Discover the Best Places to Live in Germany as an Expat
29 Oct 2024
Germany is a fantastic destination for expats, offering a high quality of life, robust infrastructure, and a thriving job market.
Whether you’re drawn to bustling cities or peaceful countryside, there are multiple places to suit expats with different lifestyles and preferences.
How to Spot an Expat-Friendly City: Key Factors Explained
When moving to a new country, finding the right place to call home is key to a smooth transition and enjoyable experience. Let’s explore the essential factors to consider when choosing where to live in Germany. By weighing these elements, you can make an informed choice that supports both your personal and professional goals while making you feel more connected and comfortable in your new surroundings.
Public Transport
Being able to get around quickly and with ease is crucial for expats in a new country. An efficient public transport system means you’ll be able to settle into your new role quickly as well as explore all that your German city and its surrounding regions have to offer. Fortunately, Germany has one of the best public transport systems in the world so you’ll get its benefits no matter where you live in the country.
Expat Community
Homesickness is common among expats, but having a community with people from one’s home country as well as other nationalities can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. English is spoken widely in Germany, and there are many resources in place to learn German from scratch, so making friends and settling in is usually fairly easy.
Family-Friendliness
Many expats decide to make the move for their families and, if you’re one of them, you need to consider factors like schooling and recreational options. International families typically opt for smaller German cities such as Bonn and Heidelberg as they have a slower pace of life, strong expat communities, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
Airport Access
For many expats, frequent travel for work means living near an airport is a top priority. Cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt all offer large international airports with convenient public transport links. This means you can travel with ease for work or pleasure without having to drive for several hours.
Culinary Choices
As an expat living away from home, you’ll naturally crave the food you’re used to. Fortunately, Germany caters to an international audience so you’ll have unlimited choices when it comes to food. There are also ample restaurants serving schnitzel and other German delicacies, and the beer scene is particularly remarkable.
From the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Berlin to the financial hub of Frankfurt or the cultural richness of Munich, those looking to move to Germany are practically spoiled for choice. Let’s explore some of the best areas to call home in Germany.
1. Berlin
Being the capital of Germany, Berlin is an excellent choice for expats for several reasons. The city has excellent job opportunities, including ones where German proficiency isn’t mandatory. Residents benefit from a well-connected and affordable public transport system, and there’s a thriving expat community that will immediately make you feel at ease if you’re new to the country. The city offers a variety of housing options, from modern apartments to historic buildings, and different neighbourhoods cater to different lifestyles, whether you want something trendy, quiet, or family-friendly.
Berlin’s startups and research and development hubs such as companies such as Volkswagen, Pfizer, and SAP are an obvious magnet for global talent. However, that’s not all. Berlin is the capital of Germany, and the city also offers a great quality of life. From world-class restaurants and bars to parks and green spaces, there’s everything you need for a great work-life balance.
2. Frankfurt
Corporate professionals in finance and banking will find incredible job opportunities in Frankfurt – home to financial entities such as the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and Deutsche Bank. Despite its business reputation, Frankfurt has a lively cultural scene with museums along the river Main, theatres, and an array of dining options ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to international street food.
Frankfurt boasts a highly efficient public transport system with buses, trams, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn trains that make commuting easy. The city’s housing features a mix of modern high-rises, traditional neighbourhoods, and quieter suburbs with Sachsenhausen, Westend, and Bornheim being quite popular with expats.
3. Munich
Living in Munich offers the best of both worlds: the city gives you access to corporate jobs with global organisations such as BMW Group, Siemens, and Allianz AG, on the other hand, the River Isar bordering town and the green spaces nearby give Munich a distinct countryside feel allowing residents to wind down. It also gets more sunshine than other German cities, no wonder a third of the country’s expat population lives here.
While Munich is one of the more expensive cities in Germany when it comes to rent, the quality of housing is generally high. The city has well-maintained neighbourhoods, from the bustling and trendy Glockenbachviertel to more family-friendly areas like Schwabing and Bogenhausen. Public transport is efficient and well-connected making it easy to get around the city and the surrounding region.
4. Hamburg
The second-largest city in Germany, Hamburg is ideal for expats looking for a relatively slower pace of life compared to bustling Berlin. While marketing and communications are the primary industries, the city also has the third-largest port in Europe, and consequently, excellent prospects in logistics and trading. The city’s well-developed cycling infrastructure is another great addition to the efficient public transport system.
Housing in Hamburg is generally more affordable than in Munich or Frankfurt, with a wide variety of choices for expats: from the trendy Eimsbüttel to the waterfront, HafenCity, as well as quieter areas such as Winterhude and Blankenese. Hamburg also has a thriving cultural scene for you to explore, from the historic Altona district to the Stadthausbrücke Street museums as well as its lively Reeperbahn nightlife.
5. Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city that appeals to expats, particularly those working in business, fashion, and the arts. It is also one of Germany’s leading trade fairs and convention centres, offering ample job opportunities in industries like consulting, IT, and media. Düsseldorf’s international airport is one of Germany’s busiest, providing excellent connections for both domestic and international travel.
Expats with families typically opt for spacious homes in suburbs such as Oberkassel and Kaiserswerth, although the city also has a number of modern apartments. There are well-maintained cycling paths which makes getting around a breeze. On top of its vibrant green spaces, the city also offers exciting leisure opportunities such as the Altstadt (Old Town), famous for its nightlife, bars, and restaurants, and the Königsallee (Kö) shopping street, renowned for high-end fashion.
6. Leipzig
Leipzig is ideal for expats looking for a relaxed pace of life. Car manufacturers like BMW, Porsche, and the European Energy Exchange are based in Leipzig, offering expats excellent job opportunities. It has previously even been nicknamed ‘The Better Berlin’. Affordable housing is another perk for Britons moving to Leipzig. The city offers a variety of housing styles, from historic buildings in neighbourhoods like Plagwitz and Südvorstadt to more modern apartments.
Leipzig is an incredibly bike-friendly city, with well-developed cycling paths for easy commuting. It also has a central railway station that offers great regional and international connections. The city is known for its connection to Johann Sebastian Bach, and the Gewandhaus Orchestra is world-renowned!
7. Stuttgart
Stuttgart is an attractive city for expats, particularly those working in the automotive, engineering, and technology sectors, offering a high quality of life and robust job opportunities. Professionals in academia, research, and IT will find excellent job prospects here.
Housing in Stuttgart can be relatively expensive due to the high demand from professionals working in its thriving industries. However, the leisure amenities here are second to none and offer a great work-life balance. The city is home to a vibrant arts scene, with opera, ballet, and theatre performances, as well as renowned museums such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Stuttgart Art Museum. The nearby Black Forest and Swabian Alps provide excellent options for weekend getaways and outdoor adventures, offering a well-rounded life abroad.
Germany offers a diverse range of cities and regions that cater to the varied needs of expats. Whether you’re seeking career opportunities, a vibrant cultural scene, or a quieter, family-friendly environment, you’ll find a place that feels like home. From the dynamic energy of Berlin to the picturesque charm of Freiburg, each area has something unique to offer.
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