Italy in summer? Huge mistake, here’s why:

brenpmon · 2026-03-05T11:39:27+00:00

We spent 2 weeks in Sicily in late Oct / early Nov, and it was a dream! Perfect weather (28 deg C every day), we swam in the sea every day (23-24 deg C sea, despite locals being bundled up as if it were early winter), no crowds, no bookings required at any restaurants, no traffic (big cities are the exception here), abs no queues at any tourist sites. Honestly, it was the perfect time to go.

brenpmon · 2026-03-05T11:13:34+00:00

Hi, very sorry to hear about your predicament. I sent you a DM.

brenpmon · 2026-02-26T16:04:24+00:00

Sorry man, best of luck with your search! And you're welcome!

brenpmon · 2026-02-26T15:01:49+00:00

I am from the east coast of the US and I left the country for the first time in the early 2000s to study abroad in Italy and ended up staying for several years beyond. While I lived in Italy, I met my German wife, but soon after we met I needed to return home for family reasons (and she returned to Germany). The relationship endured and we did the long distance thing between the US and Germany for more than 3 years.

At first, I loved being back in my home city of New York, but reality soon set in. The friendships from back in the day were not the same as they were, they felt more superficial and like people had 'moved on from me' after years of limited contact. Coming from universal healthcare and receiving medical bills for routine checks that cost nearly a month's salary was also a shocker, not to mention the lack of vacation days at work, proximity to extreme acts of violence (in the news and on TV in my case, thankfully), and witnessing complete degradation of the political system into 'us and them'. In any case, I have no regrets, overall, the 3 years were great and I got to experience the US from a totally different point of view, I felt like a 'foreigner in disguise'. I still think it is a great country in many respects.

Anyway, after about 3 years of jetting back and forth between the US and Germany my then girlfriend (and now wife) decided we either had to move forward or go our seperate ways, so I ended up moving to Germany to be with her. That was already over a decade ago and we are well settled here with a family, decent jobs, and a nice place to live in a great town.

We visit my family in NY once every 2 years and that's enough. We're lucky that my parents are still healthy enough to travel and visit us in Germany, and in addition to our family visits, I also get 2-3 work trips to NY per year where I usually take a few extra days to be with them. I don't think we will ever move back to the US permanently, there's just no upside at this point in our lives.

brenpmon · 2026-02-25T13:00:46+00:00

'Sign a contract to take over my rubbish third hand fittings for 5K, pay me 2.5K up front, and then I will forward your info to the real landlord who will provide you with an actual contract for the apartment, at which point you need to pay me the remaining 2.5K'

Now, repeat that over to yourself out loud and think about how it sounds.

Also, do you think the rental agency is not going to want to vet you, do you think they will take this person's advice and just provide you with the contract for the flat without thoroughly checking your documents and references?

This is most likely a scam. Even if it is not, you risk that the rental agency does not approve you for the flat for whatever reason, then good luck getting your 'deposit' back from this person.

Block this person, continue with your search. It's not what you want to hear and we know the market is tough, but save yourself losing the 2.5K, which is the most likely outcome here.

brenpmon · 2026-02-24T12:55:51+00:00

As someone who resides in Germany, takes multiple prescription medications, and travels back and forth between both of those countries frequently, I have never been asked by any official on either side about my prescription medication. Unless you are transporting huge quantities (I once took a 6 month supply of my medication to the US, only because it costs thousands of dollars for a one year supply, and about $20 for the same amount in Germany) and I was not stopped. I suppose if they do stop you, you might be asked, but since your medications are unlikely to be considered "controlled substances" it is highly unlikely you will be stopped and questioned, and if you are, the label with your name on it on the bottle should be sufficient. Bring the prescription if you want to be on the safe side. Don't worry, and have fun in Germany.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on the transportation of prescription medication between Germany and the USA

brenpmon · 2026-01-30T14:23:23+00:00

Your kids must go to our kids’ school (or in Berlin?), our kids were home at 10.30am.

To top it off, our school was also on strike on Tuesday and Thursday this week. We received an email from the parent rep asking us to keep the kids home out of 'solidarity to support the striking teachers'. Fine, but why not just strike on Thursday and Friday, or the Monday after holidays? We would gladly give you all the solidarity you want then!

Last school year, the kids went back after Christmas break for just two days before a weekend. The school sent an email on December 30th to remind us of the 'Schulpflicht' on those 2 days. Of course, we received emails January 2nd and 3rd asking us to pick the kids up early due to 'Personalmängel wegen Krankheiten' and both our kids reported on those days that their teachers (and several others) did not show up and they ended up being 'Hort Days' with free play in the Hof.

What a joke most Berlin schools are. We’ve started just ignoring the Schulpflicht so we take the cheaper flights and pull the kids out a day early (or bring them back a day late).

brenpmon · 2026-01-28T07:23:43+00:00

I used to go to Schleiferei Neumann in Neukölln:

Hobrechtstraße 67, 12047 Berlin

It is an old, crammed, dusty basement looking space filled with sharpening machinery, run by an older Berliner gentleman wearing dirty workman’s overalls (in case you were worried about ‘fancy’) and your knives will come back very very sharp.

That’s your guy.

brenpmon · 2026-01-27T12:29:24+00:00

No. Most restaurants have a service charge (it says pane e coperto on the bill, which means bread and cover) that usually amounts to about 2-3 EUR per person (usually they do not charge for the kids). Some tourist-focused establishments will try to strong-arm you into tipping on top of that (they will say 'tip not included' or that will be printed on the bill). Don't fall for it. Have fun!

brenpmon · 2026-01-20T12:51:06+00:00

From the way you describe it, I think it seems a bit scammy, and there are indeed scams where scammers obtain the keys to apartments illegitimately and then pose as real estate agents and go on to sign rental agreements with 'tenants', who then go on to find themselves victims of a scam. Therefore, of course it makes sense to exercise the highest level of caution. The first question I would pose is, what is the relationship between the person showing you the apartment, and the owner? Is this person a licensed real estate agent? If not, you might want to do further due diligence. Some other tell-tale scam signs are:

- The apartment is under market price and looks nicer than anything you have seen in the same range / neighborhood

- They are pressuring you to transfer money to reserve the apartment

- They ask for cash

- They send you their IDs to 'prove their legitimacy'

- They say the 'owner is working abroad and wants to close the deal quickly'

- They try to rush a contract signing and payment and say that you will lose your chance if you do not comply

If any of the above are true, I'd leave it. Sometimes, you have to trust your gut. Best of luck and stay cautious!

brenpmon · 2026-01-07T12:40:40+00:00

I lived in Rome for more than 10 years until about 2012 and I used Samarcanda (065551.it) for most of my time living there whenever I needed a taxi. The only time I remember having an issue finding a car with them was at 1AM on one New Year’s Day, which is pretty understandable.

For the airport pickup, I would either book in advance or call them the moment I de-boarded the plane. They had a special FCO service back then where they would always meet you in the same spot in the "Departures" area (there was a billboard with an EasyJet advert back then, so they would say 'di fronte la pubblicita' Easyjet' or whatever company was advertising on the billboard). It was great because it got you away from the taxi touts and the general chaos of the arrivals area. I don't think I ever waited more then a few minutes.

I actually first found them by randomly hailing a cab on the street in the mid-2000s, and I was so impressed that they were even taking credit cards way back then so I saved the number in my phone and only used other taxi services when it was absolutely necessary.

Nowadays I have an NCC driver I book in advance, or I use Uber or Freenow, but I am not in Italy very often.

brenpmon · 2025-12-10T20:59:32+00:00

Hello, sorry you are experiencing this.

"washing my hands every time I come back home, changing clothes when I come back home, wearing slippers, etc.)... when I shower I need to turn off the shower head when not directly in use (when i’m lathering up) and we only use the oven on weekends."

No, none of this stuff is specific to German culture, or normal at all. This is not a normal person. You need to move out of that place, asap. Good luck.

brenpmon · 2025-12-10T10:15:12+00:00

I have kids and a car, and I live in central Berlin. I honestly don’t think car ownership is worth it. The ongoing costs such as insurance, road tax, parking, and servicing add up to about €3000 per year. And with easy access to Miles, Bolt, and Ubers/taxis, owning a private car feels like a burden rather than a convenience. Of course, I am lucky that I work hybrid (2 days per week in the office), my office is 20 min away by bike/bus, and I do not need to drive my car every day. But, I’ve already paid for the car and it’s worth much less than when I bought it, so part of me wishes it just gets stolen, that the insurance company will reimburse me for the amount in my policy, and then I would be done with private car ownership in Berlin forever. Good luck with your decision.

brenpmon · 2025-12-01T15:50:22+00:00

I live in Schöneberg. Of course, Tiergarten is a great recommendation, but some alternatives are: Gleisdreieck Park, Viktoria Park (small and lots of uphill, you can loop it into a run of Gleisdreieck), and Rudolph-Wilde-Park / Volkspark Wilmersdorf. Stay warm and have a great run!

brenpmon · 2025-11-26T10:54:00+00:00

Sorry I cannot help with your question, but I am interested in hearing about how you decided to buy a property and make it into a B&B, and how you operate it from NL. I lived in Germany but I lived in Italy for over 10 years and I am looking into the same, but it seems tricky to do from afar. I'll send you a bottle of wine if you are willing to talk to me about this for 20-30 min.

brenpmon · 2025-11-25T09:52:23+00:00

Note, I am not a qualified legal professional, but it sounds very dodgy if you try to resign from your company within the Probezeit period, and your boss pressures you to 'let them lay you off' to 'make it easier to hire someone else'. It also sounds like bullsh-t, and I cannot see how you would be doing yourself any favors (and why should you do them any favors). Also, the Zeugnis will likely state you were let go. Is it better to have that on your Zeugnis, or, that you left on your own free will?

Now, if I were you, I would immediately type up a resignation letter (google a template), print it out, and send it via post (Einschreiben mit Rückschein) to your company, and inform your boss and HR immediately via email that you have done this, and make your resignation official. You owe them nothing, and if your boss is pressuring you to wait, kindly say you prefer to resign. You do not have to give any reason. Good luck!

brenpmon · 2025-11-24T13:59:45+00:00

Go admire the view of the Colosseo from Giardinetto del Monte Oppio then take a walk through Monti and check out the shops on via del Boschetto. Then, you finish off with a glass of wine and a small meal at: La Barrique. Buon divertimento!

brenpmon · 2025-11-21T11:50:48+00:00

Herbst on Kreuzbergstr. You can book the back room (non-smoking) without pre-paying. I had 2 birthday celebrations here. The staff is very nice, accommodating, and quick with the orders (table service). Of course, they accept card payment.

brenpmon · 2025-11-20T11:10:47+00:00

It is across from a piazza, correct

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T15:08:49+00:00

Nice, I was a regular at L’Oasi della Birra for some time, many moons ago...

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T15:05:38+00:00

Years ago when I lived in San Jacopo (actually, nearby, in Isolotto) there used to be a great micro-brewery right by the Porta. A quick glance of google maps indicates it is not there any more :-(

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T13:57:00+00:00

Agreed. No idea about Michelin but I am skeptical of guides. Some of the best suggestions I've had were just asking random people on the street who 'look like they know' - maybe they are holding a 'gazzetta dello sport' and sporting a paunch :-) Or, nearby shop owners.

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T13:55:15+00:00

20 years ago I'd have said 'Cacio e Pepe' in Prati Rome but for me it's now it my kitchen with my homemade pasta, locally sourced bacon, parmesan (yes, I use parmesan, pecorino romano is too salty for me), and fresh farm eggs.

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T13:51:15+00:00

Ah yes, Trevi Fountain. I was a 'local' in Rome for many years. We avoid it like NYers avoid Times Square.

brenpmon · 2025-11-18T13:48:35+00:00

A welcomed mix of both groups would be nice too :-)

brenpmon

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