Munich?- Family living, having a baby and general info -please

[bebemoohatessnot]

We're considering a job situated just outside of Munich and I'm wondering what we should expect. I'm already an American living abroad in the UK, but what can I expect a German country to be like? I don't speak any German (yet), though I do have an idea what it'll be like living in the country where I don't speak the language (having lived in France for 9m), but what challenges would I be facing raising my young family in Munich?

We have a dd (21m) and dc2 is due in mid Aug.
What problems can you foresee?
What is it like having a baby in a German hospital?
Is not knowing the language (to start) going to be a problem with everyday life?
Is the area child/family friendly?

Any ideas, pointers, thoughts, and stories would be greatly appreciated to help us make this decision. :)

Not a clue, bebe, but bumping for you x

We'd be based in Erding It looks very cute from the images I've found. :)

this site has filled me with dread :( :(

I used to live in Munich it's a great city to live in for families. Most Germans can speak decent English too so don't worry to much about the not speaking German.

I lived in PLanegg which is a lovely subarb for families it has a lovely play park by the train station, really nice childrens equipment, sand pit and shaded by lovely trees. Planegg is surrounded by woods so lots of places to cycle and pic nic.
Even the local library has an english book section.

From Planegg station we used to go on the train (about a 45 min journey) to the Lakes and go swimming or drive a few hours and be in the alps.
Planegg is only a 25-30 min journey by train into Central munich.
Typically german the transport system is fantastic clean and on time and plenty of trains, underground trains, trams and buses.
It's a fab place for families.

My only caution would be that the German school system can be brutal.

Thanks allnightlong, I'm getting hints that it is a child friendly place which is really great.

I am worrying about renting a place now as the searches I've done seem to have found expensive places which would be stretching us, and the 'how to germany' site has made it seem even more expensive because of finders fees and deposits and the like.

The section about giving birth on the same site has made me feel a bit overwhelmed too. It was so nice the ease of giving birth over here, very stress-free unlike experiences had by my sisters back in the US, and Germany seems to be more medical and stressy like the US. :(

Bebe - I am the person you want to speak to It's great. Do it. I'd choose the German healthcare system over the British one every time. Wish I could have had my DDs there. Munich is super child friendly, lots of fresh air and green spaces and everyone cycles all over the place. The alps just a short trip away mean you can skiing just for a day. The only thing you'll have to put up with are the Bavarians but then Munich is fairly cosmopolitan.

Hope Boff will be along too with some more pep talk

Happy new year and all that.

I didn't have a baby there but although yes it can be a bit old school over there in regards to childbirth, you can choose who you see so have a greater degree of control in that sense.
IMO they aren't stressy overly medical more just very to the point and organised.
Just be very clear and firm over how you would like to birth and I'm sure you'll find a DR who is like minded.

TBH that site didn't really come across as the Germany I know but maybe thats just me.

There are quite a few Americans in Munich, many of the aupairs so if you wanted some childcare help and someone who spoke English you'll have plenty of choice.
There is also an American Mormon Church too that full of American families, I think there may also be an English speaking Catholic church too.

Renting: Yes that can be very difficult many people rent in Germany but oddly little on the rental market lol they put down roots it seem and never budge.
What I would say is even in the areas where rent is cheaper, it not like the US and UK where the surrounding area is crime ridden and grubby. Genrally there are still local tennis courts and play grounds near by and the general feel of the place is safe and clean.

My best friend lives outside Munich in Neufahrn (which I think is close to Erding). she has had 3 babies in Munich hospitals so I will ask her to come and look at this site. My impression is that the German way was much more natural than the British way - very pro BF and use of homeopathic remedies rather than antibiotics etc. She has lots of American and British friends and has knowledge of teh various International schools too. Her children have lots more freedom and independence than they would have if they lived in the UK.

I spent a little time in Munich and a little time in Hamburg - neither with babies in tow, but I did need to visit the hospital in Hamburg. I can tell you it was truly spotless and the care was incredible. I was told this is quite normal for Germany. I hope that's somewhat reassuring.

I really liked Munich. I felt very safe there when effectively living on my own and just going home from work. It was clean and well taken care of - there are museums and theaters and places of historical interest and nice cafes where you can sit and have breakfast.

You may want to look up threads where Hausfrau posted. She eventually became Califrau and I don't think she is on MN anymore but was in Germany for quite a while.

Thanks for all the info ladies. :) I'm finding it all very reassuring.

I really do love the look of Erding. It looks like a great place to wander around with my toddler and new baby. :) I was looking at the Google translated version of the Erding City site and found there's an English nursery/play group on Friday mornings :) Which sounded like a good place to meet other English speakers/connections who might help us settle better.
We're hoping that on Tuesday we get a firm offer from the company and then can start exploring whom (if anyone) they've got to help with finding places to live and how expensive they'll actually be to rent. We'll have to decide fairly quickly after that if we're going through with it all.

I admit feeling very nervous about having to quickly learn terms dealing with pregnancy in a foreign language...Dh would be better I think as he has had some German in school...maybe I should make him have the baby instead

Hi op, posting because I don't actually live in Bavaria but have to travel there for a week every month as I work for a very famous Bavarian sporting brand!

I would love to move from Switzerland to Bavaria, i think it is one of the friendliest areas.

The team I work with are great, and always discussing kids and lives it seems like there is loads to do, and a very kid friendly area. Childcare seems pretty high standard too.

And playmobil land is there!!! Just spent 3 days at Europa park too and that was great.

Husband lived in Germany for 10 years - hospitals are spotless, and they have private insurance but it is fairer I think unlike here andvthe US I think it is more controlled.

And it is soooo cheap over there, food, drinks, restaurants etc.

You can get english tv with a fox sat box, if you find that frustrating, or take your sky box and use that if you are a Telly addict.

You'll have a blast.

Binfull :) I was wondering abt TV actually more because of dd and her love of Pippin and Mr.Tumble; though I was thinking if worse came to worse we'd just have relatives copy episodes off Iplayer and put them on a memory stick for us :) It's good to know that probably won't be necessary.

I can't believe how many positive things we're hearing...makes me wonder abt the stressful things suggested by that one website.

Well these sites always are like that, and some of the expat forums are even worse!

It is stress moving to another country no doubt about that. I found that preparation really does help. Even the smallest things.

My company paid for shipping so I went to Costco and got a shedload of ds fave foods -marmite, Heinz beans also got all my regular products, ibuprofen, washing liquid, calpol etc. Enough for 6 months. That meant six months free of stressing the small stuff!

There are some websites you can google to check signal strength and type of satellite dish you need to pick up uk channels. You can prob get cable uk too, but you do then pay for a shedload of German channels you may not watch just to get cbeebies and channel 5!

Don't feel guilty about wanting home comforts, it just makes life a little easier to deal with if some things are familiar. Know also that you are only 2 hours from home!

But try and learn a little German, I learned from the Lidl weekly leaflet to help with shopping!

Might be a tip - if you go onto the forces sweetheart section there are bound to be a few ladies on there who have had babies in Germany due to their husbands army careers? They have to give birth in German hospitals so I would check it out.

Good luck.

at 3 days in Europapark!

Bebe you could have a look at some German hospital websites... you'll see that the delivery rooms look much nicer there, with sofas and mats on the floor and birthing stools and balls and everything. And yes, spotlessly clean.

Renting is the thing that most Germans do until they build their own house. It's quite expensive around Munich but still cheaper than say, London.

Do you like beer?

There's also a thread for Mumsnetters who live in Germany... go and have a look there too

Oh. You might also find that there are gynaecologists who speak excellent English (or are English or American) in Munich so don't worry too much about antenatal care. You'll have an ultrasound scan every four weeks or so.

There used to be a shop in central Munich, near Augustenstrasse, that sold English food. Not sure if it's still there but you can probably google for it.

Here is a website that has house rentals on, help you get a real idea of what you'll get for your money.
www.thelocal.de/property/?purchase_or_rent=&county=Bavaria&municipality=&area=&type=1&rooms=&living_area=&min_price=&max_price=&min_rent_price=&max_rent_price=&search=

Thanks allnightlong that's great :)

I spent my teenage years in Munich and would be back like a shot if I could get a job! The Bavarian International School is on the north side of Munich and is based on the American system (with the IB in high school). Might be very expensive though if employers aren't paying as part of your package. Had friends who've given birth in Munich (in the Frauen Institue in centre of Munich) and in the UK, and were happy with both.

WOHM in Bavaria are rare and life is set up so that only SAHM can actually get to the shops as they close early and aren't always open on Saturdays. Supermarkets are crap, but every little town has bakers and butchers and cake shops. Bit like living in the 50s.

But the lakes in the south of Munich are wonderful for swimming, it is very safe and people are generally kind and helpful. Learning a little German will get you a long way, it is much appreciated.

If "Munich in your pocket" is still in print, it might be helpful.

Turkeyboots-"WOHM in Bavaria are rare and life is set up so that only SAHM can actually get to the shops as they close early and aren't always open on Saturdays. Supermarkets are crap, but every little town has bakers and butchers and cake shops. Bit like living in the 50s."
sounds like the little place I was in in France :)

We are worried about how much the employers are going to pay it's going to factor into the decision quite a bit.

Hi - as a forces wife,I became pregant whilst living in germany and lived there for just over a year with my daughter (from 18 months to 2.5yrs) and DH.

Germany is great for kids (they love children and have Haribo by the till counters )

All of the old people used to touch DD''s hair and say "schone, lockige Haare" - lovely curly hair - they all loved her.

We lived 30 mins from Hannover - fab Toys r us and Ikea.

They give very early 8 week internal scans and many more after that (although that might have been as they get paid private rates from the army to treat the forces.

A couple of friends had their babies there and whilst they said they were upset there was no gas and air allowed in Germany (perhaps this has changed since 2004), they said they were very into herbal salts under the toongue, candles, relaxing music etc.

I guess it would be harder if you didn't speak German (I spoke German at A level) but my friends didn't speak very much and were fine. Many German midwives and defo dectors speak english to an okay level.

The way of life over there is so fab for families - everything stops and closes saturday lunch time and then it's family time! There are lots of Wild Parks which are just amazingly beautiful and Tierparks to walk around and feed the deer. yes, the fashion is somewhat to be desired but Mexx and H & M etc are fine.

Obviously, the cakes are scrummy

check out this lovely park

hi bebe - I'm in bavaria but way north of Munich! i moved here nearly 2 years ago and wouldnt swap our life for a million pounds! I love Germany (and Germans!!). My BIL and SIL live in Munich - they say it is expensive but a fantastic place to live. As other posters have said its so close to the lakes and mountains. Ideal in the summer and winter. I'm sure there must be places outside of Munich where you're DH could commute from!

I didnt have my dc here but a friend had a dc last year and did say that the care is more medicalised than in the UK but she still had a natural birth. Think they dont do gas and air so its either 2 paracetamol or an epidural!!! but during pregnancy she was very well cared for and after the birth she could pick which midwife to come and it was the same one who came each time then.

The care of children is better too - we take ours to a paediatrician (altho more like a childrens GP) for fairly regular routine check ups and they are overly happy to refer on to other doctors/therapies if there's even a chance your dc needs something.

From a language point of view - i spoke some german when we first came here but really basic (had been with german dh for 10 years by then) - i found being thrown into situations with school/kindergarten really made me learn more and i live in the sticks so if i didnt try to speak then i'd have spoken to no-one all day! I also enrolled in an integration language course - only went 2 mornings a week to start off with and that really helped. Still go now but to the next level and go 3 mornings while dc are in kiga/school. I think you could get thro basic everyday things with v little german but not sure how we'd have coped with the paperwork etc if dh hadnt been german.

Feel free to PM me if you've any more questions!

Thanks ladies, this is very helpful! I love the look of the parks. And looking at Google there's so much wilderness in driving distance. :) Such a bonus to going really. :)
If we'd go I'd definitely be trying to learn the language as quickly as possible if only because I think it terribly rude to not try to learn the language and customs of the people you're living around.

Having looked at houses and apartments the latter are cheaper by far, but thinking about the prospect of having everything for it, including all appliances AND the estate agent's fees means its very expensive all the same :(

Plus it looks like we'd be needing to have private healthcare as we'd be unlikely to be apply for anything else as we'd only be offered 'part-time residency' because it's only contract work and we could be sent home as soon as 12m but more likely 24m...meaning that having a baby there would also be very expensive. :(

Bebe, can't remember if your DH is British but surely as it's the European Union there's some way of getting healthcare through the EHIC system or whatever it's called? If not, I'd think his employer needs to contribute in some way?