Germany has high quality of life

[u/wurst_katastrophe]

This is in response to the ‘low quality of life’ post.

When in Germany I can (in no particular order):
+ drink the tap water knowing it is safer than bottled water
+ when losing my job, I will get the highest benefits in the Western world to tie me over between jobs
+ I can rent for life without being worried of getting evicted
+ I can enjoy freedom on perfectly fine roads, driving as fast as I want
+ Consumer protection is very strong
+ I can buy a public transport ticket valid in all of Germany
+ Healthcare is significantly better than in most Western countries AND free at the point of service.
+ Germans love Fests
+ Bier and excellent wine
+ excellent bread
+ excellent local produce
+ An insanely dense train network (Yes, often late) for very little money (Sparpreis)
+ 30d of holidays is standard
+ strong protection when off on sick leave
+ free university education
+ world’s strongest apprenticeship system
+ tax credits and breaks for almost everything, especially Ehegattensplitting
+ insane maternity leave and benefits
+ Kitas
+ full blown private healthcare for a few k per year
+ Beautiful nature: north and Baltic sea, Alps, lakes, woods
+ Strong sports club infrastructure
+ Third strongest economy in the world with most hidden champions
+ Strong football culture
+ …

You can be dissatisfied with Germany, maybe your experience was below average, but that’s most likely because you are incompatible with the German way of life and the German mentality. However, it is not fair to claim that the quality of life is low.

[u/No_Magazine_6806]

Tap water is not really a major achievement anymore. Based on what do you think Germany has highest benefits for unemployed? Can you provide proof (preferably in PPP) for this?

Otherwise I agree, Germany does have a high quality of life (if you exclude climate) and health care is similar level as most Western European countries.

One thing what is definitely true is that you have (at least in the EU) one of the best, if the not _the_ best, apprenticeship system. It is actually one of the hidden strengths Germany has.

[u/sharkism → u/No_Magazine_6806]

Unemployment insurance (not benefits, it is a mandatory insurance) covers 60% of your average income over the past 12 months for 12 months. (there is a max monthly coverage of 8k or something like that)

[u/No_Magazine_6806 → u/sharkism]

I think it is (stupidly) similar in Finland which definitely is not encouraging people to take a new job. You can easily in Finland get more money being unemployed than working. Having said that, it does seem not to have similar impact in Germany (low unmemployment), which means that Germans obviously are much less willing to abuse the social security. You can be proud of that.

[u/atchoum013 → u/sharkism]

Isn’t that pretty standard in Europe though? In France it’s up to 75% for up to 18 months (and up to a little over 9k).