🚀 Brand New eBook written by us: Get Your Keys! The Expat's Handbook to Renting in Germany. Start reading Chapter 1 for Free: 👉 www.simplegermany.com/get-your-keys-yt/
Hey Jen and Yvonne, Love your videos, absolutely amazing hacks in every single video you guys have ever done on your channel, I am glad that when I moved to Germany, I found your channel and immediately subscribed after watching a couple of your videos, they are always always helpful, there's always a tip in your videos which practically helped me through out my integration process in Germany. Keep it up and excited for your future videos and journey, I am with you guys watching every single one along the way :). P.s even my German wife watches it with me now a days, and she absolutely agrees with Ynonne on everything and I relate to Jen more as an outsider who integrated into the German culture now. Lots of love and support for both of you.
Hey Jen and Yvonne! Been loving your videos for about a year now, and I finally got to Düsseldorf last week. You’ve both been so helpful! Is there any chance you would make a Düsseldorf-specific video? You’ve been here for a long time and I would love to have somewhat of a specialized video based on your recommendations for Düsseldorf or any fun things to do here, favorite places to shop, restaurants, everything! I know it’s a slight departure from the broadly-German nature of your channel, but I just think you could both be such a helpful resource to any of your viewers who have also ended up in your city 🎉❤
Welcome to Germany! 🎉 so cool that you arrived to Düsseldorf! We actually have a video on D‘dorf: m.th-cam.com/video/UV-3W9fLoCk/w-d-xo.html 😊 We hope you keep on settling smoothly!!
Many thanks for your great content! You both 👩❤👩(& your site) have been immensely helpful with my family's move to Germany from San Diego, USA - not to mention fun to watch! We got to Düsseldorf a couple of weeks ago (where my company has an office) and are temporarily housed up in Oberkassel. We just completed our Anmeldung last week with your guidance, got our Commerzbank accounts this week with your guidance (yes, we used your referral links🤑), and are now on hunt for a more permanent location either here or in Köln. Recyling, Karneval, Beer, Banks... it's all greatly appreciated. Sending love & thanks your way, please keep it up! 🍻
I really appreciate the informative videos you've provided; I just have one small request--could you please consider using a different sound for the popups and bullet points? What you're using now (bell 17:31) is similar to, or even the exact same as, the Apple Messages notification sound, and it's distracting me every time it plays in each video.
Great video!! Thanks for sharing these infos. I have been looking for apartment in Stuttgart for more than 2 months and personally it has been a nightmare for me to find a good one. The kitchen topic is the worst for me. Let´s see. I will move to Stuttgart mid of february (probably in a Hotel).
Yes from abroad it is even harder. Be careful though with an Hotel as you most likely won’t be able to register yourself. Take a look at our guide for more tips: www.simplegermany.com/renting-in-germany/ 😊
Minor correction: Floor numbering is anything but consistent in Germany. I think that you can generally say that in region x ground floor is (not) the first floor, but due to People moving around Germany it is not consistent. It's one of those things that can lead to confusion and I would recommend asking for clarification if it is important.
Big thank to both of you, you really do a great job and help many people when they first come to Germany! And now to the topic. It has been 5 months of search, almost 700 different mails, unlimited self disclosure formats completed, many visits ...and still still no result, no apartment! I currently stay in a short term apartment, I am a permanent resident, iwork in a big German company, indefinite contract and salary well above average. And the city i am searching is not a big city. It is getting really discouraging and fruatrating... there is just no hope. The thing is that also the Germans dont understand why this is happening. But the thing i cant digest is why a flat owner to invite you to view the apartment (knowing all the information from you beforehand) and in the end he wont give the apartment to you. I mean why to call 200 people for viewing, and not shortlisting them! Call 5 and choose 1! Is this German efficiency?????
Oh wow, from what you are describing, it does sound you are having some bad luck. When we were looking for our apartment in Düsseldorf, we did not experience mass-viewings. On the contrary, it was like you describe - maybe 10 viewings and then the tenant got picked. We know of mass-viewings in Berlin though. The fact that sou are getting viewings states that your profile is solid. Maybe try changing it up how you approach the viewings?
Please consider making a video about the new working visa law in Germany. I believe it will benefit a great number of people thinking about moving to Germany, it is also a trending topic within local communities on TH-cam.
hello to my dear lovely duo :) thank you very much for your videos. You can not imagine how it helps me settle in Germany smoothly :) I am in Cologne now i want to move to Düsseldorf. Since i am a single woman, the safety of the district matters to me the most. Are there any neighborhoods in and around Dusseldorf can you recommend? thank you
Hello! Around the main train station might be a place to avoid. There’s just a higher number of homelessness and drug users. On another note, we’re so happy for your feedback! We would love to learn more on how our content has helped you! Could you share a bit more of your story and the content that has helped you the most? You can always send us a message through our website (simplegermany.com/contact)
Hello Jen and Yvonne! I finally moved to Mannheim, Germany, not even a month ago along with my partner (thank you for your invaluable help with your amazing videos and website ❤️). We managed to find a temporary apartment for 3 months or so with WG-gesucht but since then I've sent to hundreds of ads in immoscout, WG-gesucht, ebay kleinanzeigen etc and can guarantee that finding a house is SUPER hard even in smaller cities like Mannheim. We hardly get replies back, and the fact that my partner doesn't have a permanent contract for work doesn't help either. The whole thing is so stressful. Do you think that a Schufa report is a must for us, even though we have been here for less than a month already? I received a Schufa certificate some days after we arrived but I suppose it doesn't say much yet? Love to both of you!
Toughest part of this process is even getting considered for even 3 month temporary rent from the US. It is discouraging. Job search is challenging too. Need advice on how to do this smoothly. Thanks ❤️ yall.
@@darwincampbell5966 we got this apartment by pure luck tbh. Other people from my partner's job who also just moved here had to live to overpriced air bnbs until they found a home. I hope you'll find something really fast 🤞
Welcome to Germany! 🎉 Yes housing is difficult! It’s true, a Schufa is super important. When we searched for our new flat recently every listing required a Schufa. Keep at it and don’t give up!! We cross our fingers for you!! 😊
Thanks for the timing on your videos, apartment hunting is exactly what I'm in the middle of right now, need to get out of my Wunderflat. Is the upgraded immobilienscout24 worth the 30 euros or so a month? I think after sending off about 60 emails I've seen 3 apartments. Usually I get to the end of the day and get a ton of 'thanks for your interest, but this listing has been deaktiviert.' emails.
When we looked for our new apartment we got the ImmoScout premium for a month. That way your messages Land on top of the inbox. Also be sure to have a complete profile with Schufa etc. Good luck!! 😊
@@simplegermany Thanks we sure need some good luck. How much would you expect to pay to buy someone's kitchen off of them? We were offered $3500 for everything minus the ice box and dish washer. I balked thinking it would cost them more to move that stuff then they were offering to sell it for.
@@MrSvladcjelli it highly depends on the type of kitchen and it’s age, quality etc. There really is no ball park figure. Try to compare it to the new price of a similar type of kitchen to get a feeling.
I'd like to find statistics for correlation (or causation) between the number of floors and elevators in Germany, just out of curiosity. I know that where I live (and probably in other post-soviet countries, too) an elevator in a building over 5 floors tall is pretty much a given, and I don't think I've ever seen a 9 floor or taller building without an elevator or a 5 floors or shorter residential building with one. On a more practical note, the location is the biggest question I have so far. My brain works in categories I'm used to: safer neighbourhood vs a dangerous one, marginally more tolerant neighbourhood vs don't you dare show your face there if you don't look exactly like the rest, whether there are cafes, restaurants, clubs, etc. that blast loud music throughout the night (or in case of cafes and restaurants, also cause the roach problem in the same building and sometimes a few buildings next to it), whether there are a lot of flats rented out by hour. And I just can't recalibrate my brain to German terms and still look at a city map wondering where I'd be relatively safe and would be able to sleep at night.
Thanks for your comment and insights! We would agree with your elevator assumption. Regarding neighborhoods, like we mention of course there are also differences in price etc but it is not as strong as you describe it. We have never heard of roaches in Germany, especially not in cafes or restaurants. As for safety, like we mention we would avoid the area around the main central station. Hope this helps 😊
My feelings when we are trying to find an apartment in Berlin 🙈. And wr are bound to it by my husband's contract. And have 4 people in the family. And need to find a school and a kindergarten. 😬
Hi me and my wife with soon to be a new born are planning to move to Frankfurt. Is it difficult to find an apartment as we have 2 cats? does the cost changes ?
I've been following your channel for almost a year now... It's been amazing! I've moved to Berlin recently and I'm gonna live here for another two years.. Is there anyways to make some new friends like with other new expats or people from different cultural backgrounds.. Which app or what's way you would suggest me to do so... Im not much of a clubbing guy tho😅 would be really helpful if you guys can give me some tips
@@simplegermany yes I've been :-) and it's one of my favorites when it comes about Germany related stuffs pretty authentic accurate. Okay sure I will start with the meetup. Thanks!
It depends on your criteria :) In a city, it's not impossible but more difficult as apartment sizes are smaller. If you go to rural areas, you get bigger houses. We know families who are 6 people living in a house outside of Düsseldorf, and another one who are 5 people living in a flat within Düsseldorf.
Mmh you would need to define dangerous. Generally speaking it is not dangerous to live in Germany no matter where. But the area around the main central station can be a bit shadier as we describe in the video.
@@simplegermany thank you! I mean, if I get a 1st floor studio near a train station, is it normal to have people trying to break in or steal things for later selling and buy drugs?
Home break-ins happen in Germany, however I wouldn't say it has to do with being close to the train station or not. From the people that we know living close to a main station, we haven't heard any issues with a lot of break-ins. If you have valuables you are scared of losing, you can always get a home contents insurance.
Haha, Germany is THE country for software developers :) You also start counting from 0 like developers :D Ground Floor - 0, First Floor - 1 and so on :D
Video is too direct ... (german kinda thing) .. keep in mind your audience and bring a little more of a history in to the intro. After all your target viewers are expats. we love the facts but also no so blunt.
![How to move WITHIN Germany [+Checklist]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/p8I9jx4mKNc/mqdefault.jpg)
![How to move WITHIN Germany [+Checklist]](/img/tr.png)
🚀 Brand New eBook written by us: Get Your Keys! The Expat's Handbook to Renting in Germany.
Start reading Chapter 1 for Free:
👉 www.simplegermany.com/get-your-keys-yt/
The amount of likes is unbelievable. You guys deserve better. Thanks a lot for such an informative video!
I really appreciate your work, I will share your channel everywhere
Wieder ein interessantes video wie immer.vielen dank für die recherche.
Hey Jen and Yvonne,
Love your videos, absolutely amazing hacks in every single video you guys have ever done on your channel, I am glad that when I moved to Germany, I found your channel and immediately subscribed after watching a couple of your videos, they are always always helpful, there's always a tip in your videos which practically helped me through out my integration process in Germany. Keep it up and excited for your future videos and journey, I am with you guys watching every single one along the way :).
P.s even my German wife watches it with me now a days, and she absolutely agrees with Ynonne on everything and I relate to Jen more as an outsider who integrated into the German culture now. Lots of love and support for both of you.
You are providing very valuable and honest content. Thank you!
I do love the outtakes at the end 😂❤
Hey Jen and Yvonne!
Been loving your videos for about a year now, and I finally got to Düsseldorf last week. You’ve both been so helpful!
Is there any chance you would make a Düsseldorf-specific video? You’ve been here for a long time and I would love to have somewhat of a specialized video based on your recommendations for Düsseldorf or any fun things to do here, favorite places to shop, restaurants, everything!
I know it’s a slight departure from the broadly-German nature of your channel, but I just think you could both be such a helpful resource to any of your viewers who have also ended up in your city 🎉❤
They already did, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/UV-3W9fLoCk/w-d-xo.html
Welcome to Germany! 🎉 so cool that you arrived to Düsseldorf! We actually have a video on D‘dorf: m.th-cam.com/video/UV-3W9fLoCk/w-d-xo.html 😊 We hope you keep on settling smoothly!!
Many thanks for your great content! You both 👩❤👩(& your site) have been immensely helpful with my family's move to Germany from San Diego, USA - not to mention fun to watch! We got to Düsseldorf a couple of weeks ago (where my company has an office) and are temporarily housed up in Oberkassel. We just completed our Anmeldung last week with your guidance, got our Commerzbank accounts this week with your guidance (yes, we used your referral links🤑), and are now on hunt for a more permanent location either here or in Köln.
Recyling, Karneval, Beer, Banks... it's all greatly appreciated. Sending love & thanks your way, please keep it up! 🍻
Welcome to Germany! 🥳 woaah your comment made us smile! Thanks for your great feedback and we hope you keep on settling smoothly! 🤗
You guys are never disappoint us with your videos.
First🎉 love u both since day 1❤❤❤
For how many years have you been saying "smooothly~" and still laughing to yourselves every time 😅
I really appreciate the informative videos you've provided; I just have one small request--could you please consider using a different sound for the popups and bullet points? What you're using now (bell 17:31) is similar to, or even the exact same as, the Apple Messages notification sound, and it's distracting me every time it plays in each video.
Thanks for the feedback! Very valid point 😊. We’ll ask Julia, our editor, to change them for future videos.
Great video!! Thanks for sharing these infos.
I have been looking for apartment in Stuttgart for more than 2 months and personally it has been a nightmare for me to find a good one. The kitchen topic is the worst for me.
Let´s see. I will move to Stuttgart mid of february (probably in a Hotel).
Yes from abroad it is even harder. Be careful though with an Hotel as you most likely won’t be able to register yourself. Take a look at our guide for more tips: www.simplegermany.com/renting-in-germany/ 😊
Minor correction: Floor numbering is anything but consistent in Germany. I think that you can generally say that in region x ground floor is (not) the first floor, but due to People moving around Germany it is not consistent. It's one of those things that can lead to confusion and I would recommend asking for clarification if it is important.
Thank you for your video! How about bike storage? Is bike rack included in every apartment building?
No, it’s not. You can always ask during a viewing. Some have them, others don’t.
@@simplegermany interesting! Where do people store their bikes, if apartment building doesn't have bike storage room?
On the street or sometimes in the hallway. It really depends on the layout.
Big thank to both of you, you really do a great job and help many people when they first come to Germany! And now to the topic. It has been 5 months of search, almost 700 different mails, unlimited self disclosure formats completed, many visits ...and still still no result, no apartment! I currently stay in a short term apartment, I am a permanent resident, iwork in a big German company, indefinite contract and salary well above average. And the city i am searching is not a big city. It is getting really discouraging and fruatrating... there is just no hope. The thing is that also the Germans dont understand why this is happening. But the thing i cant digest is why a flat owner to invite you to view the apartment (knowing all the information from you beforehand) and in the end he wont give the apartment to you. I mean why to call 200 people for viewing, and not shortlisting them! Call 5 and choose 1! Is this German efficiency?????
Oh wow, from what you are describing, it does sound you are having some bad luck. When we were looking for our apartment in Düsseldorf, we did not experience mass-viewings. On the contrary, it was like you describe - maybe 10 viewings and then the tenant got picked. We know of mass-viewings in Berlin though. The fact that sou are getting viewings states that your profile is solid. Maybe try changing it up how you approach the viewings?
Please write down the name of the websites you mentioned in video
www.immobilienscout24.de is the most popular website to find housing
Please consider making a video about the new working visa law in Germany. I believe it will benefit a great number of people thinking about moving to Germany, it is also a trending topic within local communities on TH-cam.
Yes, the law was passed on Friday and we will be recording a video on it tomorrow 😊
@@simplegermany Lovely!
hello to my dear lovely duo :) thank you very much for your videos. You can not imagine how it helps me settle in Germany smoothly :) I am in Cologne now i want to move to Düsseldorf. Since i am a single woman, the safety of the district matters to me the most. Are there any neighborhoods in and around Dusseldorf can you recommend? thank you
Hello! Around the main train station might be a place to avoid. There’s just a higher number of homelessness and drug users.
On another note, we’re so happy for your feedback! We would love to learn more on how our content has helped you! Could you share a bit more of your story and the content that has helped you the most? You can always send us a message through our website (simplegermany.com/contact)
love u guys ❤
Hello Jen and Yvonne!
I finally moved to Mannheim, Germany, not even a month ago along with my partner (thank you for your invaluable help with your amazing videos and website ❤️). We managed to find a temporary apartment for 3 months or so with WG-gesucht but since then I've sent to hundreds of ads in immoscout, WG-gesucht, ebay kleinanzeigen etc and can guarantee that finding a house is SUPER hard even in smaller cities like Mannheim. We hardly get replies back, and the fact that my partner doesn't have a permanent contract for work doesn't help either. The whole thing is so stressful.
Do you think that a Schufa report is a must for us, even though we have been here for less than a month already? I received a Schufa certificate some days after we arrived but I suppose it doesn't say much yet?
Love to both of you!
Toughest part of this process is even getting considered for even 3 month temporary rent from the US. It is discouraging.
Job search is challenging too. Need advice on how to do this smoothly. Thanks
❤️ yall.
@@darwincampbell5966 we got this apartment by pure luck tbh. Other people from my partner's job who also just moved here had to live to overpriced air bnbs until they found a home. I hope you'll find something really fast 🤞
Welcome to Germany! 🎉 Yes housing is difficult! It’s true, a Schufa is super important. When we searched for our new flat recently every listing required a Schufa. Keep at it and don’t give up!! We cross our fingers for you!! 😊
Thanks for the timing on your videos, apartment hunting is exactly what I'm in the middle of right now, need to get out of my Wunderflat. Is the upgraded immobilienscout24 worth the 30 euros or so a month? I think after sending off about 60 emails I've seen 3 apartments. Usually I get to the end of the day and get a ton of 'thanks for your interest, but this listing has been deaktiviert.' emails.
When we looked for our new apartment we got the ImmoScout premium for a month. That way your messages Land on top of the inbox. Also be sure to have a complete profile with Schufa etc. Good luck!! 😊
@@simplegermany Thanks we sure need some good luck. How much would you expect to pay to buy someone's kitchen off of them? We were offered $3500 for everything minus the ice box and dish washer. I balked thinking it would cost them more to move that stuff then they were offering to sell it for.
@@MrSvladcjelli it highly depends on the type of kitchen and it’s age, quality etc. There really is no ball park figure. Try to compare it to the new price of a similar type of kitchen to get a feeling.
@@simplegermany Thanks a lot for the continued advice guys, and your time. We do appreciate you.
I'd like to find statistics for correlation (or causation) between the number of floors and elevators in Germany, just out of curiosity. I know that where I live (and probably in other post-soviet countries, too) an elevator in a building over 5 floors tall is pretty much a given, and I don't think I've ever seen a 9 floor or taller building without an elevator or a 5 floors or shorter residential building with one.
On a more practical note, the location is the biggest question I have so far. My brain works in categories I'm used to: safer neighbourhood vs a dangerous one, marginally more tolerant neighbourhood vs don't you dare show your face there if you don't look exactly like the rest, whether there are cafes, restaurants, clubs, etc. that blast loud music throughout the night (or in case of cafes and restaurants, also cause the roach problem in the same building and sometimes a few buildings next to it), whether there are a lot of flats rented out by hour. And I just can't recalibrate my brain to German terms and still look at a city map wondering where I'd be relatively safe and would be able to sleep at night.
Thanks for your comment and insights! We would agree with your elevator assumption. Regarding neighborhoods, like we mention of course there are also differences in price etc but it is not as strong as you describe it. We have never heard of roaches in Germany, especially not in cafes or restaurants. As for safety, like we mention we would avoid the area around the main central station. Hope this helps 😊
doe ground or raised floor are generally colder and mean more heating costs?
No, it highly depends on the building material of the house and the state of insulation as well as if it is freestanding or bordered by other houses.
My feelings when we are trying to find an apartment in Berlin 🙈. And wr are bound to it by my husband's contract. And have 4 people in the family. And need to find a school and a kindergarten. 😬
Are you aware of relocation service for apartment search with reasonable price
Hi me and my wife with soon to be a new born are planning to move to Frankfurt. Is it difficult to find an apartment as we have 2 cats? does the cost changes ?
We go into full detail on how to find an apartment in Germany in this video: th-cam.com/video/WRGwFJviOIU/w-d-xo.html
I've been following your channel for almost a year now... It's been amazing! I've moved to Berlin recently and I'm gonna live here for another two years.. Is there anyways to make some new friends like with other new expats or people from different cultural backgrounds.. Which app or what's way you would suggest me to do so... Im not much of a clubbing guy tho😅 would be really helpful if you guys can give me some tips
Wow, so cool you've been following us for almost a year! You can try apps like meetup or joining Facebook groups :)
@@simplegermany yes I've been :-) and it's one of my favorites when it comes about Germany related stuffs pretty authentic accurate. Okay sure I will start with the meetup. Thanks!
Guten Abend die Damen :)
Is it true that finding homes for bigger families (4+) is nearly impossible?
It depends on your criteria :) In a city, it's not impossible but more difficult as apartment sizes are smaller. If you go to rural areas, you get bigger houses. We know families who are 6 people living in a house outside of Düsseldorf, and another one who are 5 people living in a flat within Düsseldorf.
Is living near to train stations dangerous?
Mmh you would need to define dangerous. Generally speaking it is not dangerous to live in Germany no matter where. But the area around the main central station can be a bit shadier as we describe in the video.
@@simplegermany thank you! I mean, if I get a 1st floor studio near a train station, is it normal to have people trying to break in or steal things for later selling and buy drugs?
Home break-ins happen in Germany, however I wouldn't say it has to do with being close to the train station or not. From the people that we know living close to a main station, we haven't heard any issues with a lot of break-ins. If you have valuables you are scared of losing, you can always get a home contents insurance.
👍👍
Only one factor : salary. As much you make , more chances you have .
That highly depends what you are looking for. It should always be in relation.
Haha, Germany is THE country for software developers :) You also start counting from 0 like developers :D Ground Floor - 0, First Floor - 1 and so on :D
😅
Video is too direct ... (german kinda thing) .. keep in mind your audience and bring a little more of a history in to the intro. After all your target viewers are expats. we love the facts but also no so blunt.
Thanks for your feedback :)
from the bottom of my heart, not trying to be a heater. Love you guys and you had help me a lot in so many ways