Interview with Andrea W - an American living in Germany

Andrea White is from the USA but has been living in Wachtberg, Bonn, Germany for three and half years. She, her husband and 2 children relocated for her husbands job. Andrea enjoys writing, is a passionate reader, loves music, traveling, cooking, cycling and hanging out with her kids. Her blog Blogging Mama captures her and her family's expat adventures.

Read more about the country in the Expat Arrivals guide to Germany or read more expat experiences in Germany.

About you

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: United States

Q: Where are you living now?
A:  Wachtberg, Bonn, Germany

Q: How long you have you lived here?
A: Three and half years

Q: Did you move with a spouse/ children?
A: Yes

Q: Why did you move; what do you do?
A: We moved for my husbands job.  He works in HR and I am a writer.

About Bonn, Germany

Q: What do you enjoy most about Bonn, how’s the quality of life?
A: The open air restaurants and shops are very nice.  We love the path along the river that goes for hundreds of miles.  It's nice for running, biking and walking.

Q: Any negatives? What do you miss most about home?
A: The lack of familiar items like foods and that shops are closed usually by 8 and on Sundays.

Q: Is the city safe?
A: Yes, it is a very safe city.

About living in Germany

Q: Which are the best places/suburbs to live in Bonn as an expat?
A: There isn't any one particular place though Plittersdorf/Poppelsdorf are popular for young professionals and near the international school. Also Heiderhof/Muffendorf/Wacthberg for those with families.

Q: How do you rate the standard of accommodation in Germany?
A: Quite small comparared to the US.  You use every bit of space available.  Most things are modern though.

Q: What’s the cost of living in Germany compared to home? What is cheap or expensive in particular?
A: Quite a lot more than the US.  Cars, housing and clothing are most expensive.  Some foods are less.

Q: What are the locals like; do you mix mainly with other expats?
A: We mostly kept with other expats.  Germans do not, as a rule, mix business and pleasure.  They tend to also keep to themselves.

Q: Was it easy meeting people and making friends?
A: No, but having children in an international school made it easier to meet other expats.

About working in Germany

Q: Did you have a problem getting a work visa/permit?
A: N/A  (I did not work while in country.)  In general it is quite difficult though to obtain the permits.

Q: What’s the economic climate like in Germany, is there plenty of work?
A: Unemployment is hovering at 11% in Bonn/Cologne.  Jobs must first be offerred to Germans, then to foriegners.

Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A: You do not have idle or personal conversations at work.

Q: Did a relocation company help you with your move?
A: Yes.

Family and children

Q: Did your spouse or partner have problems adjusting to their new home?
A: No.

Q: Did your children settle in easily?
A: It was difficult at first but got easier once we met other expats.

Q: What are the schools like, any particular suggestions?
A: Bonn International School - American (BIS) is excellent.  There is also a second international school (British) Independant Bonn International School (IBIS).

Q: How would you rate the healthcare in Germany?
A: We were on private insurance but having had hospital stays during our time there we found the quality substandard to the US.

And finally…

Q: Is there any other advice you like to offer new expat arrivals?
A: Remember that nothing will be the same as it was back home.  Take time to explore the city and learn about where you are going. Learning the language (if applicable) is a good way to try to adjust.


Are you an expat living in Germany? We'd love to hear your story. Open the questionnaire here, copy into an email and send it back to info@expatarrivals.com