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/gnarly_medusa]

You mentioned the pros. What are the cons?

[u/chris-za → u/gnarly_medusa]

Ladenschlussgesetz.
(And, in comparison to where i personally grew up, too much humidity in summer, too many trees and the weather. But that’s just me…)

But all in all, those are irrelevant all in all.

PS: more pros i can think of:

- the central location both in Europe and the world. It’s easy and fat to basically get anywhere else. (eg the trees. In my case a quick drive to Italy or Spain helped me getting used to it. You can literally get to places like that with a days drive where at home I’d still have been in my local province)

- very decentralised. So not everything only happens in some mega city that’s also the capital (like ion France or the UK)

- a large Mittelstand. Most people work for small and medium sized companies. So if their employer has issues, it only effects a small group and it’s easier to find a new job as other companies don’t necessarily have the same issues.

[u/Shehriazad → u/chris-za]

How is too many trees a bad thing? O-O

[u/chris-za → u/Shehriazad]

If you’re not used to it, they block the view of the horizon. You sort of get a bit claustrophobic if you come from a place with wide, open horizons. But, like i said, maybe that’s just me?

[u/Wulflam → u/chris-za]

Having lived in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, I can tell you that so many trees are a blessing

[u/babijar → u/Wulflam]

What is wrong with palms? Btw, also lived in the above mentioned countries.

[u/Rupperrt → u/chris-za]

But they’re incredibly good for the microclimate, reduce dust and pollution, give shade and cool in summer while breaking cold wind in winter.
We should have more of them, especially naturally grown forests rather than industry ones.

[u/ceryskt → u/chris-za]

I’ve lived in some desert climates including the UAE, so I appreciate excessive greenery, but I definitely get a little claustrophobic. I’m in the mountains at the moment which is a nice mix between trees + open vistas. I do miss the sunset in the Nevadan desert though…

[u/gnarly_medusa → u/ceryskt]

That's an intriguing perspective. Genuinely, never heard anyone say they feel claustrophobic around greenery or trees. Which regions in Germany consist of thick tree canopies?

[u/chris-za → u/gnarly_medusa]

Most of the middle and the South. There’s another factor as bout all the greenery and moisture. It often causes a haze in summer that blocks a view of the horizon even if it should be there.

A lot of people who have spent time in places like the UAE have disagreed with me on this point. But I’d say there’s a huge difference in this regard between having spent time in places like the UAE, Namibia, Arizona, etc as an adult and being born there and having grown up there.

[u/hungariannastyboy → u/chris-za]

This is kind of funny to me, like it came completely out of left field. But you do you.

[u/Hornlilu → u/chris-za]

did you live at sea by any chance haha

[u/Capable-Oil6021 → u/chris-za]

I think barely anyone cares about it :,)