I’m curious to hear opinions on how bureaucracy/inefficiency impacts day to day life. We often hear how Western Europe is horrendous with being able to get things done efficiently- but I’m curious to hear for Europe as a whole, are there any exceptions? Would like to hear about the “less popular” expat locations in Europe.

For activities such as getting internet set up in a new flat; or having the heat break and needing the repair company to come look at it- which countries in Europe would be the most efficient?

  • paulteaches@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Is bureaucracy a bad thing?

    I was just told by a German on another subreddit that “95% of the houses built in the us would be illegal for safety reasons in Germany”.

    Is Germany more bureaucratic?

    Yes

    But if that results in a safer, more just society then that is good.

    • reddit33764@alien.top
      BEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Did the person say what the major hazards would be?

      I built my own house here in Florida 3 years ago, and I think it is super strong and safe. But I come from a place where some people literally build “cardboard houses” under pass overs. OTOH, I’m a co tractor and have been in the US for over 2 decades, so I know a bit about construction. I’m just curious about what they think is unsafe.

      • robotbike2@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Not sure about US housing being unsafe compared to German housing stock, but it’s certainly flimsier in general. Housing nowadays in the US is mostly built to last 30 years. Solid interior walls are very unusual and concrete floors are rarely found on buildings less than 5 stories tall. Timber framing clad with siding is commonplace in the US where brick exterior walls are mostly used in DE.

          • robotbike2@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            Mine in 1915. Solid too. Just because code is less stringent, doesn’t make homes unsafe.

          • reddit33764@alien.top
            BEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            I think they meant new construction. I own a few houses and built my primary 3 years ago. They definitely don’t make them ad they used to. That’s why I built mine myself.

        • reddit33764@alien.top
          BEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          I understand. My house has framed interior walls with drywall, but exterior walls are concrete blocks filled with concrete. All impact windows good for Cat 4 hurricane, 6" concrete slab with big footing on the perimeter. Reinforced roofing frame also.

          I built it myself as builders either didn’t want to do it this strong or were charging me a lot of money for it. But I know my house is not representative of the average US built house.

          • robotbike2@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            If I were to do a fresh build, I’d likely do it your way. I renovated our older home a few years ago and had to basically add another pocket on the inside of all exterior wall to insert insulation. The heat loss without it was massive in the winter months. Utility bills were close to four figures in the cold months.

            • reddit33764@alien.top
              BEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              That’s the way. My interior walls all have insulation. Drywall guys didn’t like it. I also insulated the garage ceiling , which almost nobody does. Cast iron tub because what difference $250 in material will make when paying $1000 in labor regardless of the type of tub? Lol I went with better materials and people love my house. It cost me 400k to build this way, builders grade was going to cost me almost 500k if I hired a GC. house is 3/3.5/2 2633 SF, vaulted ceilings, custom cabinets/closets, quartz countertops with waterfall island, toto fixtures, jetted cadt iron tub fir 2 on master bath, 18 x 8 garage door, solar panels, paver driveway for 6 cars.