Wohnen.

Germany is known for a lot of things.  Beer, free college, and soccer.  What some people don't know is that they are also known for their architecture.  With a wide range of styles that make up their architecture, it is obvious why they are known for it.  Some of the styles are Gothic, Carolingian, Baroque, Renaissance, and Romanesque.  They also have classical and modern buildings.  Wohnsilos are tall, tower-like apartments, which are popular amongst many Germans due to their low cost.  Around 42% of German own their house.  Yards are very, very small by a house where as here in the states we can have enormous yards that engulf our yards.  Cities were made for easy transportation for the citizens that live there.

Austria has lots of very low costing housing due to the baby boom.  There houses were made of concrete which, in house form, is very cheap.  In Switzerland, larger families tend to live on the outside of cities.  Most people in Switzerland tend to live alone or with one other person.  The main difference between German housing and property and American housing and property, is that Americans have bigger everything.  Plan and simple.  Yards are bigger, rooms are bigger, and cars are bigger.  I feel that with everything smaller in Germany it makes them healthier and more active because they walk or bike to most places.  In America we do the exact opposite.  Also in America we tend to say things like "Bigger is Better," which doesn't help our global image.



http://www.german-way.com/for-expats/living-in-germany/house-and-home/
www.swissworld.org/en/people/families/living_space/