Moving my family of four from the United States to Germany has been the adventure of a lifetime (a bit of a nightmare turned success story) and changed our lives in dramatic but surprisingly awesome ways. Adjusting to a new country came with challenges, sure, but there are so many reasons we’ve decided to call this place home.
Our Accidental Expat Origin Story
We came here on a temporary work assignment through my husband’s company. I was seven months pregnant at the time, and we had a toddler in tow. It was supposed to be a quick European adventure. The company paid for everything, including our housing, and I was thrilled to experience Europe’s free healthcare system with baby number two on the way.
But life had other plans. Thirty days after landing in Germany, the company closed permanently, abandoned us in an apartment we couldn’t afford, and left us without jobs or income.
Surprise!
The good news? We managed to find new jobs in Germany quickly, and once we adjusted (read: cried, panicked, and figured out German paperwork), we realized we actually loved it here. We’ve now been here almost three years with no plans to leave.
Here are five of the biggest reasons we stayed.
1. An Active Lifestyle
Germany’s culture makes it almost impossible not to be active. We live in a fourth-floor walk-up, so stairs are just… life now. I ride my bike to work, walk to the bakery, and chase my kids to and from playgrounds. I’ve lost weight, gained energy, and haven’t seen my car keys in months.
The bike lanes are incredible. Seriously, they’re part of the sidewalk in most areas, not part of terrifying traffic. Even though we came from a “bike-friendly” city in the U.S., it doesn’t hold a candle to Munich.
2. The Food Is So Much Better
The quality of food here is next level. Produce actually tastes like produce. Bread from the local bakery is fresh, chewy, and made without preservatives. And fruit is seasonal and local, like grapes from Italy, oranges from Spain, and apples grown just outside of town.
Eating here feels intentional. Lunch is for actually eating — not shoveling food into your mouth at your desk. The office canteen is for sitting down, taking a break, and being a human. Revolutionary, I know.
Need food inspo? Here’s a fun list of traditional German dishes worth trying.
3. Affordable Childcare
Childcare here costs a fraction of what we paid in the States. Even with two kids in private care, we pay about 30% of what we paid for just one back home. It’s honestly wild.
Instead of drowning in bills, we use the savings for weekend adventures, hobbies, and even a savings account (what a concept). Germany makes parenting affordable — and kind of fun.
4. Work-Life Balance
I started my job here with 30 days of PTO. That’s not a typo. Everyone I know has it. Plus, no one expects you to answer emails after hours or grind through lunch. People actually take their vacation days.
With this balance, I’ve had the time and brain space to write books, grow this blog, and spend real time with my family.
5. A New Perspective on Life
Slower pace. Real breaks. Fewer drive-thru meltdowns. Living here helped me re-center. I’m more present, more rested (most of the time), and happier.
Shameless Plug: Check Out My Books!
If your kid struggles with big emotions, my book Anxiety is My Monster, and the rest of my books on managing emotions are for you. The My Inner Monster series is a heartwarming (and funny) way you can talk about managing emotions with children in a safe and empowering way.
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