Retiring in Germany
May 20th 2011, 12:46 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: Retiring in Germany
I think this would apply to everywhere. The last time I spent some considerable time in Germany was during the 06 World Cup where I travelled to many different cities out and about very late at night and can tell you the vibe was so much better than here in Perth Australia,which is an aggro charged place on many occassions often due to alcohol but not entirely so,after a certain time at night.
May 20th 2011, 12:56 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: Retiring in Germany
Yes, I find it frustrating. I really like Germany aesthetically, especially Bavaria but I don't think I would want to live there. I moved from England to Scotland to get away from the rat-race but if I lived in Germany in many ways it would be like going back to England. The Scout24 property website keeps sending me email details of farmhouses in Rheinland-Pfalz. They are often big houses with huge barns and the prices are a fraction of what you would pay in UK but I would prefer to live somewhere more peaceful.
It was on the market for what felt like for ever and the end price that we got wouldn't even buy a decent two bedroom in Sydney.
People want more modern places these days that are energy efficent.
They need to do a French thing and reinvent the concept to attract the Brits and Nordics into purchasing large older houses in the rustic and cheap German countryside.
May 20th 2011, 1:07 am
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: Retiring in Germany
I can't quite get used to the idea that some people would want to go to Germany to retire (I'm German myself). I would have thought that Germany is one of those countries you would rather leave when you retire if you could (for better climate, less hectic etc) instead of going there to live! But maybe it's not such a bad idea if you have family there and speak the language a little; at least you don't have to work in Germany, working in Germany is really stressful!
One thing for Germans they are direct. One knows where one stands. Although Australians have the reputation for being similar find when it comes to the workplace there are so many variables.
Poor management in many areas doesn't help and hinders at times along with people who are not trained or lack the experience to really understand what they are doing.
Lot of behind the back stuff as well.
Jun 9th 2011, 11:07 am
#34
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Now Devon
Posts: 951
Re: Retiring in Germany
Hi! Aries, we have a man who has come to Osnabrueck from Australia. He says that as long as you have a British Passport and in receipt of a British Pension you should be covered for medical insurance. You would just need to contact the British Pensions authority to see what you have to do. There may still be some expenses - prescription charges, 10euros a quarter to visit your GP and also 10euros a day for when you are in hospital. That may just be for the first 15 days. But you can get to see a specialist very quickly and things like a hip operation, you may have to wait 3 months. They don't seem to squabble about the price of tablets. I have just been told I'm in the early stages of Parkinson's and my tablets are 5euros each!
