Hi, I'm Terry 👋
A kid who dreamed of Germany, finally made it here, and now helps military families fall in love with Europe.
This is my story — and why I built European Living for you.
Where It All Started
I was born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1971. But Germany was always in my blood.
My mother's side of the family is German. My father's side is Italian. Growing up, I lived between two rich cultures — speaking both languages, learning both traditions, feeling connected to both worlds.
When I was 8, my parents divorced. Everything changed. From that day forward, only English was spoken in the house. That part of my identity — the German half, the European half — got locked away.
But I never forgot.
The Dream I Couldn't Shake
In 10th grade, I took German in high school. In 11th and 12th grade, I took college-level German.
I wanted to move to Germany more than anything.
So I joined the US Air Force, thinking it would be my ticket there.
But life had other plans. My entire service — I stayed in the States. The dream of Germany stayed just that: a dream.
The Moment Everything Changed
Years passed. A couple of marriages came and went. Then in 2011, I married my wife.
She had a cousin living in Germany, so we planned a 2-week trip. We explored several cities, even flew to London for 3 days and fell in love with the UK — Eastbourne, Brighton, London.
But it was our last week in Germany that changed everything.
We were in Cologne. We stopped for lunch at a quaint, fascinating pub called Papa Joe'snear Heumarkt.
My wife and I turned to each other at the exact same moment and said: "We have to move here!"
We spent the rest of that trip talking about how we were going to make it happen.
For the next four years, we kept talking about it. Dreaming about it. Planning for it.
We Finally Did It
By late 2015, we were tired of just talking about it.
We decided: Do it. Or shut up about it.
In early 2016, we contacted an immigration attorney. Got the green light.
We put our house up for sale. Sold everything we owned. Packed 3 suitcases of clothes, our medical and tax records, and our 2 dogs.
And got on a one-way flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
Our apartment in Berlin wouldn't be ready for 18 days, so we made it a little vacation in Frankfurt. Then we traveled by train to Berlin, signed the paperwork for our apartment, went to the grocery store, got in bed, and crashed.
Living the Dream (Finally)
From that first morning in Berlin, we explored as much of Germany as we could.
We still never get tired of it.
In October 2016, I was offered a job in Frankfurt (it didn't work out for many reasons), but we searched for an apartment in the area. We found the perfect place in Wiesbaden — right near the US Army base.
What Broke My Heart
Since our German wasn't the best yet, we got close to several Americans there. Active duty soldiers, contractors, military families.
And I heard the same stories over and over:
- "We never leave the base..."
- "I'm afraid of messing up..."
- "I don't speak the language..."
- "What if I get lost?"
- "I'm afraid of getting taken advantage of..."
It broke my heart.
Here they were — living in the middle of this incredible continent — and they were too afraid to explore it.
Then We Moved to Stuttgart
In 2024, we moved to the Stuttgart region — near another Army base.
The same problem. Different base.
People stuck on base. Afraid to explore. Missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.
That's when I decided to build European Living.
Why European Living Exists
I built this site to be the resource I wish existed when Americans first arrive in Germany.
What You'll Find Here
45 Day Trip Guides
From your base to incredible destinations. With drive times, costs, parking, and what to actually see.
2,400+ Travel Phrases
Essential phrases in 8 languages. With pronunciation. Because ordering food shouldn't be scary.
29 Verified Businesses
English-friendly restaurants, doctors, services. All confirmed. All trusted by military families.
70+ Travel Articles
Real advice from someone who's lived it. Not generic travel blog stuff.
A note on independence
European Living is my own project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Air Force or Army, or any base, garrison, or government agency. I use base names only to describe where things are.
My day job is with Used Car Guys GmbH, which sells and services cars for the American community here and supports this site. Used Car Guys is listed in the directory alongside everyone else — no business pays to be included, and what I recommend is my own honest opinion.
Here's What I Want You to Know
I waited 25 years to make my dream of living in Germany come true.
You're already here. Right now. Living in the middle of Europe.
But if you're like most Americans I meet — you're only here for 2-3 years. Maybe less.
Don't waste it being afraid.
Let me help you fall in love with this wonderful, magnificent, exciting continent — the same way I did at that little pub in Cologne.
Let's Stay Connected
Questions? Want to suggest a destination? Found an amazing restaurant I should add?
I read every message. This site exists for you.
Email meYour European Adventure Starts This Weekend
I waited 25 years for this. You're already here. Don't waste another weekend on base.