From Wessi to Neubrandenburger: A painful journey home!

From Wessi to Neubrandenburger: A painful journey home!

Moving can sometimes make you grow older faster than you might think. This may also have happened to an author of the local column “I'm here again”, who speaks in his current reflection about life in Neubrandenburg. As he points out in his article Northern Courier After a year in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, mixed feelings overtake him.

Although he now feels well settled, the “Wessi” label and the feeling of strangeness inevitably swirl around in his head. “Sometimes I’m a little ashamed to be a Wessi,” he says, describing the difficulties that many newcomers have in these regions. Here, locals tend to keep to themselves and form networks that are often only accessible to locals.

Feelings of life between roots and strangers

Another point the author discusses is the feeling of home. Returnees from northeast Germany often tend to move away again, while western Germans find it quite comfortable in cities like Neustrelitz. The author sees this mentality, which results from the region's shared history, as a challenge for his own children. Do they also have to find themselves under the gaze of a late “Wessis”?

In fact, a representative survey by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy shows that the mentality of a region has a major influence on the quality of life. In the survey, which was carried out on behalf of the Ruhr Regional Association, the Ruhr area sees itself as particularly changeable and adaptable. 77% of respondents say they are flexible, followed by the Rhineland with 73%. In contrast, there are the southern Germans, who show a significantly lower ability to adapt. How ZDF reports, more than 85% of respondents from the Ruhr area have a strong sense of community, while other regions appear less open.

The challenge of integration

Despite positive feedback, there are also critical voices in the community. A reader comments that the “whining” of the locals is now weighing on her. This perception is not new, as many newcomers often initially experience envy and mistrust, which makes integration more difficult.

So it happens that the author reflects on his return to his roots and deals with difficult memories of his time as a student in North Rhine-Westphalia. There he felt supported, something he often lacks in Neubrandenburg. These introspective thoughts reflect the experiences of many who seek happiness in new regions.

It becomes all the more clear: there is a lot to tell, and the author invites his readers to share their own stories and experiences. How are they doing in their new home? What challenges and opportunities do you see? The discussion about our connections and mentalities is far from over; it is just beginning.