Could you?

It takes a certain kind of person to sell everything they own (cars, house, and furniture), take significantly less salary, pay significantly more in taxes, and move across the world.  I'm not sure if I am one of those people, lol, but by now I certainly better become one.  Here is a list of a few differences (from my perspective and understanding), so far.  Think about all of this. Are you willing?

Work:

When you resign, you must give SIX months notice.  You did read that correctly. SIX MONTHS!

A team is actually a team.  They eat lunch together, get coffee together after and take turns paying as coffee is not free. There is no coffee, tea, or snacks provided by the company. They laugh together, do each other favors, and there is no evidence so far of competition between team members.

Six weeks paid vacation that must be taken by April of the next year or you lose it.  Personal time and sick time can be taken as needed and doesn't count against your holiday time.

The hours you work are totally flexible, except you cannot work more than 40 hours or on Sunday.  It it illegal and your boss could be fined. Justin can no longer go in a 4:30 AM. :)

The perks are plentiful (with Justin's company, at least): Bahn 50 card, subsidized day care, very cheap gym classes, pretty much similar to his last two companies.

Renting an apartment:

Our contract has no stated time period.  If we live there less than 5 years, we give 90 days notice.  More than 5 years, six months notice.

All the repairs are on us.  The painting and renovations are us.  Everything is on us. 

Most apartments don't come with a kitchen (as in any kitchen cabinets, appliances, nothing but pipes.  Some apt don't have anything but walls, in the bathroom either.  We lucked out. The kitchen and bath were included but we do pay for all the appliances up front. We get our appliance money back when we leave minus how long we use it.

We must open all of the windows twice a day to flush the air out of the apt because there is not ventilation system. This is in our rental agreement :)

My washing machine is in the basement.  It is the norm in case it floods, then it doesn't flood anyone's property. 

Daycare:

There is an unstated amount of "settling in" time.  I go to school with Colt during the settling in time and he only goes for short amounts of time the first week depending on how well he adapts or if he cries.  Say day 1 and hour, day 2 maybe two hours if he adjusts, etc. I'm not sure if this matches my parenting philosophy or not, but subsidized beggars cannot be choosy.  lol

Colt will go Mon-Fri from 9-3.  He will eat breakfast, snack (30 euros a month) and lunch (1.60/ day)  there all healthy foods.   All for about 340 euros.  That rocks!  I don't even have to make lunches.  Super! When he turns 3 in 6 months, it will only be about 230 euros...a month!

Enough for now, but I will leave the ladies with one more oddity.  There are no tampons with applicators here.  They are all OB style. I won't comment on this.  You will just have to read all of the funny thoughts in my mind. 

Next time....banking and credit...very different

 

We have a bath tub and a shower, some people don't.

 

Our street