Living in Germany: which are the best cities to live in?
The best city to live in Germany depends a lot on your lifestyle, and Germany has cities for all tastes. From small villages to medium-sized cities with a long, historical tradition to large, international metropolises, high quality of life is common among cities in Germany. We came up with a list of the top five cities in Germany, check them out:
Berlin
Berlin is the country’s capital, and if you intend to live in Germany, you obviously cannot ignore the city from your list of possibilities.
With 3.5 million inhabitants, Berlin is the largest city in Germany and the seventh-largest in the European Union. Its metropolitan region has more than 5 million people from 190 different countries.
Therefore, Berlin is very cosmopolitan, giant, and has impressive multiculturalism. Being a global city, it is considered one of the most important cultural, media, political and scientific centers in the world. With hundreds of large companies operating in the city, in Berlin, you will find work opportunities in the area of IT, pharmacy, engineering, biotechnology, renewable energy, and art.
Bonn
Bonn is a small, hospitable, and relaxed city with around 300.000 inhabitants. Despite being the German Federal Republic’s capital for more than 40 years, the city kept its small dimensions and a unique personal charm.
Home to the DHL and Telekom headquarters and home to many UN organizations, Bonn is also very international and diverse with a large Expats community and several international schools. What makes Bonn extra special is the nature surrounding it. The city districts line up along the river Rhine, one of the busiest waterways in the world. On the right side of the river, there is the Siebengebirge, on the left side the natural area Eiffel, both beautiful leisure areas for outdoor fans.
Costs of living are relatively low compared to large german cities, and the quality is very high. Especially for Families with children, Bonn has excellent size and lots to offer.
Leipzig
The city is said to be the center of the modern-day German bohemia, and at the same time, it is an important economic center, providing many opportunities for expatriates.
Moving to Leipzig, whether to work or study, you will enjoy a dynamic and buzzing city full of bars, stores, and restaurants, alternative theaters, and art shows. Especially the music scene has a long tradition and lots to offer.
The city in the east part of Germany has almost 600.000 inhabitants and is the fastest growing city in Germany. There’s a certain unfinished charm to the town, with some coffee shops or bars being little shabby and old factory areas converted into creative spaces.
Buzzing with around 40,000 students of various academic institutions, the city also offers an impressive reputation in technology, energy and environment, mobility, and the arts. Leipzig is cheap for living, very family-friendly, and well connected.
Munich
If you are thinking of living in Germany, knowing more about Munich is essential. The city is the capital of the state of Bavaria, and it has 1.3 million inhabitants. That makes it the third-most populous in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg.
Worldwide headquarters for BMW and other multinationals, Munich is a significant financial, political, logistical, cultural, and economic center for Germany and the European Union. As a plus, the city of Munich is very safe and has many possibilities for fun. In fact, it is in the German city that the world-famous Oktoberfest takes place annually.
In addition, Munich has good air quality, is considered very easy and prone to business and start-ups, and has good quality education options. Finally, practically everyone speaks English and is considered very familiar. One of the negative points to take into account if you intend to live in Munich is that the city is costly. According to a rent index, it is by far the most expensive city in Germany. Besides, winters are cold, and many people smoke.
Frankfurt
With just over 700 thousand inhabitants, Frankfurt is the largest financial center in Europe and the most important transportation center in Germany. To give you an idea, the headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) is in Frankfurt.
The quality of life in Frankfurt is very high. There are many well-paid jobs, especially in the finance sector. But it is also a green city which offers a lot of cultural highlights such as theatres, museums and a football team in the Bundesliga. Frankfurt is not only all about banking. The city by the river Rhine and the surrounding area, called Taunus, offers many possibilities to relax and enjoy nature.
Frankfurt’s booming economy attracts attention, especially as it is one of the few cities in Germany where you see skyscrapers. Besides, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the fourth largest in the world.
Cologne
The fourth-largest city in Germany, Cologne has a population of just over 1 million. Located in the west of the country, it can be an excellent option for those who want to live in Germany.
Lufthansa’s headquarters are in Cologne, but the company that generates the most jobs in the city is Ford Europe. Also, many German television companies are based in Cologne.
Cologne is a very safe city with good leisure options. In fact, the German city has the highest density of pubs per capita in the country, that is, good beer and excellent places abound. Cologne is a great city for doing business with pleasant temperatures in spring and summer, with its liberal atmosphere and a growing start-up community.
As in most of the country, winter is freezing in Cologne. Also, in winter, the people celebrate Carnival. Considered the 5th season of the year, Carnival is something that cannot be described. You just have to experience it. Furthermore, Cologne is a very clean and safe city. You can walk around at night without being afraid to be robbed or to run in any trouble.
If you want to move to Germany, HereLocation will be very happy to assist you in every step you´ll face. Starting with figuring out the necessary paperwork, finding a location and place to live, applying for your children’s best education possibilities, and helping you get set-up in Germany, we´re here to answer all your questions. Contact us today to get the process started!