For those following me regularly, you know our move to Frankfurt was only three short years ago. In 2018, we packed up our two teenagers and, following a hectic summer, began a new life here in Germany. Three of us quickly settled in: the kids into the school routine and my husband into his new job. I had the difficult job, like many expat partners, of setting up the house, getting people adjusted, figuring out the new routine, and building a network. Within a few months, I quit my telecommuting job and jumped fully into Germany.
And experience Germany we did. Until COVID stopped us.
Here we are a year into the pandemic with many missed opportunities and cancelled trips, and yet it’s time to start the moving process. This summer we will be repeat 2018 and move to Virginia. While there will be many things I will not miss about Germany (that’s another post), there are many I will miss. Here is a list of random things, in no particular order, that I will really miss when we leave.
The Low Price of Groceries
One of the biggest perks of living in Germany is the price of groceries. I only really shop once a week which is very un-German. And every week, my grocery bill is about half of what it was at home. Produce, meat, bread, cheese, and all the staples are much less expensive than in the United States. And that’s with teenagers!
Related: Grocery Shopping in Germany: The Good, The Bad, and The Confusing
Surprisingly Amazing White Wine
I have mentioned this before, but it’s something which continues to baffle people. The white wine in Germany is by delicious and inexpensive. It’s not sweet like the German wine sold in the US. In approximately 45 minutes, we are in the heart of the Rheingau region and in another hour the Mosel River Valley. We rarely pay more than 8 euros for a bottle of amazing wine, but sometimes it’s as low as 5 euros.
Related: Post-Lockdown Weekend Trip to Germany’s Mosel Wine Region
Relying on Public Transportation
It’s funny how reliant I am now on public transportation, especially with my children since they cannot drive here. We are a 15-minute walk/4 minute-bike ride to both the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, which will take us to just about anywhere. I rarely have to drive my kids anywhere anymore. As we began planning for camps and summer jobs back at home, I had to remind myself both kids would be without transportation (unless it’s me) until they both learn to drive. I will miss the trains.
Related: The Ultimate Guide for First-Timers in Germany (How Not to Look Like a Newbie)
Living the Dog-Centric life
Germans really do love their dogs. They can go just about anywhere. My dog is a horrible German dog. He doesn’t sit quietly under the restaurant table, and he barks at all the neighbors as they walk by. But he can seem to behave when walking off leash. During the last few years, my geriatric dog has learned new tricks and loves to walk through the woods, the nearby fields, and even in our neighborhood not on the leash. Hoping that our new location might be a bit more dog-friendly than our last place for dogs being off leash.
German Punctuality
I believe there used to be a saying about German trains always being on time. And sometimes they are. Unless they are not. The trains are anybody’s guess, but what is punctual are people. There is no such thing as a German being ‘casually late,’ the 15-45 minute-range past the agreed upon time. So when a repairman says he’s coming to fix your heater at 11 am, you can bet your bottom dollar he will be there at 10:58 waiting outside until exactly 11 am.
Outdoor Eating
Not just here in Germany but in most of Europe, I adore the outdoor cafe culture. It’s a good one. Find your table, drink your coffee or beer, and stay as long as you like. You can find outdoor seating in the US, but it’s rare in many areas and the not-perfect-weather seems to really turn people off. Winter weather here means the restaurants have heaters and blankets. It’s chilly but still cozy.
Related: Autumn is the Time to Fall in Love with Germany: Fests and Food
Focus on Nature
When we lived in Sweden, they had a phrase: There is no bad weather, only bad clothing. This is also part of the German culture. You will see far more people out on a beautiful day, or even a bad one walking, biking, running, playing sports, than I ever saw in the U.S. Outdoor clothing is serious business here, and they have gear for every outdoor occasion in any type of weather.
Along the same l lines, I will miss the plethora of nature that surrounds me every day. In one direction I can get lost in the forest, in the other I can walk through the apple orchard. In 5 minutes by car, I’m in the “mountains” that really feel like mountains only I’m walking up the steep hill.
Related: Beginner’s Guide to Savoring Any Christmas Market Wherever You Are
Enjoying the Markets (All of them, including Christmas, Wine, Summer, Autumn)
While we have already said goodbye to these with the advent of COVID, I know they will come back soon. Sadly, I think we will miss them. The last “market” I attended was the Frankfurt Christmas market on Dec. 22, 2019. I remember it fondly as we had friends visiting from out of town. No matter how much other countries attempt the Christmas market in their countries, nothing compares to the German Christmas markets. They are really worth all the hype.
