As the title says, for those who moved to Germany and have been living here for a while: do you see yourself getting old here? Why? Why not?
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I can’t answer to Germany, but next door in Austria where I immigrated to, a resounding yes! And if for some reason I could not, I would choose next door in Germany and not back home in the US, where I sure as hell don’t want to be old in!
Came here in 87. Always thought I’d work until I have enough money, head back to Canada and buy a cabin. Now I’m mid-50 and have realised for a long time now how good I have it here. Family, career and Europe at my feet. Why would I return to the tundra of Manitoba? So, yes, I’m staying.
But friend, don’t you miss the Swan River Rodeo? The muddy waters of the Forks? The Brandon Agricultural Tradeshow? The satisfying scratches following mosquito bites? The international airport that connects you to at least two major US cities? Manitoba has a lot to offer. Why would anyone leave? :-)
As a quasi-German (I’m Dutch by passport but have spent about as much of my younger life in Germany as in the Netherlands), I would not. Never considered it, which is why I left a couple of decades ago. To put it in a nutshell: rude, confrontational, self-righteous, xenophobic, anti-capitalist, in love with pie-in-the-sky but increasingly dysfunctional yet convinced of its superior ways. That’s Germany for me. This is of course a gross generalization. There are many good things I could also say about Germany, and not all Germans are alike. But that’s the summary of why I wouldn’t want to grow old there.
BTW, pissing on Germany is a Dutch national sport. Which I detest and never participated in while I was there (either side of the border). My opinion was formed through actually living in Germany, and came together slowly, over the years. My opinion of “my own” country is only oh-so-slightly better than that of Germany.
I lived in NL and DE (I’m Canadian). I preferred NL. It was just easier to get along with people. Nobody cares if your spoken Dutch is pathetic, whereas in Germany I get sour looks for mispronouncing bread names at the bakery.
Haha, yeah, I can imagine.
Yes, Netherlands sucks as well.
Totally.
Absolutely not! Take a look at the comments section here: https://www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/ygh3h5/how\_do\_elderly\_people\_in\_germany\_survive\_with/
No lmao I’m moving to Denmark or Norway as soon as I can
Its nice to experience for a few years. But ive lived in other countries and wanna explore more tbh. I’m from Canada and miss alot of backwoods BC which rural bavaria really doesnt scratch that itch, despite it looking similar. I miss wild camping
Yes. I moved here to live here, permanently. For me, immigrating wasn’t intended to be a temporary thing. Now, as I retire, I may not be here all the time. We intended to get a camper and roam around Europe. But Germany is my home and has been permanently since 2010.
I don’t live in Germany, but I used to live in Strasbourg (border). My best friend lives in Stuttgart (it’s been 5 years), I asked him if he was planning on going back to Latin America just a week ago, and he said: “At some point yes, of course, can you imagine growing old in Germany? how depressive would that be?”
Why did he say growing up in Germany would be depressive, do you know?
Yes, it’s good
Absolutely not. I am fine with living in Germany for the time being but the endless burocracy, impractical rules, casual xenophobia and lack of a social life make spending a lifetime in Germany feel very very depressing for me. I’m tired of walking on eggshells with every move I make and I’ve come to realise that, no matter how perfect my German is or how much I culturally integrate, I will never be made to feel welcomed in this country, only “tolerated” if I’m lucky. It’s not all doom and gloom of course, Germany has many great upsides but for me, not for the long long term.
Where in the world isnt filled endless bureacracy and casual xenophobia?
Try southern Europe, people are super friendly there.
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Living in Berlin almost a decade now, originally from Ireland.
No I can’t see myself growing old here, that’s a realisation that came on strong since Covid. But unlike many you meet here in Berlin, I don’t have the strong dislike many people seem to acquire for Germany. Infact, I think it’s a very good country, I struggle to think of many other countries where life is better. The DACH region has a perfect mix of strong state, low corruption, good summers and nature etc, if I was with kids I’d probably stay.
But I’m about to enter my 30’s, and while Berlin was a incredible place to live for my 20s, I want to head south and start afresh there. Despite much lower salaries, poorer state services etc. I just need more sunshine and a slightly more lively culture
Hey there. There are many good things in Germany. Definitely a good country to live in as a young person. But as I get older I would not like to fall in poverty because of the low pensions and the decaying pension system. A and let’s not forget the horrendous weather. Would you enjoy living the last years of your life in such a horrible weather ?
While most people do prefer warm weather, let’s not forget that weather is a subjective thing. There are people who prefer cold and don’t mind lack of sun (like me).
Decaying pension system is a valid point but I am able to save quite a bit in ETFs working in DE so don’t see that as the biggest issue.
Decaying pension system is a valid point but I am able to save quite a bit in ETFs working in DE so don’t see that as the biggest issue.
But you would be able to save a lot more for your own retirement if you didn’t have to contribute to the bankrupt Ponzi system. In addition, 25% of the total tax intakes are used to subsidize the pension system, at the cost of investment in the country.
I might be paranoid, but the way the confiscatory government behaves, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some flat tax in the future on people that have saved wisely (in ETFs or whatever). All in the name of SoLiDaRiTy of course.
No, because i like in UK
I dont even see myself getting old at all.