Hi Leevtr, if it's any help in 1989 I returned from 3 years down under and went straight to Germany. I couldn't say more than about 40 words. I got a job anyway and a flat to live in. I went to a book shop and bought a book and dictionary. The first book was a waste of money as it was for a teacher. I didn't read German. I bought a correct book and spent 60 minutes in a supermarket getting the basic food for a few days. I had to look in the dictionary for milk. There were seemingly hundreds of milks! OK later I learnt some were yoghurts but you get the idea I was lost! I studied at home and got better rapidly. I first learnt how to ask ( in German!) "What is that in German please? I went to the adult evening classes that are available in ALL towns to help visitors learn the Sprache. I lived in Germany for 2 1/2 years and proved that it can be done. Loneliness was the biggest problem. It helps if you're outgoing. Work mates get together and drink, tease and joke after work and being unable to understand ithem is accepted and not a problem. Now with internet etc it must be even easier. Germans love to help a visitor trying to learn. It's a gold standard ice breaker with girls too.

So: Volkshochschule : adult evening classes.

Books and tapes from bookshops.

Library for books and to bump into someone for advice.

Go to pubs and read all the free magazines and papers.

Join clubs: motorcycle, gym whatever--drinking club?

Socialize and get out there and mix.

I worked in Germany and had no instruction other than some VHS
classes each week and met other visitors which helped keep off the
lonliness.

To move there you need 1 month's rent in cash, one month's rent in
advance and a deposit. You'll need cash to cover water, electricity and
gas. That's quite a slice. It's no bad idea to rent a stationary caravan
on a long term rate. Try zypresse in Freiburg for ads and an idea of
costs. Zypresse is a weekly free paper of ads. I don't know of any in
other areas. Regards, Linzi.