Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.

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Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

The wait is over and the winning 2024 Oktoberfest theme has been announced (read about the competition in one of our last newsletters here). The crown goes to the vibrant creation of our very own Munich graphic designer, Annika Mittelmeier.

3 bits of news

Deadliest drug hits Munich

For the first time in our city, police have discovered carfentanyl, a substance known as the “world's deadliest drug.” This isn't your average street drug; we're talking about something so potent it's used to anesthetize elephants and rhinos.

Back in December, during a routine check at Herzogpark in Bogenhausen, officers stumbled upon this highly dangerous substance masquerading as heroin. 

The 54-year-old involved was promptly slapped with a criminal complaint, but the real shocker came when experts from the Bavarian State Criminal Police office confirmed the presence of carfentanyl in the seized substance. This drug is 7,500 times more potent than morphine and can cause respiratory failure, leading to death.

The Munich police are sounding the alarm loud and clear: steer clear of this drug. With carfentanyl making its ominous rounds across Europe, resulting in dozens of fatalities in countries like Sweden, Belgium, and Estonia, it's a reminder of the dangers lurking around. 

Find out more about this news here (in German).

Traffic disruption: Munich prepares for MSC 2024 (so should you)

Brace yourselves, because the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) is about to take center stage this weekend (February 16—18). As we welcome state heads and global decision-makers, Munich transforms into a fortress of dialogue and diplomacy. 

Set in the historic Bayerischer Hof, this conference isn't just about the big talks; it's also going to mean some changes in our daily hustle and bustle. 

For starters, those no-standing zones popped up last night around the hotel, to make room for the event. Two security zones have been established around the Bayerischer Hof and the Rosewood Munich hotel, accessible only to those with the magic ticket—aka special accreditation or a legitimate interest approved by our friendly police.

Center city will see significant traffic disruptions, affecting some tram and bus routes, as well as demonstrations. Our advice? Leave the car at home and hop on the public transport that's blissfully unaffected by these changes. Read more here and here (in German). 

Germany's economic outlook 2024

Have you been keeping an eye on the economic forecasts for Germany? 

If not, let us break it down for you in a way that won't require an economics degree to understand. As we look towards 2024 and 2025, it seems our wallets might feel a bit lighter, and not just from splurging on those fancy coffees. 

Economists across the board are predicting a slight dip in our economic output for 2024, with not much growth to sing about in 2025 either.

“Companies simply have too much to digest — global rate hikes, high energy prices, less tailwind from China and an erosion of Germany as a business location,” Krämer explained, addressing reasons for the downturn.

But don't start stuffing your mattresses with euros just yet. Despite these challenges, there's a silver lining with the labor market showing resilience and wages finally outpacing inflation for the first time in two years.

Read the breakdown in detail here (in German) or here (in English).

In partnership with our main sponsor: Granite Financial

It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our sponsors for today’s newsletter. By clicking on the link below, you’re supporting this newsletter.

How tax savings can increase your wealth

Germany's public pension is not enough to provide you with a comfortable living in old age. It should be seen as a minimum pension. So, how do you create wealth in the future? The solution is to create a portfolio of investments.

A financial portfolio, Basisrente, Private Pension, Private Health Insurance, Bausparvertrag, Vermögenswirksamleistung.. these are all words you might have heard before as an expat in Germany. But do you know how to start building and optimising your financial portfolio? Or exactly how the Basisrente works? Next week, we are hosting a free webinar in which we discuss and share our knowledge of tax rebates, subsidies, and effective investment strategies.

Date: Thursday, February 22, 7-8pm CET

Sign up now to claim your spot.

See you next week!

2 upcoming events

Join Munich girls walk

This ones is for the ladies only. If you are ready to step out, soak up some sunshine, and make some new friends along the way, then we've got just the thing for you - the “Munich Girls Talking & Walking” event is here to sprinkle some social magic into your life. 

Gather your friends, your mom, or even your furry canine companion, and join the girls for a leisurely 40-minute stroll. Don't worry if you're flying solo – this event is all about creating connections, so you'll find yourself among friends in no time. They will be chatting in English and German, making this the perfect setting to brush up on your language skills while enjoying good company. 

And the best part? It's absolutely free.

Check out their Instagram page for upcoming walks. 

📅  Sunday, February 28, 11:30—12:10pm

📍 Fraunhoferstraße 43, München

Euro 2024 match schedule out 

As we gear up for the European Championship in 2024, it's time to mark those calendars and maybe even plan some vacation time. 

Germany is rolling out the red carpet across ten stunning stadiums from Berlin's Olympiastadion to Munich's Allianz Arena. With matches scheduled from June 14 to the grand finale on July 14, you won't want to miss a second of the action. 

And the UK's Foreign Office has issued a warning to our British friends making the journey over for the games: A friendly reminder that German beer packs a punch that's slightly mightier than back home.

Yes, you heard that right. With a cheeky nod to the slightly higher alcohol content, they're advising fans to enjoy responsibly and keep those stadium access dreams intact. It's a light-hearted reminder that while football is serious, the fun should be too. 

Find more information here and check the schedule here. 

General information 

📅  Friday, June 14—Sunday, July 14, 2024 

📍  Various Locations

Bonus

• Food truck festival

• Construction of a new train station in Pasing has begun

• German housing market sees biggest price drop in 60 years

• Indian entrepreneur brings new snacks to Germany

• Where in Europe has the best snow

• A new high-speed railway

• Germany sees unexpected leap in factory orders

• Fleamarket in Olympiapark

1 new restaurant/café to try

Ginger & Gray’s 

Ever dreamt of biting into a juicy New York-style burger without having to jet across the Atlantic? Well, dream no more because Maxvorstadt has just the spot for you. 

Tucked away on Heßstraße, Ginger & Gray’s is bringing a slice of the Big Apple right to our doorstep. Step inside and you're greeted with vibrant graffiti, street art snaps and those oh-so-trendy exposed ventilation pipes.

The menu is where Ginger & Gray's really shines. Think hearty, grilled sandwiches that pack a punch for lunch, indulgent burgers and fries for an after-work treat, and an all-American breakfast featuring bagels and pancakes to kick-start your weekend. And let's not forget the daily lineup of unique cake creations that’ll have you coming back for more. 

Plus, if you're looking to host an event or celebrate a birthday with some flair, this café can transform into your personal party venue.

Ever wondered how this American-inspired café got its catchy name? It all traces back to the hair colors of the owners – one boasting a fiery ginger mane and the other sporting elegant gray locks. But it's not just their distinctive hair that sets them apart; these two are possibly the friendliest duo you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting in Munich.

General information

📍  Heßstraße 74, 80798 München

🥘  Café

⏰  Tuesday - Sunday,  10am—6pm

      Monday - Closed

🔗 https://www.gingerandgrays.com/

Meme of the week 😂

Not a meme but prettayy funny.

Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

See ya next week!

Aazar, Arlene, Christina, and Heidi

Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that this newsletter is absolutely free for you to enjoy. We genuinely value your feedback as it inspires us to continuously improve and bring you even more amazing news and content. It would mean the world to us if you could spare a moment to share your thoughts and leave us some comments. Your input is truly appreciated!