will be PCS'ing Aug 1, ANY suggestions!

Tiffany - posted on 07/20/2009

We just moved here, and we live off base. We considered living on base, but the stairwell living just isn't our thing... we have always been in a house, so to go back to apartment style living was pretty much out of the question. We live in Landstuhl, which is about a 8-10 minute drive to Ramstein, about a 15 minute drive to Vogelweh and literally 2 minutes to the hospital. We wanted to live near the US hospital because I wasn't sure if I would have my own vehicle and being so close to it eased my mind about IF something happened while I was at home with the kids and no car...

I am not to sure if I can give you any other helpful information, but here are some things I can think of:

we didn't do the unaccompanied baggage, but we should have. we lived out of our suitcases until our shipment came in... and it wasn't much. I sure people wondered if I only had 5 outfits to wear...

I had also wanted to bring our pack n play as a checked bag, but hubby talked me out of it and I regretted not bringing it. We did get the FMO furniture, but the crib was super tiny and my son kept getting stuck in the sides of it... so we ended up buying another pack n play...

we packed TONS of diapers and wipes in our luggage, and boy was the best idea we ever had... other than the fact we could have packed 2 suitcases with more clothes... but we had enough diapers and wipes to get us through the first few weeks so the only thing we really had to worry about was food.

I hope you have a good sponsor, we were lucky and had a good one. that and my hubby's squadron all work together to help each other out, so we had plenty of people to drive us around... if not, feel free to contact me... I am willing to help with what I can...

Deana - posted on 05/15/2009

wonderful...that's tons of good info. Thanks.

Stephanie - posted on 05/15/2009

Quoting Chozie:

Hi! Okay, here's a site that might be helpful in just general- it's the Ramstein Air Force home page: http://www.ramstein.af.mil/library/facts... The base has a number of stateside fastfood places- including Chili's, but there's also really great restaurants off base too. The Hacienda is a mexican place- one of the only in Germany worth going to and Hooters is off base too- the first and only in Germany too! Both are relatively close to Ramstein/K-town. Doners... mmm... the greatest food ever, it's Turkish or middle eastern, Doner imbisses can be found on virtually every corner off base. They are veal (these days they also just have beef/turkey/and sometimes chicken) cut very fine (cooked on huge electric spits) with veggies, tskies(sp?) sauce which is probably the most amazing and unexpected combination of flavors you'll ever taste. Which are sorta combined anyway... Their two separate bases but very close. Landstuhl is right by there too which is where the main hospital in Germany is also. Do you have any specific questions, worries or anxieties about moving here? Oh- the Germans are required to learn English in school, so most people our age, give or take 5-10 above and below, will all speak English. However, they appreciate it when you at least attempt to speak German first. Some, will act like they don't speak any if you don't at least attempt to start the conversation in German. So it might be a good idea to learn a couple basic phrases- Guten Tag= Good Day (used a greeting and farewell) Schonen Tag/Abend=Have a good day or night, Gleich Wahl=same to you, Auch=I'll have the same(typically used when ordering), Bitte=used as both 'please' and 'you're welcome', Danke schon=Thank-you, Kanst Ich Habe... =Can I have..., Recht=right(directional), Links=Left, Sprechen Sie English= Do you speak English. If you preface a conversation with this tho- you may get a no... even if they do... well... let me know if you have any other questions.

You just made me hungry! hahaha

You did forget the most awesome Italian restraunt off base.. Salvatories! OMG that place is awesome. lol

Oh, Hooters is a 20-25 min drive, depending on construction and traffic, from Ramstein. There is also a mall right across the street from Hooters.

They are in the never ending process of building a super BX type place on Ramstein that is supposed to have a Macaroni Grill inside it. Among other stuff that the BX don't have now. They started building it like 2 or 3 years ago and stopped for awhile.. I think they are back at building it up now.. So, I have no clue when that'll be done.

On Ramstein they have Chilis, BK, Taco bell,  A couple pizza places, American Etery... I know there is more but I can't think right now. There is a McDonalds off base, in my opinion, that is 10x's better than American McDonalds. Also,  A pizza hut off base.

Anyways, I just wanted to add to the food talk cause I'm hungry. lol :-)

Stephanie - posted on 05/15/2009

I forgot about the 110 and 220 voltage. On base housing has both! A good amount of both.

Kristina - posted on 05/15/2009

It sounds like you have gotten some good advice so far. I am not sure if base housing uses 110 or 220 voltage for appliances. That would be something I could find out or someone on here could tell you. If you really want to live on base and it is 110, then your appliances you have now should be fine. However, if you can't live on base (there is at least a 6 month waiting period I believe) you should have dual voltage appliances. Most electronics such a TV's, computers, and such are dual voltage, but they won't have the right plug in. You will need to get an outlet adapter at the BX. We got rid of most of our appliances when we left just because our sponsor gave us that information. We have been here for three years and it hasn't really been an issue. FMO can furnish you any appliances you don't have....if you live off base. Like, refrigerators, washer/dryer, etc...
It will be very overwhelming when you get here, and stressful too. Just keep that in mind, and it is also temporary. The German culture is VERY different. Don't get discouraged if you wave to a local and they just stare at you. There are many nice people out there, but their ways are just a little different. I hope your head isn't exploding from all the info everyone is bringing forth. It is definitely needed though. Good Luck!

Chozie - posted on 05/14/2009

okay- saw that the pdf link didn't come up- http://www.calguard.ca.gov/rtsm/Pages/Dr... this the actual page it came off of.

Chozie - posted on 05/14/2009

Hi! Okay, here's a site that might be helpful in just general- it's the Ramstein Air Force home page: http://www.ramstein.af.mil/newcomersinfo... If you go to 'Home' there's a bunch more info on just the community in general. The driver's fact info is good- but I did actually find a link to the online manual on a Cali AB page; here's the pdf link: USAREUR / AE Pamphlet 190-34.pdf

it's from 2006... and as far as I know, it's the last updated copy... There is another AB here, it's in Spangdahlem, but since Stephanie set up this group for Germany spouses in general, I was just wondering if you were coming to another base. Heidelberg is Army USAREUR Headquarters. But Ramstein is much better. One- its one giant base vs. being spread out over several kaserns. So the BX, Commisary, Chapel, Rec centers, schools etc. + billeting and housing is all on one base so driving to them should be relatively easy. Here's the info on billeting and housing: http://www.ramstein.af.mil/library/facts... The base has a number of stateside fastfood places- including Chili's, but there's also really great restaurants off base too. The Hacienda is a mexican place- one of the only in Germany worth going to and Hooters is off base too- the first and only in Germany too! Both are relatively close to Ramstein/K-town. Doners... mmm... the greatest food ever, it's Turkish or middle eastern, Doner imbisses can be found on virtually every corner off base. They are veal (these days they also just have beef/turkey/and sometimes chicken) cut very fine (cooked on huge electric spits) with veggies, tskies(sp?) sauce which is probably the most amazing and unexpected combination of flavors you'll ever taste. Which are sorta combined anyway... Their two separate bases but very close. Landstuhl is right by there too which is where the main hospital in Germany is also. Do you have any specific questions, worries or anxieties about moving here? Oh- the Germans are required to learn English in school, so most people our age, give or take 5-10 above and below, will all speak English. However, they appreciate it when you at least attempt to speak German first. Some, will act like they don't speak any if you don't at least attempt to start the conversation in German. So it might be a good idea to learn a couple basic phrases- Guten Tag= Good Day (used a greeting and farewell) Schonen Tag/Abend=Have a good day or night, Gleich Wahl=same to you, Auch=I'll have the same(typically used when ordering), Bitte=used as both 'please' and 'you're welcome', Danke schon=Thank-you, Kanst Ich Habe... =Can I have..., Recht=right(directional), Links=Left, Sprechen Sie English= Do you speak English. If you preface a conversation with this tho- you may get a no... even if they do... well... let me know if you have any other questions.

Deana - posted on 05/14/2009

We do have a sponsor, I just didn't think they would really be that helpful because when we came to McGuire in NJ we only saw our sponsor 1 time and he didn't do anything for us. I was hoping they would be more helpful, but not getting my hopes up.



Stairs are fine with us, just don't know if i'm prego again right now. I'll for sure find out before we leave.



We plan on living on base because we only have one car and it's just proven to be easier and closer for us so far. I think I have seen the study guide online for the USAREUR. Yeah we are PCS'ing to Ramstein, why is there another AB there?

Chozie - posted on 05/13/2009

Hi! I live in the Heidelberg area which is about an hour away... but do you know if you are going to be living in the base billiting or off base? Try to get your international driver's license too. You can rent a car, I def reccommend renting when you first get here, with just your US license, but an international one will just be a 'just in case'. At least until you're able to get your USAREUR. Study for the USAREUR driver's test. Its hard and the signs... YOU HAVE TO KNOW the SIGNS... Your sponsor should be able to get you a copy or see if they have it online to study for. I'd be sure to have both a jacket and more summery clothes. German weather is straight bipolar... Are vyou pcsing to Ramstein specifically?

Stephanie - posted on 05/13/2009

Did you read my post in the other group? I can find it and copy & paste it here if you want.



Do you guys have a sponsor? You're sponsor should basically help you guys out with everything until your car arrives. Help by picking you guys up from the terminal, Take you guys grocery shopping, Taking your husband to and from work, Helping you find a place to live if you choose off base, If you choose on base he/she should take you to housing to get on the list if you haven't already gotten on, Etc.



Also, About the housing on base... It is stairwell living, So, If you don't like stairwell living you're best bet is off base. If you do have more than one child than you can get a townhouse on base.



Anyways, I hope someone else in this group responds because I know you could use more than one opinion. haha