Life in Germany – a lot of fun

When talking about Germany, the first word that comes to mind isn't always "fun." People usually think first of order, laws, taxes, cars, and bureaucracy. And rightly so: Sometimes it seems that in Germany, even spontaneity has to be scheduled in advance.

But after more than two decades of living here, I've discovered that there's much more to this country than meets the eye in a salary comparison or a short visit. It has green spaces, cities and towns with their own character, the opportunity to learn and develop, and a sense of freedom that I appreciate more today than in the past.

This is not an official list of Germany's advantages, nor is it a guide that guarantees everyone will have the same experiences. These are personal thoughts on how I experience life here—and on a question that interests me more and more: What really makes a place a good place to live?

The salary is just the beginning of the story.

When comparing countries, it's easy to start with a number: how much you earn here and how much you earn there. Then you add taxes, rent, and supermarket prices, and you end up with an impressive table. The table may do the math, but it doesn't always tell you what life is like.

It won't necessarily tell you how long it took to stand in traffic, what you paid for childcare, how long you waited for a medical check-up, or whether you have the energy left to go on a weekend trip. Two people can earn similar amounts and live completely different lives.

That's why I like to ask another question: How much time, money, and energy do you need to invest to reach the desired standard of living — and how much is left afterwards for life itself?

The hidden friction of life

As an engineer at heart, I sometimes think of it in terms of friction. In a machine, friction can waste energy and cause wear and tear. There is friction in life too: time spent waiting, an arrangement that requires several phone calls, a trip that drags on, a problem that needs to be pursued, or a commitment that keeps on nagging at you.

Each of these things may be small on its own, but when they add up over the years, they take up time and energy. Sometimes you get so used to them that you no longer notice how much effort they require.

Train, large window and the view that comes at no extra cost

One of the things I enjoy about Germany is the public transportation. The ability to get on the U-Bahn, change to the S-Bahn, and continue on a regional or intercity train makes the country's map something you can actually use.

There are, of course, regional differences, and there are also delayed trains, missed connections, and days when Germany reminds us that it is also a country of people. But when the connections work, traveling can be both convenient and enjoyable.

I sit by the window, see forests, rivers, fields and small towns, and suddenly the trip becomes part of the day I've been waiting for. You can rest, read, think or just look out. The view, fortunately, comes at no extra cost.

Sometimes a delay even leads me to a different route, and I get to see a place I didn't plan to go. Granted, not everyone rushing to a meeting will see it as a gift. But when there's time, even a detour can turn into a little trip.

For me, the monthly regional transport pass has value beyond the price: it makes many trips more economical and encourages me to explore places. Long-distance high-speed trains usually require a separate ticket — but the ability to combine modes of transport expands what you can do without always being dependent on a car.

Germany beyond the postcard

For years, I was mostly familiar with the area I lived and worked in. It wasn't until I started traveling more around the country that I realized how big and diverse Germany is, and how many beautiful places are off the beaten tourist trail.

There are small towns by the river, villages surrounded by forests, roads between hills and valleys that look different in every season. In the fall, when the trees change color and the light is softer, even an ordinary drive can become a special experience.

Sometimes I think about the people who live in these towns. For them, the forest is just around the corner and the scenery is part of everyday life. What seems like a vacation to a visitor, to them is the way home.

It reminded me that sometimes it takes years to truly see the place we live in. Not because it was hidden, but because we were too busy with other things.

The rain, the silence, and what you hear when you open the window

There are things you only begin to appreciate after living somewhere else. Not just what's around us, but also what you don't hear all the time: busy traffic, sirens, or construction going on exactly on the day you wanted to rest.

In the summer I have enough sun here, and sometimes even too much. I love cool days, rain, and the clear air I feel after it. There is something pleasant about a wet forest, leaves that look especially green, and autumn that colors the valley. Some people look at a rainy day and wonder when the sun will finally come out; I look at the view and think how lucky I was to have taken a coat. 😊

The road is also part of the fun, especially with an Audi Cabriolet.

I love driving, and Germany offers many opportunities to enjoy the road: roads between forests and villages, routes into the mountains and also open autobahn sections - driving at 200 km/h is an experience that I highly recommend. There is something enjoyable about a long drive where the car is moving fast and the scenery is changing.

In the appropriate sections, where there is no general speed limit, you can also experience very fast driving. I admit that this is part of my pleasure — although even on the Autobahn you have to take into account the road conditions, the weather, and other drivers. Not every free road is intended to prove who is the slowest.

In terms of friction, what interests me most is the difference between flowing driving and prolonged standing and repeated stops. In traffic jams we pay for time and patience, and in short and frequent city trips the type of vehicle use may also affect wear and maintenance. Driving very fast is not a condition for preserving the engine; it can actually increase fuel consumption and load.

Bananas from Costa Rica, honey and the bank manager

Sometimes the difference between places is revealed in a simple visit to the supermarket. I look at bananas that came from Costa Rica and are sold in Germany at an affordable price, and I think about the journey they took to get to the shelf. They crossed an ocean, and I can still put them in my cart without making an appointment with the investment advisor.

Then I remember the price of honey in Israel. When you hold a jar up to the light, it's not always clear whether you're looking at honey or a small gold bar. Maybe next time you should ask the bank manager if he also gives a mortgage on breakfast. 😂

Beyond the joke, prices and selection in the supermarket affect life again and again. Comparison between countries does not end with salary or rent: it also lies in the shopping basket that is filled each week and the question of how much of it can be bought comfortably.

When I compare my experience, I also think about the level of competition and the possibility of importing products. Israel is a smaller market, and some of its markets are more limited or concentrated. The price of each product is also affected by other factors, and not everything in Germany is cheaper. Still, the possibility of choosing between different products and buying basic necessities at a price that feels reasonable is, for me, part of the quality of life.

Local food and local farming certainly have value. I'm just glad I also have the option to pick a banana that took a longer trip than mine—and find out that her vacation wasn't fully added to my bill.

Independence: Not just a few who benefit

Working as a freelancer in Germany made me rethink what it means to have a good job. Income is important, of course—bills don't pay themselves, not even in Germany—but for me it's only part of the picture.

The ability to choose what my week looks like is important to me. Some jobs can bring in more and come with constant commitment, heavy responsibility, and the expectation of being available. As a freelancer, I deal with uncertainty, insurance, taxes, and bureaucracy, but the ability to build a path that suits my personality is something I really appreciate.

Over time, I realized that an interesting question is not just "How much can I earn?" but also "How much do I need to live well, and what do I want to do with my time?"

Education: From kindergarten to university

When looking at a family's quality of life, it's also worth considering the options open to children. A discussion of monthly salary doesn't necessarily show how much a preschool costs, how much time parents have to invest in looking for one, or what will happen when the children want to attend university.

In Germany, there are settings for very young children as well. The cost and availability are not uniform: they depend on the region, the municipality, the family's income, and the scope of care. There are places where the price is more affordable, and there are families who encounter significant costs or difficulty finding a place.

Higher education also has an advantage that I think is important to understand: Many public universities do not charge regular tuition for undergraduate and many master's degree programs, and even doctoral programs have tuition-free programs. There is still a semester fee, living expenses, and exceptions depending on the institution, program, and student status.

This doesn't mean that education costs nothing. It means that the path to education may be more accessible for those who are fit and willing to learn. For me, it's a reminder that education has value that goes far beyond the amount in your parents' bank accounts.

Health insurance: The moment you realize the value

As a self-employed person, I pay a hefty amount for health insurance every month. It's easy to look at the payment and think about what else could have been done with that money. But when you need medical care, you start to see the other side of the bill.

One time I needed a test before treatment, I was able to get an MRI on the same day I made the appointment. The hospital environment also left a positive impression on me: well-kept and pleasant, so much so that I thought it reminded me of a four-star hotel. Only in a regular hotel, they usually don't ask you to change into a robe that's open at the back.

This is my personal experience, and not a guarantee that every test in Germany is available on the same day. Wait times and quality of experience can vary. But for me, this moment illustrated that paying for health insurance is not just an expense: it is part of a system that makes a big difference when you really need it.

Housing: A home from which you can plan your life

Real estate can be examined through price per square meter, rent, and yield. These are important indicators, but the home is also the place where you start your morning and return to at the end of the day. So when I think about housing, I also think about stability, environment, and a person's ability to afford the expense over time.

In Germany, many people live in rented accommodation for years. There are rules that regulate some of the landlord-tenant relationships, and in some cases also housing assistance and subsidized housing. For me, it is important that the public debate sees housing as both a basic need and an economic asset.

This does not mean that it is easy to find an apartment everywhere. In sought-after cities, the search can be lengthy and the prices can be very onerous. Property owners also have to maintain the apartments and bear the costs and risks. The challenge is to find a balance between the tenant's need for a stable home and the property owner's ability to own and maintain it.

In my experience, when housing costs remain affordable, there is breathing room. We can save, cope with weaker periods, and sometimes even choose to work in a way that better suits the life we ​​want.

And what about Israel?

It's easy to turn a comparison between countries into a competition: who's cheaper, who's more organized, and who's winning the league table. Personal life is more complicated.

Israel has things that are hard to measure for many people: close family, old friends, language, culture, and a sense of belonging. For those who have these things there, the distance from them can be a much greater price than any economic advantage elsewhere.

And yet, on visits to Israel, I sometimes find myself looking at the people around me and wondering if it's just me: Even among those who seem to be doing well financially and have a big bank account, I often encounter faces that look worried, people who seem to be in a hurry and troubled. Sometimes I see wrinkles and think about all the years and worries that may have left their mark on them.

Of course, I don't really know what each person I meet is going through, and it's impossible to read their life story at a glance. But this impression makes me think about how a large bank account doesn't in itself guarantee peace of mind.

Over the years, I've realized that I'd rather replace this race, as much as I can, with a more relaxed life: time to breathe, look at the scenery, and smile. I hope I'm successful. 😊

Adapting to Germany also requires effort: language, familiarity with laws, dealing with official letters, and building relationships.

So there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. I can tell you what I value in the place I chose to live; everyone needs to consider their own contexts, needs, and possibilities.

So what exactly is the fun?

Maybe fun isn't one big thing. It's accumulated from many moments: a walk in a green area, a road that opens up in front of you, the opportunity to learn something new, or a day when there's no need to rush.

After all these years, I'm still discovering new places and new ways to enjoy life in Germany. And sometimes all it takes is sitting by the window on the train, watching a forest pass by outside and remembering that not all good things in life require a business plan. Although in Germany too, just to be safe, it might be a good idea to have a great plan. 😊