|
Your Name
(if you would like it to appear):
Kasey Tanner
Base Name:
Panzer Kaserne, Kleber Kaserne, Danner
Kaserne, Rhine Ordinance Barracks, Volgeweh Air Base, Ramstien
Air Base & last the hospital post Landstuhl (KMC- Kaiserlsautern
Military Community)
Base Location:
Kaiserlsautern ( K-Town) Germany
How long have
you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)
2005- present
What is housing like? On-post? (waiting
list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from?
Average price to rent or buy?
On post in stairwell
housing. This means apartments, usually up to a fourth floor.
It's pretty crowded, really no room. Wait list for a 2 bedroom
is about 2 to 4 months, 3 bedroom 6 to 9 months and the 4 to 5
bedrooms are very few and at the top of t he buildings, with
little ventilation because your in the attic. Y kids, a boy and
a girl 2 years apart were expected to share a room. There is no
separation rules, kids can share rooms, if you want to be
particular then you move off post. There are also the duplexes
now. There are only so many for certain ranks, this means lower
enlisted have almost no chance of getting in. I lived on post
for 2 1/2 years. Now I live off post. Rent is in Euro, the
exchange rate for your OHA (overseas housing allowance) doesn't
change unless there is a dramatic drop in the normal exchange
rate. You might end up paying out of pocket. You only get the
amount of you rent. My husband is E4 our allotment could be up
to 1165 euro our rent is 945, so wee only get 945, you also get
money for bills, ours is 545 euro a month. Electric is
expensive, ours is 150 euro a month, water and trash is about
245 euro every 4 months. Then there is oil, I use about 2000
liters every six months, oil is 1300 dollars a 1000 liters. You
have to sweep your sidewalk once a week and recycle everything.
Animals can not be left outside, no cars running for more then a
minute and you have to ventilate your house everyday.
Rate the PX &
Commissary.
Just like everywhere they are packed with
little to choose from. The only difference is over here this is
the only place you have to go. I usually go about 8 am and do
self check out at the commissary. The PX...well BX cause I'm on
army on an air force base, is terrible, especially during
Christmas, shop on line. The children's clothes area is bare,
usually nothing below a size 2 t for boys.
Activities on base?
There is bowling, teen clubs, roller
rink, movie theater, small skate park on Vogelweh, Ramstien and
Vogelweh have activity teaching centers-ballet, soccer,
gymnastics, etc. There is a place called Kids Zone, sort of like
Chucky Cheese. They have play groups there and on Landstuhl.
Active Spouses Club?
There is one on Ramstien, RESA- Ramstien
Enlisted Spouses Association. I'm army so I'm not active in
that, there is also an officer spouses group. RESA does
everything, from the thrift shop to craft bazaars.
Things to do in area?
There are a lot of clubs that younger
married or single people go to. There are always fairs going on
somewhere. A kids fun factory is what it translates to in the
downtown area. Garden show during the summer and spring.
Dinosaur park, Christmas Markets. Lots of vineyards, with wine
tasting. I would say it's best to venture out on your own and
not with MWR or USO. It's cheaper and so much more fun. Oh yea
and Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. It's up near Munich, and in one
weekend of staying there I went to Italy, Austria, and 3
castles. It's really cheap, goes by your rank and in dollars
because it's a military facility.
School System?
This I can't say. My oldest is only 4. She
goes to a preschool at the CDC in Landstuhl, this is the only
pace they have it. You have to pay though. They also have Sure
Start for kids that are 4 before October.
Any colleges in area?
We have Central Texas, Maryland and
Phoenix. Plus any on line you can think of. The problem is you
are not able to do clinical over here, so nursing is out of the
question. That was what sucked or me, putting my career on hold.
Jobs? (on post and off)
on post is everything like the states,
aafes, commissary, mwr, banks. But the issue with this is a lot
of local nationals hold those jobs and they will forever. If you
can get in you won't get far because once again the higher
positions are held by local nationals or Americans that are
staying here forever. Family Child Care is always a great idea.
Off post really you won't be able to get a job. Outside of the
BX are always vendors selling this and that, they are sometimes
hiring and pay in EURO under the table.
Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding
city?
I just love it, but you have to be
adventurous and explore. Don't live in Europe and do nothing
except go on post!!
Least favorite aspect?
Working with the local nationals that
think just because your a military spouse in their country you
should treat them with all mighty respect, and yes they do act
like that in a work environment.
Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper,
schools, etc.)
www.aafes.com-jobs
www.cpol.army.mil
commissary jobs
www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com
edelweiss reservations and seeing the area
435svc.fcc@ramstein.af.mil
email for FCC info and provider list
www.435thyouthprograms.com
signing kids up for sports, dance etc...
www.ryanair.com cheap cheap
plane tickets with in Europe, like 4.99 to get to Ireland
www.anctravel.de
cheap plane tickets to and from the states. If you do want to go
home or bring someone here this is the place to go through!! The
office is right by post!
Any other tips?
The
biggest thing that I want to say, would be live and love you
time in Germany. For the most part this is such a great place to
live. It took me 2 years to figure that out. Now I only have 9
months left and I hate the thought of leaving. Don't waste money
going back to the states to visit, go to Italy-9 hours away,
spend the day in Paris-4 hours away, go see the crystals in
Austria- 5 hours away. It's all possible cherish Europe. It's a
once in a life time opportunity!! |
