Safety in Germany
Feb 5, 2017, 8:44 pm
#91
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I'm having dinner in Oakland as I write. It's statistically far more dangerous than Frankfurt and almost certainly is in all practical ways too. But I don't feel unsafe. Now, fingers crossed for the journey back to my AirBnB.
Feb 6, 2017, 4:34 am
#92
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Posts: 11,520
Feb 6, 2017, 11:25 am
#93
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As soon as something that can be used as a weapon (including a beer glass) is involved or as soon as two people are involved in an attack of whatever quality, we are in the range of Gefährliche Körperverletzung. The cases with severe consequences are called Schwere Körperverletzung and these are the really interesting cases.
Feb 6, 2017, 3:06 pm
#94
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Poland
Posts: 869
Very few areas of Frankfurt should be as dangerous as Atlanta or any other large American city.
From Wikipedia on Atlanta, GA (population around 450,000):
Homicide 94
Forcible rape 170
Robbery 1,995
Aggravated assault 2,944
Total violent crime 5,203
For Frankfurt, population 690,000 (2015 Hessian Police Statistics):
Homicide (First Degree Murder): 6
Homicide (Second Degree Murder): 14
Forcible Rape: 69
Robbery: 1,040
Aggravated Assault: 2.194**
** (sum of "schwere Körperverletzung" and "gefährliche Körperverletzung")
From Wikipedia on Atlanta, GA (population around 450,000):
Homicide 94
Forcible rape 170
Robbery 1,995
Aggravated assault 2,944
Total violent crime 5,203
For Frankfurt, population 690,000 (2015 Hessian Police Statistics):
Homicide (First Degree Murder): 6
Homicide (Second Degree Murder): 14
Forcible Rape: 69
Robbery: 1,040
Aggravated Assault: 2.194**
** (sum of "schwere Körperverletzung" and "gefährliche Körperverletzung")
As far as whether we are going to move forward with this opportunity, I genuinely don't know yet. We really are stuck trying to weigh the pros and cons for our young teens. Their grades and abilities already qualify them for 4 free years of college locally, but we want them to truly gain the value of different cultures. That being said, their emotional stability and self identity is also something that we are weighing.
We know that we want our home base to be somewhere in Europe. My husband could obviously change companies to give us more locational opportunities, but we really like his current company and want to stay with them.
I am curious to hear more from the person who spoke about being loyal to a location. This is the first company we've ever felt loyalty to (because they treat us very well) and I can't even comprehend being loyal to a city. I would love to hear more elaboration on that topic if you have time.
Last edited by TravelingNomads; Feb 6, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Feb 6, 2017, 3:44 pm
#95
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Yes, but I used Atlanta as a loose term. I did so partially for privacy reasons and partially because I simply felt it was more well known. Technically, I live in an Atlanta suburb called Alpharetta. I think you will find the "statistics" to be different from Atlanta's.
As far as whether we are going to move forward with this opportunity, I genuinely don't know yet. We really are stuck trying to weigh the pros and cons for our young teens. Their grades and abilities already qualify them for 4 free years of college locally, but we want them to truly gain the value of different cultures. That being said, their emotional stability and self identity is also something that we are weighing.
We know that we want our home base to be somewhere in Europe. My husband could obviously change companies to give us more locational opportunities, but we really like his current company and want to stay with them.
I am curious to hear more from the person who spoke about being loyal to a location. This is the first company we've ever felt loyalty to (because they treat us very well) and I can't even comprehend being loyal to a city. I would love to hear more elaboration on that topic if you have time.
As far as whether we are going to move forward with this opportunity, I genuinely don't know yet. We really are stuck trying to weigh the pros and cons for our young teens. Their grades and abilities already qualify them for 4 free years of college locally, but we want them to truly gain the value of different cultures. That being said, their emotional stability and self identity is also something that we are weighing.
We know that we want our home base to be somewhere in Europe. My husband could obviously change companies to give us more locational opportunities, but we really like his current company and want to stay with them.
I am curious to hear more from the person who spoke about being loyal to a location. This is the first company we've ever felt loyalty to (because they treat us very well) and I can't even comprehend being loyal to a city. I would love to hear more elaboration on that topic if you have time.
Feb 6, 2017, 3:56 pm
#96
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Poland
Posts: 869
NYC? Interesting. I actually hate even visiting there for more than 48 hours, but I can see why the plays and cultural events might be superior. The chaos is just too much for me to feel comfortable in long term. Are you an American or someone that has relocated?
Feb 6, 2017, 4:31 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
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Posts: 5,594
I'm not the person who spoke of being loyal to a location, but I understand it. My husband and I live in Manhattan. Neither one of us is native to this place, but we have both lived here for over two decades. We met here, have our circle of closest friends here, enjoy life and everything it has to offer (art, ballet (more me), opera (more him), shopping (definitely more me), and so on). While there are definitely other cities we can imagine living in (Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, London, even Frankfurt), we feel a great love for NY, have built a life here, and think we will probably end up spending the rest of our lives here, while visiting other cities we love.
I'm sure there are people everywhere who are loyal to their city like this. But outside of NYC, my opinion is and observations have been that Americans are more fiercely loyal to America than to a city or State. Versus someone in Munich who has an attachment to Munich/Bavaria, or an Okinawan who feels Okinawan rather than Japanese. Again, just an opinion. It would be a really interesting study for someone to do, IMO.
Feb 6, 2017, 6:38 pm
#98
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I am an American. My husband is European-born, but grew up everywhere, due to his parents' frequent relocations during his childhood.
Feb 6, 2017, 7:22 pm
#99
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BOS/BDL
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I made a comment about loyalty, not to a city but a place. By that what I mean is an environment, which includes local scenery, culture and way of life, not necessarily a specific place.
I could never live in NYC even if paid $10MM, not even if I could come home after the first year and keep the money. The life doesn't suit me. Yes, I enjoy visiting NYC for a few days, but then I am ready to come home. I would never consider a job that required me to live in any city.
I am not decrying cities as a bane to mankind, just to this man's kind. I am sure that there are many people who would never consider living in the sticks of Vermont even for $10MM.
The bottom line is that everyone is different and has different desires.
My point is that I can't imagine giving up whatever that heartfelt desire is for a job/money. If the two happen to line up, with no conflicts, then you can consider yourself blessed, as I do.
I could never live in NYC even if paid $10MM, not even if I could come home after the first year and keep the money. The life doesn't suit me. Yes, I enjoy visiting NYC for a few days, but then I am ready to come home. I would never consider a job that required me to live in any city.
I am not decrying cities as a bane to mankind, just to this man's kind. I am sure that there are many people who would never consider living in the sticks of Vermont even for $10MM.
The bottom line is that everyone is different and has different desires.
My point is that I can't imagine giving up whatever that heartfelt desire is for a job/money. If the two happen to line up, with no conflicts, then you can consider yourself blessed, as I do.
Feb 7, 2017, 1:26 am
#100
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Poland
Posts: 869
I made a comment about loyalty, not to a city but a place. By that what I mean is an environment, which includes local scenery, culture and way of life, not necessarily a specific place.
I could never live in NYC even if paid $10MM, not even if I could come home
The bottom line is that everyone is different and has different desires.
I could never live in NYC even if paid $10MM, not even if I could come home
The bottom line is that everyone is different and has different desires.
Last edited by TravelingNomads; Feb 8, 2017 at 4:31 am
Feb 7, 2017, 5:05 pm
#101
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BNE/FRA
Posts: 720
If you enjoy museums, give Frankfurt a try. It has quite a bit to offer. The opera is also quite good.
Depending on your budget, with teens I would probably look at Oberursel (where the International School is) or Bad Homburg. Hofheim and Kronberg are also nice spots and should be cheaper than Bad Homburg (it's been a while though since I checked prices). I would probably avoid living in Frankfurt itself even though it has really amazing areas and it's great to be able to walk everywhere. The city itself is fairly small so even moving a few suburbs out, you might still be in the centre of everything within 20-30 minutes.
Depending on your budget, with teens I would probably look at Oberursel (where the International School is) or Bad Homburg. Hofheim and Kronberg are also nice spots and should be cheaper than Bad Homburg (it's been a while though since I checked prices). I would probably avoid living in Frankfurt itself even though it has really amazing areas and it's great to be able to walk everywhere. The city itself is fairly small so even moving a few suburbs out, you might still be in the centre of everything within 20-30 minutes.
Feb 9, 2017, 3:07 pm
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Poland
Posts: 869
If you enjoy museums, give Frankfurt a try. It has quite a bit to offer. The opera is also quite good.
Depending on your budget, with teens I would probably look at Oberursel (where the International School is) or Bad Homburg. Hofheim and Kronberg are also nice spots and should be cheaper than Bad Homburg (it's been a while though since I checked prices). I would probably avoid living in Frankfurt itself even though it has really amazing areas and it's great to be able to walk everywhere. The city itself is fairly small so even moving a few suburbs out, you might still be in the centre of everything within 20-30 minutes.
Depending on your budget, with teens I would probably look at Oberursel (where the International School is) or Bad Homburg. Hofheim and Kronberg are also nice spots and should be cheaper than Bad Homburg (it's been a while though since I checked prices). I would probably avoid living in Frankfurt itself even though it has really amazing areas and it's great to be able to walk everywhere. The city itself is fairly small so even moving a few suburbs out, you might still be in the centre of everything within 20-30 minutes.
Feb 9, 2017, 4:07 pm
#103
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Posts: 11,520
Thank you! Very helpful information. We are used to driving everywhere here in the U.S. Two to three cars per family is the norm (typically because of teenage drivers), but we are actually hoping to live in a location where a car wouldn't be needed. The choice isn't for financial reasons, but because we want to be forced to walk more and be out in the sun more. This move will be for different reasons than our previous moves when the children were younger. We are looking for a certain quality of life. Joining a gym here just isn't the same as walking on the old historical cobblestones surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Feb 9, 2017, 7:18 pm
#104
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
That works for a weekend or maybe a week in a city, but not a permanent move. While I haven't spent a lot of time in Frankfurt, the public transportation there is, of course, better than US cities. I think the OP could drop from 3 cars (necessary in suburban Atlanta) to 1 there fairly easily.
Feb 10, 2017, 1:01 am
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,229
My husband and I go to Germany, and in particular Frankfurt and its environs, at least twice a year, and have for many years (my husband has family there, and, as he is an author, there is the Frankfurt Book Fair). In my experience (remember, this is simply anecdotal):
There has not been an increase in violent (or even petty) crime, in the area.
There has been a slow increase in homelessness or begging (or both), most visible in the train stations. While sad, there is no danger that I have noticed.
It's Germany: the one thing you will notice (and will have to get used to, if you intend to live there), is public drinking, especially by young people, particularly on weekends. They tend to congregate in the the train stations, where there are grocery stores open late at night (selling all sorts of alcoholic beverages). These folks, mostly native Germans, will sit around inside or just outside the train station (depending on the weather) talking stuff and getting lit. Think the 7-11 scene in Say Anything. Nothing particularly dangerous, but they can get loud and obnoxious.
JMO, mileage varies, of course.
There has not been an increase in violent (or even petty) crime, in the area.
There has been a slow increase in homelessness or begging (or both), most visible in the train stations. While sad, there is no danger that I have noticed.
It's Germany: the one thing you will notice (and will have to get used to, if you intend to live there), is public drinking, especially by young people, particularly on weekends. They tend to congregate in the the train stations, where there are grocery stores open late at night (selling all sorts of alcoholic beverages). These folks, mostly native Germans, will sit around inside or just outside the train station (depending on the weather) talking stuff and getting lit. Think the 7-11 scene in Say Anything. Nothing particularly dangerous, but they can get loud and obnoxious.
JMO, mileage varies, of course.
It's pretty safe after all.