Anyone else in BFG?

[MiseryBusiness]

Just moved here.
Finding it all really difficult to be honest. I cant even change all my accounts from the UK to my address here so I cant pay any of my bills back home.
I'm totally lost here, I feel really uncomfortable being here. I didnt think it would be that different.
Just wondering if there was anyone out there that has been overseas with any advice on how to cope?

Which garrison are you in? We are in Gutersloh which is pretty big. You shouldn't need to transfer all your UK accounts - just set up one with Sparkasse or one of the other banks which some of your UK pay can be transferred to. What other things do you need to know? Fire away and try to keep smiling

You just need to change your address on your UK accounts and make sure you have enough in there to pay the bills. We are not BFG, but one of the countries near Germany, and we have a UK account, and one here. The LOA goes into the one here, and the bulk of the salary into the UK account.

Online shopping is easy if you have a BFPO address, and Amazon UK, Lands End et al deliver BFPO, so that's easy. I bought cat food from Amazon UK and had it delivered to my non BFPO address where we are, as it was cheaper than buying it here. Dh rolled his eyes, but it's saved him a trip to UK and the great gods Sainsbury and Waitrose!

We're in Bielefeld. There doesnt seem to be much here. I just need to get used to it i think.
We've got a german account now. I've changed my UK bank address to my German address and now some of the store cards I've got wont let me change my address to one over here or make any payments. I've solved it today though and just closed the accounts - problem solved!
Maybe I'm just not giving it a chance, only been here a month!!
Everything just seems to be such a chore but I guess it's always a bit of a chore any time you move house!

We used to be in Bielefeld and quite enjoyed it, once we got settled. Winter is a rubbish time to move, though, because it's so bloody cold. It depends where you're living as to what kind of things you can find to do. Do you have children and have you met any nice people yet? Any regimental stuff going on where you could meet people?

If you have got DCs, there's a great animal park at Bielefeld which is free (apart from parking). The cafe there did lovely soups and cakes.

We weren't in Bielefeld, but used to drive there for the park and the shopping and the cinema, as one used to show films in English.

We spent 6 years in various locations in BFG and really enjoyed them, esp with young DCs. Once you get the admin of bank a/cs, phone, internet etc sorted out, and feel more settled I'm sure you'll start to enjoy it.

Summertime is great in Germany and they do certain things really well. The climate tends to be a bit nicer than the UK too.

Good luck!

We moved over to Fally in October and a few days in I got very very sick. Found out I was pregnant and had hyperemesis. I turned into a hermit and felt miserable. Hated everything about Germany. This is our first posting and I'm clueless about all things military so it was a double culture shock!
We went home for Christmas and since we've been back I've been feeling a lot better (the nausea is still there but now I'm only sick every now and then instead of all day every day.) I've now settled in and really fallen in love with the place. We're getting out and about, both on camp and local towns, and meeting more people who've been so welcoming and helpful about explaining things.
Give yourself time to adjust, you'll get there. Especially when the weather perks up!