I'm moving to Hannover from Berlin with my 3 year old son to be with my OH who is German. I have a feeling it's going to be an adjustment all over again. I've gotten rather used to the fact that everyone in Berlin speaks English Yes, I know.. I'm a bad expat.

Any Hannoverites in here who can give me their 2 cents on the nitty gritty of Niedersachsen? How's it fair for jobs, social experience, etc? Just curious.

As I suspected! There are, in fact, no English speakers or expats in Hannover. Oi.

I don't think that you will have more problems finding english speakers in Hannover than in Berlin. Due to the big fairs and exhibitions, quite a few bigger international companies, many students and the british forces that used to be based in and all around Hannover I believe you should find someone to talk to.
I lived there for 6 years and I liked it. Good luck!

Thank you, str, for your reply to my post!

I'd forgotten about the exhibition centre there.. and actually I will be living fairly close to it. So, perhaps I might have some luck. And hey.. it's just the littlest bit closer to the UK. *hopes for cheap flights*

Type in www.hannover.de you will find a website about the town and area. Click on English and you'll understand even more. I personally didn't like the town itself, but I love Bavaria so take no notice. Good luck with your move.

I live 40 mins from Hannover and have done for the last 30 months.

I can't tell you about living there really but I can say both my wife and I think it is a wonderful city. It is far and away one of the best experiences we have had since living in Germany except for Berlin/Silvester which was awesome.

If you are really stuck for friends then you should contact the UK Armed Forces Community who live between 30 mind and 1 hour away. I am sure many of the wives would love more British company, you could organise shopping trips and get togethers.

The Zoo is brilliant by the way!

Wellll...... here I am in little Laatzen. It's actually just south of Hannover so not really Hannover at all. Gotta say, it's no where near as pretty as Kleinmachnow was, but I expected that.

So far things are ok. Definitely a lot less English spoken here but also expected that.

Thank you for your posts Cooler_King and notathome. Will check out the website and try to find some Brits, though so far I can't find anything at all in the way of anglophones on Meetup. There's a British Hospital fairly close to here though, shall be visiting it soon to give birth. Doubt I will be much in the mood to socialize at that point, but one never knows!

According to toy town there are lots of english speakers in Hannover who post over there.

http://www.toytowngermany.com/xtra/s...ocale=Hannover

Seen any spiders yet?

Thankfully no spiders yet! But now you've jinxed me and the place will be crawling with them. Maybe I will stick them in a box and post them to you as a thank you for the jinxing :P

Well i'm english and live about 30 minutes from Hannover, It is a british army garrison town so there are thousands of us here,lol. my hubby is british army but we own our own house in the german community rather than army accomodation. we have about 10 years minimum here, loads of people in Hannover speak english, i go there all the time for shopping, all be it i know enough german to get by aswell.
if you ever just fell like contacting me your welcome.

A bit late to this thread. I used to live in Hannover but that was many years ago so I can't share any current info I'm afraid. However during my time there I managed to get by with my small smattering of German. I found quite a few people spoke English, although they aren't apt to speak it right away. Generally they like people to attempt to speak German but if you are struggling and they speak English they will switch to English to help you out.

I loved my time there. The city was lovely and there was lots to do. I particularly loved the great tram system and cycle paths.

Thanks to being in the army I was stationed in that beautiful city back in 1950.Right then it was very war torn.I have visited there many times since.
Something you may also want to look into.
Would it create any problem regarding permanent residency as I know in some instances you can only stay in some countries for 6 months of each year without the PR status.

ernieentwhistle: no problem on staying here, I've got my British passport. Good old EU

Good to know there are so many English speakers here - or at least that's what the bulk of you have experienced. I think I am just living in the wrong part. I have very few experiences where English is involved. I guess it is also that my OH and his family are German. We really need to move - can't get internet in this sodding building anyway!