14 THINGS I SEE IN MY GERMAN NEIGHBORHOOD DAILY THAT I’VE NEVER SEEN IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE US!!!

[@joy_yt99]

The little library as I know works a little different to how you explained it. Instead of taking one and bringing it back (which I’m sure you could also do) they actually encourage you to take a book and change it out with a one of your own. So the variety changes organically and books are read several times instead of just sitting in a shelf :)

[@christianhohenstein1422]

I think they developed from the book crossing trend a few years back. I guess a lot of people liked the idea of swapping books with random strangers but didn't really buy into the geo caching aspect of it. Just my guess not really any data behind it.

[@doro94elf]

There are different variations, some want you to exchange a book for a book, and some you should just take one and bring it back later

[@gameoverwehaveeverypixelco1258]

These free book libraries are becoming very popular in Australia, outside businesses, outside homes. There's lots around here. I take books without leaving any.

[@shagrat47]

Where I live we have these a lot and the city takes care to switch books between them. The system works like explained, either you just put a book you don't read anymore, or you take one and bring it back or leave another one. The trust system works pretty well. The regular swaps take care that the content changes more often. Public libraries also participate with old books and I think it is a great concept to interest more people in books these days.

[@RikaMasayume]

the thing is, 10-20 years ago there was a public library in almost every city, these were phased out over time due to infrequent use and internet, what happened then many people missed them, that was one of the main reasons that brought these projects to life

[@sevenfifteen]

You will learn with the years, that your son will actually prefer to go to school alone (or with his friends). And at that point (probably around his 8th or 9th birthday), please remember that Germany is much safer than the USA and allow it. Trust him and let him trust you. He will hop on his bike and enjoy this little bit of "freedom".

[@TreyDaze]

Great advice! Thank you!

[@19ghost73]

Our parents accompanied us 3 kids on our way to grammar school for abt. 2 months in grade 1. After that we drove the 1km by bike alone every day. The 1st bus trip to the schools for grades 5-13 in the nearby city at 6:47am every morning we did on our own, together with other kids of course. But hey - that was 1979...92 and in a rural part of Western Germany. Can't get my head around today's helicopter parents who "have to" drive their kid with a huge SUV basically right to the front door of any school, even in our rural and safe area.

[@jennyh4025]

@@TreyDaze if the way is rather safe (looking at traffic) and short (less than a kilometer), children are usually able to walk to school when they are 6-7 (always depending on the child).

[@andlum83]

The school president of our youngest daughter said “short legs, short walks” to point out the importance of your 6-7 year olds to be able to walk to school on their own.

[@manzanasrojas6984]

Indeed good advice. Cant remember anyone who had their parents bring them to school if i think back to elementary school, just the ones that had to be driven by car because they didnt own bikes and were too far away. Then again, times changed a lot again the past 20 years, sooo... just evaluate your situation when it comes to that point lol

[@janfo]

as a german I'm really happy that you point out so many good things and feel happy and welcome here! I'm sure that its the right decision to live in germany, you have a positive mindset, we need more people like you :)

[@Wuestenkarsten]

100%!!

[@pex5806]

true!!!

[@hendrikvoss9368]

He's also living in a really rather nice area, if you're unlucky like me, you're living in the middle of many square kilometers of literally nothing (farmland) and can be happy to have an internetconnection at all, a shop within 20 minutes driving distance and a doctor that opens more than 2 days a week! those are the exceptions though nowadays. (also an LTE Router helps a lot👍)

[@maria-melek]

@@hendrikvoss9368 Where do you live? I live in California but I want to move to Germany for a bit. However I’m Mexican and short and Mexicans aren’t welcomed there 💀 And I’m short, imagine the amount of states I’d get 😭😂

[@gertgeniesser8506]

We also need more Germans with a positive attitude in general. Ok, but it's gettin better the mentality.

[@billygalk3327]

With all the negative news nowadays, it feels good to see your positive and sympathetic views!

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks Billy! And you’re right…the negativity is exhausting! Thanks for watching brother!

[@Bunny99s]

Most people don't realise how much they actually have. They complain about small issues all the time. Sure, no matter where you are there will always be issues of some sort. However comparing to the past or some other countries, we have a quite high standard of living. Most can't even imagine how it would be to live in a country like Jemen or in the Gaza strip where you have to fear for your life on a daily basis. Somehow they get through the day, some are not. That's what life is like there. The worst thing that could happen to you in Germany is that someone doesn't give the right of way at an intersection or dare to honk at you which seems to be the greatest insult for some germans :D

[@Grzeroli1]

10 basketball courts within walking distance is actually unusual in Germany. I believe thats because the US Army has a big base (Patch Barracks) in Stuttgart-Vahingen.

[@gigiarmany4332]

Hah😆yes that's true👍🏾

[@aewisjericho8848]

That is absolutely unusual I live near by düsseldorf and most of the weekends when I want to hoop, I literally have to drive 15 km or so to get to a court.

[@Schleimkeim19]

I don't know about that one. They added a ton of basketball hoops to the existing football/handball/hockey fields over the years in the whole city.

[@f0st3r]

@@herztone8002 there are nearly no baseball or football fields for public use in germany. Its football or basketball and thats it !

[@bene9354]

Yeah, I live in a big German city and I only have 3-4 within 2km walking distance :(

[@omikrondraconis5708]

About fruit trees in public areas (including branches that hang over fences into public areas!): it is absolutely legal to help yourself to the fruit here in Germany! As soon as it is on public ground and you don't cross a fence in one way or another, it is for everyone who wants it. Some people even deliberately plant berry bushes next to their fences so that school kids passing by can have a treat in the summer :)

[@paolagrando5079]

That's lovely. Greetings from Italy

[@regineb.4756]

@Omikron Draconis Well, actually no. At least concerning trees and bushes that are planted on private property. Picking fruit from them, no matter on which side of the fence these fruits are hanging, is stealing. But you can pick up everything that drops down to the ground outside the private property. Now, if you ask politely, most owners will happily let you pick fruit from overhanging twigs and branches.

[@andreasb.9072]

@@regineb.4756 Correct, technically. But getting the fruits from the tree is sometimes a bit of work and all those fruits (in most cases) will never be eaten by one family, so many areas and cities (like Göppingen, 40 km east of Stuttgart) do encourage people to bind yellow rags around those trees which fruits they would happily share. So, if you see yellow rags around a tree or its twigs, it might even be legal to take fruits from private property as the owner directly invited you to do so. AND, there is something called "Mundraub" ("mouth robbing" would be the direct translation), which means that if you technically steal some food, but the worth of that food is marginal and you were directly consuming, it will most likely not be prosecuted. This does not work in restaurants or supermarkets, but most likely in public places where you grab the occasional apple from a tree.

[@reinhard8053]

In some regions they don't like to have fruit trees in public areas because they fear for animals (rats, wasps...) to be trouble.

[@ingafalkenstein4221]

Keep in mind that every Stückle and Streuobstwiese has its owner! Just because there is no fence it doesn't mean it is free ;-)

[@Al-Kwadrone]

As a natural born german I want to thank you ever so much for opening my eyes on my own country in such an empathic way. This video made me cry. Thank you so much for posting this! 🙏🏼

[@TreyDaze]

Awwww!!! This is a truly amazing country with so much to offer! And I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface!

[@littlescully3637]

DAS werde ich jetzt auch immer schreiben 😍🤩 "natural born german"

[@Kreuzrippengewoelbe]

Spinnst du? Was dachtest du denn, was Deutschland ist? Geh mal aus'm Haus raus, mal raus aus der Stadt. Brauchst irgendwelche Amis damit du deine eigene Heimat schön findest? Krank.

[@s-drawk-cab3753]

Ach, Mensch immer gleich diese spitzfindingen Attitüden zwischen den Zeilen 🌝 Hilf ihm doch lieber auf die Sprünge und gib ihm die korrekte Sprech-/Schreibweise zu verstehen: born in germany

[@littlescully3637]

@@s-drawk-cab3753 meinst du mich??? 😳 Ich habe das positiv gemeint! Fand des Ausdruck total süß 😍

[@ralfgustav982]

It's so funny to see you being amazed about things I absolutely take for granted. Changes my perspective of my own country. Welcome to Germany, Trey =)

[@olgierd2001]

nah most eu countries have most of the same things the diffrence is that the US sadly since the cold war takes everything thats social as communistic (wich is automatically bad for them) wich is why the US lacks many social systems and has many private systems instead because they make more money ..(mostly for one invidual not the whole comunity but thats a whole another conversation im not gonna go deep into )

[@arbbar2674]

@@olgierd2001 stop being that guy

[@gaeldumont7863]

@@olgierd2001 I moved from South Belgium to Heidelberg 3 years ago. There is nothing like that in Belgium. Few public playgrounds, few fruits in public place, few bicycle lanes,... nothing comparable, and it is only 400km away only.

[@xemirahobbyless]

These little vending machines are usually owned by local farmers. They are stocked with the farm's products like eggs, milk, flour, noodles and sometimes even meat and sausages. There are also sometimes little huts on the side of the street next to the farm where you can buy these things, and also potatoes, home made ice cream, sometimes raw milk etc. During fall there are also piles of pumpkins everywhere, where you can buy them and leave the money in a little box. Oh and pick-your-own flower fields and strawberry fields with a similar system 😊

[@KuRo88]

Fun fact about playgrounds in germany: We have specific rules for residential areas.. There has to be a playground for a specific number of houses or appartments built. For example in bavaria, they even have to build a playground for one house if theres 3 or more appartments in it. And in residential areas with houses for single families, they also have a formula (differs from Bundesland and Towns sometimes I think) for xx houses there has to be a playground. We are very complicated in rules and bureaucracy. Sometimes thats good, other times...

[@alia9087]

The village I live in doesn't have one. We do have an outdoor swimming pool. Perhaps that counts

[@johnkramer8091]

I can confirm that most cities in Germany do relatively well in providing these spaces like parks, pools and all the nice stuff, but S-Vaihingen seems to be a particularly nice place. It just seems so green, clean and quiet albeit close to downtown Stuttgart. Good choice, apparently. Thanks for your video!

[@MaticTheProto]

Meanwhile the people in my university nearby act like Stuttgart is awful 😅 I think we are spoiled

[@albin2232]

I'm Scottish, but I've had great times in Germany. Its beautiful, and the people are really friendly. Love it.

[@TreyDaze]

We’re headed to Scotland next year!

[@susannabonke8552]

Albin thanks for your nice comment. Not everyone appreciates my country.

[@Oleeh-oleeh]

I love Scotland so much and will try to come back there for semester abroad 😍❤️

[@E.T.42]

I'm German, but I've lived in Scotland for a few years. Really loved it there and miss it a lot.

[@PhilStern80]

In German and have visited Scotland in 2007. Beautiful country and your countrymen were very friendly. Fort William and Glasgow were the places I have a fond memory of.

[@hypatian9093]

Regarding the bike parking at the public pool: You should take a picture next summer on a sunny day during the holidays. Probably hundreds of bikes there ;) Landlocked Germany: Try and spend a vacation, even if it's only a few days, on the German seaside. Northern Germany is so different from what people think they know.

[@ems7448]

This is so true, we moved some years ago from Stuttgart to the Bremen region, and it's almost like a different country in some ways up here. Very nice place to go in summer and take the kids to the beach.

[@SenpaiSchuda]

Or take a picture in front of a University .....

[@susannabonke8552]

Yeah, see Usedom or the Frisian isles. Definitely worth it even in Winter. Have tea, fish and hygge.

[@freddyn5215]

FYI: if a tree is on public ground you are usually allowed to take some of the fruit, but only for yourself, not for commercial use. Still some cities might not allow this. Owners of fruit trees can put a yellow string or fabric on their trees as a sign that people are invited to harvest!

[@kerstinklenovsky239]

Welcome to Germany! Everybody who loves my country as much as you do should stay here forever. ❤️ We need people that appreciate how nice Germany is. So many Germans just take all the good and beautiful aspects of this country for granted and do nothing but complain all the time.

[@TreyDaze]

Sounds like more people should have a beer or a walk through t one of the numerous trails! Germany is awesome!!!

[@blondkatze3547]

I agree with you Germany is nice Think positive.😍👍

[@Korschtal]

"Everybody who loves my country as much as you do should stay here forever" I did: I've been here 20 years now, two of those as a citizen. It's a great place to live and bring up children, especially children of mixed race background; we've had opportunities here that we'd never get in our home country.

[@xusdom]

Hätte ich jetzt nicht schöner sagen können... 🙂

[@uteweiss3766]

@@Korschtal Dear A E, what‘s your home country please? Thanks, Ute

[@puraidoeustass]

I don't know why, but at the moment I'm switching through different channels of Americans reacting to Germany, or living here, and I love the content. It's so nice to hear so many positive things. I found your channel just now and you seem so likable already. I will check other videos out! I wish you and your family the best!

[@TreyDaze]

Hey!!! Nice to meet you! Thank you for your kind words!

[@charlottea3489]

Even if I'm living in a pretty small city in Brandenburg (North Germany), you're literally highlightning the same things I would underline that are rare or just not so common compared to US! It's nice to hear you being so positive and happy about your experience in the Umland of Stuttgart as father of one child: I think that Germany has a lot of amazing opportunities for families/couples who are planning to have kids, as the country is overall safe, the school system beside being super complicated allows a more than average good education, financial supports for lower-income guardians and tons of options in public institutions (e.g. libriaries) to have your little safe space with the little ones. Also, bees. I never saw in my life so many bees and little insects as I moved in Brandenburg thanks to the huge amount of parks, green areas and private gardens with endemic plants/flowers/trees and so on.

[@HD-ty8ng]

This got recommended to me and I think it's just sooo wholesome how you get excited for things that feel second nature to me. Glad you've a great time in Germany and it makes me think to appreciate what's around me.

[@gloofisearch]

Hi Trey, as a German I am so happy for you that you like it. I do love all the trails, the public transportation, the safety and in general how clean it is. I remember times were the US was cleaner but it has gone downhill the last 10-20 years. My wife is black and she actually is asking to move out of the US as it goes backwards in time! As I mentioned before. The education system is very good in Germany and your son will have the whole world open going to school and university in Germany as Germans are always valued around the world due to their work ethics, performance and speed. Keep it going and don't worry about the people bothering you about filming.

[@TreyDaze]

We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world. We love the US…but there’s something really ugly brewing there and sadly I think the upcoming midterm elections might cause whatever is brewing to boil over. It would be so nice if people could just disagree in peace. But I’m afraid we’re way past that in the states. Whatever you guys decide to do…I know it will be the right decision! Thanks as always Martin! Take care!

[@svenprorok3636]

i woulnd´t be around anymore without the german healthcare system - that´s a huge plus here

[@x5x]

it is not all good here in germany, it is going down here since 10-15 years when not longer. i hope the actual things let people overthink the political partys and get them to vote for the only party that is close to the people. you may not like the afd, but it is the only solution to safe our country and the folk.

[@solar0wind]

@@x5x They wouldn't improve anything for anyone except _maybe_ for white rich people, especially men. Just like the American Republicans. Right-wing people tend to not care about anyone but themselves and people who are similar to them. So if you're one of those people, you'd be lucky, but I as a woman wouldn't want them in power. I'm pretty sure that they'd eventually do the same as the Republicans - take women's autonomy over their own bodies away. The AfD and other European right-wing parties keep copying stuff from them. It's funny because right-wing people often hate the US (together with extreme left-wing people), but they copy the Republicans a lot.

[@niko7626]

Everything works except the german trains (deutsche bahn) ^^

[@Korschtal]

Hi from Esslingen; I didn't realise you were so close when I clicked on the video. When your son is six, you can take him to the Jugendfarm between Vaihingan and Möhringen; it's a supervised playground, farm and creative workshop where kids can do things like ride horses and make things out of wood or build huts to play in.

[@TreyDaze]

Hey nice to meet you!

[@petraw9792]

I was talking to an American about public fruit trees the other day and the person thought I was messing with her. I couldn't imagine that this isn't a thing in the US. They are everywhere in Germany along roadsides, in parks, and even designated public orchards (Streuobstwiesen). Of course it's legal to pick the fruits and nuts up.

[@TreyDaze]

Picking fruit in public in the US can result in a pretty steep fine or criminal prosecution. The US is the most litigious place on Earth…”free things” tend to be looked down upon in the US for some reason.

[@chrisbaertl5708]

As long as the tree isn't on private ground but on public ground you can grab the fruits / nuts. Enjoy your free food! ;-)

[@Hipp0campus_1]

@@TreyDaze Land of the free 😂

[@S_Black]

Just don't think every tree in some tourist area is free. There are farmers who grow them for a living. And theft is a huge issue.

[@petraw9792]

@@S_Black Why would a farmer plant a tree in a public park and not on their own land? That's not economical they need to have lots of trees close to each other to save costs. And also not a mix of a variety of fruits like it's usually the case for public orchards but e.g. one specific type of apple.

[@hdlink]

In some cities, public fruit trees are released for people to pick themselves. Here in the village they are marked with yellow ribbons. There is no official restriction, but you should not take more than 1 bucket (about 10 kg), so that others also have something from it. You can pick apples, pears and plums. A trend in German cities is to create an edible city. Planting less "useless" ornamental plants and more edible vegetables and fruits. Residents tend these plants and the general public is also allowed to harvest in manageable quantities. Positive effect: It's better for bees and other insects.

[@simdal3088]

You wil need those edible cities soon, when we dutch decide to shut of the gas and halt foodexports lol.

[@lockervomhocker9795]

Yes, since 1 oder 2 Years we have trees marked with yellow ribbons. thats y good idea. Most of them are apple trees.

[@lrighttobewhite]

Streuobstwiesen

[@alia9087]

@@simdal3088 Why is that funny?

[@simdal3088]

@@alia9087 Cause they starved us in 44. Karma.

[@aligotisch]

Habe deinen Kanal gerade durch Zufall gefunden. Es freut mich sehr, dass du so begeistert von Deutschland bist. Hier lebt es sich auf jeden Fall leichter als in den USA und ich kann absolut verstehen das du sehr gerne hier lebst und für dein Kind das beste machst. Das du darauf angesprochen wurdest, dass du die Menschen hier nicht filmen sollst ist in Deutschland normal,man darf ungefragt niemand Filmen und schon gar nicht veröffentlichen.

[@SilentEcho9194]

I was stationed in Germany in the early 90's near Darmstadt. It is a beautiful country and I really enjoyed watching this video.

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks for watching! And you’re right…Germany is a beautiful country indeed!

[@Gokudo87]

As a child it was great having all those playgrounds. It was always an adventure to find a new playground that looked completely different than the other playgrounds you've seen so far. In the small neighbourhood I lived at there were like 7 playgrounds within the walking distance of a child. Just 2 or 3 of them used to be in areas where you rarely saw any people and the view on the playground was blocked by trees, so we never went there alone. Mostly this were areas with old houses, where all the children that used to live there are already grown up for decades. So it's mostly seniors living there.

[@lapisinfernalis9052]

As long as the fruit or nut trees are not on private ground, you can legally pick them up if you want (or even pick from the tree itself).

[@ATypiclaNPC]

If the trees stay on Private ground but the fruit Fall on his own on Public ground u are allowed to collect it too. But only if it does it from alone, u aren't aloowed to Pick it up if it falls on Private Ground or help them Fall of.

[@annahuber9433]

There is even an app where you can find the fruits that are free to collect. It's called "mundraub". They have a hompage aswell.

[@Theo-1984]

Thank you for loving our country so much. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you will keep discovering the goods things and not mind the bad things too much. - As someone working in the adult education industry I recommend for your son to deeply immerse in the German language because it is still one of the biggest issues when finding work. Even if you have a bachelor degree and multiple master degrees language skills will always be a deciding factor for any non-business major.

[@TreyDaze]

I agree 100% on German immersion! It is crucial to finding success here!

[@susannefri6862]

@@TreyDaze Yes, fuurin engawa is totally right. I teach school and notice that immigrant children can live here and be extremely successful IF they speak German well. If they don't immigrate in their early years though and join school at age 10 or so, it becomes much harder for most of them. I've seen some kids that learned German extremely fast even at that age. But I teach plenty of kids in the "Werkrealschule", the type of school for children with not-so-good learning abilities, who came at age 10 or 12, and they have a really hard time even understanding what I want them to do, let alone reading and writing.

[@gigiarmany4332]

for one second I was like" adult" education? degrees?😅🤭🤪🤣

[@predictorbibulous3327]

I've always had Germany in mind for a place to move. Such a beautiful place and doesn't get nearly enough credit. Living in a neighborhood where you rarely have to leave the immediate area has always been a dream of mine.

[@TreyDaze]

It truly is an amazing place!!!

[@willloveyoumore]

Very interesting to watch your clip! Coming from Hawaii and South Florida and loving it being here in freezing Germany. Remarkable!! Hope you and your family are coming smooth through the coming tougher time

[@TreyDaze]

The change has been a lot smoother than expected! Giving up “paradise” was easy because we ended up in an even better paradise!

[@tarot-karma-online]

Thank you. Honestly, I am 57 and this is the first video I see and hear a person, foreign or native, say so much nice things about Germany. Listening to you, I started to appreciate my own country again cause normally people pick things which they dont like.

[@Pyriphlegeton]

Glad to have you in Germany, man! :) You're actually not expected to bring back those books, by the way. If you can, you can swap in one of your own but it's also fine just to take one (if it's not too empty).

[@krempel_und_klumpad]

watching you loving basically EVERYTHING is always so wholesome ;)

[@TreyDaze]

Awwww thank you!!! ❤️

[@nevillmann906]

it's soooo interesting to hear and see how you experience things in Germany that are completely normal for us Germans... in this way you learn to appreciate such "little things" again, because quite honestly: most of the time we forget how valuable those things are

[@susannefri6862]

Hi Trey, as a German-American living in Germany I'm pleased that you like Germany! I love it too and wish more Germans could fully appreciate what a great country we live in. Of course you live in Vaihingen which is part of the rich Stuttgart "Speckgürtel", meaning the circle of about 35 km around Stuttgart where there is plenty of taxpayers money through all the industries there to fund playgrounds, sports facilities, Swimming pools etc. Not every part of Germany is that rich and that well equipped. Still, even in smaller towns like Rottenburg or Hechingen which are outside the "Speckgürtel", there are amazing public Swimming pools, both indoor and outdoors. So yes, it is a good country to live in.

[@asmodon]

Your neighborhood is beautiful! What a fun video to watch! One thing though: KiTa isn’t a school. There may be a preschool group for children that will go to school soon. But it’s more for learning by playing and socialising. If you haven’t applied for a place for your son yet, do it soon. We had to wait for a year until a place at a KiTa was free.

[@TreyDaze]

We are going to put our Son on a few waitlists while also bringing him in so they can see his cute face lol. Hopefully that will bump him up on the list!

[@jennyh4025]

The US educational system actually calls Kita „school“. 🤷‍♀️

[@berndhofmann752]

You did well! As a German living abroad i can see that you have chosen the right points! ❤❤❤❤

[@marshallc.t.2554]

I liked the comment about the biergartens that are not in a separate district. I live in Greece and commercial and residential areas are mixed and it's very usual for your apartment to be above a big shop or a bar and I love that, makes neighborhoods much more lively.

[@jessejackson8630]

Hi Trey, and welcome to Germany 😃 I just saw your video, and I think it's very cool that you like it here so much! All the best for you and your family! 🇺🇸🇩🇪🍀

[@TreyDaze]

Nice to meet you Jesse! Thanks for your kind words!

[@sisuguillam5109]

People think Germany is landlocked? As in 'has no coastal area'? Oh, no... the Ostesee and Nordsee areas of Germany are stunning and have so much to offer.

[@TreyDaze]

Yep.

[@sisuguillam5109]

@@TreyDaze that is so sad. The North of Germany has so much to offer.

[@TreyDaze]

@@sisuguillam5109 I agree!

[@sisuguillam5109]

@@TreyDaze 🙂 hopy you are having a lovely weekend!

[@thedude9859]

My man, welcome to Stuttgart. I stumbled across your Thumbnail and thought to myself "Fck me I know this place". And yep you're actually in my Hometown haha crazy. Are you staying in the Barracks in Vaihingen? Enjoy you're stay and hit me up if you need to know something, peace

[@TreyDaze]

We actually live off post luckily! We got lucky because we can literally throw a rock from our window and hit Patch Barracks!

[@alanjameson8664]

I'm an old guy, and was momentarily taken aback when you commented on tobacco vending machines in Germany but not in the US. But then I thought about it and realized I hadn't seen any in a very long time (almost as long ago as when I quit smoking, I suppose). They were common when I was young--25 cents for a pack of cigarettes and a book of matches. As for gated neighborhoods, I have never been able to figure out why people would willingly imprison themselves-- unless they are paranoid, which many Americans now seem to be.

[@alanjameson8664]

And I have no idea why part of my post is in strike-out type; a marvel of modern technology, I suppose.

[@valerieannrumpf4151]

I remember seeing the tobacco vending machines in restaurants and stores when I was kid but they were phased out starting in the 80s and you don't see them anymore.

[@E.T.42]

I found those kinda interesting. They were everywhere when I was a child (90s), but I haven't seen a tobacco vending machine in my part of Germany in years. I wonder if this may be a regional thing.

[@alia9087]

In my village they removed the ciggie machines and put in condom machines????

[@TheRealGundalf.]

good to see this as a german... helps to change perpective from time to time :) its interesting and kinda funny how excited you are about absolutly common things from my POV :D like your positive mindset. wish yall the best :)

[@oSkurr420]

always love to see insights from a forigner in germany! Love to see you enjoy it so much! you are a really nice guy. keep it up :)

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@karenjarman4666]

If you come back to the US and are looking for some of these same wonderful benefits, come to Colorado. We have many neighborhood trails, as well as trails in the mountains. We also have plentiful beer gardens/breweries, tons of outdoor recreation. Our little neighborhood libraries look more like bird houses than tree trunks, but they are plentiful. I don’t have the number of playgrounds in my area that you mentioned, but I have 5 within 5 blocks of my house.

[@TreyDaze]

Colorado is in my Top 5 States in the US. Vail, Colorado Springs, Aspen…I’d live there in a heart beat!

[@janelantestaverde2018]

Super happy to see you like it in Germany 👍 And I'm especially happy that you mentioned the public parks and walking trails. Because I thoroughly believe that accessable nature is detrimental for a healthy mind and a positive mentality. Hope you'll continue having a good time 👍

[@inory5460]

It´s always nice seeing people that love and appreciate germany

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks for watching! We love it here!

[@Justforvisit]

You're the first guy ever that made such a sympathetic impression on me that I already subbed aftr the very first video! Looking forward to see more of you! And also a big nice warm welcome here in germany! Greetings from Nordrhein-Westfalen! :D

[@tnit7554]

In some villages here in nrw we have "milchtankstellen", directly located to the dairy farms, "milk gas stations", open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Pretty cool.

[@TreyDaze]

That is amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.

[@blondkatze3547]

Here in East Friesland there are also plenty of we have so many cows on the pastures you can get fresh milk every day.😃👍

[@PM-vv3uc]

Thank you for this nice video. It helps to realize for a lot of people how nice it can be in Germany.

[@aphextwin5712]

The fruit trees are just part of the local agriculture that combines said trees with meadows for direct grazing or livestock feed (fresh cut grass or hay). As villages grew these ‘fruit tree meadows’ (Streuobstwiesen) ended up in built-up areas. The house I grew up had a fruit tree in the backyard that was several decades older than the building as the whole area had been converted from agriculture to residential housing. But since meadows with fruit trees where such a common sight, adding them to backyards and public spaces was a fairly natural thing to do.

[@torkakarshiro5170]

For me it is more like "If I have outdoor space what could ever stop me to put a fruit tree there? It has so many beautiful advantages".

[@mbluesx2772]

Thank you very much for your openminded, postive report … wishing you and your family the best!

[@leononymous2562]

Urban Planning in Germany/Europe and the US is and always has been vastly different. This also has a huge impact on life expectancy.

[@linibellini]

This makes me very nostalgic for the time I lived just south of Stuttgart. We actually had some of these unusual vending machines too. One was for potatoes and onions and one was for ecologically farmed eggs. I really loved living there, kinda regret having moved back to our filthy and stressful capital… Soon it should be the “Krautfest” by the way, I recommend you check it out!

[@TreyDaze]

Glad this video helped you reminisce a little! And thanks for the Krautfest recommendation!

[@kh8529]

The Krautfest-part got me by surprise! Of course! We just went there last week. And I loved it as much as I did as a child.

[@aw3s0me12]

*Thank you* for your very warm words to Germany in the End of the Video !! >> _related to the "puplic waterpools": Your son, once in the *Grundschule,* will walk with the whole class of him, to the next puplic pool, and gets swiming teached!! >> For kids, the first level is *Seepferdchen* (sea horse). *To get this badge,* your little one will have to jump in the water and be able to swim 25 meters without pausing. She or he will also have to be able to retrieve a ring from the floor of the pool at a depth of shoulder height, and no, you can’t just use your feet. Getting your Seepferdchen badge is the first breakthrough after months or years of swim lessons, with somtimes multiple teachers. If you read the *fine print on the small certificate* you get in addition to the badge that you can sew on your child’s swimsuit, you’ll note that *Seepferdchen* does not really mean water safe or else water safe for a long time. To be safer in the water, the next step is getting Bronze. To do so, a youth under the age of 18 will need to jump in and swim 200 meters without pausing in 15 minutes or under. She or he will also have to be able to collect a ring from a depth of approximately two meters and be able to dive head first into the water or jump from a height of one meter. You also have to know the swimming rules or Baderegeln. >> After that, you get the *broze Seepferdchen !!* >> Your kids can do the "broze" ehm "upgrade" even right away a week later after getting the 1st one *IF* its ready! Just thought would be smt you could be interested in. And its free of costs!! Durring school time. Enjoying your content and you as a person. Keep it up. Proud of you!!

[@TreyDaze]

Thank you for sharing this amazing information with us! We took Golden to Badezentrum Sindelfingen…he had the time of his life! He loves the water!

[@aw3s0me12]

@@TreyDaze Bad Cannstadt *mineral bäder is also OPEN to the puplic even it is a *SPA !!* >> Every German town-name starting with *Bad* has a *SPA* !! Bad is a *title for german towns, like doctor for humans.*

[@blondkatze3547]

My two chlidren also learned to swim in elementary school in our village in the country there was a teaching pool next to the sports hall where they could do a swimming course in the summer that was really great.

[@xtcchecker6787]

Wish you all the best.. so awesome to see you and your family beeing so happy over there ❤️❤️

[@michirata]

I really appreciate how you explore your neighborhood with open eyes and a good amount of curiosity. Very glad you like it here in Germany. We very often forget what we have and what a wonderful country Germany is despite all its shortcomings.

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks brother! Germany is a really awesome place! No place is perfect, but I hope these types of videos how depict what so many people take for granted!

[@Paradise-on-Earth]

I really loved to hear about your joy living in Germany! 🥰

[@suicidalsmurf1553]

Hey Trey, check out the "Bärensee". Probably the most beautiful area around Stuttgart. Great to have a guy like you in the neighbourhood. ;)

[@TreyDaze]

You know what’s ironic! I actually run through that area every other day. Somedays I’ll run from Vaihingen through Bärensee and over to Katzenbacher Hof! This area is so beautiful and serene! We’re so lucky to live here!

[@galimir]

hi from Marienplatz ;)

[@barefootaxel4847]

I've lived in Germany all my life in one of the largest cities. There's probably a big difference between the more rural areas and cities. I saw a dairy vending machine for the first time in my life just a few months ago. In a more rural area. The bookshelves have been around for some time. The idea is that you can take a book of interest and give a used book you no longer need or want. There are now some gated areas, at least in the center of the city where I live. They are usually very high priced renovated areas. In cities there is very often broken glass on the streets, usually from beer bottles that surprisingly slip through the fingers. So, you have very well selected your neighborhood!! Well done!

[@TreyDaze]

Thank you! These are some great observations!

[@ccrisDE]

You seem such a nice person ! Great you are here ! Greetings from Esslingen :)

[@TreyDaze]

Nice to meet you! We love Esslingen!

[@aw3s0me12]

@@TreyDaze Oh you will want to visit the *Medival Weihnachtsmarkt* in Esslingen durring december!!

[@TreyDaze]

@@aw3s0me12 Just made a note to check it out! We’re going to do a different Christmas market every weekend as soon as they start!

[@aw3s0me12]

@@TreyDaze Sounds so fun =) Good idea!

[@andyr.2782]

Hey Trey! I like your good vibrations and the way you present and look at our good old Germany. I wish you all the best and that you receive the good vibrations 1000 times back. Andy (from Germany) who stayed as an exchange student in 1989 for a while in the us.

[@TreyDaze]

Hey Andy! Nice to meet you brother! Take care!

[@lmo7390]

Hi Trey, as you seemed to like the little library in the tree I wanted to ask you if you already knew about the public library in Stuttgart? (I know its not the same thing but anyways) They are called Stadtbibliothek and there is a central one near Hauptbahnhof and there are smaller ones in different parts of Stuttgart. There is one in Vaihingen near the marketplace as well. You only pay a fee of 20 euros once a year and you have acces to a huge variety of books. In the main library there are 7 or 8 floors. For example there is one floor just for literature in different languages (so if you are looking for books in english thats not a problem) and one floor just for children. So you could check it out with Golden he also can use the library for free as his is a child.

[@TreyDaze]

I have not been yet, but I will definitely check it out soon! The photos look breathtaking!

[@bittehiereinfugen7723]

City libraries are great, especially if you have kids! You can borrow books, films, music or games for several weeks and there are events for children several times a year.

[@Akefia]

As a librarian I have to agree! Public libraries offer much more than most people know. The fee is different in each city, but for children it is free most of the time, except if you bring back whatever you borrow too late. In Berlin it's free for children until they don't go to school any more and I think in Stuttgart is is free as well. Bigger libraries have books, DVDs, CDs, board games, newpapers, magazines, console games, comics, e-media etc....whateever you can imagine. Some even have art and stuff you'd never expect to be able to find there... Plus, they do host different events (mostly readings, but not that alone) and little activities. Sometimes for a small fee, but mostly free from what I know.

[@laurinjoelschafhausen]

Just found your channel, enjoyed the video. Keep up the good content. And welcome to Germany. 🙂

[@daemonbyte]

We have some farms around here that have milk vending machines where you take empty 1l bottles, paid a euro and the machine fills up your bottle with fresh raw milk. There is actually a rule that if you place a yellow ribbon around your fruit trees, even if they're in your garden and then anyone is allowed to come and collect it.

[@oddeman3489]

Dude, you are the right man in the right place, it looks wonderful and really nice. all the best to you my euro brother. greetings from Norway.

[@xvoidgamer]

You know what's better than anything, you'll always feel safe going on trails, in parks even at midnight.

[@TreyDaze]

I think I’m gonna try that!

[@brittariedel3446]

Well, I would not recommend that everywhere in Germany...

[@chesneyhawkesinofficial3742]

I´m sorry, but is that a sarcastic comment?

[@christines.3089]

I am glad you like it here! I like watching your videos, it is so nice hearing someone say such positive things about Germany :-) PS about the books in the tree trunks, we have the same in my area (I live near Heidelberg) but here the books are stored in old telephone booths :-)

[@damnyummy2330]

Gibt so richtig schöne alte Telefonzellen zum Bücher tauschen in Deutschland. Finde die Idee wirklich toll!

[@RoGie_B]

I'm really happy that you point out so many good things and feel happy and welcome here! Best regards from Berlin 🙂

[@Dahrenhorst]

With a coastline of around 2,400 km, what is actually double the coastline of Hawaii (and more coastline than any US State with a coastline including Florida or California, with the exception of Alaska), I wouldn't call Germany "a landlocked country for the most part" ...

[@ralfp8844]

Thats a cool funfact. I am a Landei from near stuttgart and i ever felt for the coast. Maybe some vikings left some heritage whilest sailing the neckar. When i finally began doing vacations at the coast and islands of eastern and northsea i was flattened amazed of that beauty. Germany is quite a seasided land, looking at it from the north.

[@makiontour6686]

I'm from Germany and visited the USA twice. I totally agree! In my neighborhood, I can reach 4 supermarkets, 1 kita, at least 4 playgrounds, 2 car repair shops, 2 bike repair shops, 2 trails, 12 restaurants and snack bars, 1 milk vending machine, 2 tailor shops and so on on foot. And I live in a small town with approximately 25000 residents, not comparable to Stuttgart. In the USA, we had to go by car wherever we wanted to go. In Germany, if you say: "It's 5 blocks from here." it means a 5-10 minutes walk. In the USA, you usually have to take the car. It really was a culture shock for us 😅 By the way: I heard that in the US, bikes are basically only used for doing sports. That's a big difference here in Germany. You already mentioned that bikes are used in a different way. We use them for shopping, for going to school/work and even to transport heavy stuff. So basically, we use it for everything, a car can be used for, too.

[@Al69BfR]

That there are less restrictions when it comes to building houses is a „relatively“ new development (afaik probably over the last 30years). In Germany you need a „Baugenehmigung“, a permission to build your house where the local authorities also review how your home will look like. I personally grew up in a neighborhood where all houses were build in the two decades after world war 2 and where all houses look almost the same. Even the color selection was restricted to a few shades of white. And sadly there is always the guy who thinks he is the authority of the neighborhood and can tell everyone what to do and not to do. We call them „Blockwart“ in German.

[@TreyDaze]

I’d love to see a comparison between a Blockwart and the HOA in the US lol. People despise the HOAs.

[@markusmuller2951]

Welcome to the neighborhood Trey! Fellow Vaihinger here😀. Glad you like it, keep up the spirit!

[@andrewwedman3953]

Glad things are working out for you near Stuttgart! Germany does offer great opportunities and many intelligent things which are controversial in the US are universally available: -very good health insurance with affordable rates, free tuition including university, (although certain requirements need to be met to gain admitance). Strangely, the KIta has to be paid for by parents, but the rates are probably lower than in North America. In general, it is a great place to raise a family with great opportuinites and little danger! Fruit: Often there are fruit trees planted by the communities beside streets or on other public locations. With a few exceptions it is perfectly legal to harvest this fruit. Sometimes the newspapers publish lists of special orcahrds where people can go for this. In previous times, it was a method of helping to feed the population, now it is often an atempt to increase the diversity of varieties growing and provide assistance to a large variety of wildlife. Still I do not understand why people buy apples in the supermaket when often truly organic varieties are growing around the corner! (I rather doubt many people are growing oranges in your region. At least they will need to bring the plants in for the winter.)

[@4444design]

Awesome video and pretty interesting how you experience Germany. I life in Stuttgart area as well and enjoyed your walkthrough even more. Congrats you found the best spot in whole Germany coz that’s what Stuttgart is.

[@rebeckavogel6480]

One improtant thing to add. The specific containers shon in the Video 12:30 are acutally soley for galss containers, like pickle jars, and various glass bottles. So please only throw glas containers into these.

[@hughmungus2279]

Best thing in Germany is seeing guys like you enjoying life and being father. Greets from Berlin Sven

[@nikomangelmann6054]

the question about the legality of fruit picking: when a owner tie a yellow band around his fruit tree thats a sign, that everyone can pick fruits from the tree for free. thats a new campaign against food waiste. picking fruits without permission (like this yellow band) is theft, even when the owner does not care about the fruits.

[@TreyDaze]

This is great information! Thank you!

[@ChaosCamperCouple]

@@TreyDaze Also be aware of the so called "Streuobstwiesen" where fruit trees are planted on public land and people can just take whatever fruits they like ;-)

[@anitapenkert389]

@@ChaosCamperCouple you have to make sure they are on public land; just because they are outside the city/village does not mean they are for the public to pick. Farmers might own a Streuobstwiese. So any fruit tree that was obviously planted by someone (that means excepting wild elder or sloe trees) are off limits unless you have permission from the owner or you see the yellow ribbon. I am member of an environmental organization that takes care of several orchard meadows and we experience problems with theft. The apples (and some pears) are designated for voluntary education of elementary school pupils (the class goes apple-picking) and for generating income for our environmental activities (they are delivered to a fruit pressing house and we get the juice to sell at charity events). Note that you are not even allowed to pick up the fruits that are on the ground as it is considered theft by law.

[@VolokursHH]

As a German all this things seem very normal to me and not really worth mentioning. But thank you for letting me see them with your eyes. I could really feel how this is influencing the way you talk about your life here. And I really like your positivity. Great video. I enjoyed it a lot. And hey, if you want to get even more excited by smart or nice things in public places you might want to check out the Nederlands. The biking infrastructure is phenomenal, they do a lot of environment friendly things there and the people are very welcoming.

[@Gnin1000]

I think it's great that you've found a new home that you like. For me, home is where the roots and the heart find peace. When I hear how many of your family are connected to Germany, it was definitely the right way. As a German, I would really be interested in how you feel as a foreigner. Will you be integrated? Is (forgive me) your skin color a problem in Germany? Was she a problem in the US? Which problems weigh more heavily? You just hear everywhere that there is a shift to the right in politics and in the electorate. Did you notice any of this yourself? I wish you all the best in my home country and that all your wishes and dreams come true.

[@TreyDaze]

Hey brother! Thanks for your kind words. Check out my video “The Truth About Being Black In Germany”! I hit on a lot of the questions you just asked. As far as politics…Germany isn’t as polarizing as the US is so that is quite the relief. Something really sinister is brewing in the US politically speaking. These next midterm/presidential elections will determine the fate of the US and will confirm our position on the global stage. Really scary times in the US right now.

[@Gnin1000]

@@TreyDaze Unfortunately not only in the USA, since a lot in world politics depends on their political signal. Everywhere in the countries of the world one sees a division in society. But it is somehow understandable, since the gap between rich and poor is getting bigger, life is getting more expensive and living space is getting scarcer. In addition, there is global warming, which was largely caused by rich countries but hit poor countries hardest. Put some more Covid 19 in the cauldron and it will boil over.

[@Tenster12]

I was amazed to hear you live around the corner lol. Yes, Vaihingen and the local area offers a nice mix of nature and pasttime opportunities

[@TreyDaze]

The surrounding cities near Stuttgart are incredible!

[@MrOmaIlse]

I often "get lost" on purpose on German trails and try to find my way back then, at least when I have the time for it. Germany is so densely populated that you most likely will end up on a road or in some kind of village again after a while and from there you will easily find your way back.

[@Bundeskaiser]

It's incredibly cute how you say "Stuttgart Süd". :D Aaaah, a friend of mine lives closely to the "tree" with the books. I went on walks with him several times in the area you were filming here.

[@martinstent5339]

You should have mentioned that the cigarette vending machines will only sell you a packet if you verify your age by swiping your bank-card through the sensor. German bank-cards are only issued to people over 18 years of age. That’s because it’s illegal to sell cigarettes to people under 18.

[@TreyDaze]

Very good point!

[@DanielaPrestele]

As a german, I love getting to see Germany through different eyes and experiences. Thank you so much! 🙂

[@andreea90tm]

I love Germany too! I just hope that the next generations can keep it`s qualities, it`s beauty, it`s order etc... Best wishes to all of you!

[@TreyDaze]

I hope so! We’ll definitely inform our Son to do his best to aid in the upkeep and quality here in Germany.

[@andreea90tm]

@@TreyDaze Hopefully he will be willing to learn from his parents :)

[@Roman-yb9ht]

Hey Trey, glad you enjoy it here. Any chance that you live in the patch Barracks? I actually used to visit this park a lot with my kids during summer, it really is a nice one. It's also interesting to get in touch with all the American people living near by and visiting that park.

[@TreyDaze]

We live in the condos right across from Patch. I can throw a rock from our bedroom window and hit the Patch main gate.

[@minischembri9893]

Our local butcher has a sausage vending machine. Practical for those who forgot to go shopping during the week as our Sundays are sacred and NO SHOPPING then, lol.

[@TreyDaze]

WOAH! Now that would be a sight to see!

[@trinaroach2832]

I've encountered those, as well as the ones for dairy products. Also some for bread/rolls.

[@xerlmx]

For real, it was so weird for me to get a review of my own neighborhood, but some parts realy aren't that great hear (for example there arent that many playgrounds and some things like the soccerfield are bound to a club and you cant play on them just like that, also there is no skaterpark at all and the basketball field you showed in the video is the only one I know in our area) xD But jeah, hope to see you at the Wasen haha

[@thesayes6231]

cool video. Just I recognized that you called it the "neighborhood of Vaihingen" which is such a super American way of phrasing it that it seemed kinda noteworthy to me. I find it very curious that the word "Stadtteil" in german translates to "neighborhood" in English, while the german word "Nachbarschaft" is only really used for people who are living really close together (in the same block or on the same street, or maybe even just the people who live directly next to you). Also gotta say....you made a beautiful video of Vaihingen. Kinda wanna move there now. Not every neighborhood looks like that.

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks for watching! Come be our neighbor!

[@bunnysworld]

I love the tree library. In my area, we have old phone booths for that. And you don't have to return the book you take, you can bring back a different one.

[@TreyDaze]

Nice! I’ve seen the phone booths in Munich and Nuremberg!

[@marcopolitical7571]

Live in the Netherlands but from your point I totally understand how enthusiastic you are on your place in Germany. I think for Americans live in Europe almost in al situation an improvement to your life. So.,, welcome in Europe.

[@TreyDaze]

Thanks a lot Marco! The differences are night and day!

[@marcopolitical7571]

@@TreyDaze You’re welcome 👍🏼 But.., I do think it’s sad that the American society seems so ‘frozen’ in how societies should function.

[@sarumanork-orphanage5612]

Heya friend, these containers you're showing are ONLY for different shades of glass. Other than that you'll find containers for clothing, sometimes for electrical gear, you'll find Restmüll trash cans around city centres and sometimes recycling trash cans at train stations, where they ask you to put paper in paper and wate into waste. Other than that, recycling happens at your home and usually at your office. Or school, or kindergarden. But yeah, don't dump your wrappings into the "Altglas Container". (old glass container)

[@anitapenkert389]

Germans love to have their own fruit trees. But you certainly have not seen ORANGE trees in gardens around Stuttgart. There is only one hardy citrus here but it has very small yellowish fruits that are hard to see, so you might have mixed them up with peaches or apricots?

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Hearing you talk about trails ... next spring or summer you should make something about the "Stäffele" in Stuttgart: because of it's particular situation in that valley, Stuttgart has a lot of stairways from Stadtmitte up to the outer quarters ... google it, explore it - and one day I'd love you see on some Stäffele 😊 And about the Kitas: try and get a place soon - there may be many of them but there are not enough places! And at the moment, they have less and less personnell! So, try get a place way before you would send him there!

[@heha6984]

Now I really got some little tears watering my eyes .... You are very welcomed, and it is great to see that you always bear in mind the benefit of your little family and their wellbeing. That is a real great sense of responsibility, and you can be proud of it. Have a nice day at the Cannstatter Wasen!! Liebe Grüße!

[@TreyDaze]

Very nice to meet you! Appreciate you and we’re thankful to be here!

[@kamikazebine4656]

I am very pleased that you like it with us in Germany. It's nice to get positive feedback on it. 😊👍The only thing I was missing would be a sentence spoken by you in German. 😉 I wish you and your family all the best and a good time in Germany. 🤗

[@CM-wk3sg]

Hello Trey, have you ever been to the Bärenseen close to Stuttgart? It has wonderful, well signposted trails even with a gate with deer and there is awesome food at the restaurant at the Bärenschlössle. Can really recommend it! 🌲🌳 I really like your videos to see my home country through your eyes! 👍🏻😎

[@TreyDaze]

I actually run by the Bärensee daily! I even run to Katzenbacher Hof, Sindelfingen, and Böblingen! I love the trails in the woods the most!

[@lg3rm553]

Hey Trey, I just found your channel. You are awesome. Keep up the great work. Greetings from Hessen

[@TreyDaze]

Hey!!! Nice to meet you and thank you for the kind words!

[@friendlyreptile9931]

Short information about the freedom to express yourself through your house. We have also many laws in germany that prevent you from things like having a neonpink house. Oh and btw: Stuttgart is a very wealthy city, so there are many places in germany that also close down public pools, playgrounds and so on

[@manub.3847]

Building codes can vary greatly by location. In general, however, it can be said that the distance between one house and the neighboring property is usually at least 3 m, the number of floors per house is specified and whether single houses and semi-detached houses / terraced houses or multi-family houses can be built on a property. And sometimes there are also regulations for the "fence"/"delimitation" of a property, for example height/depth, whether a wall, a fence or "only" a hedge may be set up.