Can you help me find information about Wiesbaden and Germany in general?

SPC Angela Burnham — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:07:00 -0400

Hey guys.

So, I'm in the process of applying to a few federal positions at Wiesbaden. Here's the thing, the job only starts at like $15/hour (the equivalent in salary). Having never left CONUS, I have to ask whether or not that's a living wage in Germany. I've done some research into the cost of living there and whatnot but I figured it'd be nice just to ask people who have actually been there or may even be there now.

How expensive (rent, food, gas, utilities) is it to live in the Wiesbaden area?

Also, and I guess I feel obligated to ask this question since I'd rather know ahead of time what I'm getting into here, is Germany and the Wiesbaden area more or less accepting of LGBT people than the U.S.? I'm transgender, and I'd hate to move there just to find out I went to the most hostile place in Europe or something. Just looking for honest answers from people who have been there, whether or not you approve of my lifestyle.

Thanks for the help guys.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 11:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:11:34 -0400

I can't speak on the wage vs COL here, but the community, especially Germany, is very accepting of LGBT. Although, there is a large conservative Turkish population here, but I don't see that being an issue.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 17 at 2015 11:16 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:16:54 -0400

Weisbaden is a wonderful city. The cost of living is higher than some of the more rural areas of Bavaria for instance. I spent much time there between 1980 and 1984 and had close friends who lived there until the 1990's.
Weisbaden should be accepting of transgender people since they were generally accepting of homosexuals and lesbians in the 1980's.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 17 at 2015 11:17 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:17:29 -0400

Compared to the states it is expensive. As a civilian employee OCONUS you should qualify (don't quote me on this and be sure to ask during the interview) for housing, PX and Commissary privileges so that can help make it doable. Is it a GS-05?

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Sep 17 at 2015 11:20 AM

SPC Angela Burnham — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:20:28 -0400

Addendum:
For comparison, my wage would be around E4 with 4 years in.

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Sep 17 at 2015 12:23 PM

CW3 Eric W. S. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:23:50 -0400

I left there just over a year ago. The COL in Wiesbaden is much higher than other areas throughout Germany. Gas is much higher (even on base). Food cost is about the same - just a LOT fresher than what you are tasting now and well worth the difference in price. If you can acquire on-base housing you will do alright, but if you have to live off base, you will be upside down for most of your time there (seen apartments go for $1200/mo). Utilities are very different from what you are used to. There is a sliding scale where one month your water is ~$20, the next it may be over $150. Electricity is the same way. It all depends on your landlord. Parking is crazy and will cost you much more than you expect. Insurance on your car will be about double what you are paying now. You will likely not have air conditioning in your residence, but you will not need it. make sure you have rouladen on your windows (exterior window blinds), unless you are a very heavy sleeper as it is light in the summer from 0400 - 2230 or later.

Aside from that, Wiesbaden is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived, and I grew up in Colorado. I would love the opportunity to return to live and work there. The fests are out of this world, the community is so welcoming and inviting. German medical care is much better than in the US. Beer is cheaper than water, sodas are the most expensive thing to drink (aside from hard liquor). Life is much simpler and more enjoyable over there. Everything is closed on Sundays (except churches and bakeries in the mornings).

Response by SPC Elif Anderson made Sep 17 at 2015 1:39 PM

SPC Elif Anderson — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:39:41 -0400

SPC Burnham,

Not knowing your entire situation, I couldn't say for sure that you'll be fine at $15/hr, but check out
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Germany
This link ought to help you put things more into perspective. Good luck with whatever you may choose to do!

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 17 at 2015 2:26 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:26:05 -0400

Germany is EXTRAORDINARILY TOLERANT COUNTRY towards LGBTs. I retired in 2011 out of EUCOM –before DADT was repealed and was part of a WONDERFUL community of people (both military and citizens) in Stuttgart. Germany celebrates PRIDE in the form of Christopher Street Day usually in early July. ALL the Fests I know of have a LGBT tent. Now – I can’t say much about a transgender community, but I know that back then there weren’t many transmen or transwomen OUT to my knowledge. I don’t know if it was because some didn’t identify themselves as WELCOME part of the community or what. The EU is extraordinarily tolerant.
I can’t say much about Weisbaden. People always had good things to say about it. But there’s a big military footprint there. I had several USAF friends (and friends of friends) come down to Stuttgart from Ramstein because there was a good gay scene (and lots of women too).
I’d go back to Germany tomorrow (or even today). My daughter gets to go there with school (without me). I snuck her and my partner in on a pre-DADT repeal and got my kids SOFA cards so they were with me on an unaccompanied tour – most of a year of it.
Germany is expensive. The commissary is very good on prices on meat, poultry, and American necessities. So is Class-6, but you can find a SUPERIOR bottle of wine at Kaufman, Tchibo, or Aldi fo 3 Euro. I would visit the local Markthalle (gigantic food market) and go ALL IN with the German Culture!
Tschüß

Response by MSG Kirt Highberger made Sep 17 at 2015 3:22 PM

MSG Kirt Highberger — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:22:20 -0400

Very costly living. I would encourage a short fact finding trip or a lot of on line research. The Germans are very tolerant people. However, keep in mind the wave of refugees from Syria.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 17 at 2015 9:19 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:19:33 -0400

SPC Burnam - I lived off post and I am happy to go direct with you on the reality check of Deutschland.

Response by SFC Jay Needham made Sep 17 at 2015 9:29 PM

SFC Jay Needham — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:29:22 -0400

I wouldn't worry about your transgender thing, as much as the cost of living. I was stationed at the WAB back from 81-83 back when Germany used the Mark as currency and it was expensive then. As Wiesbaden was hardly touched by WW2 and is only 20 min from Frankfurt and Mainz right across the Rhine. I wouldn't move to Wiesbaden for $15.00per hour, not with the Euro where it's at. I would for 90 to 100k

Response by SSG Patricia King made Sep 18 at 2015 7:18 PM

SSG Patricia King — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 19:18:27 -0400

PM or FB me. I have some contacts in EU for trans care.

Response by SFC Jay Needham made Sep 22 at 2015 8:28 PM

SFC Jay Needham — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 20:28:31 -0400

Since I was stationed there prior to the European Union and the Euro. When I was there it was Germany and the money was the German Mark. $15.00 an hour would have been tough to live on back then let alone today with the Euro exchange rate.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 6:56 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:56:02 -0500

There's an LGBT organization called Outserve with a chapter in Wiesbaden. A few people I work with are a part of it, and they are all willing to provide assistance and comraderie.

Response by Daniela Rode made Apr 25 at 2016 1:43 AM

Daniela Rode — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 01:43:17 -0400

If you get a job as a GS 9 or higher check the job description. You are authorized LQA for up to a certain amount. As a GS you always have post privileges. You can buy everything you need on post. Gas is half the price if you have a vehicle. Shopping off post is also ok if you know the right stores. Try to find somebody help you find a place to live. And yes, it will be on the economy. But housing only has the expensive places and don't do much for you in the end anyway.
LGBT people in Germany? Germans don't really care if you are homesexual, transgender or whatnot. I am German and I have never seen anything against them. And we don't have laws that forbids you to use the "other" bathroom, either. To make a long story short: We don't live in the medieval days anymore and we don't want to go back there either. No bible thumpers around here either...