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Berlin, which is actually one of the cheaper cities in Germany (at least it was two years ago when I was looking at moving there). It's still not great money,
by hugh 18y ago
Berlin, which is actually one of the cheaper cities in Germany (at least it was two years ago when I was looking at moving there).
It's still not great money, but it's hardly terrible.
- timr 18y agoCan't speak for Berlin, but I was just in a few different smaller towns in Germany, and prices for most things were (in Euros) about equivalent to what they are in USD. My friends who live in Cologne confirmed my observation. For example, my friend was paying about 1300 Euros for an apartment that would probably go for about 1300 USD where I live. Shoes were roughly 100 Euro per pair, Bread was 3-5 Euro for a loaf, etc. Assuming that the greater social services in Germany are largely offset by their significantly higher tax rates, someone with a 32k Euro job is getting by, but not likely saving very much...unless they're somehow buying everything they need in the US (and hence at a 60% discount, thanks to the exchange rate).
- tptacek 18y agoI'm not sure I understand: if your friend pays 1300EU for an apartment that goes for 1300USD, he's paying 150% of what you pay.
- timr 18y agoIf he earned in USD, and paid in Euros, or vice-versa, then yes. But he's European, so he earns in Euros and pays in Euros. The exchange rate between the currencies isn't relevant. Point is, 1 Euro appears to have about the same relative earning power (in Germany) as 1 USD has in the US (where I live, anyway). The comparison isn't perfect, but it's good enough to be able to make an estimate of lifestyle, based on salary in whichever currency. EU citizens aren't all magically richer than US citizens because they earn in Euros.