A logistical life in Leipzig Easiest way to get around?
Blair Proffit hadn’t planned to move to Leipzig, but it has offered him some amazing opportunities.
Where are you from?
I’m from Ashburton and I am currently living in Leipzig, Germany.
What inspired your move, and how long have you been there?
I had been living in the UK for a little under three years and decided it was time to move home. A friend who was relocating to Leipzig told me there was a job I would be good at in Germany.
That was seven years ago. I never thought I would live in Europe but it’s given me a wonderful life. I have a wife and son and I’ve had so many opportunities in my work I could not have had in New Zealand because of population, industry and geographical isolation. Also, living in Europe has a certain romanticism to it. When you’re moving to east Germany, all sorts of historical context floods your mind.
What do you do there?
I work for DHL, which has its main European hub in Leipzig. I am a manager in the quality control centre. We are a global team so I have had the opportunity to travel – at the moment I am on secondment to the Americas team.
Work opportunities are greatly enhanced. I am in the centre of Europe, I can travel by car, rail or air to most European destinations within five hours. From child allowances, kindergarten and schooling help through to pension and medical costs, the German government has a very proactive family ideal. We pay higher taxes but I see the rewards from that, whether it’s paternity leave or laws protecting family members, the role of the family through the legislation is far superior to other countries. Also the cost of living in the east of Germany is low.
Disadvantages?
Distance from home is a big one. The levels of bureaucracy are unbelievable and, though my German is good enough to live here, I struggle with some tasks.
How expensive is it compared to New Zealand? How much is a beer?
Rent and food are cheap, compared to what I used to pay in New Zealand. A beer costs €1.50 to €3 ($2.50 to $5) depending on where you are and the quality of the beer.
What do you do in your spare time?
At the moment I sleep in my spare time (we have a baby). I play guitar – one of the reasons I left New Zealand was to become a rock star but it didn’t work out! I spend a lot of time with my family. I like to go out for dinner or a drink. Leipzig has a vast array of restaurants.
What’s the local delicacy, and would you recommend eating it?
Something that comes to mind is a drink, Leipzig gose. It’s a sour beer that really quenches the thirst on a summer’s day. You also have the regular food – sausage, schnitzel, dumplings – but for dessert, there’s Leipziger rabchen. It’s plums stuffed with marzipan, which are then deep-fried in batter. The balls of dough are rolled in cinnamon sugar and served warm. Train and tram. The rail network can get you almost anywhere in Germany, and it’s cheap. Buses are very popular and ridiculously cheap, but are subject to traffic jams.
What’s the shopping like?
Leipzig is not a huge city so the shopping is similar to cities in New Zealand. Berlin, Paris, Madrid or New York are only a car, train or flight away.
Best after-dark activity?
Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden attract high-profile music acts. However, the after-dark culture here is more about conversations. People go out to meet each other and to talk, not necessarily to get drunk down the pub.
Best time of year to visit?
My favourite time is Christmas when the Christmas market is open. The food, drinks and atmosphere are amazing. It is the Germany I imagine in my mind. But the weather can be harsh.
What are the top three things you recommend for visitors?
East Berlin, travelling up the Rhine and Munich.
Besides family and friends, what do you miss most about home?
I miss the space and the open areas. Getting away to nature is hard in Leipzig – it’s a good two-hour drive and other people will all have the same idea. I miss Kiwi humour. Fewer papers and understanding from staff when you need something from local government is something I love when I go home. Also, the supermarkets – you have to pack really quickly here because the operator is trying to get you out of the store in a hurry to serve someone else!
How easy is it for you to get back to New Zealand?
It’s a four-hour train ride or drive to Frankfurt then a flight to Dubai, Sydney and Christchurch. Berlin has a very poor airport network.
For Kiwis looking to move there, which industries are seeking fresh talent?
Manufacturing is big. Engineering and logistics are always looking for people, and IT is getting bigger, with a lot of startups around. There is a building boom through the smaller cities. I would suggest taking some language lessons – they will pay off.