jmima (May 19 2008, 05:03 PM) said: > original post
Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good health insurance company. I've been quoted about 400€ a month to cover me, my partner and our baby. It seems expensive... Any recommendations/advice?

Hi Jmima,
You may have figured this out already, but I just wanted to let you know that the rate you quote seems actually ok, esp for a whole family. If it is private insurance even better. If you have to take public insurance (ie if your salary is below about 48k) then the amount paid in total is around 12% of your salary. You pay 1/2, the employer pays 1/2. That is the same for a private insurance. However, employers only need to contribute about up to 350Euros, so if the coverage is more than around 700Euro total a month, you will be required to pay more. Some empoyers will cover a full 50%, others stick to the ruling.

Private companies offer a variety of packages, and you can usually choose between basic, intermediate and extensive or premium coverage. The basic is a bit better than major medical (ie you get hit by a bus and need to go to the hospital), and the premius covers everything and lets you go to any doctor, etc. I personally feel most intermediates are ok for the average healthy person who goes in for preventative care and the occasional illness. Also note that you will need to provide a health history, and some private insurers do reject clients. They will also make you pay extra for certain conditions, even glasses, as a risk premium. Their rates go up nearly every year, so you will want to check what the company's history of rate hikes is. DKV is good and caters to expats, but is one of the more expensive ones. I have gotten good quotes from Hanse Merkur, Signal Iduna, Deutscher Ring.

Let us know how you come out.

Hi there,
I have two related questions:

1. Am looking to move to FFM for a job near Messe. What are good areas for singles in their 30s? Am looking for a nice area, not too expensive, can be a bit multi culti, but still safe. I have lived in Berlin, so areas like Kreuzberg 61, Schoenberg, or even Pberg equivalent. I will most likely have a car, so parking will be a consideration.

2. I would be willing to share a place with 1-2 other working professionals. Anyone out there looking for a roommate? Or have suggestions where to look for roomies, possibly internationals? I do speak German fluently, but wouldn't mind an English living situation. I have some furniture and HH goods, so don't need a fully furnished place.

Thanks for suggestions!

Anyone have recommendations for a nice place for dinner Dec 31? I have friends (a married couple ca 40) from the USA coming over and they would like to go out. Something nice, probably 3 or 4 course with a bubbly toast at midnight. Maybe dancing.
I expect it will cost easily up to or around 100€ pp, but for a nice night it is worth it.
I am rather new to AMS and don't know the proper places yet, so thanks for any tips!

Gotmagog
Go to Berlin. It is a great choice of a city if you are young and a student. The economics alone would make the decision. I have lived there for 10 years - albeit working and paying taxes - and have recently moved to Amsterdam and it is much more expensive to live, but at least I am paying fewer taxes! (30% rule). It is much more international in flavor. Both countries have problems with certain groups of foreigners, but in your case I wouldn't worry about it. And if you live in Leiden, you are close, but it is not like living right in Amsterdam de Pijp or Jordaan.

If you speak German you will do well in Berlin; you will get a great education, have fun and live on the cheap in most districts. It is much different than Darmstadt, very bustling, lots to do (for little money) and I think the university scene is quite international. About German or Dutch women, I don't know, am a woman myself, but well, I won't get into the dating question in general.

You can always move to Amsterdam or any darn place you want after your studies. Just stay open minded and don't let the (German) phd get to your head! The German education is highly appreciated, just not always the attendant (somewhat arrogant) attitudes some people acquire with it.


Hope this helps, viel Glück, succes!

Suemac

It's hard to check the col for Augsburg, do check on the German site. I lived in Germany for 10 years, mostly Berlin. I think Hamburg will be more expensive than Augsburg overall. But Augsburg houses many technical companies (some of them in automotive parts supply and some hi-tech) so the wage level there is high too, sort of a knock-on effect from Munich, which is the most expensive German city. I think Hamburg is 2nd or 3rd most expensive.

It will be more expensive than Cincinnati in any case. It may come down to lifestyle. Bavaria is a bit more slow in pace, "friendly" on the surface to Americans (but as in many small towns, hard to really get to know the people), the countryside is rolling and quaint; Hamburg will offer more culture and amenities in general but has a more multiracial/international society and a bit more of an urbane feel, at least as is possible in Germany. You should be able to get by a bit better with English in Hamburg, but you will need to learn some German either place to truly get around.

Hope this helps a bit; Alles Gute und viel Erfolg!