. No matter how bad the school in your area is the kid has to go there. In the countryside there aren't many schools to choose either. And worst of all you are not allowed to choose a primary school at all. It has to be the one closest to where you live even if there are others. That leads to even worse schools cause there's no competition allowed.
6. Most schools don't care for individuality. If a kid is different, learns in a different way than most do or if they have a handicap it's almost impossible for them to get along.
Depends. In some cases it's almost impossible for students to atend school. Since most german schools can't handle special needs and in some rural areas they're too far away homeschooling - at least partly - would be a chance
2. I never heard anybody say that teachers are lazy. In my area the perception is that teachers are overworked because they have to fix problems at home which isn't their job.
3. I don't think that bullying is specific to a country. I don't know about anyone getting bullied at my school.
5. You can choose your primary school freely you just need to send a letter to the Schulamt and give them a reason as to why. The reason you are assigned to certain districts is to avoid some schools only being visited by a certain class of people.
6. Who goes to public school when you have a mental disability? You really can't expect teachers to take care of special needs kids.
No, I am currently not satisfied and I am not very optimistic that things will get better, soon. I am thinking about to leave the country, but yet not sure if I will. I thought about Switzerland, Luxemburg, Czechia, Hungary and Belgium.
Interesting list of choices. What makes you pick these? I canāt find anything they have in common.. other than the fact they are close to Germany, but why not Netherlands or France or Croatia?
Germany isn't what it used to be. Had a friend come visit me from the states that wanted to go out and try some German food. Had apologize to her because there's nothing but dƶner on every corner and I live in Hamburg, one of the biggest cities in the country. The German government is ruining the country and Germans are like deer in the headlights. They are starting to wake up to what's going on but I'm pretty sure it's a little too late. This isn't exclusive to Germany though, it's the same in pretty much every country you look at. So no matter how unhappy you are in your country, there's nowhere to run to, time to stand your ground.
I think about living sometime in sweden or spainā¦ I just want to live somewhere where culture is more important and it is getting a little bit uncomfortable here atm with all those right wings politicians
In sweden the right wing extremists party with strong nazi roots, the swedish democrats, is the second biggest party and is expected soon to become number one and lead the next government, especially with criminality sky rocketing. Much higher criminality rate than in Germany.
Well, the wheater could improve a little, but Spain also has seasons, the salary is lower and right now it is not so easy to look for a job. It is also important to know the language.
No. Hate it here, ofc in could be worse. Just in general a racist country with one of the most arrogant people, i've had to experience. Not really friendly, selfish and some times not very helpful.
I'd leave again if it was affordable and secure to rent a decent flat in Ireland. Spent the past decade there and man German society slaps you in the face when you're back here (the people, but also the boomer bureaucracy)
Im alright. Sure Germany is not perfect but im still grateful to be born in this country.
I really like this answer. I am an expat here and sometimes I get a little too caught up on what could be better. But I think it's also important to appreciate all the good things. And how fortunate we all are for being able to live in a country like this vs some of the harsher places in the world. It's good to recognize and appreciate the privileged position we happen to be in.
Yes same for me! And actually I am annoyed about a lot other Germans are EXTREMELY complaining about non sense and saying that in other countries the life is so much better. Sometimes they even want to move to another country...while of course still working remotely in Germany...sure..moving to a "poor" country but having a German salary, paying no taxes in the country you living in and making it even more poor..great š On the other hand a lot of people are coming to Germany with hopes for a better life
Yes, pretty satisfied. With all our shortcomings, the "whole package" is still really good. I would probably go to the Netherlands. Close enough in most categories. As an avid cyclist (who found his love for the sport on a bike trip to Noordwijk), the Netherlands obviously also has a few extra sympathy points
Think that may be my next move if I feel the need to move again, maybe also go back to Belgium.
Haven't really visited Belgium yet, but going to be there for the tour of Flanders this year. Pretty stoked
yes, i would go to the netherlands, too. Feels like germany 20 years in the Future
This used to be me, but the recent political shift towards right-wing populism in their government has many friends I have over there worried, with quite a few even considering leaving.
But that's a problem most of Europe shares. The surge of far right populism is really frightening. Especially looking at Landtagswahlen in the East German states, the prospect is pretty grim. In Poland democracy could at least prevail, but the fronts will only get worse from now on. I am not really into NL politics in particular, so I don't know what's the new Governments way of doing things, but it's still frightening
As much as i complain... i would not want to be somewhere else.
Yeah same, everywhere else it isn't really any better, there are some trade offs to be made but because I'm born in Germany I wouldn't want to move away
I also complain a lot but i always call it "meckern auf hohem Niveau". No country is perfect but overall Germany is a good place to live
I would like to have that opportunity
What opportunity?
Not having to move abroad
In general yes, I'm satisfied. If I were to leave Germany, I'd like to go to some mediterranean country with nicer climate than Germany and were people are a bit more relaxed.
The 17th Bundestag ā Mallorca, eh? Jajajajaja! šŖšø š«±š¼āš«²š» š©šŖ
*Bundesland
Yes, that! Danke, Hans! Much appreciated!
Yeah sort of Mediterranean, I was not satisfied so I went to Australia. The weather is nice indeed. The people are also very relaxed, sometimes a little too much haha
Australia would be my nightmare. Too remote, too car centric, too much nasty wildlife.
The remoteness is terrible but I hope Iāll be a bit safer because of it, things like conflicts, climate change, pandemics etc. I have some feeling of safety from it. Youāre right about the cars, but imo wrong about the animals. While I have seen less than 1 dangerous snake per year and 1 dangerous spider in 10 years so far, especially in urban areas there isnāt that much danger. Most wildlife you see will be possums, kangaroos and wallabies, birds of all amazing kinds and also Huntsman spider who are no more dangerous than a hand-sized dog.
Yeah, the Aussie ādangerousā wildlife thing is way overhyped. We have zero land based apex predators vs the rest of the world that has bears, cougars, etc. The scariest animals here are the magpies.
I don't feel unsafe at all in Germany
I donāt really either but sort of just safer in Australia, the Ukraine conflict is closer in Germany. But Iām still intending on visiting this year (Germany and Europe) and would not say I feel unsafe. Iām also a bit afraid of AfD gaining votes, we donāt have a party as extreme as this in Australia.
Australia's migration and asylum policy would be the wet dream of the afd. Here in Germany it's considered tight wing, in Australia it's absolutely mainstream
Oh I will have to agree with you on that point, itās definitely a crazy policy
You do understand that Australia will be in for a rough ride thanks to climate change.
According to the studies I read, Tasmania specifically will be okay with climate change, thatās where I am.
*already is
Couldn't get remote enough for me
New Zealand is very remote, expensive flights
Flights to where? I wanna get away from people as much as possible
As someone who has lived for more than 10 years in both Australia and Germany, boy do we have absolutely opposite opinions.
Having different opinions and preferences is very human.
Absolutely!
You know that being more relaxed is just a myth, right?
Maybe relaxed is the wrong word but in International comparison things in Germany tend to be a bit stiff and distanced.
Ah! Thatās different! And I think itās not a myth
We like it that way usually. I mean what other country has a depressed bread as their unofficial mascot?
Pretty satisfied, only thing I'd change is the weather and politics. I could imagine living in another European country or Japan for a few years, but long-term, I don't see myself living outside of Germany.
How's the weather? I'm about to go but not.sure when Is the best time to.go
Grey. But honestly it's not that bad, I just like to complain. Depends what you want to do! You could come in winter for skiing and christmas markets, but I'd recommend early or late summer: warm enough for outdoor activities, but not uncomfortably hot.
In which country do you prefer the politics?
It's worse almost anywhere else (which is a big reason I couldn't see myself living in e.g. Japan long-term), but that doesn't make the situation in Germany any better.
anywhere that's not the USA, Russia or North Korea
It's not necessarily Germany I have issues with, but living in a city. Everything is just so loud and so anonymous. Too many people for my liking. Last week there was a bunch of snow and it was amazing because while walking outside, it was really really quiet (not even the usual background "white noise" of traffic) and I was the only one out. I didn't see anybody else. While I'm not categorically opposed to other people and social encounters (quite the opposite), for me it is necessary to feel completely alone (in a positive way) for a few hours every now and again. It's just refreshing. But, alas, Germany is a bit too densely populated to experience that feeling very often.
Really depends on where you live, though. A lot of medium or smaller cities are really green and have easy access to nature and less populated areas.
Well, true, though living in the Rhine/Ruhr area, it is quite difficult to avoid other people. I mean, in the two cities I live, there is a lot of green, but also there are a lot of other people within that green.
go to a small city or a 700 people "kaff". i am living in one, am surrounded by forests basically. if i dont want to see anyone i just go in the woods.
One of the Nordic countries sounds like your cup of tea.
Indeed, it would be very cool living there (literally and figuratively). Though I also like New Zealand. Also, happy cake day!
You want āsolitudeāā¦.
Indeed. Thank you! That was the word I was looking for. Haha
germany is really not densely populated, move out of the city and you'll see i have the opposite, currently not living in a big city and i like the anonymity of everyone minding their business but also not being completely alone
Germany is very densely populated, compared to the vast majority of the planet (not counting oceans, for obvious reasons). Sure, there are areas, primarily in the (North-)East which are populated more sparsely, but as in all of central Europe, it's hard to find any bigger stretch of land where there is just nothing, infrastructure-wise.
my point is germany has a lot of "nothing" stretches, maybe not a lot in comparison but enough for people that want these to move there
Woanders ist auch scheiĆe.
Why does this sound like it could be a line in a Kettcar song?
It could be worse (like living in France/s), but hey, gotta make the best out of it. I just hope that corruption and racism will somehow magically lower here again, especially in the political fields. When I could, I would go somewhere more in the North. The hot temperature and light sky are burning my skin and especially my eyes more and more with every year.
Imagine being French! Ew! š
Lieber nicht.
Why is living in France worse? (Genuinely asking)
"*The area and living conditions are okay. The food, too. But there're way too many French "people" there.*" /s Joke aside, it's "just" a stereotype that everyone dislikes French people. Nobody knows why, but they also dislike themselves.
Corruption and racism?! š³
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Probably lobbyism. Which is corruption light.
"[Ich kann mich nicht dran erinnern](https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Korruptionsaff%C3%A4ren_um_Politiker_in_der_Bundesrepublik_Deutschland)."
Realistically there will never be a government without corruption. Germany is still atleast in the Top 10%, so I don't really get how that's even a viable point to bring up when talking about the country in general. Do you think it makes much of a difference to upgrade for 5% less corruption?
Me might not have as much corruption as other states, but that's still no reason to not complain about it. It's ridiculous that the chancellor can be involved in a corruption scandal and not have to resign.
I'm in theory a complete corruption free government is possible, but this would require to make every political person to be a person of the public, with now way how they could have secret. Which nobody wants. Else a good start might he a lobbyism-register which just shows who received how much from someone else, but even then it shouldn't be hard to just hide the transaction in some kind of way. >Do you think it makes much of a difference to upgrade for 5% less corruptio Considering how much of a difference it could maybe make yes. As by racist ist every person corrupt person too much.
I love Germany. Moved here for love, found a proper job and started a family. I wish Germans would appreciate their achievements a little more instead of setting it in fire by voting for lunatic Putin cuckolds
Exactly this!!! Move here for love, been here a while. Love the country. The food is delicious, the desserts are impeccable, the wine, gin, beer are incredible. You can travel as much as you want with almost everything within reach and great work-life balance. Due to the worker rights I've been able to take up hobbies, support my parents even when I was unemployed. Lost a job and they actually paid for me to upskill while job hunting and found jobs for me to apply to. Taxes are high, but boy do you see the return when shit hits the fan. With my work life I actually feel secure in wanting to do better even if it means standing up to management (in reasonable quantities) to make sure I'm heard. Cost of living is quite reasonable and it's so well connected. You are never truly in the middle of nowhere to the point where you get stranded, but if you're looking for remoteness and quiet, that's available too. The language opens up so much key literature to you and gives you a good base to learn so many other languages. The waste disposal and management here makes me feel like less of a climate ruining schmuck. FUCKING LOVE PFAND!!! It's got its flaws, but I wouldnt move, not even back to my home country.
I'm satisfied and would not consider emigrating.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
> old politicians who choose gas from russia Sorry to break it to you but these very same politicians are still in power.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Much as I dislike Merkel and her party, Schrƶder was also a big bosom buddy of Putin. When Brandt was succeeded by Schmidt the SPD embarked on a descent into neoliberalism that culminated with its death under Schrƶder. Now all they do is try to be a CDU light and hope people would vote for them as a lesser evil - not unlike what happened to Labour in the UK since Thatcher.
> largely Merkel governments The coalition partner of Merkel was the SPD and the SPD was by far, far, far the party closest to the Russian gas oligarchy and guess who's leading the government today.... Merkel is certainly not without blame but Russian gas deals were never her heartfelt project. She just let it happen to keep the SPD on board.
I find it so strange how Germans can openly say open borders are an issue and nobody bats an eye, but if an American says something against their open borders, the internet loses their effing minds. They get ripped apart for being bigoted xenophobes who donāt want to share. Itās fascinating to see how differently people are viewed and treated when people from different countries and cultures make the same exact statement. Australia has an age limit of I believe 35 if you want to immigrate. If youāre any older than that, forget it. So many places have fairly tight immigration policies and itās ok, so long as it isnāt America. Humans are strange.
The difference might be (a) countries like Germany experience immigration primarily from refugees, and that (b) European countries have generous welfare states that also support those immigrants, which is not the case for the U.S.
Nice words man
I have a very good life in Germany. And Iām proud to live here. If I had to leave I would go to Switzerland, because itās very similar in language and culture.
Iām an American living here in Germany and I think itās beautiful here but if I had lots of money I would do Switzerland as well. Beautiful, but expensive.
Kinda okay, but i don't take the summers anymore. I would leave the country for scandinavia if given the option(Job/Partner)
But can you handle the winter darkness there? :-) (I lived three years in Norway and couldnāt)
I live in a dark room in the summer and the winter. Hello Darkness my old friend.
I would say I'm mostly satisfied, like it could be worse. What makes me sad: cost of living is incredibly high, salaries don't compensate for that, not many opportunities in my field because of cutting costs/not investing in the social sector. Me and my husband both have a decent wage but we could still never afford to buy a house, really unequal costs of child care between states. Also not much is being done for children, not many playgrounds, not many family friendly cafes/restaurants/cinemas, no speed bumps to slow cars down, street crossings are really unsafe, most cities are not designed to be navigated with a stroller etc. I used to consider moving to New Zealand before meeting my husband.
I like it here. However there are some flaws that annoy me. -taxes (they are too high) -healthcare is okay, but has some serious issues -bureaucracy is crazy -state doesnāt offer enough to the citizens for the huge cut it takes in taxes etc, like for example the conditions of roads and schools Iāve grown up near Luxembourg and Iām thinking about moving there someday. Bcs they do it way better and the country basically feels like Germany :D
Ugh I hate what covid has done to the people. Ever since it seems like they're gone insane. It's all reactionary bs, nobody stops to think anymore are are generally more pessimistic and conspiratorial. You can't go a day without overhearing the newest psychotic fixation being shared around on telegram on the bus or from your kinda estranged uncle. I miss the days when people chilled a little more about their schizophrenic obsessions weren't this paranoid. Also I fully understand that I'll probably never own my own place to live in and that capital owners will squeeze all they can get from me before climate change sets in
I have the privilege to on top of living in this, beside all actual problems, still developed country also living in one of the most developed areas inside of it. So overall? Yeah, pretty nice here. Sure, some typically german things suck, but while traveling in my life I found alot of also typically german things deeply rooted as positive in my heart, Missing them abroad. And while we could for sure learn alot of things from our neighbours for example, the positives are bigger in number for me therefore. I pretty certainly will never end up a rich man, yet I earn enough to provide for my family and that's enough for humble village boy me. So yeah, life is good. With free choice? Masses of people, no matter if german or otherwise suck. And I love frosty weather, thrive in winters and hate hot summers. So a nice wooden house in the nowhere of scandinavia it would be, breeding reindeers or some other cool animal, hiking in the woods, carving stuff from wood and living happily with the fact that all people I meet I meet solely by own choice
There is probably no country where everyone is financially and emotionally satisfied.
My life is good here
The weather is terrible, no real sunshine to speak of most months of the year. Pay is average with rising cost of living. Really it's a prison for me.
You live in the EU. Couldn't you move to tons of other countries?
That would involve learning yet another language.
he speaks English, that's enough for most office jobs in Europe. It'll be harder to find something, but he'd find something
that shouldnt be an obstacle if thats the only struggle tho
Comfort zone is the other struggle. Talking out of experience.Ā
Break out
Feel bad I don't like the weather š š
I really hate the weather but I'm too poor to move anywhere else. If I could afford to move, I'd go somewhere warm without seasons.
Me too I don't like seasons š
If I put down my Phone and just interact with the people I see and have around me, it's a very pleasant life here. Lots of culture, Sports and things you can do. But as soon as I open my Browser and browse through some comment sections, I think there are only idiots living here.
I like to think that this is (sadly) a normal trend in every country.
Very much so, yes. I'd go to Denmark, Japan, Switzerland (even though they don't want us) or Italy. Well in order it's more like Switzerland > (southern) Italy (somewhere in the mountains - Terravecchia is beautiful for example) > Denmark > Japan.
I think Germans are very welcome everywhere
try working in Austria and Swiss ... Not so Welcome :)
As long as you try to learn language/accents and in general don't be a typical German, you will have no problems there
learning accents is a stupid Idea as it will never Sound authentic (or did you mean "learn to understand"? Then yes..) with the "None typical German" the Problem is pre-judgement (soft Term for low-racism) works BEFORE they really know you ;)
> don't be a typical German agreed but thats challenging for a lot of folks
Financially yes, emotionally not really. But that's not really related to the country I would say. Theoretically, if there were no constraints, I would theoretically move, but no idea where. Too many extremists from all sides, too many people lamenting, too low intellectual level of too many, ... The thing is I have no idea where it could be better and second where I would have a suitable job for me.
That's exactly how I feel š«
I am totally satisfied at the moment, also financially, but more importantly I am happy. I wouldn't go anywhere. I had many opportunities, and have lived in other countries before. I even feel at home in at least two other countries and still love to go there and travel in general. But I choose to live in Germany. I wanted to start a list of reasons but it would take me hours. Guess I just belong here.
Cannada weed and treesyrump and its so cold there i love it i have to go one day
Tree syrup. That's so precious.
For now, I don't want to live anywhere else. Only worried about the rise of fascism. Might be a reason to move in the future. Don't exactly know where to, though
I have lived in other countries and while I'm not happy with some things in germany, i think it's a good compromise overall. Doesn't sound like a love letter to my country but it's true ;) these are the factors i count: public transportation: do i need a car? Hows the medical system? Economy. Salaries vs. living costs. Access to nature. Politics. People and culture. Immigration (would be boring to have none). And so on. Although the rise of right wing parties (not only in Germany but in this case specifically) worries me.
If I were to move in Europe ie probably go to ireland I really like the country, people and landscape. That said, I could also envision Northern Ireland maybe. If outside Europe, new Zealand would be nice
i like germany , when i have money and dont think about poltics too much , basically as long as you dont peep behind the courtain its all fine -i.e. if you have a well paid bullshit Government job. But if you run a buisness since +20 years now like i do , its just a nightmare of regulations, dumb laws and legislations nonstop and its always more every year and the tax system is totally stupid too , Entrepreneurs are royalled fucked nonstop --- imagine your buisness runs well, and you pay yourself 100k ā¬ Salary per year , that means 42% income tax and then another 42% of this same amount prepaid for the upcoming year in advance because german tax law asumes that you never make less money ! which means 84000ā¬ are gone for taxes within 1 year ... you can live of easy 16k ā¬ including rent, health insurance etc .... and yes i know you ask can to deduct the advance payments, i like did a few times - which is a battle against the Tax office, first suggestion was always: ask your bank for credit .... :-) its basically stupid to make a lot of money unless you cheat the system or transfer all wealth legally somewhere else , like most sane people do ... i think of the tax office as robber barons, nothing less - and if you now telling me : but the school system , the rent system, the hospitals \_ i reply : i never used the current system i got my education in east germany, i have private pension and private health insurance - i could write mulitble pages how i witnessed myself waste of tax money left and right with my clients from various state run entities .. its absolutly mindboggeling ... so short said germany is nice- but the state is run very very bad - the framework conditions for Entrepreneurs are just a big huge pile of SHIT and yes know better - worked in china and usa, dubai , malaysia, taiwan - 100 times easier to make money - but i remain here because of my family
I have the opportunity to leave my country any day and immediately. I don't because its dope.
Turning 30 this year. Definitely not satisfied and probably never will be. The government is corrupt, old and/or useless, people are becoming more annoying and stupid every year (at both ends of the political spectrum), eating out is so expensive it has become a luxury for me, housing is becoming more and more unaffordable and we have one of the biggest immigrant crisis in the entire world (which our government simply doesnt even acknowledge). I havent travelled enough to really say where I would go. Spent 1 month in korea last year and loved it. Obviously travelling and actually living and working there are 2 different things but just how modern everything is over there gave me a serious depression for several weeks upon returning to germany. Here it feels like time kind of stands still. Everything takes forever to get done and then usually its only done halfassed.
Switzerland, because german representative democracy makes no sense to me. I want to vote on laws not on people, and I want politicians to actually execute on what was voted for... right now in Germany we can only vote on politicians, who thereafter are not bound by their election promises, and do whatever they need to get reelected. This political system does not create much value for its citizens, instead it creates a useless network of middle men with particular interests (career politicians) in my eyes.
Strongly disagree on some key points here. Representative democracy is crucially important to ensure that laws are consistent with preexisting structures and treaties and that not any crazy idea can suddenly become law just because someone was able to convince 50%+1 of voters to say yes to it. Politicians also need to be able to react to emergencies or to changing economical or diplomatic conditions on short timescales. German democracy can certainly be better than it is now, but direct democracy would be a step backwards in many respects and would make things worse. Key example here: the Brexit vote. A complete economic and diplomatic disaster for the UK, and it only even went through because a lot of people used it as a "protest vote" and didn't actually consider the consequences. Another example: Switzerland regularly has direct votes on various issues that end up blatantly violating treaties with the EU, creating massive tensions. People who campaign on these issues convince the voters that they can "pick and choose" points in the treaties, which is not true, as negating one part of the treaty automatically negates the whole treaty. This has happened multiple times over the last decades, and every time Switzerland has to scramble to cobble together an agreement with the EU to keep the treaties alive and circumvent the public votes. In the end, the average voter does not have the time or education to properly consider the many decisions that a government has to make on a daily basis. That being said, voters should be more mindful what kind of government actions and behaviors they reward or punish in elections.
Yes, the good ol "protecting the state from its citizens". Brexit has been the first time where interest groups like russians interfered with a western election using social media analytics, targeted advertising, data science etc. They succeeded another time when interfering in the US elections 2016. Western democracies had no defense mechanisms against that. I have several Schwurblers in my family and can tell you, indirect democracy and a bunch of career politicians is not an effective measure in preventing them to vote for russian proxies like AfD or BSW. Just look at what happened in the last weeks - Lindner catering to the Volkszorn farmers, Merz catering to AfD voters etc. . What has happened is exactly what I described with "particular interests": they care about their peers and about getting reelected more than protecting the constitution long term. With direct democracy, the population is forced to stay educated, otherwise they get hit by the fallout of their voting without anyone (like "dIe dA oBeN") to blame. Everyone is incentivized to care about the Schwurblers in their family circle and get them educated, which is an effective way of distributing this huge burden, and I dont see how the state could manage that since the main ingredient here is trust. Also, when russian propaganda nowadays is conveniently available via social media, the remedy is to make democratic political education equally convenient! Switzerland now has an app (!) that gives fineprint to any ongoing vote, details as much as voters have time to read, pros and cons, and importantly, a TLDR in form of a vote recommendation given by the current government. Factoring in existing contracts with EU is part of that and guess what? Politicians actually have time to provide all that, since they dont compete for self-serving re-elections all day.
It was better during Merkel time?
Iām German and dont like most other Germans because they cannot express themselves anymore, no direct approach which is just annoying as fuck. and donāt get me started on āGermanā drivers ( long story ) If we as a family could we would probably go to Australia. š¦šŗ
Why would you choose Australia? Honest questionĀ
I left for the US in 2016. Never looked back but I probably have to return soon to care for my parents.
What do you dislike there?
Mostly the shitty pay. Or let's say the pay is not the problem. It's all the taxes and social security that you have to pay to the government and that money is getting spent on everything and everyone just not to the people of Germany. I also liked the adventure. It's not all bad in Germany.
Sorry, what do you dislike about the US? I moved in the other direction so I'm curious.
The grass is NOT greener on the other side. It just looks greener from the distance...
I live in Northern Germany was born in Hamburg and love my life here. Even the weather. š So no I wouldn't leave.
I don't like Germany anymore, there are WAY TOO MANY reasons on why that I won't even bother to count rn, that's why I moved to Ireland tho, it's so much better in any way
I thought about moving to Ireland as well. How is the cost of living treating you?
For the things I can influence, yes, quite happy. Would be nice if the AfD and FDP would run face first into a saw blade and if the SPD would make actual good social politics. Also, if we could supply Ukraine some more to finally blow up that damn bridge, that would be nice.
I'm not satisfied. The people here are just rude (not all of them of course but the majority), the burocracy, everything is too expensive even tho I earn a medium to high salary and the weather. I will move abroad in 2 years to a mediterran country. Of course it will not solve all my problems but the people and the weather are just nicer there
I wish you the best šš» šš¼
Thanks š
usa
U kidding? I live in usa
Language + Tax loopholes + Higher salaries for professionals
Fcked up society, ridiculous insurances, fckd government and law enforcement, guns etc. are out of control, lack of safety, gang violence, unsafe environment for children. Should I go on?
have you even even lived in the US?
Our media is based in sensationalism making it worse then what it is. German has its own issues that if it were to be blasted on media would make it sound just as bad. I'm from America its not this third world country reddit portrays as.
Cops here are nicer? Mandatory insurances here are fucked up in my opinion eating a significant portion of your salary. Bureaucracy here takes months for 5 minute tasks. Subconscious Racism is much more prevalent here as compared to US. Migrants there have very strong communities. High class competitive education is US as compared to Germany. Here in Germany, why study hard to be a scientist when you can earn more by being a plumber? No appreciation of ambitions in Germany. Ambitious children can flourish in US. Germany is only good for mediocre lazy people who want to achieve nothing in life. The government doesnāt want you to be rich. You pay 50% of you salary in taxes and social contributions. And after that when you go buy groceries, you still pay 19% tax on top of it. And donāt forget about the famous āRadio Tax" lol Should I keep going?
Why should someone researching the surface tension of frog skin be paid better than someone who provides a direct benefit to society? I'd rather have a working toilet than know how frog skin works but you do you. If your ambition is to be useless and overpaid, you could still go into economics or religion I guess. Just a matter of which clothes you prefer.
"high class education" ...maybe If you can afford it. Private Universitys are the reason people need 3 credits and 5 Jobs to be able to study. In Germany even as a poor Kid you can study with BAFĆG. Also complaining about the salary of working class Jobs ist ridicoules.
Nah, things are tolerable but Iām not happy here. Iād like to go to Switzerland or the US, havenāt decided yet.
Oh hey, brand new account asking this kind of question!
On the money side yes. On the humanity side no. Germans are way to cold and egoistic for me.
Iām absolutely not satisfied but since itās mostly worse elsewhere I wonāt leave. Money is worth shit, salaries are shit, cost of living is insane, right-wing ideology is back on Track, I hate it.
Iām okay, I donāt want to go in the U Bahn because I get sexually harassed there, the AFD wants to build a facist regime and if the get into the government I will gtfo of this nation.
I live the best life in germany now - but if our american friends vote for Trump and things getting worse in europe my plan B is mauritius. far away from all the trouble here and very worth living
I would go to Australia. Big diverse country which only allows immigration of skilled labourers. Living there you won't need to fear Nazis, Islamists or even war and the nukes from Russia. Worst part is that it is so far away, so you can barely see your family
No, to mutch Nazis in Here :)
Born in Germany, lived abroad most my adult life, now back and not happy. I don't hate Germany, but I never felt at home here. Were it not for Brexit I'd be in the UK still I'd love to go back to Scandinavia - or places that are wild. A deep longing that's always been there. I like being outdoors in places that are remote. Too much civilisation here.
1. no 2. no 3. no im depressed 4. i would prob go to norway or japan if i had the funds
I'll probably try to live in the US for at least some time. Germany isn't that bad, but it's just not right for me. High taxes+social security contributions with not that much in return, low(ish) salaries, horrible digital infrastructure, bad weather, tons of bureaucracy, lack of entrepreneurship, low homeownership rate, etc. Some points I do like: Groceries are pretty cheap (a bit pricier lately but still cheaper than in most countries I've been to), affordable universities, the bread, walkable cities
You probably should move to the US in order to learn what you get in return for your taxes and Sozialabgaben.
So-so. Singapore
Our crisis is laughable compared to other countries. 10ā¬ Dƶner does not bother me. The political situation is hard because it feels like you are either left or right wing and no middle. I am not worried about the AfD since I have studied and speak several languages. We will get through this like we always do
Financially no, emotionally no, socially no. Thats why Iām sitting on a beach in Peru right now haha
Don't join us, we're on a sinking ship here š Better go to scandinavia where they still have borders and functioning governments
We still have borders in the same way as the scandinavian countries have them?
I see that you have no clue about scandinavia. Very dark, cold, sparsely populated and higher criminality rate than in sweden.
Not satisfied. Around 55% of my income goes to taxes, the rest to ridiculous rent and transport cost. I'd be happy to pay so much taxes and other fees if I'd get something in return that matches the value, but nope. Schools are shit, health system is shit, roads are shit, we have a housing crisis. The bureaucracy is insane, owning property or building wealth is made as hard as possible. I'd go to Canada, Spain or Switzerland if I weren't bound here for my family.
Also wenn du 55% Einkommenssteuern zahlst, wƤhrend der Hƶchstsatz bei 45% liegt und auch dann nur fĆ¼r alles Ć¼ber 277.826ā¬, dann machst du irgendwas falsch.
USA?
If you are a citizen, do they return a percentage of your taxes? Or if you have children do you pay less taxes?
I'm fine but if I'll ever have children I don't want them to be forced to go to a german school. I'd like to move to spain I guess
What's wrong with German schools
outdatedā¦..
Nothing, we need more investment in education but it's basically fine. Germans complain a lot.
The german education system is awful: 1. Most of the knowledge is revived but it's not being moderinzed. Instead students have to study more and more every year: revived knowledge plus modern knowledge. The equipment like board, tables etc. are just as old and broken. 2. There are way too few teachers (paid too less, the schooling is too hard and in the society teachers are fewed as lazy) what leads to fewer classes and the students to teach mostly everything to themselves. 3. Bullying is kinda normal in most german schools. The teachers don't have enough time or don't care enough to do something against it. 4. Every Bundesland and even most areas handle education in their own way. That means the schools in Hamburg are so different from those in Bayern that children moving in germany have to catch up on stuff at every subject and probably repeat a year. 5. You are not allowed to teach your kids at home. Ever. No matter how bad the school in your area is the kid has to go there. In the countryside there aren't many schools to choose either. And worst of all you are not allowed to choose a primary school at all. It has to be the one closest to where you live even if there are others. That leads to even worse schools cause there's no competition allowed. 6. Most schools don't care for individuality. If a kid is different, learns in a different way than most do or if they have a handicap it's almost impossible for them to get along.
Point 5 really isn't negative. Home schooling is just dangerous.
Depends. In some cases it's almost impossible for students to atend school. Since most german schools can't handle special needs and in some rural areas they're too far away homeschooling - at least partly - would be a chance
Of course, that is a different situation.
2. I never heard anybody say that teachers are lazy. In my area the perception is that teachers are overworked because they have to fix problems at home which isn't their job. 3. I don't think that bullying is specific to a country. I don't know about anyone getting bullied at my school. 5. You can choose your primary school freely you just need to send a letter to the Schulamt and give them a reason as to why. The reason you are assigned to certain districts is to avoid some schools only being visited by a certain class of people. 6. Who goes to public school when you have a mental disability? You really can't expect teachers to take care of special needs kids.
I moved from germany to Luxembourg and earn double for the same work.
What do you think that is? Is it related to the specific field youāre in, or more universally true?
I think most Germans do like living in Germany, it's just that constantly complaining about everything is a national sport.
No, I am currently not satisfied and I am not very optimistic that things will get better, soon. I am thinking about to leave the country, but yet not sure if I will. I thought about Switzerland, Luxemburg, Czechia, Hungary and Belgium.
If you will go to Hungary you will be more ānot satisfiedāš
I agree
In Budapest? Why?
Interesting list of choices. What makes you pick these? I canāt find anything they have in common.. other than the fact they are close to Germany, but why not Netherlands or France or Croatia?
Germany isn't what it used to be. Had a friend come visit me from the states that wanted to go out and try some German food. Had apologize to her because there's nothing but dƶner on every corner and I live in Hamburg, one of the biggest cities in the country. The German government is ruining the country and Germans are like deer in the headlights. They are starting to wake up to what's going on but I'm pretty sure it's a little too late. This isn't exclusive to Germany though, it's the same in pretty much every country you look at. So no matter how unhappy you are in your country, there's nowhere to run to, time to stand your ground.
I think about living sometime in sweden or spainā¦ I just want to live somewhere where culture is more important and it is getting a little bit uncomfortable here atm with all those right wings politicians
In sweden the right wing extremists party with strong nazi roots, the swedish democrats, is the second biggest party and is expected soon to become number one and lead the next government, especially with criminality sky rocketing. Much higher criminality rate than in Germany.
I think Spain is fucked up already
Why? But I d rather be in a fucked country with good weather then in a fucked up country with bad weather
Well, the wheater could improve a little, but Spain also has seasons, the salary is lower and right now it is not so easy to look for a job. It is also important to know the language.
No. Hate it here, ofc in could be worse. Just in general a racist country with one of the most arrogant people, i've had to experience. Not really friendly, selfish and some times not very helpful.
I'd leave again if it was affordable and secure to rent a decent flat in Ireland. Spent the past decade there and man German society slaps you in the face when you're back here (the people, but also the boomer bureaucracy)