Taking the biggest risk of our life: our move to Germany
Video Overview & Insights
---if you would like to support us on our trip you can Buy us a "coffee" https://buymeacoffee.com/beccaloveless But honestly anything helps, even just commenting and following along!---
Welcome to Germany!
This year has pushed us in ways we never expected. When my husband unexpectedly lost the job that brought us to Canada, we found ourselves facing a move we weren’t ready for… and with no idea where to go next. What started as one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made slowly turned into an opportunity we never saw coming: a chance to start over in Germany.
In this video, I’m sharing the full story of how we:
Hi Becca, just came across your lovely video. I am going to Berlin for an Art Residency in July and I am excited and terrified at the same time. I am leaving for long term travel after staying in the same place in California for 22 years. May I ask you what are you using for your US phone and also address for US banks/CC etc.? Thanks in advance for your kind advice. Best Wishes!💕
– left Vancouver with almost everything sold or donated
– packed only what fit in our minivan
Willkommen in Deutschland. Enjoy your exiting life!
– drove two days to Utah to regroup with family
– flew to Europe with our kids and a handful of bags
You speak a lot and too fast.. Why don't you speak about you going to work? We need people in Germany, who want to work, not living on our sozialsystem.
– landed in Germany with zero guarantees, no job yet, and a whole lot of hope
This move hasn’t been glamorous. It’s been emotional, uncomfortable, overwhelming, exhausting… and at the same time, really beautiful. Somehow the uncertainty makes every little moment feel precious. Walking around a new town, navigating trains, soaking in a different culture, watching our kids adapt—it's all part of the adventure.
I've never had so much difficulty to understand an english speaking person. Mumbling at high speed, swallowing half the syllables completely and mashing up the rest - completely uncomprehensible. What ist the point of this video?
I also answer some of the biggest questions we’ve been getting:
• What visas we’re applying for
I was you three years ago! We moved to Germany with our 2 young kids. You can expect a year and a half of exposure before the kids are speaking naturally. It's pretty cool, but it's much harder for us parents to keep up. No regrets! Only wish I could have been able to stay in German courses through B2.
• How we’re keeping the move affordable
• How we manage instability with kids
welcome to germany 🙂
• What it’s really like living out of bags and staying with friends
• Our first impressions of Germany
Welcome! You'll find so many things are better here in Germany: government, jobs, healthcare, education etc. We have problems, too, but on the whole life here is rewarding.
• And why—even without knowing the outcome—we still feel this was the right choice
We don’t know what the next few months hold. Maybe everything will fall into place. Maybe it won’t. But for the first time in a long time, we feel excited again. And that’s worth everything.
Guten Tag. Please never eat a Franzbrötchen from the side! You start at one end. Danke. 12:27
If you’re navigating uncertainty or thinking about moving abroad, I hope this video makes you feel less alone. ❤️
Thank you for being here and following along on this very unexpected season of life.
I hope your family can get long term visa's sorted so you can stay longer.
Good luck!
More Germany videos, first impressions, and some Vancouver content are coming soon.
Wish you all the best.
You will discover, if this is the life you expect.
But one thing is sure, you'll have a healthy and nice time here, in Germany. 🙂
More User Perspectives
In terms of job opportunities: I haven't heard you mention you've made any effort to become fluent in German, which is a fundamental requirement in the German job market anywhere outside maybe Berlin. You didn't mention starting the process of getting your or your husband's degree recognized in Germany. Also, you're going to have a hard time surviving on one income, not sure how the SAHM thing is going to fly for you. I hear a lot of naiveté and wishful thinking and lack of any substantial planning, none of which are traits that are valued in German culture. Hope things work out for you.
@saganorenXYHerzlich Willkommen in good old Germany. Ich muss erstmal sehen, warum Sie in einem Land gezogen sind, was eines der schwersten Sprachen der Welt hat. 😊
@Capt.-Nemo❤lich Willkommen in Germany! Give us a chance and you will see, we are nice and friendly people who love to share some stories and laughter ;) especially the young ones love to talk in english and we love to have you! Best wishes from Lower Saxony, which I hope you will visit one day, to see the North Sea etc. Lots of ❤
@Jasonslittlesister1Herzlich Willkommen, welcome in Germany ❤🎉
Thx for always blurring childrens faces :)
I hope you soon feel at home. Remember, we are nice people, when you smile at someone they will smile back. When in doubt, you can always ask, most are capable of full conversation in english, just a little shy 😊
Honestly, it's not a big thing at all to move - because that's what it is. Literally just moving to a different city. ;)
@andreashofer4442Welcome to Germany - There are many topics that are not controversial here due to good government regulations. No doubts 🤩
@angelikastockinger6664Welcome to Germany. Germany may not be perfect, but it is certainly good enough that you have chosen to come here. You will also experience highs and lows here.
@WilliamDexter1991Well done. Great decision. Great challenges. Life isn't easy. Great opportunities. We've only got 1 life. Live it to the fullest. Enjoy a healthier and safer life.
Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
10:44 Damn seeing you driving out of the Berlin S-Bahn driving into Wedding Station hit me hard. I live in that area xD
@TheTenguwarrior🤗🤗🤗
@Dutch_Power_CowIf you visit Hamburg - i will be happy to be your guide.
@klappstock943Good luck on this new European adventure!
@hannahrimmer4458Herzlich willkommen! If you‘re looking for advice:
1. Get used to „the stare“, it just means they don’t wanna bother a stranger with what’s on their mind.
2. Make friends through hobbies or the parents of your children’s classmates.
3. You deserve all the social perks just like everyone else! Use them without any hesitation
Welcome to Germany. I hope you enjoy the fresh veggies, decent work-life-balance, affordable medical services, pretty good education without school shootings and everything else. Hope you'll feel at home here. Thanks for sharing <3
@peterpain6625But you don't stay in Berlin, right? It looks lik Rostock or another city at the coast!
@herzschlagerhoht5637No idea who u are or what your content is normaly but heck this is wholesome 😊
@lukasfrey585Willkommen in Deutschland, Becca!
@herzschlagerhoht5637welcome to Germany. it is no risk, it’s the best you can do❤
@kumagoroI moved here in 1986 with my German wife. Never regretted it. Not one moment. Herzlich willkommen!
@oldmankellYour van ! Keep in mind that the can cannot survive a long period of remaining unmoved ! Big problems are ahead unless your family drives it at least once a month !!!! 😱😱😱😱😱😱
@winny-g6gWelcome in Germany ♥ - we are glad you guys are here ....because u share our values and you want to integrate into our systems. We hope you get a job soon, and a nice home.
@muddyfeet69Hi, a warm welcome to you and your family :)
All good to you and .. ich drücke euch die Daumen!!:)
Welcome to Germany ❤
@AmiW10welcome to germany. one advice: even though most germans have a basic english knowledge - please learn to speak the local language as it will open A LOT for you and help making friends. expecting locals to always speak a foreign language is not great (though quite a few might enjoy the opportunity to practize). and you will need it for communicating with the authorities... good luck and lots of success! and it will move you out of the closed expat circles and expand your horizon.
this massage was vague? not really. good luck!
What a beautiful family and video! Thanks for moving to europe and especially germany! I wish you all the best for your future, thanks for joining our "german community" and all the best for you, your family and beloved ones! At first, a lot of "things" might be totally different than living in canada or the usa, but in the long run you´ll find out that we have more things in common than things that seperate us! I´ve just subscribed to your channel and would love to see more of your content online!
Stay healthy, take care and all the best to you!👍🏻
Hi, very old german here, and you are very welcome in my country. Unfortunately you came in the worst season of the year here, grey, rainy and cold, but, if you survive that time you will enjoy the spring in March and it will get better until Nov again. So, enjoy your stay and living is very good in Germany...... needs time. 👍🙋♂
@franz1102Welcome to Germany! I wish you guys luck, and strength to handle a certain bureaucracy - but you will be fine. 😉😊
@matt47110815Warm welcome to Germany❤
@rhvl327Welcome to Germany and best of luck. Hope everything will work out and you can settle in - which is when the real fun begins☺
@leickenbergWelcome to Germany.may it be for months ,years or a life time.enjoy your time here
@kaoskwien👍🇩🇪 🇪🇺 German (older 'classic' hits) music for you: Loft: - "Love is magic". Camouflage: - "The Great Commandment", - "Love is a shield". Fancy: - "Chinese Eyes", - "Slice me nice", - "Lady of ice". Mysterious Art: -"Das Omen". Goombay Dance Band: - "Eldorado". Modern Talking: -"Cheri, cheri lady ", - "You can win if you want". Joy Peters: - "Don't lose your heart". Haddaway: - "What is love", - "Life". Silent Circle: - "Touch in the night". Boney M.: - "Children of Paradise". Masterboy: - "Feel the fire", - "Feel the heat of the night", -"Generation of love". Alphaville: - "Sounds like a melody", - "Big in Japan". Kraftwerk: - "Das Model". Chilly: - "Simply a love song". Jam and Spoon: - "Right in the night". Magic Affair: "In the middle of the night". 😁
@andreasklabis7706why risky? All you risk is to not like it in Germany and having to return to Vancouver, but the quality of life in CA is also very high.
@PeterNGloorTo move here you must really be desperate- this country is on the way down.
@christianloher150Happy birthday and welcome to Germany. I hope my homeland treats you well.
One tip: buy mud pants for the kids. Germans are very outdoorsy and children play outside all year round. Waterproof overpants help a lot.
This is the first video I see from you, and I love it! Thanks so much for blurring your children.
Also, I live in Berlin, if you'd like to meet for a coffee or Kinderpunsch, let me know 😊
Ihr seid klasse.
@mixmusic-o-w8pMy experience is, that if you have a good education, experience and are flexible, you surely can get a decent job in Germany. In that sense, I wish you the best of luck and welcome to Germany.
@rheingold4885You started in one of the most beautiful cities in Germany!
Summer is wonderful there with all the green and the water!
There are many nice places in Europe, I am sure you find something you will like.
@lovealien43