I would like to move to Germany from Utah, where I live now, would this be a good idea?

Question

I think I would fit in really well in Germany. I'm American and have never been to Germany, but my ancestry line is pure German, and I'm about as German looking as anyone could be! I would like to learn German as well, but I've heard it's very hard. I just think that I would do well with German people, as I'm basically a German person in the United States! Why would my ancestors ever want to move here! Thank you for your answer.

Answer 1

You should learn the language and visit the country first before making any rash decisions. Although your ancestry is German, you grew up in the United States, and the culture of Utah is much different than modern German culture. As for the language, it is not very hard if you have a good teacher and are willing to put in the work. I would recommend contacting the Goethe Institut for information on intensive courses. Often these can be taken both in Germany as well as domestically.
It bears mentioning that you can receive an automatic German citizenship if you can prove that anyone in your direct family line was a German.

Answer 2

I'm amazed to see your determination to move to Germany from Utah and have lived in a couple of countries including the US.
I even know a bit of Utah.

What I mainly question is, what you considder to be German?
I have seen German magazines and German Clubs in the states and was amazed to see what those people think is German.
In majority I had the feeling the stories did come from a long past resembling the Germany those people left during the last early century. Germany is not this romantic, leatherpants, clean and super tidy country anymore. Germans have more adapted to the American culture, then you might want to believe, and even if I could now question if it is good or bad.
Germany is a modern country with it's own problems and you should not just move there because of some romantic ideas you might have.

Your German ancestors will also not help you to get into the country and I would even question if it is good to look German. What is a German lookalike? Blond, tall? Well, I would think then you should go to Scandinavia, and even there not everybody is blond.
My cousin from the US did as the German embassy if he could get back is German passport, that was taken away, when he got the US citicenship as a 3 year old in 1960 and he did not get it. He was even born in Germany, so I do not think you have any chance to get a work visa or citicenship, just because you have German ancestors.

You should also have a look at your history books, depending on when your ancestors imigrated to the US, the main reason was poverty and the dream of more chances and more freedom. There were times people were starving and extremely poor in Germany, which made them move to a new country. And seeing the current problems Germany has, I can fully understand people imigrating to other countries with more chances for them.

If you want to come to Germany you should show an interest in the current German culture. A modern way of life, with many imigrants that we try to mingle and live with, similar to the US.
We want to be an open country for all cultures, not just focusing on one. So please get away from your views, of being a German, with German ancestors, looking very German. Germany has been down that road and we do not need such people in our country again.

You should come openly, looking forward to absorb different cultures, food from various countries, etc.
This will be the big difference for you, compared to Utah.
And first of all, learn German before you come over or take a 6 month course in Germany, then you will have the chance to get to know the language and the culture.
Ina

Answer 3

If you have a job already(that does NOT require any German skills), and some money, then come on over. But, as another answer suggested you may want to come over for a visit first. For the citizenship, If your ancestry is pure German and you have the paperwork to prove it; For example your grandparents(or generations before) German birth certificate, or some other kind of documentation that can connect your ancestry to Germany. This can get complicated and exspensive. Your ancestors might have come from a land that was a part of Germany over a 100 years ago. Tracing that, dealing with one or more countries, will cost you money.
You mentioned Utah, I think the Mormans have extensive family tree information? Maybe you can check thier files? The Mormans also have students overhere 'spreading the Word', at least I always see them in Frankfurt doing that.
Without a job, moving to Germany can be difficult and exspensive. For example your typical German apartment does not come with kitchen cabinets or appliances. The American style 'closet' is a novelty overhere so will need to buy what Germans call a 'Kleiderschrank', it is a cabinet you can put your clothes in to. And then the fun if you want a car. You have to go thru the whole German process to get your driver's license(that can be another question for you). Gas is about 3 times the price of what you pay in America. And then depending on where you live, good luck trying to find a parking place.
I have lived in Germany for 20 years now. I did not come over with the US Army(How old are you? Maybe you could join the Army?). I was transferred over by my firm, even with this help it was not easy. Many of my points are from the 'Been there, Down that' school of experience.
Again, I would strongly urge a visit here first. Visit Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, München, and the country side to see the country before deciding a move overhere.
I would be interested in what you mean by 'German looking as anyone'? I am of Canadian-French ancestry and when I put on my Bavarian styled leather pants I look like an extra from a Heidi film.

Answer 4

I've lived in Frankfurt and Stuttgart My family now lives in Himmelkorn Germany and although it is beautiful finding a job will be the problem. Germany has a very large unemployment rate plus employers are more likely to give much needed jobs to Germans rather then to Americans. No matter how wrong that may be. My step sister who is German has been working the same dead end job for years because there are no other jobs available. My father plans on moving the family back to the states next year. If you have other means of paying your bills go for it.

Answer 5

You don't know German but you want to move here? You don't have a job or anything waiting for you? And you are a "German type"?

Stay where you are. There is no real German in Germany. And we have about 4 to 5 million unemployed here without you. And many of them are more German and speak our language better than you.

What's the reason you want to come here anyway? To me it looks like you don't know much about Germany and how it is here today. We are no longer the "proud" "Übermenschen" we used to be. We are just one people in Europe.

Answer 6

Ok, I live in Germany going on my 5th year...If you have the normal American attitude and all, you won't make it. Most Germans that I encounter HATE the American Mentality. There are no 24/7 stores....there are Quiet Hours you MUST abide by or could face the Polizei at your door... The Language is not really difficult, just the different Dialect. They do speak Englisch over here...BUT you get along better if you attempt to speak Deutsche....I will speak to the people in Deutsche, but they speak back in Englisch. The Culture is so different than there in America...
Post me an email at [e-mail] and I can answer more questions...

Answer 7

Personally I love Germany and I did spend a year there for school. I would recommend that you go for a visit or something like that to see what you think. I do think Germany has a far better government and far better social systems then the US but that does you no good if you don't have a job. The unemployment rates are bad in some parts of Europe right now and I think they resent a bit people coming in and taking jobs from Germans. That said if you do have a special skill then you may find it easy to get a job. I would do some searches on what types of jobs seem to be advertised for expats and try to study in the one of those fields. I am from Canada and I didn't want to stay in Canada after living in Germany so I worked hard and studied in a field I thought would help me and in less then a year after graduating I got a job in Afghanistan (okay not Europe but it go me on the right track). Now me and my husband are in Denmark but without the language skills it is hard for me to find a job even though I got a visa. My husband is a chef so that has helped him. I can understand not wanting to live in a place like Utah but you may find Germany to be a really hard place to get to right now. still explore your options and set goals for how you would like to get there. It may not take you their exactly but it will certianly take you somewhere.

Answer 8

Tell me, what does
"I'm about as German looking as anyone could be" mean?????
That's an absolute stupid statement!!!
And you are NOT "basically a German Person... you are American! Stay in Utah, PLEASE !!!!

UPDATE: Apparently "utah.dustin" is confused:

I live in Utah, but I would like to move to India when I get done with college, how would I go about this?
I'm not of Indian ancestory or anything, I'm just a regular caucasian American, but I'd like to move to India or Pakistan in a couple of years when I get done with college. I'm going to school to be a teacher, and I've heard there is a lot of opportunity for Americans to get jobs in India or Pakistan. I love the Indian and Pakistani people, and wouldn't mind living in impoverished conditions (I basically already live in those conditions here in Utah). Are there any agencies in the U.S. or India that would help somebody like myself wanting to make a move like this? Thanks for your answer!

Answer 9

Nowhere...too many liberals here for a Utahan to feel comfortable, and not that many Mormon temples either I think.

Answer 10

There is no substitute for enthusiasm, but wouldn't a nice visit be a good idea first....