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Thank you for this too. I just found a room to rent for 185 euros a month-proved much easier to organise remotely even if I'd much prefer my own space. It's in a landscape architect's office so a bit of a bonus there too as I can network a bit not to mention steal books, stationery and printing ;)
Still none the wiser on highway code and which roads can/can't be cycled on though. Will just have to play the daft forrin card for a while!
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Yup, Wohngemeinschaft is the best/only route to get into a place in Germany. So much easier because, sharing.
After a couple WG's you may have the references and experience necessary to find a real place.
From my experience the WG has huge benefits like other people eating your food without asking or using your toilettries but not replacing the empty bottles. In all seriousness, there can be a real mentality toward what's yours is mine, so be forewarned to keep the good stuff hidden, and enjoy the shared meals with your housemates. Much moreso than London.
As far as bikes, yea, it's tricky. When I was involved in the rtc I had to pay a small fine (even though any logic would show it wasn't my fault), the provincial police eyeballed the roadbike but were too lazy to throw that book at me as well.
Use the radweg whenever you see one, it is much less ballache than arguing with the drivers. Chances are you can still cruise at a fairly good pace if you choose your route/time to avoid the dutch bikes.
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n26 bank account is your friend. it breaks the catch 22 of not having a bank account until you have an address, and not being able to get a rental contract without bank account! see through card is sweet too. in terms of moving to germany the things that tripped me up a bit were:
do not expect chip and pin, let alone contactless. always carry some cash! a few of my early rides were finished on an empty stomach as little shops would not let me buy much needed snax! (cash withdrawal are also not free)
you have to go to the local burgeramt and do your anmeldung within 2 weeks of moving to any new place. they often dont/wont speak english so worth getting a few phrases memorised. mostly if you at least try that is enough.
there are two different tax numbers, both sound similar but are not. steuernummer steueridentifikationsnummer. one is your personal ID and one is your tax code ( I THINK?!) but it tripped me up a bit when I was getting my first wages.
'Mitnehmen' means take-away. Super useful for coffees and late nite kebab adventures!
i have not been stopped for reflectors but I have also not actually had a run in with the bike police yet. i would deffo advise having two brakes though as they will stop you if they see you riding fixed. also, if you are that way inclined, 80€ on the spot fine for red lights. they will deffo not take daft forrin card for an excuse!
edit: i found sendbike very helpful and reliable for shipping, not just of bikes, and well worth giving them a call for good deals.
pdlouche
Brameses
German StVO (highway code) is mental.
You might have to also fit reflectors, dynamo/lights etc etc to comply.
In terms of rental, I haven't rented a place for a long time since I left in 2003. Expect quite a big deposit, and you might need some references etc etc
Not sure if the east of Germany will be easier.
Had a quick google and this is a pretty good summary to get started: https://www.expatica.com/de/housing/Renting-a-German-property_103803.html