Moving to Germany (country, train, people, living)

[Graceful2]

There is a good possibility I will be moving to Baden-Baden Germany for 6 months with my Fiance. He will be working all day. I was wondering if anyone knows of any business/social networking groups that exist. I work now here in the US but I may not be working over there and would be looking for ways to meet new friends. Any ideas on how to do so or things that I can do during the day to keep busy. I do like to explore and am active/athletic and a very social person.

[pigeonhole]

I hope that you are not into gambling, because Baden-Baden is the gambling capital of Germany...

[City of Rain]

Germans are like any other people living in a big country - they generally suck at speaking any other language than german, so i hope you know the language

[effie g-tad]

Originally Posted by City of Rain

Germans are like any other people living in a big country - they generally suck at speaking any other language than german, so i hope you know the language

sorry, that's not true. many of us have a fairly good command of english, the younger folks anyway.

apart from a likely regionally tinged "accent", the marketing-oriented crowd
speaks a funny "denglish", much to the chagrin of culturally aware educators.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,411555,00.html

there's more to google, and a lot of fun ... i guess.

lol.

p.s. most conversations nowadays boil down to an international "shop till you drop" spiked with a good deal of shrugging like atlas.

[irman]

Uhmmm ....
Not enough info supplied for a detailed answer, but my first concern would be to ask,
- what kind of visa did your fiance get ?
... I assume, since he will be working all day (wow all day ... ),
... he DOES have an Aufenthalterlaubnis (visa)
AND
... he DOES have an Arbeitserlaubnis ? (work permit)
... in your case, what are you getting ?

We lived 8+ years in Bavaria and I was allowed to work there, but the wife NEVER received a work permit. Never wondered why, since she was required at home for the kids.
Then when I went *on my own* (created a consulting bureau), she still did not get a work permit. My work permit stated expressly what I could do, nothing more, nothing less.
You, may not be able to get a work permit there.

So far info about you trying to work there.

For getting in touch with people, get with the local nearest consulate, and ask for advice.
We also lived in Switzerland for a few years, and I checked with the embassy there and then found out that there were lots and lots of expats of the country where I was born in (not the USA, where live now).
In Switzerland, I never cared for looking for USA people because they were always so hoity toity CD connected people. In Bavaria, we had lots of US friends form the local Army bases.

So do some home work and then enjoy your stay there.
Not that often that you get a chance to be there for 6 months !!!
We had a wonderful time, but then we immmersed ourselves into the local culture. The kids went to German schools, we always spoke German (my wife tried very hard and the locals thought it was great that she tried). I am a polyglot and so I only spoke English at home.
Maybe you can find out where you will end up if they have art classes or workshops to learn things you have never done before, like *toll painting* or what ever. We even sang in a local choir there.
On the weekends, there is so much to see, so venture out and *see* things.
Keep in touch, OK, and most of all have a fun time.

[effie g-tad]

...

anyone can visit baden baden, virtually...

Baden Baden

it's an international spa and has a (state-controlled) casino.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by effie briest

...

anyone can visit baden baden, virtually...

According to the video it is always raining in Baden Baden Nice city however.

[Graceful2]

Thank-you all...your input has been very helpful.

[germanrose20]

Well as a Army brat who was born and raised in Baden-Württemberg (went to the german schools and everything, our mother didn't want us going to DOD schools), I can tell you that since all schools require their students to study english for 4-5 years most everyone will be able to understand you. It will help however if you try to pick up some rudimentary german terms for thank you, hello, how are you and so on.
In Germany, one of the major differences is that there they almost exclusively rely on public transportation. The system there for buses and trains is very extensive and with busses leaving from almost every corner every 10 -15 min it should be no problem getting around.
There are some good tips that you have already gotten here, but one thing I always like to do when I am out with the military is try to get off base and into the local culture. Try to see if there are any online resources for Baden-Baden in the area of where you will be staying in the sense of activities that you may be interested in taking.
Hope this helps, and feel free to ask, I'll be glad to help.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by City of Rain

Germans are like any other people living in a big country - they generally suck at speaking any other language than german, so i hope you know the language

Sorry but that is just nonsense. The vast majority of Germans speak at least a little English and some of them speak it better than we do. Naturally, they will be very appreciative if you make some effort at learning their language in return.