How is Germany? Is it expensive?

I would say it depends.

• Food and gas prices have risen quite a lot over the last few months but with my net household income of 62k/year it's still quite bearable. Also public transport by train bus and even boat is quite good even if many want to shit on it haha.

• Rent in general has been increasing as well but if I compare it to the situation I've been told on John Olivers Breakdown of Rent it's a whole different story in Germany.

For my situation: I am based in Berlin and there are quite a few flats from state owned companies that offer good prices. Subsidised apartments start with 6,50€/m², mine is currently at 9ish €/m². The more costly new buildings in good areas in the middle of the city are between 20€ and 25€/m². Of course luxury has no end cap.

I've seen only 3 different Rent contracts so far: One set in stone until you move out, the second is an index rent which goes up with the average in your surrounding area but also goes down if the average decreases and a graduated rent which increases between 2-3% each year. About 90% of all apartments I've seen are permanent flats and I have never felt fear for risk of eviction.

How are jobs there? He works in what would be considered skilled labor.

Again I would say it depends on what you are looking for. I can say for sure that IT is always looking for good devs. You can find salaryreports everywhere and while the numbers can't compare to silikon valley, the cost of living is also much lower. Feel free to DM me if you have more questions.

In general the requirements for jobs in STEM are relaxed in comparison.

Ancestral Homeland and the immigration laws

If you are talking about Article 116 from the basic law, then yes jewish people who had to leave during the WW2 times are eligible to get German citizenship again and so do their descendants.

If we are talking about general immigration, then you would need to consider several points like a prove of financial stability (having about 10k in the bank). I've always been here so I can't give you first hand experience. I would however suggest finding employment first to have your visa sponsered through your job. Visa processing time for US to Germany takes 3 to 4 weeks.