mollyann40

I have the oppurtunity to be based in Germany next summer and have the option to go to either Ramstein, Spangdahlem, or Geilenkirchen. I don't know which one to choose, can you please help me. Can you tell me the positives and negatives of each base? I really appreciate your help! Thanks!

ira

Hi M,

If you google each of the bases, you will get the offical AF page on each.

mollyann40

I know, but I would like to hear from people that have actual experiences with these areas. Thank you though....

ira

Sorry I can't be of more help.

alanRow

A better place to look would be a military website

Dukey

Topping this for you in hopes someone who has traveled to these areas might respond.

tomboy

Poor Molly's getting no help here!

Geilenkirchen looks quite close to Koln & Dusseldorf; pretty industrial
Further from France, closer to Benelux.

Spangdahlem is less so, but still close to industrial

Ramstein is less so. Still aways from the standard tourist areas.
Closer to France than the other 2

Being a geezer, can't comment on the bases themselves, only their tourism potential

Not knowing your preferences or interests, of the 3 locations (as opposed to the bases themselves), I'd probably pick Ramstein based on my interests

basingstoke2

Of the three, I have only been to Ramstein AFB but I have been there many times. It is easily the largest with all of the good and bad that being on a large base conveys. There is an active USO, plenty of and recreation activities and a huge exchange. One advantage of Ramstein is that it is where you would get Space A hops back to CONUS and most anyplace else that the AF flies should you wish to do so. That means if you don't get on a flight, you can easily go back to your place and wait for the next opportunity. Its location is served by both nearby autobahn and other highways. From Ramstein you can easily get to Luxembourg and the Alsace region of France. There are a lot of interesting places within a two - three hour drive, e.g. Frankfurt, Heidelburg, Rothenburg etc. If at Ramstein you will be happiest if you have a car. There is not too much to the town of Ramstein. Nearby Landstuhl is more interesting and that is where the hospital is located that treats many of the Iraq wounded. Kaiserslauten is also not far, about a fifteen minute drive. It is larger and has the best train connections.

Spandahlem is near Trier which is an interesting city. There is a lot of nice countryside and towns, castles, etc. nearby. It is not very far from Ramstein.

Geilenkirchen is up near the Dutch border.

bdjtbenson

It's nice you have a choice. Ramstein would be my least favorite, a big base near a big city. The big plus with Ramstein is it's convenience to the major transportation hub. Since it's a bigger base, they may be more amenable to people taking off for their weekends.

From Geilenkirchen, most people seem to take trips to Amsterdam, Brugges or Paris.

I've never been to Spangdahlem but have been to Trier. It's a nice little city on the border with Lichtenstein. It has the most Roman ruins outside of Italy.

As long as you're on the continent, you're fine. I've had friends stationed in England who had to take leave to go off the island. On the Continent you can plan weekend trips in any direction. Denmark, France, the Low Countries, Austria, Switzerland, Central Europe or Italy.

Have fun.

cynthia_booker

If you end up at Ramstein, and happen to be of a certain mindset, you can pretend you have never left the U.S. That would be much harder to do at the other, smaller choices.
Ignoring and avoiding the German culture would not be my choice, but plenty of personnel stationed there never, ever venture off base.

Zeus

I was never fortunate enough to serve in Germany, but have been there on numerous vacations. You're gonna love it no matter where you end up. It's a fascinating country. Just be sure to take advantage of any opportunities your AAFES and base welfare offer. Don't stick around on the base all the time and miss out on the German experience. Many of my military friends now regret wasting their time when they were stationed overseas.

And please allow me to thank you for your service to our country. Believe me, many Americans still appreciate your sacrifice and devotion to America. God bless you.

mollyann40

Thanks for all of your responses. I think we are going to choose Spangdahlem. We don't want to be around a base that it to Americanized. We are looking foward to living in Germany and experiencing the culture. Thanks!

basingstoke2

bdj.... I agree with most of what you say except that although Ramstein is a big base, it is not near a big city.

The OP sounds like the type of person who would not be one to never leave the base and although there are plenty of Americans around there is plenty of the "real" Germany too. For all three though, a car would be very useful.

lincasanova

travelling along the mosel and rhein we have often met day trippers from the Ramstein base.

this part of germany is gorgeous, and has some of the mildest weather.

ditto to you about your service to our country.

traveller1959

Geilenkirchen is close to

- Aachen which is one of Germany's most attractive cities (first UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany): The cathedral where Charlemagne was crowned, dating from the year 800, the medieval City Hall, charming old town and marketplace, hot springs and spectacular spas, good food etc.

- Maastricht which is also a very attractive city with old town and spectacular modern architecture on the other riverbank,

- Köln with cathedral (also UNESCO World Heritage), old town, riverbank, Roman ruins, world-class museums (Romano-Germanic Museum, art museums, chocolate museum),

- Düsseldorf with vibrant nightlife, Germany's most elegant shopping street, modern art museums, the riverbank etc.

Ramstein and Spangsdahlem are more remote, this means you have to drive longer to reach places of interest.

basingstoke2

DoD has a goal to make overseas bases as much as a home away from home as possible. Some people prefer to be on a larger base and some not, so know what you like. Whichever base you choose, it will have an American atmosphere. The way to experience the local culture is to live on the economy rather than base housing if this is possible. This applys to wherever you are stationed. All three bases are convenient to places of interest. IMO the advantage of Ramstein is that it is the Space A hub in Germany. If you wish to use that system at all, it is an advantage living in easy commuting distance to the terminal.

Dukey

I applaud your desire to experience the culture and agree that "living on the economy" is a START...but it does not guarantee interaction (but you already know that).

the only bad aspect of this is the current exchange rate Euro vs. Dollar.

When there were four Marks to a Dollar it was wonderful but that was then....

As to the closeness to sights....a great thing until you've SEEN those and grown slightly more adventurous to see many others and further afield so keep the transportation plusses and minuses in mind.

mindylt1

Hi Mollyann,

I think I'd have to know more about you before I can make a good recommendation. I've never been to Geilenkirchen (although I've heard its fairly small), but I have been to Spandahlem and live at Ramstein.

Ramstein does have extensive American facilities, but how much you hang out on base is up to you. You can live off-base, shop off base, and make plenty of German friends. You might be surprised, though, how nice it is to have a bit of home sometimes. Also, if you're military and getting paid in dollars, then you'll probably also appreciate the ability to shop with dollars on base. Ramstein is currently constructing the largest overseas exchange, and if we're lucky, it should be open by next year. If you have children, the opportunities for movies, sports, school programs, and recreation are more extensive at Ramstein since its a bigger base. Health care is very good here, too, since Landshtuhl is nearby. For travel, we're 4 hours from Paris (but you can be in France in less than 1), 4.5 hours from Amsterdam, <5 hours from Switzerland and the German Alps, and about an hour from the Rhine/Mosel area.

Spangdahlem is in a beautiful part of Germany, only about an hour away from Ramstein. Its very close to Luxembourg and Trier...that's where my friends who live there go shopping. The community is much smaller, so you'll get a small-town feel on base. You'll likely see people you know everywhere. Spangdahlem facilities are currently split between the bases at Spang and Bitburg, but Bitburg will close at some point, so there's some reorganization going on. There are schools and kid activities there, too, but probably not as much. You are much more likely to be sent off-base for healthcare there, although I'm sure they have a clinic.

Really, either place is fantastic. Good luck!

Gary_Mc

I was stationed in Landstuhl, which is very close to Ramstein and Kaiserlautern. It is true that you could and some did avoid contact with the German community. But, it was easy to escape the American community if you wanted.

We lived in the village of Queidersbach. I only knew of 2 other American families living there. We shopped at the US commissary but also at the local bakery and butcher. Many weekends we would drive out "in der Pfalz" and look for small Gasthäuser for food and local beer. We walked in local woods near our village and sometimes met Germans doing the same.

Live anywhere that it is convenient and style your life to enjoy the community. Take German classes (we did) and take your best shot on the economy.

Regards, Gary

bdjtbenson

When I said Lichtenstein above, I meant Luxemburg. I always get the two mixed up. Sorry, and sorry to the Steiners and Burgers.