Posted to Geilenkirchen summer 2008....advice needed!

Hello all,
I've been a military wife for 22 years and our family is looking forward to moving to Germany in a few months.

We just got the verbal word that this is all going to happen and I'm sure we will get loads of information as time goes on but my mind is just swirling with questions so I would appreciate any answers I get.

Some of the most pressing things on my mind are as follows:

1. Housing - are there accommodations available on Base? How big are they? How much is the rent? Do most people rent outside the Base in nearby communities?

2. Schooling - our daughter will be 15 and entering grade 10 in September. Have others found that their kids are pretty much ready for school there or is the Canadian education system behind and should our daughter expect to do some catchup? Are there schools on Base or are kids bused off site?

3. Food - is it more expensive than in Canada? For example in Ontario I pay $1.00 per litre of milk and $2.00 for a dozen eggs - how does that compare to Germany? Do most people buy several times per week versus the big grocery shop that many of us do a couple of times a month in Canada?

4. What kinds of converters will we need for our computer, electronic keyboard, small kitchen appliances, etc.? Where do we buy those in Canada?

well, while i cannot help you in most of your questions as im a civilian w/o kids, i can say that i have enjoyed my time here profusely (came in feb of 2007). from job offer to move was under 3 weeks, i am jealous you have months!
you can buy AC converters at most electronic shops in canada/us. everything here is 220v, and you can get converters in the bigger cities for about 2euro but i wouldn't use for a laptop/computer without surge protection.
as for the groceries, i shop everyday only because i never know what i want to eat. as storage space in most flats in non-existent i'd have no where to put a weeks worth of food let alone a months worth. the milk will be a surprise to you as it was for me-they don't refrigerate in the shops (and for the life of me, i cannot find skim.). it is ultra pasteurized, so they keep in on the shelf like the OJ and people buy it crates at a time. as for cost, i was back in canada for xmas and i have to say it seemed more expensive to be there than here. part of that is the fact that i work for an american company, and get paid in american dollars and i think we all know the state of the exchange rate these days

interesting about the milk. I remember buying that here in Canada a few years ago to take camping.

One thing I find weird is how a few people on different sites mention that kitchens are empty - not even a kitchen sink in some cases!

How much travelling have you done? That's what we are most excited about is how many countries surround Germany. We will be broke but have a million memories to show for it.

most flats indeed do not have kitchens.most have nothing, and i mean NOTHING-sinks, stoves, cupboards, NOTHING-just an empty room.
most flats don't even have light fixtures. there is no such thing as closets here, you have to use kleiderschranks (i dont even know the word in english), one of those things you hang your clothes in but sits on the floor and is not integrated into the architecture.
that isn't to say you can't get a furnished one if you prefer, even having a fitted kitchen is possible. if your in the area of a base, you will probably find one more easily as the locals are probably accustomed to renting to foreigners.
as for travel.distances are short, but i prefer the train- actually forced to as i don't have a car. there is lots to see over here, you will be very close to france, belgium, netherlands etc. i think your kids will appreciate it as well. one thing i wish i had time to do before i came here was to start to learn the language, while it is true that many speak english, many do not.