I am also leaving Germany. Today I chatted with a Berliner who pointed out how loud and unsafe Berlin has become. Months ago I talked with a lady with kids that moved out cos too much drugs in parks. Not surprised to read your story! I am going to the land of tolerance and innovation: the Netherlands!
It doesn't affect daily life much unless you live in the south or one of the big cities.
Netherlands has higher taxes than Germany, there's also wealth tax and soon some others. But foreigners can deduct their taxes by 30% the first 5 years (the 30% ruling)
Sure, there is a open drug scene in parks in Berlin, but there is no such thing in Stuttgart or Munich.
Historically the germans travelled to Holland to buy their drugs and it's still the main drug distribution hub in europe.
It's the main distribution hub, but for usage as long as you stay away from Amsterdam it is really not bad. It's also the primary Ecstasy manufacturer for the EU, this is just a trade thing.
Such a small country full of illegal production points. I guess there is sufficient data to find them, I am sure others with geospatial experience share this thought.
One point is that Rotterdam is one the major ports in the world, also the wealth has always come from internal trade.
Great infrastructure, near to the bigger consumer countries and also not so densly populated rural areas where you can hide labs.
This startled me 10y ago when I arrived to Hamburg: why was I only aware of Berlin? I think due to the (failed) international projection of the great diversity of cities and towns in Germany. Hamburg is a very nice place, and greatly unknown outside Germany.
