Berlin - Post Report Question and Answers
What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
It's dark in the winter. Darker than you expect, and there's no snow to brighten it. Sundays can also be surprisingly challenging since everything is closed. German bureaucracy is real; German efficiency, not so much. Prepare for these things and it will help you to enjoy all the other things. Germans, while not so friendly, are by and large principled and really value civic engagement. Don't miss opportunities for real, deep conversation by being too flip; Germans of all stripes LOVE to go real deep, real fast, and if you are too then conversation can be great fun. - Aug 2023
How difficult childcare for young children is to find. - Feb 2018
This is high visibility post with lots of official visitors, annuals events/conferences and many occurring on U.S. holidays when you may have anticipated being off. You'll be busy at work much of your time here if you're stationed at the U.S. embassy.
Again, don't expect shops to be accommodating to your work schedule. They close early Monday-Friday have very limited hours on Saturdays and are closed all except a few Sundays. You'll need to find time on your lunch hour to get any errands done. - Jan 2018
That the city was nothing like the rest of Germany. - Jul 2015
