Moving and Need Information on Heidelberg

Hi, I live on Patrick Henry Village (PHV) in Heidelberg. There is this neighborhood, or Mark Twain Village (MTV). If you want to be closer to German stores/neighborhood, then MTV is for you. PHV is kind of away from that stuff, but we do have the commissary on our post, along with the theatre, thrift store, 24 hour shoppette, bowling alley, library, etc. Also the elementary and middle schools are located on PHV while the high school is located on MTV.

The apartment we live in has dual voltage (no need for transformers!), its own washer/dryer, and a balcony. However, not all apartments on PHV are like that. I think all the apartments on MTV only have German outlets, communal washer/dryers and no balconies. But they seem bigger to me. So really I think it's up to your personal preference.... if you want to be closer to the German community or not.

Hope that helps! If you have any other questions, let me know. I've lived here for 4 1/2 years.

Hi S.,
My husband, daughter and I just left Heidelberg about 9 months ago. If you have options on where you will be staying on post, DEFINITELY hold out for Mark Twain Village, across the street from Campbell Barracks. It offers you the best of both worlds. A step out your back door and you are in the community. A short walk and you are in the hills of Heidelberg with some amazing walking trails. A short drive and you are at the military shopping center. You will have to drive to the commissary at Patrick Henry Village (PHV). Try to avoid living at PHV at all cost. It has a really nice playground for kids - to visit, but it is an island unto itself and isolated from all the wonderful things to enjoy about living in Germany. It is also where most of the parents with older kids live. In the summer, gangs of kids roam the streets, some not so nice kids - especially with absentee fathers many times. When we first arrived, we stayed at PHV guest housing for 2 weeks. We felt like we were in a bad remake of Grease. We payed about $500 just to wait for a place to open up at MTV and were so glad we did. MTV is about a mile from the main walking street the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg. Sometimes we would put our daughter in a jogging stroller and run the main street down to the Holy Ghost Church or even down to where you can see the Heidelberg Castle. You must see those and of course walk the Philosopher's Way across the Old Bridge to get the best pics of the castle. If you are at MTV, I can hook you up with a couple people who can show you around. There is a wonderful French restaurant within easy walking distance, tucked away where most people don't know about it. It's a wonderful place to go in the summer. Anyway, I can give you a lot more info if you email me back. Baby1 is the best place to shop in the area for reasonably priced kid stuff. I can even give you a call. We spent three years there and loved it. It's spendy because it's a tourist town, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. Our daughter was born there. The Kinderklinik is very good, so you have no worries there. And it's right near a little zoo, so you can make an outing of a doctor's visit. OK, I'll stop blathering. Someone is tugging on my arm and begging for me to read a book. Ask away and I'll share what I know. T. ____@____.com

S.,

Heidelberg is great except for the housing...which totally sucks! Unless your husband is a colonel; plan to be living in stairwell.

We moved here in November from K-town where we lived on post in a house with a garage!

L. :)

Come join our group on Yahoo Groups called Military Wives in Germany. There are women in Heidelberg that can give you information.

Hey S.,
I'm in Baumholder too. I was never stationed at Heidelberg but Heather Savickas who is also in Baumholder came from there. She may be able to tell you. If you want me to contact her for you email me at ____@____.com
Take Care,
J.