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Original poster

anyone lived at/around british army barracks in germany?

15 replies

JeniN · 09/03/2004 20:14

dh has an interview for a (civilian)job which would mean us going out there for 3 years...it would mean a career break for me and spending lots of time with dd - would really value anyone's experiences, positive or negative, of what it might be like as a family, before his interview. ??

OP posts:

alibubbles · 10/03/2004 07:25

Any particular one? I know Wildenrath, Bruggen and Rheindahlen, but not sure if they are still open anymore. DS was posted there for 2 tours,, - 6 years, kids went to school etc.

Janstar · 10/03/2004 08:36

My sister spent over a decade there at various places when married to a squaddie. Say where the place is and I will ask her.

Original poster

JeniN · 10/03/2004 12:42

Thanks its Paderborn Garrison ?

OP posts:

Rhythymotter · 10/03/2004 12:48

I lived at bruggen - think its closed now

alibubbles · 10/03/2004 13:38

I think that one is army, the ones I know are Royal Air Force.

My sis was at Bruggen from 1984-1991

libb · 10/03/2004 16:41

I lived in Gutersloh from 6 years to 9 and recall having a great time! All the RAF families lived together and were very close as a community. Mum and Dad say it was lots of fun and they had a lot in common with other parents. We went to an English school and don't recall it being anything unusual.

Mum was always at home for us and I would like to think that my children could also have an interesting experience to think back on, does that help?

Janstar · 10/03/2004 20:13

I have emailed my sister to ask. She didn't live there, but she is sure to know something as she spent so many years with the army in Germany.

Paula71 · 10/03/2004 20:56

Lucky you Jeni! I would love the chance to give my ds twins a German upbringing, or Dutch. We lived in the Netherlands, long before ds twins came about, but couldn't find a place to stay permanently even though we had good jobs (6 months waiting list to even view a place!)

We looked near Osnabruck which I found a friendly place. Enjoy the experience!

Original poster

JeniN · 10/03/2004 21:25

Thanks all - Paula71 & Libb, that's really encouraging - Janstar, thanks for going to such trouble..I kind of think that if we see it as a great opportunity then it probably will be, and I always imagine these are quite friendly communities. TBH I've been hankering after trying for another babe, and dh didn't go white at the idea because this would help financially, so I'm quite excited now - have to wait and see if he gets the job first. Thanx again.

OP posts:

Janstar · 13/03/2004 16:45

Hi again JeniN. My sis has replied, I will cut and paste her email below.

Laleham is to Shepperton about what Sennelager (where I was for two years) is to Paderborn. I fucking hated it! Sorry I have been trying to find a way of putting this so that it doesn't put her off completely! To be fair there is much more in Paderborn than there is in Sennelager. There is quite a large town with lots of shops, probably the size of Staines. However none of there shops are like ours of course, (well it is a different country). There are several big supermarkets, DIY shops etc on estates outside the town. There are lakes and countryside and everything is spread far from everywhere else as is normal in Germany. There is an airport which is an excellent escape route if the worst comes to the worst! Sennelager hosts the Rhine army summer show every year which is quite good. There is a very large Turkish community from what I remember. The only problems we had with that was that they caused fights and went through any rubbish you put out for the binmen, oh and there was a girl who we often found sleeping in our cellar! The Germans were the same as everywhere else, 40% where lovely and the other 60% resented the fact that the English were there, however it may be different if the job is civilian. The real plus side though is that it is home to Paderborner brewery! I hope this is of help and if I think of anything else I will let you know.

I hope that is some help to you.

Original poster

JeniN · 15/03/2004 14:29

Thanks Janstar, and thanks to your sis too, i would much rather have an honest opinion! - DH is going to Sennelager for an interview on monday, so will have to hope he gets a feel for the area. Cheers

OP posts:

Sari · 15/03/2004 15:22

I lived in Sennelager from the age of about 15 to 17 and hated it. Not that that was anything to do with Sennelager really - more to do with the fact that my friends back in Britain were all having a great time doing teenage stuff and I was stuck out in Germany every holidays (at school in Britain during term time)where I knew no-one. I have to say that I can't remember the town of Sennelager at all.

To be honest I think it's what you make of it. You can make an effort - and it does take a big effort - to get involved with German life, learn German and make friends, or you can live as though you were in Britain, shopping in the NAAFI (Tesco), and never meeting a German person or speaking a word of the language. Some people love it, others hate it, although I think it's probably a lot better if you are a family with young children. My brother and sil are out there (not Sennelager) at the moment and are quite happy but really looking forward to coming back.

I also lived in Detmold from age of 5 to 7 and loved it because there were lots of other kids my age and we could run around outside and be in and out of each other's houses all day long. So for young children I think it probably is quite fun.

ScrummyMumsie · 16/03/2004 18:58

Hi I lived in Germany from 1988 - 1994 at Hohne, an army base, north of Celle, a little desolate but it was fine. Not speaking german upon arrival, got to learn the lingo quickly and made friends with other wives and made the most of Germany had to offer. What I will say is, this world is full of opportunities and how you find a place is whatever you make of it, so, if you have negative attitude you'll hate it ... always look for the positives in a place and make the most of it!! No point grumbling!!

Janstar · 16/03/2004 19:07

I might just be being a bit over-sensitive, but I feel as if all these remarks about life in Germany being what you make of it and there being no point grumbling are referring to my sister's remarks. Could I please draw your attention to two things, one is that JeniN asked what Paderborn was like, not how to survive by using optimism and making an effort. Secondly, my sister lived in several other German towns and she liked some of them very much.

Janstar · 16/03/2004 19:09

Not only that but she seems to have been the only person who actually knew anything much about Paderborn.

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