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{"id":42682,"date":"2019-10-06T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T07:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/?page_id=42682"},"modified":"2020-11-03T14:39:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T12:39:03","slug":"moving-to-germany-from-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/moving-to-germany-from-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving to Germany from the UK: Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We\u2019ve tried to come up with a definitive overview of how life in Germany compares to life in the UK.<\/p>\n

This is aimed at anyone considering a move to Germany, especially post-Brexit with all of the suspected additional complications this will result in.<\/p>\n

And yes, moving to Germany post-Brexit transition period is still possible.<\/p>\n

More tricky than before, sure. But nowhere near as hard as you may think.<\/p>\n

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Where the Grass is Greener? Moving to Germany from the UK<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everything of course is subjective, so we’ve covered both the pros and the cons in the most neutral way we can.<\/p>\n

Of course, Germany isn\u2019t perfect either. Everywhere has its own set of problems that people love to complain about. We’ve therefore deliberately left politics out of this.<\/p>\n

So, here are a level-headed bunch of social, economic and cultural differences between the UK and Germany, so you can weigh up the case for yourselves.<\/p>\n

On balance though, obviously we think that living in Germany is better for a whole number of reasons.<\/p>\n

But just be aware that moving to Germany from the UK won’t be all roses!<\/p>\n

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Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most noticeable differences of life in Germany vs. life in the UK is how much safer and more secure it feels, especially when out having drinks at the weekend.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a noticeable lack of idiots and troublemakers. Young German men (and women, for that matter) are capable of drinking alcohol without the urge to fight one another.<\/p>\n

Violent crime and muggings in German cities are very rare. Only the largest metropolises have a couple of no-go areas where you wouldn\u2019t want to be on your own at night.<\/p>\n

In medium-sized German cities, this is virtually unheard of. Compare this to the UK, where almost every city has at least one area you\u2019d probably want to steer clear of after dark.<\/p>\n

Travelling by public transport<\/a> is generally safe at all hours, although the usual precautions should be observed, especially for lone women at night and on routes that go through dodgier parts of town.<\/p>\n

In addition, there seems to be a more general consensus on anti-social behaviour in Germany. While this may impede some aspects of personal freedom (the laws around \u201cquiet times\u201d<\/a> for example), you generally see fewer teenagers running riot and causing a nuisance to their neighbours.<\/p>\n

The one major downside when it comes to safety and security is that bicycle theft is rife in major cities and the police, sadly, have few resources dedicated to dealing with it.<\/p>\n

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Transport<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Public Transport<\/h4>\n

While certainly not up to the standards of their Dutch and Swiss neighbours, public transport in Germany is still vastly superior to the UK.<\/p>\n

Buses, trams and trains are usually modern and clean, with very frequent services in major cities and an integrated system of buses and trains connecting suburbs and commuter towns.<\/p>\n

Single-trip public transport tickets for shorter distances are not that much cheaper than in the UK in most cases. However, any commuter pass lasting a month or more is usually way cheaper than the equivalent ticket in Britain, especially compared to rail fares in London and the South-East.<\/p>\n

Monthly passes often include free travel for family members or accompanying travellers during the evening and at weekends.<\/p>\n

Also, unless you live out in the sticks, you\u2019re usually not forced to commute to work by car as a necessity, like most folks sadly are in Britain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cycling<\/h4>\n

Bike paths are everywhere, especially so in university cities, and many of them are set aside from major traffic arteries, so cycling feels a lot safer too.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in a larger city, it\u2019s incredibly easy to get around without owning a car.<\/p>\n

Many train stations also have secure bike parking, so you can lock your bike and combine cycling with public transport for longer distances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Driving<\/h4>\n

For drivers, Germany can be both a blessing and a curse.<\/p>\n

Diesel is considerably cheaper than it is back home. Petrol is roughly the same price, depending on exchange rates at the time.<\/p>\n

The road network is well developed and the Autobahns don\u2019t have tolls.<\/p>\n

On the downside, buying a car is considerably more expensive (Germany serves as a huge export market to Central & Eastern Europe for second hand cars). Servicing and repairs are pricey too, especially the cost of labour.<\/p>\n

Traffic jams are also a common sight on motorways, just like in the UK.<\/p>\n

What about those famous Autobahns?<\/p>\n

Well, they may theoretically have large stretches that are de-restricted but you can barely drive 20km without hitting roadworks or some sort of contraflow system.<\/p>\n

In the western part of the country, the Autobahns are in a poor state, construction is everywhere and most motorways are only 2×2 lanes.<\/p>\n

Driving in the east, on the other hand, feels like Disneyland because all their Autobahns were widened and expanded post-reunification.<\/p>\n

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Cost of Living<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Housing<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The cost of housing, especially in major German cities, has been a hot political topic in recent years.<\/p>\n

Germany has favoured a more interventionist approach, aiming to stem rent increases, as opposed to a more liberal planning strategy to facilitate the construction of new apartment buildings.<\/p>\n

If you’re considering moving to Germany from the UK, no German city has anything quite like London prices.<\/p>\n

Munich is starting to approach this territory but is still some way off, with rents about the same as desirable locations in South-East England which enjoy easy access to the capital.\u00a0Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hamburg are also comparatively pricey.<\/p>\n

Berlin has experienced a massive housing boom, albeit from a ridiculously low base (you could buy a decent 1 bed apartment for around \u20ac60,000 ten years ago). By some calculations it now has the fastest-rising rents in the world and is catching up fast with the other major German cities.<\/p>\n

Whether Germany is more or less expensive than the UK for housing depends a lot on where you\u2019re moving from and to.<\/p>\n

In most cases, you\u2019ll likely find rents to be somewhat cheaper, especially if you\u2019re moving from a major UK city to a major German city. Do your homework first though. Rent or mortgage payments will be everyone\u2019s largest expense.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other expenses<\/h4>\n

We cover other expenses in more detail here:<\/a><\/p>\n