Home | Customs & Helpful Hints | To Live On or Off base? | Base Housing Information | Base Housing Photos | Off-base Housing Photos | Schools | Phone & Internet | POV Inspection Info | VAT Information | Pet Information | German Holiday's | Q & A's | What Others Have to Say? | Area Photos | Links | Germany Information Message Board, E-mail Group & Chat Room | Currency Exchange Calculator | Have a Question? Ask Here | Site Map Q & A's - Page 3 OLD------page 1 - page 2 - page 3 - page 4 - page 5------NEW   Q: I am just wondering how long it will take me to get base housing so my family can join me. How long does it take to get housing off post. A: There is no way that I can tell you how long it will take to get base housing, it really changes everyday. The winter is a good time because the number of PCS's are low. We got our house right away but that was in 2000. Usually people bring their families over with them. As far as getting a house off base, it is just really how lucky you are. Check www.ka-ads.de and look under classifieds and then accomodations and you can see what housing are available. Q: What about small kitchen appliance, should I bring them with me (i.e. blender, toaster, steamer)? They're all 110v and would require transformers, but I don't know if this is normal or safe practice in Germany. A: Bringing your little appliances is fine, but it is a pain to have to use transformers all the time. Also, things with motors might tend to run differently because of the 50 cycles of electricity. So, they work, you just might find that they don't operate like you would want them too. I think it might be different for every appliance, so it is hard to say. Some people say that things work fine, and then others say they don't. There are always people selling things if you need to buy something here. But it is really up to you..........they are little things and you can try them, if they don't work right for you, then buy 220. Q: I want to know what is VAT. A: Value Added Tax! The price on the label includes the tax, which over here is 16%. So if the store advertises (or ask them) "Tax Free Sales", this means that for purchases over a certain amount (usually $50 or more) you can avoid paying the Value Added Tax. You get them on base at the VAT office and they are $4.00 each. You are allowed to have 10 at a time. They are really a good thing and will save you 16%. There should be a VAT office on just about every base, so you should be able to get them easily. Q: My wife and I watch TV shows on local and cable stations here in the states. Are there TV stations with shows in English in Germany? What are they? A: Ok, as far TV goes........if you get cable with AFN (American Forces Network), you get American shows. You get 3 afn channels, one is sports and the other two play regular shows that you like to watch. The only thing is that most of them are a season or two behind. Some, like the today show, you get the same day.........Jay Leno is a day behind. So, you might only get one show for a couple of months and then they change to something different. So, you never really know what is going to be on. There are also a couple of British channels.....they play some good shows. One of them always plays the simpsons..........yuk! They play some other american shows too. And then, some of the other shows they play are really good too. They also show a lot of nudity........so.......anyways.....that is all on base and it is $20 a month for basic. They also offer a movie channel.......not sure how much $. If you live off base, you have to get a satalite to get all of those channels........kind of a pain and expensive to get started. If someone want to email me the details once you are here......I will gladly post them here! Ü Q: Do you recommend I ship my motorcylce? How bike friendly is the area? A: You asked if you should bring your motorcycle. Well, there are lots of people that have them here. The roads are bumpy though. You have to take a test to get a special liscence. They only give the class about once a quater, so you might have to wait a while before you can take the class. You really only have about 4 months of good riding weather........or bring rain gear. Also, make sure your stateside liscence is endorsed for motorcycles before you come overseas, or it can real expensive. Q: We would like to know the current exchange rate? A: Right now, the rate is about 1.1 Euro to 1 USD. Q: Do the apartments on base go from front to back or just front to middle ? A: I think I understand your question. The apartments are 1 deep. This means that if you look out your bedroom windows, you will see the parking area. If you look out your living room windows, you will see the back yard. (this is my layout, others might be different, but they are all 1 apartment deep!) Q: I scrapbook, should I stock up on supplies or can I get them there? A: The bx's here have supplies for scrapbooking and stamping, but not a whole lot. And usually, they just have the same stuff all the time. There are also some creative memories consultants here. Other than that, you will have to order online what you need. So, yes, you might want to stock up on things just in case. Q: What type of Church Services are offered in the area around or near Ramstein? A: There are quite a few of options available. Protestant, Apostolic, Islamic, Methodist, Episcopalian,Gospel/Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Angelican, Chruch of God/Christ, Latter Day Saints. There are also choirs, youth ministry, children's programs, and counseling available. Q: What different activities available for children and youth in the Ramstein/K-town area? A: Sports, Scouts, Art, Drama, Speech, Debate, Band, Chorus, Music, Computers, Electronics, IT, Environment Club, Gourmet Club, Gardening, Humanities, Journalism, Media, Student Councel/Government. There are also bowling alleys with leagues, skating rink, youth and teen centers, dances, prom, game rooms, trips and tours, camps, martial arts, gymnastics, arts & crafts, dance instruction, soccer, basketball, football, baseball, swimming/diving, biking, hokey, sports clinics, tennis, badmiton, raquetball, cheerleading, drill team, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting........and I am sure I missed some! Q: Is WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) offered in Germany? A: Yes, in some places, WIC has already been implimented. Starting Sept. 2002, WIC sites will be open at all bases with a MTF and a commissary. If you don't get WIC informaiton in your intro briefing to your base, contact your Family Support Center. Q: Are there rations in Germany? A: Yes, you must have a ration card to buy gas, cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol on base. If you purchase these items on the economy, you do not need a ration card. Q: Can you use coupons in Germany? A: YES! And they are good for 6 months after the printed expiration date. So stock up on them and bring them with you. Q: Do you know where I can get a bunch of information (not internet)about Germany? A: For more information on Germany, I would suggest checking the library or your family support center on base. Q: I want to find a friend that lives in Germany, but I can't locate her. A: I am not sure how to go about finding anyone that lives here. We don't have phone books for local nationals. There might be agencies that can help you. You might can research that once you are here. Q: I was just wondering about how much does it cost if you wanted to buy bedroom furniture in Germany, and is it less then in America? A: I don't think that you would want to buy Europeon furniture. It is much different than what we are used to and the sizes are different.........so if you did buy a bed from over here, only Europeon sheets and stuff would fit. As far as the Europeon furniture, some is really nice and you can get for good prices.........but, it will all be up to you. Alot of people buy shrunks (wall unit/entertainment centers)..........tables, chairs, but have never really seen of anyone buying the couches, or beds. Q: Is it easy to find a house off base that accepts pets? A: Well, it is kinda 50/50. Germans love dogs, but they just don't necessarily want them living in their homes they rent out. (a lot of Americans end up ditching their pets while they are over here) Q: Will we be able to afford off base housing? A: Check this site out www.cinchouse.com. There you can calculate what your pay will be here in Germany (or anywhere really) including COLA, BHA and so on. Then you can visit the www.ka-ads.de to see what types of houses are available and how much they want for rent. Q: Are there any dogs that are not allowed in Germany? A: Restricted Dog Breeds - American Pit Bull Terriors, Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and any forms of the breeds are not allowed in Germany. Q: Can you give us the names of some kennels close by to keep our dog while we are in TLF? A: Rainbow-Farm 06371-914619 or www.rainbow-farm.com, Doghouse Paque 06371-952584, Tannenhof 06371-14129, The Farm Kennel 06372-8070 or www.tierpension-farm-kennel.de     OLD------page 1 - page 2 - page 3 - page 4 - page 5------NEW Home | Customs & Helpful Hints | To Live On or Off base? | Base Housing Information | Base Housing Photos | Off-base Housing Photos | Schools | Phone & Internet | POV Inspection Info | VAT Information | Pet Information | German Holiday's | Q & A's | What Others Have to Say? | Area Photos | Links | Germany Information Message Board, E-mail Group & Chat Room | Currency Exchange Calculator | Have a Question? Ask Here | Site Map