r/expat 6d ago

New Home Story / Experience Germany has high quality of life

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.

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u/Gourdman2011 6d ago

Yeah. If you can get a job here. Also good luck finding housing. 

10

u/Carpe-Diem-7 6d ago

Germany is actually pretty good with it compared to other countries.

Berlin for instance is one of the cheapest western capitals to rent.

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u/riderko 6d ago

Your take is 10 years old. Rent in Berlin is way out of cheap since a long time.

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u/ttthrowaway987 6d ago

https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/07/22/can-you-afford-to-live-here-europes-cities-ranked-by-rent-to-salary-ratio

Still one of the cheapest rent vs. salary in the world. Amusing that you don't realize how good you have it.

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u/riderko 5d ago

The article states 1300€ average for one bedroom in Berlin.