Living in paderborn . . .. . . . any experience ??

[lydle3]

Hi

Does anyone have any experience of living in Paderborn, Germany ??

My husband is based there and we are most likely going to join him in the summer, does depend on DD3 though who has lots of medical, educational needs (have posted about it before).

I am wondering what the married quarters are like ?? DH says we will porbably live in Detmold, has/does anyone live here ? are they big ??

What are the schools like ?? DD1 secondary DD2 primary ??

Any experience of medical services out there ??

Also just living out there, did you enjoy it ??

I lived there as a child (dad forces) but cant remember, and mum says very different now.

Loads of questions ! Thanks to anyone with any info.

just bumping it for you!

Don't really know much about Paderborn...but think my friend might be from there...but can't think...so, will see...
although, it would have been more than 15 years that she lived there...so, thing would have changed...

My wife and I (I'm a DH- whatever that means!) lived there 2003-2006. We really enjoyed it. House was best we've had in 13yrs/6 qtrs. Our house (3 floors + garage and cellar, en-suite master bedroom) was behind 3 Bn REME, so it all depends on where your DH is based. Detmold was good, although you can get cut off from Paderborn in the winter!
Not sure of 2ndary schools, but Primary schools were great. DD1 (again, what does it stand for?) went to Bishopspark.
Medical-wise seemed very good too, the wife had DD2 out there, and ante/post natal care was 2nd to none.
We really enjoyed it out there, but, as with all places, it's what you make of it.

Hope this helps

I live about 30 mins drive from there so could tell you a bit about the area but not schools/quarters-although I think the senior school is Kings here in Gutersloh, where I have friends who are teachers so could maybe find anything out for you.

I also have a friend who sells Start-rite shoes in the Sennelager Naafi-as her own business and as the pound/euro is so bad, they are a great price!

We have had no problems with the medical services here, although they are a bit more stretched than they used to be. Still better than UK though.

I love living here and am thrilled that we have just got a new posting here. It depends what you make of it though. DS is in a German Kindergarten and I am learning the language which helps. We also go to an International Church so get out of the army bubble. Let me know if I can help with anything.

just found out what DH etc mean! So should edit mine to read DS1 and DS2

trockodile and mumof2boys381 - thankyou sooo much for your replies, this has gone unanswered for ages.

I had given up hope !!!

I would love to know anything you can tell me ???

re: MQ DH told me that it is unlikey we will get quarter in padeborn as they are mostly flats, that is why we will end up in detmold as that is where a lot of his collegues are with their families - is this the case ??

we have 2 dogs so would need a house.

My DH is based in Dempsey barrks.

we have three kids. DD1 - 12, DD2 - 10, DD3 - 2.

Would hope for three bed ???? possibly 4 as DD2 has special needs.

Do you know anyone with children with medical/educational needs ?? are they met well ?

Or were they told to stay in UK ?

We are awaiting DH to get back from his tour, to contact army about her needs and see if it is possible for us to go, and of course that depends on housing availability.

Shallow question - what is the shopping like ??? Food and clothes ???

Do your children enjoy school ???

Thanks for all replies.

When i was born, we lived in flats in Artilery straze (sp ?)

Hello lydle.

Not sure I can help much with these, but will do what I can!

Food shopping I find is pretty good, and you can get most basics at reasonable prices. Nowhere is like M&S/waitrose though! You do not get 'inspired' when you fancy a lazy meal! Naafi is ok sometimes and Sennelager is one of the big ones. You can get some Tesco/Iceland food, English bread /cheese etc.

German supermarkets do not reduce food or have special offers(BOGOF) in the same way as UK ones, which can(funnily enough!) make it quicker to shop and stick to a budget.

Eating out is reasonable, depends what you like. Lots of 'Imbiss' type places around which serves Bratwurst, Frikadelle etc, the usual MacD, Burger King, lots of chinese restaurants (Somehow different to UK ones!) and less Indian restaurants (Very different, Germans don't really do 'spicy')

With the bad pound /euro rate nothing seems cheap-LOA does compensate slightly though. I prefer to clothes shop, books etc from UK- Boden is great and delivers really quickly to BFPO, as does Amazon(you still get free postage etc. Some are better than others. You can go down to American bases and shop, but they are about 3 hours drive and imo less good than they used to be (American Army seem to be closing some bases etc).

You can buy most large goods tax free, ikea, Toys R Us make it easy, some shops are more difficult.

Petrol is tax free and very cheap which is good- at the moment it is about half the price it was last summer, of course it fluctuates.

Not sure I can think of much more- My DS loves his Kindergarten, which is German. Most kids seem happy at the army schools. Kings(Senior school) is very good, but your DC will probably have a long commute if ,as I think they have to go there. (Army provide a bus service). HTH a bit, sorry no more help on MQ or health services.

Thanks for your reply trockodile.

What is your married quarter like ??

Is it true alot are still flats ??

Generally here in Gutersloh Cpls and below get flats, Sgts and above get houses, Officers get houses.

Our house is ok, not as nice as some, we only get a 2 bedroom, which does anoy me a bit as everything is smaller-kitchen, garden, only 1 loo etc. The cellar and attic are good though, it is great to hang washing up in cellar.

Some of the quarters are no pets areas i think so you would need to check. We had a garden in a flat when we were here before, but most will have a communal area. Best to phone and speak to Families Officer. The more notice they have about your needs the better. Good luck.

Do you find you are better off financially trockodile ?? with LOA etc ?

Do you find you are better off financially trockodile ?? with LOA etc ?

I would say so, but it depends how you spend your money! If you are always heading back to UK it will get more expensive (or entertaining family who have come for a holiday!)

Also I don't work, so we don't have to compensate for my lack of earnings, but when I did (When we were here before children), I could have earned more in UK. I always spend whatever we have anyway!

But we have a nice life, fuel is cheap-but we still have our old car, most people buy a shiny new tax free one! No road tax, TV license etc.

LOA is very nice though (about 900 pounds a month for us at the moment-if you don't know what yours may be(it changes according to the exchange rate)I can tell you if you tell me your DH's rank). You also get your child benefit topped up to German level (only about 40 euros a month for me, but you will get more for 3 DC). HTH