WHAT TO PACK AND NOT TO PACK WHEN MOVING TO GERMANY

It’s been 6 years since I moved to Germany and there are some things I laugh at now that I thought I needed to bring and things that I still wish, even after 6 years, I had brought with me instead of leaving behind. Here are some helpful tips to get you prepared for the big move!
For more tips & Expat stories, don’t forget to [SUBSCRIBE]: bit.ly/life-in-germany
➡️ Moving to Germany? Look into Smoovr - they’ll help you sort out all the shipping in English: bit.ly/smoover-moving
➡️ 7 Things to Consider When Hiring a Moving Company: lifeinduesseldorf.com/moving-...
➡️ 6 Things Not To Do When Relocating to Germany: lifeinduesseldorf.com/relocat...
➡️ Tips for creating a German-style cover letter: lifeinduesseldorf.com/germany...
➡️ Tips for creating a German-style resume: lifeinduesseldorf.com/german-...
---------------------
MOVING TO GERMANY? Download my FREE 17-page checklist!
✅ It makes your move MUCH easier
✅ Saves you hundreds of €€€ on bills and relocation costs
✅ A printable checklist you can pack with you!
lifeingermany.com/checklist/
---------------------
JOIN OUR TRIBE: www.lifeingermany.com
QUESTIONS? ASK ME: [e-mail]
#expats #germany #lifeingermany #expattips
MY TIPS FOR LIVING IN GERMANY ✅
💵 My Bank: bit.ly/3JczUH7
📱My Phone Plan: bit.ly/3ykBSPr
💡My Electricity Plan: bit.ly/3J5idcp
🏠My Liability & Contents Insurance: bit.ly/42Plnsr
🏥 My Health Insurance: bit.ly/306x1jZ
📚How I Learn German: bit.ly/3XtuwmL
---------------------
ABOUT ME
Hey there, I’m Jenna! A Canadian Expat living in Germany since 2014. 🇩🇪
Like many, I had a difficult time relocating - all the paperwork, finding a flat, a phone plan, a job, etc. So, I took it slowly and documented all my adventures along the way so that years down the road, I could help others avoid making the same mistakes I did. Let’s look at it as… PAVING THE WAY FOR NEW EXPATS TO SAVE TIME & MONEY!
I built up www.lifeinduesseldorf.com to help expats make the best out of their lives in Düsseldorf, and then soon realized a lot of the content I was sharing was helpful for ALL expats living in Germany. SO I BUILT AN ONLINE PROGRAM THAT HELPS EXPATS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD RELOCATE EASILY WHILE SAVING THOUSANDS OF EUROS!
... and now I’m bringing it all to KZbin! ♥️

[@lifeingermany_]

MOVING TO GERMANY? Download my FREE 17-page step-by-step checklist for relocation! ✅ It makes your move MUCH easier ✅ Saves you hundreds of €€€ on bills and relocation costs ✅ A printable checklist you can pack with you! lifeingermany.com/checklist/

[@worldofmimia]

Thank you so much for this video!! It’s going to help so much!

[@lifeingermany_]

My pleasure 🥰

[@Aegopodium]

Just one thing to remember: if you visit home and take your Iphone or computer with you, make sure to have the receipt! Otherwise you might be charged import tax on your arrival back in Germany! Oh, it's et cetera!!!

[@lifeingermany_]

True! I’ve had this issue once before

[@butovas]

I actually found everything I need here, plus every big city has at least 1-2 international stores that sell a lot of snacks and food items.

[@tasminoben686]

Hallo von Hamburg nach Düsseldorf. Zunächst hoffe ich, dass ihr eure Infektion gut überstanden habt! Interessantes Video. Obwohl ich German bin und auch hier bleiben werde. Oder vllt auch gerade deswegen. Schönen 2. Advent. Weihnachtszeit mit kleinem Kind ist so schön! Ich könnte einige Stories darüber erzählen! Lach! Lg Ben

[@iammai83]

I am not sure about Dusseldorf but here in Munich I can pick up Arm and Hammer baking soda at my local Asian supermarket, I was super surprised when I saw it there!

[@lifeingermany_]

I’ve also found it in a couple of places now! Only 10 times the prices 🙈 but for baking I use so little that the price still goes a long way! Just strange to spend so much on baking soda haha

[@roserxss5039]

I’m going to be moving to Germany to live with my bf and I’m trying to search for an apartment to rent but because I’m searching from outside of Germany it’s only giving me temporary living options like room rentals for tourists. Anyone have any good website where I can actually see long term apartment rentals?

[@jensschroder8214]

Electronical devices. In Europe it is basically 230 Volt (220-240), the sockets in the countries are different, but most of the countries here have either German or French style sockets, except UK and Switzerland. German and French plugs are interchangeable. The thin plugs also fit in Switzerland. If you bring a notebook with you, make sure that the power supply is compatible up to 240Volt, or you will need a different power supply. If you have a cell phone, you will surely buy a 5V USB plug here. It is not worth bringing an American hair dryer or small electrical appliances or radios. You cannot connect a US TV here, other standards. Amarican two-way radios are not allowed. Batteries sizes are the same. Buy here an oven (400 Volt), washing machine, dryer or dishwasher, that fits (230V, water connection, metric size).

[@imrehundertwasser7094]

German and French plugs are actually _not_ interchangeable. There is a commonly used hybrid plug however that will fit both kinds of sockets, you probably mean that.

[@PropertyOfK]

I don't live in Germany just one country over to the right ; ) But I agree about the pillows, it's a nighmare - I buy some sheet sets in Germany and I have to make every pillowcase smalles to fit to my Ikea pillows : D And I am really sad that we don't have DM's here (I think there are few in the west-south part of Poland) : ( just Rossmann, but it's not the same, I love Balea products. Does your family in Canada send you care-packs with all the things you are missing? I remember sending one from the States to Poland, through the ocean because it was cheaper, but it wasn't that expensive (something aroung $50 for 25kg parcel).

[@Americanmapping44]

The pillow thing did shock me haha but luckily I found regular american pillows in a local penny store in frankfurt when I stayed 3 months 5 years ago. My huge problem was finding a charger port for my phone in the stores there that fit my phone I had bought where I lived at the time in Oman. Thankfully the persons room I was renting had a charger port so I just used it with my cord.

[@witty2u]

I love your lamp in the back. - Where did you get it?

[@xsaiN2k9]

Probably IKEA

[@witty2u]

@@xsaiN2k9 Thank you! ❤️ Unfortunately they took it out. - That was my first guess as well.

[@mucxlx]

Beds are usually 200 cm long and 80,100,120,140,160,200 wide. And you can buy sheets for all these sizes. There are some 220 cm long beds but they are expensive. Also you can buy vanilla extract too here ;). And we have comfort food. Depends on the store you buy in. If you go to like Penny market or Lidl, Aldi you dont get all there is, just cheap stuff and home brands of the stores. In stores like Edeka, Rewe, Tengelmann, Hit, Feneberg and these sorts you get the full sortiment usually (depends on store size) but you will also pay more. But this peanut butter stuff is rare. There is usually one or two Peanut butter brands in each store, but its not that tasty. We have a peanut snack you cant get in the US btw, called Erdnussflips. You can buy it in every store. Its puffed corn peanut thingys. You can also get maple syrup btw. :-) we use it on pancakes often. Standard oven is 60cm wide (outside) and for small kitchens there are also smaller ones like 45,50,50.

[@lifeingermany_]

The North American “single, double, queen, king” system is so much easier for me 🤣🙈 Vanilla extract I’ve also found, but the low grade large quantities in Canada that you can find are no where to be found here. 😝 Same with maple syrup! Haha I like the fake sugary stuff you get in Canada (Aunt Jemima) .. childhood memories, don’t ask!

[@lifeingermany_]

I’ve tried Erdnussflips! 🥜... haven’t gotten used to them yet 😅 but I’m sure I will haha

[@witty2u]

@@lifeingermany_... I miss cheese puffs over here.... I got hooked on them, when I have been living in the States. 😂

[@cailleanmccain]

@@lifeingermany_ I must say that I still find that concept to be quite... strange? intriguing? Something along that lines. I would never know which one is bigger. Regarding German bed sizes the most common bed size is 90x200cm, and 180x200cm for double beds, because 90x2=180 ;) - Futon beds mostly are 140-160cm wide. That is the economy class of double beds... For babies and small kids you get 60x120 and 70x140. I have a double bed at home which is 200x200, consisting of two mattresses because of better handling. Regarding bedding: Yeah, pillows are a nightmare all right. I prefer half-sized pillows, 40x80, instead of 80x80. Those are quite common, too, and you can use the standard 80x80-case for them as well. I just tuck the empty half under the pillow. The blanket/comforter normally is 135x200 - Ikea fits okay, if you buy them in German stores. A long time ago, they had their own Ikea sizes, but those weren't successful enough, I guess, so they changed it. They now have several sizes next to standard 135x200. I use a wider size, 155x200, that is pretty common here, too. Only the really big blankets like 200x200 are a seldom buy, so they normally are expensive. The majority of Germans like their very own blanket and don't believe in sharing with the person next to them... :D

[@cailleanmccain]

@@lifeingermany_ Oh, regarding the "fake, sugary stuff" - maybe you will also like "Hamburger Kuchensirup" or "Karamellsirup", you can get those either in the bakery department or they can be found next to the honey section... I also love Kunsthonig, which is officially named "Invertzuckercreme". You can get it either containing 20 % Honey or just a touch of honey for taste (the latter one is my favorite, obviously!).

[@jinglebellechannel54]

Hi , I’m belle may I know is buy iPad in Germany is worth or USA?

[@lifeingermany_]

USA!! Electronics are much cheaper in North America! 🙃

[@imrehundertwasser7094]

Baking soda? Really? There shouldn't be any difference whether the baking soda was bought in Canada or Germany (it's called Natron in German).

[@lifeingermany_]

Natron somehow behaves soooo differently when I’m baking here (I’ve heard many other Canadians say the same on FB groups too 🤷🏽‍♀️)

[@haraldreimann-trusheim2993]

@@lifeingermany_ You can get baking soda on amazon. I sometimes buy it for my daughter. She likes to try different recipes she finds on the internet. I also 3d printed her a "bakercube" (www.indiegogo.com/projects/bakercube-measuring-cube-for-baking-and-cooking#/) It is a bit impractical for actual meassuring, but it makes it easy to convert from cups tsp to ml

[@csmoot0871]

Deodorants were another thing I hoarded 🤣

[@csmoot0871]

@@Kessina1989 they’re not the same as in the US

[@Kessina1989]

That's unnecessary! We do have deodorants in Germany, too!

[@Kessina1989]

@@csmoot0871 So what? I lived in a foreign country for a few years and the products weren't the same like in Germany, but I didn't mind! I just bought the stuff, they had there!

[@csmoot0871]

@@Kessina1989 when I say they are not the same, they don’t work the same. The ingredients are different. And as said in a video, they are roll on. We really don’t use those in the US. I really hate the wet feeling under my arms

[@karinland8533]

@@csmoot0871 you can buy roll on, spray and stik....you should go to a Drogeriemarkt like Müller, Rossmann or dm.

[@rhalleballe]

Ich antworte auf Deutsch, weil ich weiß, dass Du sehr gut Deutsch sprichst. Wenn ich ehrlich bin, wenn ich wirklich "auswandern" würde (also nicht nur für ein paar Tage oder Wochen, sondern wirklich "für immer"), dann würde ich.... GAR NICHTS(!) mitnehmen. Keine Möbel, so wenige Klamotten wie möglich. Aber die Kreditkarte hätte ich dabei und ich würde vor dem Umzug ALLES verkaufen (In Düsseldorf sagt man "verkloppen"), was ich besitze. Ich würde ganz von vorne anfangen, natürlich eine finanzielle Herausforderung, aber auch eine schöne Herausforderung. Sein Leben ganz neu auszustatten mit Möbeln, Elektronik, Kleidung usw. ist ein gigantisches, schönes Unternehmen. Wenn nicht anders möglich, würde ich das mit einem entsprechenden Bankkredit finanzieren. Aber sonst halte ich überhaupt nichts davon, irgendetwas auf dieses große Abenteuer mitzunehmen. P.S.: "Papierkram" (Pass usw.) muss man SELBSTVERSTÄNDLICH mitnehmen, das ist ja keine Frage. Aber alles, was zum privaten Leben gehört, würde ich neu kaufen.

[@jensschroder8214]

You shouldn't bring a large American household over, these things are usually also available in Germany, mostly a little smaller, since German houses and apartments are not that big.

[@lifeingermany_]

I think you’re right too! But there are a lot of internationals whose companies pay for their items to be shipped in a container, and they get to fill the entire container full 😝 which is why I guess a lot of people do choose to shove their entire overseas house into one box to bring it over here to Germany!

[@jensschroder8214]

@@lifeingermany_ if I move somewhere in deep Africa, yes. But there is everything you need here. Maybe you have to tweak how you do it a little.

[@lifeingermany_]

@@jensschroder8214 tweaking it is the whole fun of it 🙂 I’ve found some great alternative options here - some which I now like even better than what I had back in Canada!

[@user-sm3xq5ob5d]

@@lifeingermany_ The problem I see is that in Germany you need furniture to store your clothing and stuff while in the US (Canada?) there are walk-in closets or built-in closets. So one might end up with a lot of stuff that can be had in Germany but lacking the closets. As in bedware I think it is better to buy it in Germany. You can get the smaller 40x80cm pillows and covers here anyway. The separate duvets are far superior to the American mess with loose sheet and blanket and fighting for it anyway. In the event a couple wants to entertain bed fighting there are also 200x200cm duvet covers available.

[@robertzander9723]

Cheap prices means mostly poor people somewhere else. With Kik, Primark or NKD we have very cheap companies, but if you ever saw how they made this kind of jeans, shorts or shirts in Bangladesh, China or other countries around the world you prefer fair trade products. It's more expensive, but the guys over there get a better price for the work. I mean I don't know where the products in US and Canada came from, but with all these low prices I hadn't a good feeling. But that's only my opinion. Book stores like Thalia, Hugendubel or Dussmann have a huge section of English books and other different languages and in Vienna, where live for example, we have some specific English book stores as well, we have English cinemas, English and Irish Pubs and a lot more.

[@lifeingermany_]

We also just ordered English books on Thalia yesterday 🙂🤗 You’re right about these cheap stores though, sadly. Canada is similar - we have our fair share of “cheap shops” aka. Cheap labor... but also some great Canadian made products too 🥰

[@robertzander9723]

@@lifeingermany_ Corona is a warning for the whole world, we need to change a lot of things and helping the local producers and the lovely lady with a small shop nearby might be a small thing but it saves jobs and can help to change. Our world and the nature are screaming, the question is? Are we listen.

[@tasminoben686]

Robert Zander moin Robert. Sehr wahre Worte! Ich hoffe das es auch noch andere lesen! Grüße aus Hamburg

[@csmoot0871]

TAMPONS!!! Bring tampons. Lots of them

[@lifeingermany_]

🤣 true!!!!!

[@witty2u]

We have tampons with applicator too. 😉 You just got to go to a Drogeriemarkt... for example dm. 😁 Most people make the mistake to think that supermarkets have a whole lot variety of that kind of stuff, but we're organized just a little differently here. There is a store just for cosmetics products, cleaners, baby products .. and so on, which is called Drogerie. A supermarket has a section too, but not a ton of variety as that store does. It's the same with medicine that we only sell at an Apotheke.

[@Kessina1989]

4:48 Wenn (Nord-) Amerikaner nicht mit dem metrischen System klar kommen...

[@diablaui]

To watch your videos i have to skip 2/3 of your content! 🤮🤢👎 there is soooo much BlaBlaBla .... 😤

[@TheSatine1987]

Then move along? The rest of us find her information helpful.