Expat Life

I moved to Germany in August 2001. We initially thought it would be a 2-3 year thing. We’d live here for a while, get great work experience when the economy in the US was starting to get shaky and return home to take on bigger and better things. Two years quickly has turned into 9 and we still don’t know when we’ll be heading back to the States. But I can say that a piece of us will always be in America.

My husband is German and was born just a few miles from where we live now (he and our daughter were born in the same hospital, actually). But he also lived in Japan for a while and spent the majority of his youth in New York. We met in college at the University of Miami and fell in love. When he was offered a job here it was a no-brainer for me. I knew that if I didn’t go with him, I would probably never see him again. So despite it being one of the hardest decisions of my life, we made the move across the ocean.

rudesheim family

Life in Germany is not quite like the US. Certain areas are nicer and the people are friendlier. Unfortunately, Frankfurt isn’t one of those areas. And the weather is just horrible during the winter. But it still has some good qualities as well and living in Europe has been a wonderful experience.

Now we’re in the process of raising our daughter to be bilingual and hope that she will also get a chance to live abroad at some point. Since she has dual citizenship, it’s a whole lot easier for her to move around than for others.

Thinking about moving to Germany? Have a look at my So You Want to Move to Germany series.

Have questions about life in Germany or expat life? Leave me a comment or email me at tiffany AT noordinaryhomestead DOT com

More expats in Germany who blog

Websites with local information for expats

http://www.baroquebabies.com/
  • lynda

    So glad you registered on expat blog – really interesting blog. Life sounds grand. We have managed to raise 2 bi-lingual daughters… not easy, but I love that they can switch so easily.
    Cheers
    L

  • http://www.dogislandfarm.com Rachel @ Dog Island Farm

    I’ve always wanted to live abroad but our current situation bars us from doing that (my stepson is here). But some day we’d love to live in Europe for a bit.

  • http://www.chefgaby.com/ Tom Nunamaker

    I’m a retired USAF pilot living near Ramstein Air Base, Germany (Near Kaisserslautern). Nice to see other expats in our area (Frankfurt is about 90 minutes by Autobahn)

  • http://www.studiomailbox.com TJ

    Hi Tiffany, thanks for the tip with the Ahorn Syrup! I like your blog and will need to come get acquainted…

    Greetings from Ochsenfurt
    tj

    • Tiffany

      Hey TJ,

      My pleasure. So glad you stopped by and I hope to see you more often. I’m actually trying to get back in touch with my inner expat since I’ve lived here in Germany for almost 10 years now and it’s all become second nature :)

  • http://americaninwiesbaden.blogspot.com/ shoegirl

    It’s so nice to see an expat who came over and stayed so long. My husband and I are only in our 2nd year here, but we hope to stay for much longer. And your bathroom renovation cracked me up – we have the same awful green toilet and sink in our apartment! Wish we had such an awesome tub though.

  • http://lindadoyle@btinternet.com linda doyle ( portugal )

    Hi,
    We moved to portugal 4yrs ago yesterday,we travelled around europe for 12 months and stayed in germany which i love i went there with my son when he was 11yrs old, to the rine valley, so when i got married i told my husband i would like to show him where we went, as we where in a motorhome we travelled all over we loved the black forest area.
    my son of 25yrs went back to the UK as he could not find work here in portugal, 6wks there and he was killed, it will never be the same here without him but still have not thought of going back to the UK, you have to live everyday to the full & do all things you want or you never will.

  • http://rachel-oddsandends.blogspot.com Rachel

    So glad I found you page! It’s beautiful! Can’t wait to read about your experiences as a fellow American expat

  • http://lettershometoyou.wordpress.com ian in hamburg

    My inclusion in your list is much appreciated, if a little off in the description: I don’t blog anymore! Well, I do, but not nearly at the rate I used to. I can’t seem to get inspired to write anymore.

  • http://www.elementalsliving.com Betsy Hicks

    Love your website and really appreciate the recipes. My husband and I just returned from 2 weeks in Germany after purchasing a BMW through the European Delivery program. We traveled mostly to the south and west. Now all my foodie friends are coming over this week expecting great Bavarian food from me and your website helped get me there. Thank you for taking the time.

  • http://www.globalfamilytreks.com Melody

    I started reading your blog while in TX last fall, before moving to Wiesbaden a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for all your insight on German life!

  • Sneha

    Hi Tiffany. I just came across your blog and I would gladly second you on the weather and initial friendliness of Germany. I moved to Franconia 4 months back. It has not been the friendliest place :| I have been writing about living in Germany as well but more from a “explore Europe” angle. Anyway glad to be here and I am sure I will be back. Would be great if you can link my blog http://tra-well.blogspot.com

  • Tom

    I am in the process of moving to Kassel within the year with my German wife. I lived in Wuerzburg for three years but I was in the military, I think living in Germany as a civilian will be a whole new experience.

    • http://www.noordinaryhomestead.com/ Tiffany @No Ordinary Homestead

      I’m sure it will. Living on the economy and off base is a very different experience since you’re not surrounded by Americans all the time, and you participate in the local life a bit more. At least this is what I gather from knowing a few people in the Army who were living here. ;) Hope you have a great move and enjoy your time in Kassel!

  • mrswanderlust12

    Hi Tiffany. Glad to come across your blog….something I could relate with. We moved to Augsburg in June last year….the plan is to only spend 2 1/2 years here and we’ll move back to Sydney. We’re nearly a year here, just wondered if this time frame would end up the same as yours, let’s see. Sometimes no matter how much one plans, no one can really fight against fate.

    • http://www.noordinaryhomestead.com/ Tiffany @No Ordinary Homestead

      We always just kind of went with what felt right. We have definitely enjoyed the opportunity to live here in Europe and really experience it. Hope you’re enjoying Augsburg. It must have been so hard to leave Sydney. I fear that if we ever visit Australia, we’ll never want to leave. :)