FAQ: Moving to Germany
Our "countdown" to move day is now under a month! It seems like it was just days ago that Ara told me the news, but turns out, it was actually 3 months ago and now we are almost there!
The preparations for this move have been unlike any other move for us, bringing about new challenges and learning about all things with an overseas move.
I've been getting quite a few of the same questions lately from friends and family so I decided why not try to answer all those in concise way for people to refer to. You've got questions, well I've got answers...to mostly everything!
Q: Where are you moving again?
A: We are being stationed at Ramstein AB in southwest Germany . The biggest town near the base is Kaiserslautern and the nearest international airport will be Frankfurt, about 1.5 hrs away.
Q: Will you take your cats?
A: YES! Riley and Newman are our people. I joke that I've spent more time with them than Ara--of course they are going with us! This will be Riley's fourth home - (Wichita, Hawaii, Tacoma, Germany) and Newman's third (Hawaii, Tacoma, Germany). They adapt, because we adapt.
Q: Will the cats have to be quarantined?
A: No, thankfully the process is fairly "routine." All they need is a current rabies vaccine and an EU-compatible microchip to travel there and reside in Germany. They already had a microchip, but not the EU-compatible one, so now they've got two in them!
Q: How will Riley & Newman travel there?
A: We'll get them checked with a veterinarian within 10 days of our travel where they are examined to see if they are flight ready and issued a health certificate. In the past, we've traveled with them as checked cargo and they fly below us in the cargo hold. This time that wasn't an option for us so we'll be flying with them in-cabin. We aren't planning on drugging them (my momma gut tells me no). This will be a new experience for all four of us--please start sending up prayers now for all involved!
Q: Do you get to take your cars?
A: We are thankful the military pays for one car to be shipped so we have shipped our Subaru Outback. We said goodbye to our trusty "Stuart the Subaru" this past Friday and have an anticipated date of arrival on Sept. 1. The car makes it's way to Galvaston, Texas where it's put on a container ship and makes several port stops before getting to us in Germany. We are sad to say goodbye to our other car, a great '99 Honda Accord.
Q: What will you do for work in Germany?
A: That's a good question...that I don't have the answer to right now. I've always had great luck when we move in finding some great opportunities for work that has fulfilled me. That being said, I've always been in the United States finding a job. I am not fluent in German and that will limit me on jobs to almost solely on base. While there might be many jobs on base, all the other military spouses will also be in the same boat as I am in wishing to find work and I'm imagining the job postings will be quite competitive. I'm going to try to stay positive and open-minded and hopefully a job will come along! In the meantime, I'll be figuring out how to live in a foreign country, work on my German, learn about my surroundings and making new friends!
Q: What will Ara be doing for work at this new base?
A: He won't be flying at this base, but beyond that--if you'd like to know more, ask us via phone or email please!
Q: Where will you stay once you get there? Do you have a house already?
A: We don't have a house yet, so we'll be staying in a hotel on base when we arrive. We are given 30 days to stay in the hotel as we get settled, learn the area and find a house. We would like to live off base and that will take some time and patience to find the perfect place for all of us to call home!
Q: Do you have to pack all your household goods? How long will it take them to get to you in Germany?
A: No real packing is done by us actually! A moving company will come in July 6 & 7 and pack up all our household goods for us--a huge benefit given to us on a military move. We prep our house by taking off all the items hanging on the wall and remove all items from cupboards, but beyond that it all gets done by movers. It's estimated that our household goods will take approximately 60 days to arrive to us, but I'm a realist so I've estimated 80 days when all is said an done. That puts our goods getting to us around Sept. 18th. If you are doing that math right, you realize we will be there without our household possessions for over a month. We had one prior shipment that included our necessities like an air mattress, bedding & towels and kitchen items that should take less time getting to us that will help tide us by until the rest arrives. We'll be "glamping" hopefully in our future new house with a lot of grace and patience.
Hopefully this helps you understand all that we have been undertaking lately! These past few months have definitely been a labor of love, tears and lists. If you have any other questions about what all goes into an overseas/military move, just let me know!
