That said, I'm open to other options; for example, I really liked Berlin as a tourist, but need to research more on what it's like to actually live there.
I personally like plenty about the culture shown (hard work, raising kids in alternative education outdoors, strong sense of community, their obsession with efficiency but liberal vacation time/work benefits), but I could see it turning some people off. Also of note they went to Nuremberg and he took a job at a pencil factory, which may be more traditional Germany than you'd experience in Berlin or other urban areas.
Denmark/Norway/Iceland/Sweden should also be on your radar also Netherlands/Belgium.