My friend Rüdiger is 68 years old and just became a homeowner in Germany
After 29 years of saving and a €70,000 gift from his parents, he was able to afford a down payment
He bought a beautiful 34m² penthouse just 55 km from Frankfurt
The mortgage runs until he is 110 years old
Before moving in, he has to pay a €12,500 municipal contribution toward housing refugee families assigned to his building
“I finally feel financially secure” he told me
This is what European prosperity looks like