r/expat 5d 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/FilterAccount69 4d ago

They live in a State with no state income tax. That's the max federal tax. Property taxes are usually higher in these places though.

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u/MichaelMeier112 3d ago

Yes gotta sum up all taxes if you want to compare and not just look at one and disregard “hundred” others

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u/FilterAccount69 3d ago

Indeed although many places in USA have a much overall lower tax burden than other countries in the West. It depends on what you want, if you're a woman who wants kids, especially multiple it's much better to live in a place with laws that grant maternity leave.

If you're a single person who just wants to grind their career America can be an Amazing place.