Anybody ever been to Weisbaden, or the greater Franfurt area?

Yes, stationed near Frankfurt for three years ('78 - '81).

We used to go to an AF Wiesbaden range to shoot (as part of a Battalion Pistol Team).

Next week I have an interview for an army civil service job there. Tell me why I should or should not try to get it. Background: I don't snowski or other outdoor winter sports, being relatively close to the Alps for motorcycling is a big advantage.

Also how much was a typical rental (with garage for the motorcycles of course) and utilities?

Do they have any good venues for shows-festivals?

Well, I enjoyed the food and the beer. Travelled around by train (damned near ALWAYS on time, to the minute), saw a number of countries while there, and got to show off different places when family and friends came over for a visit.

Regarding snow skiing, Hanau had the heaviest snowfall in 25 years while I was there('79), and it was under two inches. You'll have to go to the higher elevations.

We got a lot of fog in October and relatively mild summers (occasional hot days, in the 90's).

I haven't kept up on the Deutschmark (or now Eurodollar) to U.S. Dollar rates any more.

I was always on post, never lived on the economy. Parking on post for my car was free (it was in the PDO lot when I bought it from another soldier, it was in the PDO lot when I sold it to another soldier, same price both times, never moved it ).

There was a VERY large Exchange in Wiesbaden where two of my buddies bought their motorcycles.

I'm sure things have changed immensely since I left. I checked maps.live.com recently and found my old kaserne. No military vehicles on it at all, gates were all gone. Still had the baseball field, though.

quote:

Do they have any good venues for shows-festivals?

Yeah, there's this little thing, starts ever September - OKTOBERFEST!

AUSGETICHNET!!!!!!!!

How long does winter last there? And can you tell me anything about the cost of an apartment or house rental (with garage for the motorcycles), insurance, etc?

I'm guessing my 22' F-150 longbed supercab is not the vehicle for Europe, not only because of the high gas prices but also the narrow streets and limited parking.

How far is that from Austria?

I never had to rent a house, apartment, or garage there, sorry. And my info would be almost 30 years out of date.

Snow seasons are dependent upon where in Germany. Hanau (11 miles east of Frankfurt) had mild winters with little snow.

One of our MP sedans was a two door Ford Pinto, which enabled it to get around on some of the inner city streets that your Ford F-150 absolutely would not fit in. No problems on the Autobahn, though.

Maps.live.com has it 371.9 miles (5 hours, 8 minutes) from Frankfurt to Salzburg, Austria (right on the German/Austrian border).

Wiesbaden is WSW of Frankfurt.

Hope this helps some.

RWLucas,

Husband & I were stationed there for 1.5yrs.
I personally loved the area because it is very city like area and that is perfect for me having come from NYC.
There are smaller & spaced out (suburb-type) housing areas in the outskirts.
Also best advantage is being 20min from Frankfurt Airport.
Germany is in center of Europe and to be that close to such a major airport for travel is only a plus.

Sorry I never rented off-post so I cannot give you any cost information on rent or utilities.
We lived on-post in stairwell type housing and Army picked up the tab on almost everything.
One thing I can say is that region is expensive.
Wiesbaden is populated with wealthy Germans so the cost of living reflects that.
Husband & I are also not winter sports fans either.
We love German beer & our most favorite thing was attending all kinds of fests.
Oktoberfest is just 1 (the biggest) but there are a ton more that go on all over Germany (mostly in the warm months) at a smaller scale & most importantly easier to enjoy than the crowded Oktoberfest.

Mainz-Frankfurt-Wiesbaden area is often compared to the NY-CT-NJ Tri-State area.
Frankfurt is a big city with lots of business people & stock market.
Mainz has a younger crowd - University city so good place to go drinking/partying if you are into that.
Wiesbaden is a bit expensive & older people out & about.
You've got the Rhein River which attracts many visitors.
I recommend a small but very popular town called Rudesheim which is famous for the Lorely Valley & wine.
Since you are a motorcycle person ....
I know that at least 2x a year some Harley Davidson group drives on the road by the river passing thru Rudesheim - a large group & event.
I know they have that type of stuff other times of the year in other cities but I do not know how to direct you to find such information.

The last 2-3 winters have been weak so I heard from people living off-post that this helped them save money on the oil bills.
It depends if you rent a house/apt with electric heating vs oil.

Good luck with your interview and hope you find the information you are seeking to help you make a decision.

- Joana

Lived in a little village called Esslingen many years ago. If you decide to go, learn German.
The dollar does not go as far there now as it used to, might be something to look into. Cost of living there seemed to be about what most would consider average. Dump the truck and get a fast audi or mercedes, lets see, the beer there has no equal. Great food. Frankfurt is a few hours from the southern border. Austria and Switzerland are awesome, especially in the winter, snow skiing there is the best in the world. Lots of military basis over there so thats a plus, exchange. etc.
Oh, almost forgot, "Exit" in German is Ausfahrt!

Good Luck!!

Chapwood..........

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