I secured a job first but as a single parent I couldn’t have done it another way

How much longer do you need to stay before you can apply for French nationality? If I were in your shoes, I would obtain it first and then reevaluate. That way, if you decide to move back to the US but end up not liking it, you have access to a back up plan in the EU. I’m an American who now lives in Brussels btw so I get your feelings but also, it’s a possibility that after so long abroad you wouldn’t feel American any longer either. That’s how I feel at this point. I don’t belong anywhere anymore and just stay where I have the best quality of life.

I moved from the US to Belgium last year at 38.5 years old and it’s been great. The thing about moving tho: wherever you are, there you are. So if you have a negative and critical outlook on life, you will have it no matter where you go.

There’s a very helpful Facebook group called “Holocaust Descendants with Restored Citizenship to Austria and Germany” where I’m certain people can help you with specifics. I can’t help you with Germany but was able to obtain Austrian nationality with a similar background.