People have ask me about * everything * …

Back in 2019, I moved from NYC to Berlin andwrote all about it. Since publishing my first post about my big move, I’ve received a lot of follow-up questions. People have been curious about the cost of living, how I scored my flat, how much German has actually been necessary to survive here, and my experience as an AAPI in Europe.

Now, with a few years of experience under my belt, I’m eager to answer all those questions and more. While the internet is full of great resources and informative sites, I’ve found — from personal experience — that honest, real-life anecdotes and tips from friends have proved the most helpful. So, consider me your American friend in Germany, and let’s go through your questions!

1.Why did you move to Berlin (as opposed to Paris, Seoul, Mexico City, or any other city in the world)?

I wish well I could say I had a more concrete reason than " I visited the city and really liked it , " but that ’s exactly what bechance . I did n’t accrue in beloved or get a dreaming job or fulfill a womb-to-tomb fantasy of moving here . What did aid , though , was being able to try - drive the city while work out of my then - job ’s Berlin office staff and moving here during a time when both the Book of Job and rental grocery were pretty manageable .

If you ’re marvel what the things I actually liked about the city were , they were thing I had been missing in NYC : green space , a dumb pace of lifetime , universal health care , ease of travel to countries across Europe and Africa , and low price of living * .

During mentally challenging times , it helps to retrieve about my virtual reasons for moving here . It ordinarily grounds that quarterly jerking of midnight affright I get , inquire if I ’ve made a horrible mistake and if I should have just remain put .

Writer standing on second level of the Semper Gallery with blue skies in the background

I wish I could say I had a more concrete reason than “I visited the city and really liked it,” but that’s exactly what happened. I didn’t fall in love or get a dream job or fulfill a lifelong fantasy of moving here. What did help, though, was being able to test-drive the city while working out of my then-job’s Berlin office and moving here during a time when both the job and rental markets were pretty manageable.If you’re wondering what the things I actually liked about the city were, they were things I had been missing in NYC: green space, a slower pace of life, universal healthcare, ease of travel to countries across Europe and Africa, and lower cost of living.During mentally challenging times, it helps to think about my practical reasons for moving here. It usually grounds that quarterly jolt of midnight panic I get, wondering if I’ve made a horrible mistake and if I should have just stayed put.*

2.How did you get your visa? Was it hard?

3.What was your experience finding an apartment? Would you recommend furnished flats?

4.Do I need to learn German now? Should I learn some before moving?

5.How did you make friends?

6.What’s the cost of living like?

7.How do taxes work?

If I ever move out of Germany , it ’ll be because of revenue enhancement . As an American living in Germany , I ’m call for to file revenue enhancement in two countries . It ’s hard enough to fight through the deep apprehensiveness of filing taxes in one country and wondering if I ’ve accidentally committed tax sham — now , I have the pleasure of know forosophobia ( that is , the fearfulness of taxes ) intwocountries .

So , there ’s the sorry news . The good news ? Due to a double taxation treaty between the US and Germany , I ’m only required to pay income taxis in a undivided land . That is , if I ’m make under $ 112,000 , or whatever the IRS say is theForeign Earned Income Exemptionfor a chip in twelvemonth , then I ’ll only have to pay up taxis in one country .

The other great word is that after three old age , I in the end find a German taxation accountant willing to take on new clients , and I ’ll move out of Germany before permit her go .

Woman turning to camera with text overlay that reads, "It was hard"

8.What has been your experience as an AAPI person been like? Have you been able to find community around that?

9.Where do you buy Asian groceries? Is it easy to get all the ingredients together for kimchi stew?

Lisa Simpson getting out of a hard bed saying, "Like the first one! Also too hard!"

Jonathan Van Ness raising his arms saying, "Yes yes"

Brunette cartoon woman with large-rimmed hat and gold earrings saying, "I just want a drama-free experience with my bestie tonight"

Quinta Brunson wearing black suit, sitting on a blue chair, nodding and saying "Pretty good"

Ali Song wears large, yellow glasses, looks at a woman to her left and says, "It's a real fine line with this stuff"

Close-up of kimchi stew with a cracked egg on top