u/inebriated_otter

Does anyone have experience with cheap Primark luggage for checking in on a transatlantic flight? I will be flying home to the US from Europe for the long-term and I’m thinking about buying a cheap luggage from Primark in order to carry anything additional as well as gifts. The cheapest one is a hard case for €25.

As I don’t plan on doing any significant travel for a while thereafter, I don’t mind if this doesn’t hold up on subsequent trips, but it would be good if it didn’t break on this one flight back.

Any opinions?

https://preview.redd.it/pht3a9rapf2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5859d814a45dd133cde22ba8e1f6b1401d3edebf

https://preview.redd.it/f4fz41zwpf2h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ce03c6df4a251b26f32445a2dc6bca493fe777b

I have an older Apple Magic Keyboard (lightning cable) where the up arrow keycap (and corresponding nub) have unfortunately fallen off. Pressing on it still registers a keystroke, just not very comfortable. Is this easily self-repairable in this state, i.e. replacement parts easily purchasable?

Only after booking my flight back home from Germany to the US this weekend did I realize that my layover in Warsaw Chopin International (WAW) is an overnight one. I'll land on Saturday at 21:30, then take off on Sunday at 11:15.

I'm not keen on attempting to overnight at the airport, but is it worth it to splurge a bit (current rate at 120€) to get some decent sleep? Or, perhaps, do I have enough time to venture into the city proper and do some exploring / get a cheaper hotel?

Or, this might sound absurd, maybe even just venture around Warsaw the entire night (and sleep a lot on the plane after an exhausted night tour)?

Sorry if it's not the right sub for this - I'm flying back home from Germany to the US. I'm flying LOT which means having a layover in Warsaw Chopin International (WAW) and I only just realized it's an overnight transfer - landing at 9pm on Saturday and taking off at 11am on Sunday. I feel it's probably a bit too long to camp in the airside terminal, and wondering if there are options for hotels without having to travel too far away from the airport. Or otherwise any suggestions for overnight layovers at WAW?

I have an upcoming international flight to visit family. I booked an extra checked luggage (23kg allowance) to bring candies, presents, whatnot, but thing is I don't have an appropriately sized luggage (only a carry-on size).

Any recommendations on where to buy a 23kg luggage case that has the best bang for the price? i.e. basic combination lock and satisfactory protection, but not overly expensive. I very rarely use a large checked bag and don't want to spend too much on this.

My small carry-on is from Muji, which I quite like, but their large checked-bag offerings are too expensive. I've seen some good cheap examples at Primark (40-50€) but not sure about the durability.

I currently have a standard Deutsche Bank Konto, which isn't optimal since it charges a small monthly maintenance fee. I'll be moving back to the US for at least a few years, which means deregistering, quitting my job, leaving my apartment, etc. However for reasons I'd like to keep a German account open for the time being. Are there other reputable German banks that have no maintenance fees or otherwise repercussions for keeping active while outside Germany for an extended period?

Also friendliness towards American customers would be preferred - I've had no issues with Deutsche Bank, but I've also heard of other German banks refusing to accept Americans as customers due to FATCA and other legal requirements. (Though I'm now a dual US/DE citizen)

This isn't in the cards yet, but it'd be a life situation I'd like to find myself in at some point. If I were to want to split my time between the US and Germany, say move back and forth every three months, yet have no family or connections here I can easily sleep over with, what are the best options for having a ready place to stay whenever I fly in? Perhaps renting a 2-plus room apartment (as Hauptmieter) and renting out one bedroom, leaving one for myself to stay at? Or is buying the only option?

To note: I'm a dual citizen (so visas aren't an issue) and I'm aware of how Germany approaches remote work / freelancing, so that's its own issue to resolve.

This isn't in the cards yet, but it'd be a life situation I'd like to find myself in at some point. If I were to want to split my time between the US and Germany, say move back and forth every three months, yet have no family or connections here I can easily sleep over with, what are the best options for having a ready place to stay whenever I fly in? Perhaps renting a 2-plus apartment apartment (as Hauptmieter) and renting out one bedroom, leaving one for myself to stay at? Or is buying the only option?

To note: I'm a dual citizen (so visas aren't an issue) and I'm aware of how Germany approaches remote work / freelancing, so that's its own issue to resolve.

I'm an American who has been living and working in Germany for quite a few years (got naturalized last year) but due to family circumstances will be moving back home for a while. I've given notice to my rented flat-share and job.

Now I'm considering possibly taking a few more weeks to travel around Germany one more time before I leave. I'd be staying in hotels, hostels, and with friends in various cities around Germany. In addition, I have a few other doctors' appointments coming up, for the peace of mind of making the move with a clean bill of health.

Most of this would happen after my apartment is already cancelled (gekündigt), meaning I no longer have an official Wohnsitz. What do I do in this case, if it's allowed? My current flatshare already has a replacement tenant lined up, so I can't ask to extend my stay. I wouldn't be staying at any friends long enough to warrant a registration at their places. Thoughts?

Aufgrund von Familiengründen werde ich bald für einige Jahre zurück in die Heimat. Aktueller Job und Wohnung in Deutschland schon gekündigt, neuer Job angenommen, Flug gebucht.

Ich überlege aber ob ich für einen weiteren Monat in Deutschland reise und Freunde besuche. Ich würde überwiegend in Hotels oder Hostels oder bei Freunden übernachten aber während dieser Zeit gibt es keine zentrale Wohnort, so ich als "Basis" nennen könnte. Meine aktuelle Wohnung wäre dann auch gekündigt. Danach wäre ich dann in die Heimat fliegen.

Ich habe auch einige ärztliche Termine die noch stattfinden werden, um mein Gesundheitszustand festzustellen vor der Reise.

Wie funktioniert dann die Meldepflicht bei mir wenn ich keinen festen Wohnsitz habe? Läuft auch meine Krankenkasse auch wenn ich für den Monat (freiwillig) arbeitslos und wohnungslos bin?

PS: ich bin Doppelstaatsbürger (DE und meine Heimat)

I'm an American currently living in Germany but will be returning to the US soon, with job in hand. Only just recently did some concerning symptoms arise, leading to an upcoming colonoscopy appointment.

Chances are low it's cancer, but if it is, I'm wondering what that would work, both personally and financially/legally, after just starting a job and enrolling in my employer's healthcare plan (Kaiser).

Financially: Is there any pushback to using extensive treatment this early? Will I be asked during the enrollment period, i.e. my rates will skyrocket if I disclose, and I get disqualified if I don't? (I left the US when preexisting conditions was still a thing, so just double-checking here)

Personally: to ask about workplace relationships in the US. assuming I'll be continuing to go to work as usual to keep my insurance (I fully understand Germany's unlimited sick leave doesn't exist here) is there any obligation to disclose to employer? What work relationship between an employee undergoing treatment and employer is to be expected?

I'm an American currently living in Germany but will be returning to the US soon, with job in hand (with employer group coverage with Kaiser). Only just recently did some concerning symptoms arise, leading to an upcoming colonoscopy appointment right before I fly back.

Chances are low it's cancer, but if it is, I'm wondering what that would work, both personally and financially/legally, after just starting a job and enrolling in my employer's healthcare plan (Kaiser).

Financially: Is there any pushback to using extensive treatment this early? Will I be asked during the enrollment period, i.e. my rates will skyrocket if I disclose, and I get disqualified if I don't? (I left the US when preexisting conditions was still a thing, so just double-checking here)

Personally: to ask about workplace relationships in the US. assuming I'll be continuing to go to work as usual to keep my insurance (I fully understand Germany's unlimited sick leave doesn't exist here) is there any obligation to disclose to employer? What work relationship between an employee undergoing treatment and employer is to be expected?

I'm from the US but have been living and working in Germany for years now. (am now a naturalized dual citizen) Due to family circumstances back home I've decided to move back home for a few years. This was in the works for a while now, and I've since given notice to my job and WG (contract ends at the end of June) and have my flight booked for next week.

Now only recently I've noticed some concerning symptoms that warranted a colonoscopy, which I have an Überweisung for (which I'll try to get an appointment ASAP by being a Selbstzahler). If it turns out to be nothing, I don't mind booking a new flight back. As mentioned I have until the end of June to get this colonoscopy.

But if it turns out to be something worse (cancer) I'm between a rock and a hard place - as I understand I have claim to unemployment (after three months) but I now have neither a job nor apartment (past end of June) to stay at for any medical treatments, possibly long-term. I unfortunately have no family here and few friends, at least in my region, at least those who'd allow me to crash at their place while getting medical treatment.

What are my options here? I can imagine finding some really remote apartment, since I'll be only going to work, but it'll be hard since I'm unemployed. Is there housing assistance for those in this situation? Or am I better off going back stateside and bankrupting myself?

Asking as someone who is moving back stateside after a decade in the EU, and am confused about my plan options as part of a job offer I just got. As someone who's relatively young (35) but have a few health scares/concerns I'd elect to have more comprehensive coverage.

To quote the employee handbook at my upcoming new job:

>____ maintains a group health care plan with Kaiser Permanente. Specific terms and conditions (such as co-pay and deductible amounts) of medical and dental coverage and services are determined by the plan in place each year and may vary at the discretion of ____

For Regular Full-Time Employees, ____ currently covers 100% of the Kaiser Bronze Base Plan HMO (Kaiser “Bronze” Plan). Eligible employees may elect to upgrade to Kaiser’s “Silver” or “Gold” plan and in which case the employee is responsible for the cost difference between the selected plan and the “Bronze” plan.

As I understand the Bronze plan is not ideal if I actually want to see the doctor with concerns. Assuming my pre-tax salary is 85k, if I want to enroll in a higher coverage plan (Silver or Gold) what does that look like for me financially? Are these flat costs or calculated some other way? At my salary is it feasible to opt for silver/gold and pay the difference?

PS. I'll be moving back in with my parents so rent will be zero, though I'll of course be financially pitching in overall.

Ich komme ursprünglich aus den USA aber wohne und arbeite seit fast zehn Jahre in Deutschland, bin inzwischen eingebürgert geworden. Aus Familiengründen werde ich aber bald für eine längere Zeit zurück in die Heimat. (um Zeit mit meiner Familie zu verbringen, vor allem mit meinem Vater der - ironischerweise - Krebs hat) Alles war schon länger geplant - habe meinen Job gekündigt, wohne nur noch in einer Zwischenmiete in einer WG bis Ende Juni, Rückflug gebucht (in einer Woche), neuer Job fängt in einer Woche danach.

Seit dem neuen Jahr habe ich aber Symptome bemerkt - Blut beim Stuhlgang, Durchfall, Bauchschmerzen, Verstopfung - mögliche Zeichen für Darmkrebs. Jetzt habe ich eine Überweisung für eine Darmspiegelung vom Hausarzt, Termin steht fest für den 15. Juni. Natürlich ist das aber nach dem Rückflug - aber theoretisch habe ich noch einen Wohnsitz (zumindest bis zum Ende Juni). Wie soll ich jetzt damit umgehen, mit Rücksicht auf den Logistischen Hürden in Deutschland vs. Gesundheitskosten in den USA?

In den USA habe ich meine Eltern und meine Familie, wo ich auch wohnen kann. Andererseits ist das US-Gesundheitssystem natürlich nicht optimal. Das neue Job bietet eine Versicherung mit angemessener Abdeckung aber natürlich weiß man nicht ob/wie lang man noch arbeiten kann während einer möglichen Krebsbehandlung.

In Deutschland habe ich keine Familie oder Verwandte und leider wenig Freunde - zumindest in meiner Region. Soweit ich weiß würde meine TK-Abdeckung weiterhin gelten, auch wenn ich arbeitslos bin. Schwierig wäre aber eine neue Wohnung zu finden, besonders ohne Job, als Wohnort während einer Krebsbehandlung in DE.

Was würdet ihr tun in meiner Situation? Ich habe einige Optionen überlegt, sowohl für die Koloskopie und mögliche Weiterbehandlungen:

A: mit Umzugsplan durchführen und den Prozess mit US Ärzte von Anfang an. Falls ich mich dafür entscheide in die USA zu ziehen macht es auch Sinn dass das ganze Prozess - Diagnose bis zur Behandlung - durch die gleichen Ärzte und in der gleichen Sprache läuft. Keine Zusendung von Befunde zwischen Ländern.

B: in Deutschland bis zur Darmspiegelung bleiben (oder dafür kurz zurückfliegen) - im Krebsfall die Befunde die Behandlungsprozess in den USA beschleunigen. Meine schon vereinbarte Darmspiegelung ausnutzen, statt von Anfang an alles wieder klären und möglicherweise mit lange Wartezeiten rechnen. Hier bekomme ich eine Antwort am schnellsten, gibts aber das Problem der Ermittlung zwischen Ländern. Auch die Frage ob dies überhaupt abgedeckt wird.

C: Umzug verschieben/streichen und Behandlung in Deutschland. hier genieße ich ein einfaches Gesundheitssystem und Versicherung - Problem wäre aber dann eine Wohnort in einer Universitätsstadt ohne Job zu finden, wo ich auch keine echt gute Connections habe.

I'm originally from the US but have been living and working in Germany for almost a decade; due to family reasons I'm moving back stateside for the foreseeable future (ironically to spend time with dad who has cancer). The move back has been in planning for a while - I've since cancelled my apartment contract (lapses at the end of June) quit my job (and accepted new US job) and flying out in a week.

In the new year some troubling symptoms slowly arose, to summarize:

- intermittent blood on toilet paper, lighter red in color, when passing stool. sometimes after a particularly large bowel movement.

- greater amount of passing gas at night, and particularly odorous.

- intermittent waves of feeling constipated and feeling of diarrhea. (on two occasions I got diarrhea after routinely running a 5k)

- just recently: difficulty passing stool. what comes out is more liquid. (I did personally attempt to bring way more fiber into my diet, which may be the cause of it)

Previously I did go see two doctors in Germany, who did a series of tests: ultrasound, bloodwork, urine and stool tests - which all came back negative.

Only recently did I push back and ask for a colonoscopy, which is now scheduled in mid-June. Unfortunately that's well after my planned flight. I'm now wondering what the best course of action would be on my end:

A: move back to the US and start from square one with a US health provider. Most straightforward option if moving back long-term. Pros: have family and friends, a place to live, new job. Cons: I'm well aware how convoluted and expensive the healthcare system is. Have to start from the beginning, new tests, referrals etc.

B: Proceed with move but fly back briefly in mid-June for colonoscopy. Use results to accelerate further treatment back in the US. Pros: Taking advantage of my already-scheduled colonoscopy in Germany. I could get results to skip that step and onto treatment. Cons: disrupts my start date with new job, high travel costs (new round-trip flights are almost 1k)

C: delay move back to the US (my rental apt. runs till end of June) and opt for further treatment in Germany. Pros: free healthcare and I have rights to unemployment. Cons: I'd have to find an apartment in the long term (in a country with a housing crisis and without a job - a tall order); I have little to no personal support system.

First - are my concerns warranted? And second - what would be the best course of action in the coming months in your opinion? I'm trying to balance both my own health and limiting my parents' stress and concerns, as well as the logistics of reversing my move in Germany / finding a new place to stay, versus the behemoth of the US system.

Ich wohne und arbeite gerade in Deutschland (als Angestellte) aber werde bald aus Familiengründen für zumindest einige Jahre zurück in die Heimat ziehen. Wohnung und Job schon gekündigt (und neue Stelle in der Heimat angenommen), ich überlege aber ob ich doch meinen Rückflug 1/2 Monate schiebe und in Deutschland bisschen reise und Freunde besuche. Währenddessen würde ich auch gern meine Krankenversicherung "ausnutzen" und Gesundheitschecks mit dem Arzt machen um erstmal sicherzustellen dass alles in Ordnung ist.

Das Problem ist dann dass ich (in einer Woche) nicht mehr angestellt werde und werde auch bald ins Ausland umziehen. Ich habe auch schon einen Termin beim Arzt und Spezialist, die nach der Kündigung stattfinden.

Wie funktioniert das bei der Krankenkasse in meinem Fall? Ich gehe davon aus, dass ich für die letzten Paar Monate eine Rechnung bekommen werde und die volle Summe zahlen muss? Muss ich auch angemeldet sein? (vielleicht durch Übernachtung bei Freunden oder eine Zwischenmiete in einer WG?)

PS: ich bin Doppelstaatsbürger (Deutschland und meine Heimat)

Applied and recently got an invite to join an NCARB committee for the upcoming year. Sounds exciting but I'm honestly feeling unprepared. I'm technically a licensed architect in the US but have been working abroad for almost a decade, and am only just moving back stateside, so my US-based knowledge is very much rusty. Have any of you volunteered with NCARB, and what's the vibe like?

Asking as an American who has lived in the EU for almost a decade and will be returning stateside. After getting complacent with universal healthcare I'm having difficulty navigating the US system, and I'm well aware that - being tied to employment - insurance plans vary wildly from excellent to terrible.

How do you recognize a decent healthcare plan as part of a job benefits package (salary aside)? Ideally one with comprehensive coverage and low costs at point of care. I'm currently having a few health scares, including cancer (family history) and would not want cancer treatment (if it comes to it) to bankrupt me.