hTTi

On 31/1, I will wake up in Berlin after a redeye to start the new chapter in my life.

And, as of Thursday, I already have a social event planned there of the kind that made me want to move in the first place.

Now back to packing . . .
Alison

I encountered Scott Adams twice. The first time was when, at the start of his popularity, he bought his favorite restaurant in Pleasanton, California and gave it to his favorite waitress Stacy as a gift. The restaurant's opening featured a book signing which my then-boyfriend and I attended. Afterwa...

FYI: Capital One allows one person to have more than one card (each card has different benefits, points, ...). Seemed strange at first, but I now view it as practical. I decided to get a second card recently cuz my first card expires this February and I didn't want a gap without a US card while wai...

I would suggest using your brother's address. I know folks who use a scanning service and are happy with it, but I haven't yet gone that route. Capital One is now offering me the option to get a virtual credit card, but I haven't yet tried that. I'm fine with my current system. I use my US card dai...

The employer wants to see a German bank account (or at least a European one) to transfer your hard earned money to. So you will have to mess around with German banks very early anyway, probably in the first two weeks. Agreed. I already have a plan to open a Volksbank account and have my pay deposit...

Hey folks, As my move to DE grows nearer, I'm wondering what to do about my US credit cards. Perhaps I will want to get new ones in DE, but it would be nice not to have to do so immediately, when I must attend to other pressing matters. As I understand it, Bank of America allows specification of bot...

Just in case it helps anyone else, I ended up registering with IMG Patriot Exchange. The plan has the advantage of not requiring trip cancellation insurance which I don't want. With a high deductible and a high cover limit, the fee is still less than $200 for one month. IMG has also provided me a fo...

You might want to read this . It is from "Techniker Krankenkasse", the only German health insurance to have customer support in English available. Wow Franklan, that link has the first clear explanation I've read anywhere: As an employee, you don’t have to worry about insurance cover, but...

You might want to read this . It is from "Techniker Krankenkasse", the only German health insurance to have customer support in English available. And here is the link to join them. Thank you. While my German is pretty good, I certainly could use a service which "answers all your que...

Hello all, Sorry for my so so many questions. I will start a new job in Berlin on Feb. 15, 2026. As of yesterday, I am unemployed here in the US and have no health insurance. My question is, should I sign up for the KK before I go to my Wohnsitz/Meldebescheinigung appointment on 3 Feb.? My German is...

I'm sorry about your mother. I lost mine in 2016 and think of her every day still. As I prepare to move to DE, I considered engaging Cerity Partners for tax advice since they are a sponsor of the local German-American Business Association. However, their offering is more focused asset management tha...

Sounds like living in Berlin without a drivers license is not hard. Thanks to everyone for the advice! I'm going to sell my 21-year-old car here in the US and hope to never drive again!

Best wishes,
Alison

> Your bigger problem is that CA has no reciprocity with DE, which means that you'll need to take courses and tests to get a DE license. Note CA to me is California. Perhaps you think I mean Canada. Sorry for the confusion. I have no interest in getting a German drivers license, as I hate driving an...

I have exactly the same question. I would like to pay someone with knowledge of both German and American tax law for advice and would be most grateful for a referral.

Thanks,
Alison Chaiken

Thanks folks, that's what I was hoping to hear! Today I went and got an International Drivers Permit because the office that issues them is literally a block from my current apartment in California, but I hope that I never use it.

-- Alisn

I drive very little and cycle everywhere. I would love to simply stop driving when I move to Berlin, but am wondering about buying new furniture there. Presumably IKEA or equivalent will deliver it? Thanks again all of you for your advice. I have at least a new job and a new (temporary) apartment, s...

I looked into International Van Lines, which is an end-to-end shipper who delivers, but they appear to have a bad reputation. Does Berlin have an agency like Task Rabbit from which I could hire someone to help me carry them up the stairs?

Thanks,
Alison

> My daughter‘s flat will come up to let early next year. Prenzlauer Allee, Prenzlauer Berg. When is "early next year"? That location looks appealing. I do want to be on the ground in Berlin a bit before deciding where to live longer term. One of my great hopes is to stop driving, forever....

I have the short-term rental until May. The house-warming must wait until I find a more permanent place, although I'd be happy to meet folks somewhere before then.

Here in Silicon Valley I run a more-or-less monthly Stammtisch. I'll have to come up with a new plan in DE.

-- Alison

My friend Brian's show at KALX, University of California's radio station: https://widgets.spinitron.com/KALX/pl/21666498/FREEFORM The link is valid for one more week I believe, because of copyright law.

-- Alison