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Submitted by Natalie on 11/3/06
Information on shipping a car on your own - Okay so I did a little digging for you and found all my old paperwork--I went with Trans Global Auto Logistics (phone number is (800)264-8167 ). I paid exactly, $798 to ship from Baltimore to Bremerhaven, then I paid $180 for port fees and handling in Germany, and then I paid $280 to have it brought to my door--which was totally worth it because of the drive there, what hotel would have cost, and food. They had it here in like three weeks. They handled everything, they set up the German transportation to my door, and took care of prepaying the port fees for me--they were really great to work with--plus if you pay by check you save like 5% because all of the companies pretty much charge a credit card processing fee. The number for the company here in Germany in case you go with someone else and you need it transported is: 0114961342592728 and the company is called--Trans Global Logistics Europe GmbH.
I also found a page that had some other shipping companies that I called on it so here are their numbers if you want to give them a call for a quote. Another thing to remember before I forget is that they will give you a quote that is good for thirty days, but I started calling seven months ahead of time and the prices did not really change, so don't let them scare you into locking into a contract before you are ready. So for the numbers finally, here they are...
Sanko--800-881- 5277
Manaco International Forwarders-- 800-461-6910
Able cargo.com--800- 655-2595
Omega Shipping--800- 239-3190
Rinkens.com international moving--888- 886-6683
A-1 Auto Transport Inc.--800-452- 2880
This one I don't have the co. name but here is the number--800- 788-9203
This one I don't have the co. name either--888- 779-9153
That's the only ones I could find--call the one's without co. names as well because the quotes I have written down were some of the lower one's. Also remember to ask each company what their prices include--does it include all port fees on stateside as well as in Germany--that way there're no surprises when you go to get your car. I was all set to go with one company and then when I went to sign the contract I found out that they lied to me and that the price did not include port fees--which can add up with some companies.
Well, I hope this helps--I did a lot of research before we left, because I could not find anyone that had shipped their own car. If you need anything at all please let me know. Oh I almost forgot, make sure that you are covered on insurance during the transport. If you have USAA then you do not need to worry about it, you are covered and you do not need to purchase the marina insurance--however, if you don't have a company that will cover your car during transport then they make you take the marina insurance provided by the shipping company--I think for most companies it was between 3%-1.5% of the cost to ship (I think, I did not have to do this since I had USAA and I was covered). Also remember that you can write this off on your taxes since you are footing the bill to move your own car. I kept my rental car receipts, airplane tickets, hotel receipts, gas receipts, and food receipts to turn in since we drove it to port--plus the cost of shipping it.
Submitted by Douglas 9/13/05
Although I've never lived in Germany, I have spent several years off and on living in Austria, where the laws and customs are basically identical. As regards the recycling: like in American cities where recycling is prominent, paper, glass, and tin/plastic must be separated, as well as your biodegradables. Landlords (or more commonly the cities themselves) provide bins to dispose of trash, but usually you will have to carry recyclables some distance to deposit them (in Wels Austria, I had to go two blocks), except for the biodegradables (Restmuehle) which is usually in your building.
Shopping: some stores will sell you cloth bags or such, but it's more convenient to bring with you some sort of leather bag, backpack, etc., so you can carry the groceries while in the store. Historically, Germans don't buy lots at a time like we, so they don't need big bags or carts. Some Billa and Zielpunkt stores have plastic bags (I remember because I got a bag caught in my bike spokes). Shop early. Their produce is shipped in daily, so by noon, most of it is picked over. Most grocers are open on Saturday until noon save Hofer, but none are open on Sunday, nor are most of the clothing, gift, shoe, electronics, etc. stores.
Cell Phones: Try finding a Handy that allows you to receive incoming calls for free. Most of the youth have them, and so to contact your kids/spouse from home costs you only as part of your monthly service.
Flooring: most German homes have bare, wooden floors. If you don't bring carpet remnants, buy some rugs or house shoes (slippers). You can find them for $1 or so at most shopping centers. As for noise, this is VERY important if you live with the natives...the walls are not insulated well against noise, so chances are you'll hear some interesting things through the roof and floor if you have European neighbors.
Germanic people in general: are very gracious and patient, especially towards Americans. There are some of the older ones who will resent the fact that you don't speak their language although you live there, but they are really only resentful of those who take their jobs. Even if you spoke German fluently, you would still be considered an outsider. I have lived in Austria for almost two full years, and they still know and treat me as a foreigner. Try to learn a few phrases, it will help immensely.
Passports and Tickets: the sight of the American eagle on your passport is probably enough without them seeing your actual Visa. However, make sure that if you use public transporation to buy your ticket prior to boarding and keep it handy. Many of the agents onboard have little patience for people fumbling through their belongings for their tickets. In winter, you could just clip them to your jacket like teenagers do with ski passes ;). You will probably have relatively wide berth as an American, especially if you babble loudly, so make sure you have identification on you when you are in country. As for driving, AAA issues an international license for $10/year that they accept in Europe (albeit somewhat begrudgingly). They have fabulous public transportation that is very reasonable for smaller families in lieu of a car (which after gas and insurance costs more per person per month than even a month unlimited use card in Vienna runs [$40]). In the cities, buses, streetcars, and subway where appropriate run every 5-7 minutes, and in the country the trains come every 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the town and its distance from a major city. You can get schedules free at the stations.
I am curious to know if people are required to register (anmelden) in Germany like we are in Austria. Big brother Austria wants to know where everyone is living all the time. Last but not least, enjoy yourself. Germany (and Austria) are great places to visit.
Submitted by Tish 8/15/05
Hi, I wish I could have found your site BEFORE going to Germany! LOL How wonderful... My husband and I were at spang, where we lived on Bitburg (in a 2 br 850-900 sq ft) and on Spang (in a NEWLY renovated 3 br 1103 sq ft) I am sending you some floorplans (not to scale, of course, I'm in admin, not architecture!) of these two apartments. I sure hope this helps. I am working on the other avail plans on the two bases, and I will send them if you're interested as well. Oh, and on Bitburg, the 4 bedrooms include part of the basement, only accessible through your house (meaning not just anyone can get into your kids rooms, lol) With 2 full baths... As far as Bitburg/Spang goes, from what I hear, no one will be put in GLH from here on, it's all going back to the Germans. And they're planning to shut down (oh no!) Bitburg, but it's not supposed to happen til 2015 or something. That's why the all that land on Spang was cleared out, they're supposed to be building more housing over there, and a High School (since they already had the Elementary-great school, by the way- and Middle School there) Oh and I painted the (newly renovated) house in the bedroom and living area and since it was lighter colors, I didn't even have to repaint it at PCS time, they figured it would cover with just one coat of that thick as heck German paint. (That would be something cool to tell your visitors about) Oh, and TOOM, don't know if you guys have one there, but there's a HUGE one in Bit and it was just like a super Wal-Mart (ok on a little smaller scale, but still fun) Also, near the (new) Hela Markt in Bit, there is a little known Used Furniture store -more like a warehouse-(wouldn't be a bad deal for Ramstein folks to come have a look at it as well, would be a change from the Spang people migrating there every weekend-and we should know we did it too) and you get GREAT deals on things in there that just have a little dent here and there. We paid only 100 EURO for a great old Mahogany schrank, and all I did was strip it and refinish it and you'd never know it wasn't one of those 3000 EURO ones everyone else has.... If you have any questions, ask away, or refer others to me for advice on this area, I'd love to help, and hope to make the move a little easier for everyone. Keep up the great work on your site!!!!! So, you heard it! If you have a question about the Spangdalhem/Bitburg area, contact Tish at lutitiaholmes@bellsouth.net
Submitted by Marie 6/24/05
Hello, I just delivered a baby boy on the economy on 28 May. Having experienced the military OB/GYN care, I can definitely say that the German system was much better. There was no language barrier since all the doctors selected for my care had been approved by Tricare, and all spoke very good english. I got tons of very detailed ultrasounds (at just about every appointment), and we all know that unless you have a "high-risk" pregnancy, you will only get one fuzzy ultrasound on the Army side! I was also allowed to decide on a birth plan with my midwife, and she followed it all the way. I wanted to do a water delivery and that's what I did. The whole staff was very supportive. It was mainly midwives, with 2 male doctors... The on-call doctor was a woman, she didn't speak english but we really understood each other, she was very warm and caring. When I was pregnant, I was told that only Active-Duty women were allowed to deliver on Landstuhl, everyone else delivers at St. Johannis Hospital (on the economy, 5 minutes away from the base)
Submitted by Reney 6/12/04
I have lived in Germany for 10 months now. I really like it. We have done a good bit of stuff. We really like to travel. My husbands passport just came in and we can't wait to go to different countries. You are now required to have an international drivers permit to drive in other countries surrounding Germany. I also heard that newcomers are allowed to drive for two weeks without their usarer license. I live in a completely remodeled house. It was remodeled in 2003. Very nice. My husband and I are thinking of moving off base. We do not like the stairwell living arrangements. We live on the second floor. It's not bad but we are so careful when we walk at night past ten. The problem we have is we have two young children. It is very hard to keep them quiet. The area here is very congested. The best time to shop on base is during the week days. If you go on the weekend go early in the morning. If you wait till afternoon you will be fighting a very large crowd. There is a parking problem here so be prepared to be frustrated. Everyone is required to update their id cards. When you try to gain access to the bases here your id card will be scanned and the gate guard will see all your information on the screen. That will start at the end of June at Ramstein. It has already be implemented at other bases here. It doesn't take long to get your id card updated. It took me only 5 minutes to have it done.
Submitted by Thomas 11/29/03
Hi....My name ist Thomas. I just found your homepage by surfing the web. First of all, I was somehow amused about your topic, but quickly found out, that it must be very informative for everyone who moves to Germany. I am a native german and i just read your helpful hints. It is very interesting to see how someone describes the germans and their everyday life – how you describe me....Of course I laughed at some passages, but I think it is very helpful to know all these hints when you move to a foreign country you have never been to before....So go on with your good work an you have my best wishes for that....Yours, Thomas
Submitted by Kathryn 10/09/02
Landstuhl's quarters are damned nice.
You can actually get Deutsche Telekom to hook your phone up in less than 6 months if you call and annoy them every other day (Took us only 3 weeks to set up ISDN & DSL, a record I've heard)
The beer here isn't anything particularly special, though better made than in the states. (As far as commercially owned companies)
We had an unusually helpful, responsible and courteous sponsor.
Submitted by Diana 6/3/02
You mentioned that cordless phones are expensive, yes they were over $200, but we recently bought a Panasonic for $69 at the Power Zone, which I think is a very good price and it came with instructions in English. Cable modem does come with unlimited internet access for $50 a month. It has just gone down to $129 including installation. It takes about a week for them to come out and install. And the one thing I have to mention is that it does get very hot here, in the upper 90's and I would recommend that people bring ceiling fans w/ swag kits, so that they can connect them to the 110v outlet and take them w/them when they return to the states. That's what we did and it has worked out great. We have a ceiling fan in every room. Also German standing fans, stink! They do not last at all. I'd recommend buying standing fans from the states and shipping them in your household goods. While home on a trip last month to the states, I saw standing fans for $12 and they want $25 here at the BEX when they get them in. Also one last suggestion is carpet! If someone plans to live on base, I'd go to a carpet remnant store and buy my carpet and decent padding and ship it over in household goods. I can't stress that enough to my sister-in-law. I had to buy carpet and padding from the furniture store and the padding was very cheap and nasty and it was very expensive, considering I paid $15 for the roll of padding for the carpet I brought w/us. Neighbors can give you hell if they are sensitive to the slightest bit of noise, like mine happen to be even though I spent over $500 on carpet/padding when we moved to this 3 bedroom on the 2nd floor. I suggested to my sister-in-law to get nice contact paper (4 to 5 rolls) in the states to cover the ugly lime green cabinets. Everyone does it and it's hard to get the one you want because they are always sold out. And if you don't wind up covering the cabinets, you can line them inside anyway and your money won't go to waste.
Submitted by Val
Are you having company? Non-USAEUR liscenced drivers can now drive your USAEUR liscenced car! They need to first get an international drivers license (AAA--don't have to be members, or your local DMV) before coming over, then go with the military member to the base customs office to get the validation to drive.
Have something you want to share with others? Please post under comments or email me and I will post it here! Thanks and I appreciate your input!
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