Moving to Germany
Moving to a new country to live for a few years is the dream for many travellers. There is something about living in a new country that offers many more experiences than just travelling there for a few weeks. One of the most popular countries in Europe that British people tend to travel to is Germany with cities like Berlin and Frankfurt being the most popular.
Of course, settling into a new life in a new country isn’t always easy and the addition of a language barrier can be an issue. To help you with this, we have put together some tips for settling into your new life in Germany below in this article.
Do Research Before You Go
The first tip that we have for those who want to settle into a new life in Germany is to spend some time doing some research before you go. You need to know everything there is to know about the area you are moving to, how much it costs to live there and how you’ll get around. While you’ll want to be able to have an adventure when you go, you’ll need to have a plan. You can find plenty of information online to help you with figuring out the different areas in Germany. The more research you do, the better prepared you’ll be for what to expect.
Learn the Language
In Germany, many of the locals speak a few different languages in the more touristy areas. This means that you will probably be able to get around just fine in cities like Berlin without learning a word of German. However, if you want to settle in and really become a part of German culture, you should learn some of the language. There are a few ways that you can achieve this including using apps like Duolingo or taking a local class. Don’t forget that they won’t speak English in some of the smaller towns, so you’ll need to pick up some words to get you started.
Use Online Guides
There are many online guides that you can use to help settle into life as an ex-pat in Germany? A good example worth exploring is morgenbird.com. At this site, you’ll find all the information that you need from where to live to how to get an English-speaking job in this country. The internet is your best resource in 2020 so use it to your advantage. You can read up on blogs when you get there and check for any information that an ex-pat might require. Use these guides to your advantage and you’ll settle in in no time at all.
Do the Paperwork Early On
You might want to get started on exploring Germany as soon as you get there but it doesn’t hurt to spend some time focusing on some admin tasks. If you want to be able to settle in soon enough, you’ll want to sort out a few things when you get there. This includes finding a job, finding an apartment and opening a bank account. If you need a visa to live in Germany, then this should be one of the first things you sort out. You can usually find tips online on all of the important legal things you’ll need to do so make sure to have a look and get this sorted out as soon as possible.
Be Sociable
One of the best ways to settle into your new life in Germany is to be sociable. If you aren’t out there exploring and meeting new people, then you could find yourself feeling isolated. If you moved with a friend or a family member then you’ll be halfway there but if you are doing it alone, you’ll need to socialise. Making friends in Germany doesn’t have to involve going out to bars and meeting people, although this can be a good place to start. You can join local groups for ex-pats or even join a sports team. Make some friends and it will make settling into your new life a lot easier over time.
Enjoy Yourself
If you are planning on moving to Germany in 2020 then you should make sure to take on board all of the tips that we have given you in order to settle in. Don’t let the travel bug inside of you get carried away with exploring all that Germany has to offer in the first week. Sort out the important things and make sure that you are ready for your new life. Once you have everything sorted, you can explore and make some friends. Before you know it – you’ll be settled in and will be keen to live there for most of your life.
