People often ask why I live in Germany and I never really know what to say because the reason I came is not the reason I stay. I came because I received a grant from the Fulbright Association to do research I could have done (less well) in the US. I stay because my husband loves his job designing solar thermal power plants, a job he can’t have (not yet anyway) in the USA.
There are other reasons I stay, too. Like the minimum of 28 days of paid vacation each year, plus fourteen holidays, plus unlimited sick days that each company is mandated to offer employees. Or the government-subsidized health insurance (including – yay! – a special fund for artists like me). Though flawed, this health insurance does wonderful things like paying for traditional medicines like massage and acupuncture and sending “mother’s helpers” to homes with newborns for at least eight hours of week (see the French system highlighted in “Sicko” for an idea of how it works here). Though I don’t have kids yet, I really like this idea. Even better, I like that if I elected to, I could stay home for up to three years with each newborn I have without fear of losing my job; that I could be paid 60% of my salary for staying home that first year; that my husband and I could both have 14 weeks of 100% paid maternity leave in that first year and we could take those weeks separately.
These working conditions are so important to me that I don’t mind paying higher taxes than I would in the States. To me, quality of living is so much more important than money.
I love that I can live here without owning a car. That I have a bike lane just for me (and the thousands of other bikers) on every road and bridge and through every park in the city. That if I wanted to, I could hop on a train and end up in nearly any major city on the continent, and get to most places within the country faster than if I were driving.
I like living in a country that makes guns nearly impossible to come by (and most people uninterested in owning any). I also love living somewhere that banned new construction of nuclear power plants and is taking all the remaining ones offline by the year 2020 (though I do disagree with their recent decision to substitute that energy production with coal-fired plants and do wish they’d rethink). One of my favorite things about living in Germany, though, has to be just how politically and environmentally aware the average citizenry is. How much they’ve learned from their history. How they’re okay with keeping their military for mainly peacekeeping (yes, yes, I do know this was a US-instituted and very necessary policy; but imagine if, 60 years ago, the US was told they couldn’t build up their military… would we have been okay with this generations later?).
Now, of course, this is all debatable and subject 100% to my opinion of the country in which I live. It’s not intended as a diatribe against the USA, my home country, and it’s certainly not a rose-colored view of Germany. We do have our faults over here, too. I could seriously do without the anti-immigration rhetoric that politicians are throwing around and I would love love love it if the automakers industry didn’t have so much clout within the parliament that fuel standards can’t be raised. I hate that just outside Cologne there’s a brown-coal pit deep enough to be seen from space and they won’t stop digging.
I’ll be honest. If the next president (hello Dems, are you listening?) of the US offered some of these incentives, I’d be back in a heartbeat. If my husband could keep his dream job in solar and I could be paid to raise my children and we paying taxes that went straight to military instead of education and health insurance and I got a month of paid holidays, of course I’d move back closer to my friends and family.
But nowhere is perfect and as I grow older, I’m learning that much of life is a give and take. Right now, Germany’s giving my husband a really nice job that could help change how we get our energy. And we’re taking every chance to enjoy the European standard of living.
Wow, sometimes when I hear about the benefits that new parents get in other countries I’m just in shock. I think it’s really great, and probably results in a much healthier, happier populace who’s way less stressed. I really, truly don’t understand how and way average, everyday Americans put up with financing huge wars when we don’t even have health coverage. I really, really don’t get it.
01/22/08 » 10:59 am »
I consider leaving Germany one of my most regretful choices I made.
01/22/08 » 11:16 am »
I’m looking to leave the US as my morals aren’t in line with the majority (just look at the current crop of front-runners in the presidential race). I’m still not sure where to go, but Germany is starting to look and sound nice.
01/22/08 » 11:37 am »
I live in Germany too! Right now it is a lot better than the US, but hopefully it’ll change. I’m here because my dad’s in the army, and it’s changed me into a Green-machine. I love the recycling and the cleanliness.
01/22/08 » 1:52 pm »
I have never visited Germany but have an open invitation to do so from a German couple we met when we moved to Alderney in the Channel Islands. Shall we go?
http://www.organicassistant.com
http://www.alderney.gov.gg/index.php/pid/1
01/24/08 » 9:31 am »
I think European countries offer those incentives to parents of newborns because their elderly population is outnumbering the young and they need new blood. That is not the case in the US at this time, so the government has no (financial) need to offer those incentives. At least that’s what my french teacher said
01/25/08 » 3:51 pm »
Hi Courtney,
good to hear that you are living in Germany too …
My name is Christoph and I am eco-blogging. There is an networking date on the world largest organic fair biofach Feb 22th in Nürnberg. It would be great, if we could talk about that via email. Please send me your contact information christoph@karmakonsum.de…
Christoph
01/26/08 » 12:01 pm »
Hi Courtney, My sister and I were both born in Austria 54-60 years ago. My mother has pics of herself on maternity leave provided by the government at a skii resort where she stayed with other women who had given birth. I don’t know how long ago Germany started benefits of that or of a similar nature, but I’m sure it’s not a current provision. We lived in Germany for 3+ years before immigrating to the US and it seemed (I was still very young) we had access to all sorts of services in the 50′s there also. I think here, where the individual states are as large as most countries in Europe, it’s difficult to have umbrella policies nationwide. Seems like nothing works here without making a profit anyway.
Lilian
01/28/08 » 11:06 am »
Thanks for all the nice comments. I wrote this as a reminder to myself about the positive things I feel living in Germany… though do note, it’s taken me three years to get to this place so I don’t necessarily advocate pulling roots. And though you’re right, Steph, Germany’s got a low low birth rate (1.3 babies/couple compared to 2.something for Americans), they also have funny rules about what constitutes a “German” baby (including German blood) that are currently undergoing revision. There’s been a lot of backlash from these policies, including discrimination in hiring against young married women; still, this works out a lot better for me than getting back to the grind six weeks after junior/juniorette’s made his/her first world appearance. I just don’t get how work can be more important than human beings. But that’s why I live in a social democracy, I guess.
01/29/08 » 10:13 am »
I was loving everything you were saying up until you rejoiced at the fact that nuclear power plants were being taken offline. That told me you hadn’t actually done your homework.
02/17/08 » 7:30 am »
Richard,
I appreciate your thoughts, though I’m uncertain what you mean by not actually doing my homework. In fact, the pros and cons of nuclear energy are ones I’m quite familiar with – both from a consumer’s standpoint and from an engineer’s. Though the lack of carbon emissions is a serious positive to the use of nuclear power over, say, coal, the consequences of fallout and waste are too great for me to advocate the use of it. I do have friends who work in nuclear (my husband works in solar – specializing in both photovoltaics and parabolic trough collection – but has also studied at a PhD level a comparison of all types of energy usage so the innerworkings of the various power plants aren’t news to me) and I understand the small likelihood of another catastrophe like Chernobyl occurring. I also understand the German reluctance to forget Chernobyl, considering that many living in the old East are suffering from thyroid cancer as a consequence of that disaster, and understand why they would be advocating for the closure of the nuclear power plants.
Nonetheless, I believe that the solution to the “world energy crisis” is, first, to consume less energy (just by living in Germany, I’ve quartered my personal usage; by purchasing less goods, I’ve also limited my share of industrial usage), then to pull from renewable sources (a nomenclature that doesn’t and shouldn’t include nuclear). I prefer my energy to come from wind and solar because it is regenerative without being destructive in the way that coal and oil-fired plants are. Not to mention that if Green party advocates here hadn’t been pushing to rid Germany of nuclear energy as they had done, solar technology for the rest of the world would still remain in the dark ages. Say what you will about the effectivity of solar vs. nuclear, for the average consumer, photovoltaics and solar thermal fit the bill in a much healthier way, one that doesn’t include lethal uranium mining and potentially lethal transports of hazardous waste.
Finally, nuclear energy is used as a political playing card in a way that makes me extremely uncomfortable. But solar – well, solar can go anywhere… and in fact, it’s all over the “axis of evil” and other non-allies of the US, ensuring those in developing countries can have electricity just like everyone else.
02/18/08 » 10:36 am »
Courtney,
I completely agree. It is gerat to see another American that is aware of the world that we are living in. Thank you for being a voice of reason and understanding. I have lived here in Germany for almost 6 years and just had a child last week. Everything that you said about Germany is exactly why we decided to stay. Too bad Hillary won’t get the chance to run for president. If people would look at European countries(not as a standard) but as an example to go by, I believe that our nation would be in much better shape. If all of these countries (Spain, France, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austia, etc…) can be right next to each other and live in complete peace and we are only connected to Mexico and Canada and the whole world hates us we must be doing something wrong. Like you said, I love my country and I miss my family but if my daughter can receive a better education and live in an almost crime free environment then I have to take the side of family over country.
It hurts me to know that I can receive better health care as an injured stranger in Germany than my mother can after working hard her whole life in the states. Anyway, I will get off my soap box but thanks for posting your thoughts and hopefully we can help to make a difference in the states. Vote, Vote, Vote!!! It is the only way to influence change!!!
Gary
02/20/08 » 10:30 am »
Courtney,
you missed a good networking event at biofach.
http://karmakonsum.de/index.ph.....tton=Go%21
Next opportunity to meet other germen eco-blogger is may 30th / 31th in frankfurt.
we organize a conference and a green barcamp: http://karmakonsum.de/konferenz.
Mayby you make it out there …
Christoph
03/17/08 » 7:19 am »
Nuclear Is No Option » Eco-Chick
[...] Written by: Courtney A few months ago, I posted here a compendium of reasons why I live in Germany. Though I’d intended the post as an answer to all those who’ve asked in the past, [...]
04/01/08 » 4:47 am »
My young son and I will be visiting Germany in July, and I have tried to do some research to prepare for my trip. Specifically, I would like to find a list of eco-friendly grocers (preferably not chains), and other responsible retailers. Unfortunately, I have found very little information.
Can you suggest any resources – online or otherwise – that offer good directories and information?
Thanks!
06/04/08 » 11:00 am »
Dear friend,
I am Chami.My country is Sri Lanka.I am 29 years old.By this time i have been working in a company as an Auto CAD Draughtsman in Qatar for 10 months.I have a hope to do a job and live in Germany.But i don’t have any support to succsess my idea.If some body can help me to do it, i appreciate you in my life.Please concern regarding this and help me.
Thank you,
07/06/08 » 2:07 am »
cpathinayaka@yahoo.com is my E mail address.If it is possible help me.
Thanks,
07/06/08 » 2:11 am »
hi courtney
i am living in turkey and my girlfriend is in germany
dont ask me how did you meet her,it is really a long story.
i am in university but i dont want to continue it in turkey as you understood i want to study in germany.do you know what is the way that i should follow ?
can you help me please…
02/17/09 » 12:00 pm »
I wish more people would bicycle in the States and shed the four-wheeled gas guzzlers even for a moment and realize what good a little exersize and fresh air would do them as far as health goes…Germany does seem like a great place for cycling .
04/14/09 » 5:56 pm »
My husband just told me we might be moving to Germany in 2010. Since we just relocated to England (after a 2 year stint in China) and before that, Seattle, I wanted to do some early research. It sounds like I would like Germany… at least I like your views and “aware” lifestyle. I’m not looking forward to the red tape of telephone, internet and other similar services though. I get the feeling it’s just as cumbersome as England. Do you have to pay a ridiculous tv licensing fee too? I had to pay $225US if we had a color tv. Historically, I turned on CNN/BBC maybe once a week, but now I feel like I have to watch tv just to get my money’s worth! (The real reason I’m so mad is that we moved to UK without a tv and a few weeks later, I received an official nasty notice saying I will be fined if I don’t pay the licensing fee. I had to prove that I didn’t have a TV at that time and I was told that an officer might visit to confirm this fact.) Oops, I digress.
I’ll continue to do my own Germany research, but if you are aware of good websites or expat groups based in Hamburg or Berlin, please let me know. (You should have my email…?)
09/19/09 » 11:25 am »
WOW!!! I am of German heritage. This does not sound like my hard working German Family would even recognisze it. Everything you like about Germany is why I am trying to find somewhere else to live. I was born in the USA. I have always admired thoes here,who work hard and take advantage of our opportunities. I enjoy my freedom more than the security of Socialism. Aren’t we lucky to live at a time when we can search for the perfect place to live! I want to move from the USA. I grew up here and we have been free to succeed or fail. BUT no longer. We are moving ever closer to a true Socialist country. I want America to be free. I’ll cross out my Fathers home land and keep looking.
10/06/09 » 5:27 pm »
All of this sounds great other than than the questions, yet unanswered about the price of such greatness. The downward spiral in the german economy and their belief in widespread immigration of muslims worries me in particular. The wind/solar power is the best with hydrolic, geothermal, biofuel and other such are great in principle but are they yet practical to inplement in all countries? This has been answered with a resounding no thus far because carbon immisions still have to be paid off in some places. The technology still needs to be developed to that ideal level, however, we should in the states have adopted serious electric metric grid system intergration with the undgeround model in Europe. I’ve in fact contacted A Southern Company about this matter with no replies about it thus far. They don’t believe in regulation or alternative energy other than the three nuclear reactors in Georgia and in Dothan, Alabama thus far. Anoither thing is you can’t find recycling places unless you drive way way out of your way to do it.
02/20/10 » 8:19 pm »
America is not free when the only way you “win” is if you make others fail. Free to win means free to screw someone else over. And free to fail, means for someone else to screw you over. We don’t challenge our laws (which is ironic because our own constitution says to if we think they’re unjust) and our government is ruled by our corporations, not the people. We don’t decide to go to war, we hardly decide our presidents (random people with no real training to make scientific or technological decisions, the ones that ACTUALLY effect life and health, then we’re told to vote on what you hope is the lesser of two dimwitted evils, whom most of us have never heard about) America is only worth her ideals, which are NOT put into practice. The spirit of innovation, invention and freedom are what intices people to come here, then traps them in a rat race. And no, I’m not really saying we’re the only county that does this. Many do, in reality, they could ALL be alot better, but what other country do you know that has 100′s of 1000′s of chains that inflitrate the rest of the world? (Mc Donalds, Wal-Mart, which most all ironically ship over seas for cheap labor – It’s only not called slavery cuz their paid, like a dollar a day. Wake up people) All nations have their issues, but frankly, America scares me. It’s not freedom if you have to slit someone else’s throat or blow them up for it. Also, on voting. We protest like crazy for the government to not or to do things, they don’t listen. Protesting is our right to in their view whine about things, but they won’t do ANYTHING, but either throw you in jail, or ignore you. Our “freedoms” are a hoax to make everyone think we “have” freedoms. Our country is too good to be true, most of them are. Perhaps it’s because I’m from here (big surprise, huh?) that I see this. I’ve lived here all my life, but I have friends all over the world (Thank you, internet) and am finding out what it’s like in other places. Sure, none of it is perfect because all system motives at their core support profit over human life. When ever anyone comes up with something new, safe, innovative that would save people, the question comes up with “How much does it cost?” It’s paper people … Fancy shmancy coins and pieces of paper (Yes, I know there are other elements, but if it can rip or be bent with a hammer, it’s not worth anything) are NOT worth human life. Take a look at the one you love, your child, you husband/wife, your friends or whatever and tell me that you’d forego saving their life for a million dollars (or any currency equivilent) You may say “Of course not”, but if that’s the case, what do you think your government or country is doing? What is war? What is the profit motive or incentive? What is it really?
05/07/10 » 4:21 pm »
I would completely agree with the above poster on many things they pointed out. Economics is diametrically opposite of human rights cause when one is doing good the other usually isn’t at all. No form of economics is satisfactory in this nvironment of unpresidented development and peril in this world as it is right now. Look at the technological, medical, agricultural, peacce efforts, etc going on? Then, the opposite the over population, global warming, social demographic transitions, etc as well on the other side. Personally eventually something must give either we empower the people or just supress the poor amongst us to tell them what to do. We have to relinquish control of the poor to inform them by education programs and instill hope for the future.
I don’t put a price on a human life unlike the atheist/agnostic euthenisizers, eugenics, abortion, etc supporters attempt at their core cause of my catholic beliefs. However, protestant christians are guilty of proliferating this behavior of patriotism that needs to stop. Nationalism, emperialism, and envionrmental destruction must stop and stop now before it is too late for global warming to hit the earth. We might already be too late look at the southeast and southwest running into the red supply of water and tell me that the world isn’t over populated? More christians need to adopt to get oer their egotistical trips of progenetical superiority complex of their agenda of ego trip on the rest of the world. More poor around the world need to stop having so many children cause we live in such a orld that doesn’t handle as many people. Man, I have so much left to say on this topic that I totally agree with you on that I cannot say. I’m a blind prson who usually isn’t given any voice cause Alabamians in particular college students w catholic church member are ignorant thinking that blind people are also mentally inferior are to arrogant to understand my contributions to society. I want to change the world too! Good luck with your mission and I guess I’m done posting on here. if you want e-mail me or anyone else wolfe.peter@gmail.com
12/15/10 » 8:09 am »
I lived in Germany during the Cold War and got to meet my grand mothers brothers side of the family that did not make it out. As a second generation American who has served his country, I can tell you siting with my uncle at his house in Malente Germany as tears slowly slide down our cheeks, in the wee hours of the morning, passionately shareing our life experiences from two worlds made me realize just how much the world has to offer those that desire to learn. He had an Iron Cross and I had a Presidential Service Badge along with many other commendations. We both hated what war did to our families and countries.
Other countries have many valuable ideas and systems, as does America. To bad we all struggle to collaborate and make a better world. I am many years older now, and would love to return to the country that gave me the most profound learning experience of my life.
Prost!
SAM
01/09/12 » 8:53 pm »
woah! im doing a project about germany for school and it seems like a clean, safe, enviro-freindly place i am only 10 years young but might consider moving there when im older
01/11/12 » 3:25 pm »
Wow I was just talking to a US Army soldier about life in Germany. His wife lives in Germany he had spend 16 years out of 20 in Germany. He sold me to Germany everything you had said about Germany he told me. He told me that a German friend said that we Americans got it all wrong because we live to work and Germans work to enjoy life.i hope we get it right one day. Peace!!
02/08/12 » 12:05 am »