# Family & Friends In Germany Want Me Home **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757 "2009-04-02T20:25:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/21 "2009-04-12T00:55:29Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I would have to sell pretty much ALL that I own (except for one guitar) to make that move, because it will take at least 10 k Euros to set up housekeeping (apartment, furnishings - remember an apt. in Germany isn’t the same as an apt here). Hiya Quasi Long time no see! Quick question. Why is an apartment in Germany not the same as here? What’s the difference(s)? Hope you’re hanging in there! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/22 "2009-04-12T02:01:14Z")
Hey! Well, to answer your question, when you move into an apartment in Germany, it is usually _bare_. This means you may have to wall-paper and/or paint, curtains, install your own kitchen, add your own wardrobe (no walk-in closets), and add whatever else you’d like (such as an entertainment center, sofa, recliner, etc.) Let’s see…what else? Do you want to rent your apt kalt? This means extra work for you! Also there are all kinds of “neben-kosten” (Kaution, Wasser/Heitzung Anmelden) Renting an apartment in Germany ist ein Bitch, mein Freund! You may be well-advised to get legal representation before signing your lease! Also, the laws favor the landlord, so be careful! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/23 "2009-04-12T02:09:03Z")
So you mean it’s unfurnished, right? That’s not unusual for my area (northeast USA). It’s actually more typical than furnished. Although I do believe the landlord has to provide a working stove and will often provide a fridge, I don’t think the fridge is required. Is it typical in the south to get your apartment furnished and applianced? Hmm, that’s a good question for the teaming millions here. Wonder if there are regional differences in the way apartments are usually rented. I think I’ll ask! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/24 "2009-04-12T02:14:15Z")
Oh Og! I forgot, **Salem** It’s YOUR fritch and YOUR stove too, Buddy! Yeah, unfurnished and not fit to live in, until you make it so! 🙂 Bill ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/25 "2009-04-12T11:23:00Z")
I’m late to the thread, sorry ‘bout that **Quasi** , but – just like to chime in that I think it’d be great for you if you did have friends and family close by. A move to Germany, depending on all the logistics and preparation an’ such, sounds like a good thing. You would, of course, be expected to keep up an internet connection. Could be a diplomatic incident if your Southern Hemisphere fans lost track of you. That definitely includes me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757/26 "2009-04-12T19:59:19Z")
**Salem** - As I understand it, “unfurnished” doesn’t mean no couch or dresser, it means no kitchen cabinets. No appliances. Four walls, a floor and a ceiling. **Quasi** - I’ll admit, I can sort of understand where the German government is coming from. All these years you’ve been paying taxes into the US government, while you’ve been supporting yourself. After you’re retired, to become a burden on their national health and other social services is a drain on their resources. But I believe that you should be able to be around people who love and support you. And guitars. StG [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-friends-in-germany-want-me-home/491757.md?page=1)