The 20 Best Places to Live in Germany
If you’re planning to move to Germany then there are a few things that you should take into consideration before you choose a place to live. If you’re fluent in the language, that’s a plus, but if you’re still learning then it’s a good idea to settle in an area where your native tongue is more frequently spoken. In most areas, the locals are welcoming to newcomers who move to the country for work or for retirement, but some areas are better than others and offer a broader range of amenities with lower crime rates, and a more affordable cost of living. With these things in mind, here are the 20 best places to live in Germany.
20. Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany. It’s one of the best cities in the nation if you’re looking for employment opportunities in the financial sector or related jobs. This is a large city that offers all of the amenities that one would expect from a more metropolitan hub. There are tons of bars and restaurants throughout the city as well as great entertainment and recreational venues. The cost of living in the city of more than 600,000 people is a bit on the expensive side, but the further you go from the downtown area, the more reasonable the rates for housing. The drawbacks of living in Frankfurt are the space restrictions and the overdevelopment of the area. It’s crowded, but it offers a thriving environment for business and entertainment.
19. Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg is one of the more laid back cities. This is a place that is home to multiple historic landmarks as the city is rich in its history. There is a huge network of English speaking ex-pats living in Nuremberg, so even if you’re not fluent in German, it’s not usually a problem. The restaurants and bars are in good supply and the people are generally friendly. This city has one of the most affordable costs of living in the country.
18. Dusseldorf, Germany
Dusseldorf is one of the highest-ranked cities in the world for its impressive infrastructure and quality of life. It is a great place for those seeking to establish a career in the banking, financial and media industries. This is a haven for large multinational companies which presents a lot of great career opportunities. There is also a log of great cultural activities along with great restaurants, museums, markets, theaters, and more. There are a lot of English speakers in Dusseldorf, but the cost of living is a bit higher here than in most other areas.
17. Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city. It is also a hub for ex-pats because of the wonderful quality of life and the fact that the population is spread out over a larger area of space makes it seem less crowded. It is a city of breathtaking rivers and canals with gorgeous bridge structures and other architectural wonders. There are also plenty of venues for a wonderful nightlife. Buying a home is cheaper than renting in Hamburg, as rentals are a bit expensive.
16. Cologne, Germany
Cologne is the hub for Germany’s television stations and it is a place where some of the most creative minds in the German entertainment industry gather. This is a liberal city that is packed with fun cultural events including the famed Carneval in Cologne, and more. It is one of the more popular tourist destinations and there are lots of famous theaters and musicals in the city. It’s also loaded with several historical landmarks. The quality of life is high in Cologne with plenty of employment opportunities. It is also listed as one of the safest and cleanest cities in the country with an affordable cost of living.
15. Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart is a city that is known for its affluence in the automobile industry. The city is bursting with shopping, restaurants, cafes, parks, markets and other entertainment venues. Some of the more exclusive neighborhoods on the hill offer breathtaking views but they are quite expensive. There are other neighborhoods in Stuttgart that have more reasonably priced homes available for rent and for sale. The quality of life is ranked as being very high in Stuttgart.
14. Munich, Germany
Munich is a city that is one of the most expensive to live in, but the quality of life and the infrastructure of the city are highly rated. There are several nearby universities as well as a healthy and thriving economy with great career opportunities. Munich is loaded with a variety of shopping venues, many of them are trendy shops, and there are lots of entertainment and recreation opportunities as well. The city tends to be inclusive and diverse for a larger location.
13. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is one of the more laid back cities, even though it is a metropolitan area. The city is loved for its plethora of green spaces with lakes, rivers, forests and parks throughout various parts of the city. The major part of the city was destroyed during World Warr II, but it has been rebuilt. This is a diverse city that is both welcoming and inclusive, and there is a high value placed on multi-culturalism and acceptance. There is a high population of Turkish residents in the city.
12. Bremen, Germany
Bremen is one of the safest cities in all of Germany. The population is spread over a large area so it doesn’t feel crowded. Job opportunities abound and the cost of living is reasonable. There are good roads and great hospitals in Bremen and it is a diverse and inclusive city that values multiculturalism. It’s not hard to find English speakers in the city. The major drawback is the high level of humidity.
11. Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig is known for its high quality of education and for its diversity. In general, the community is fairly laid back with good air quality and plenty of space for the number of people in the city. There are plenty of jobs available and it’s not difficult to do business in the city. It’s a generally safe place to live with a high value on education and excellent health care options.
10. Dresden, Germany
Dresden is a beautiful city in the spring with four distinct seasons. The roads are very safe and the quality of education is high. It’s a fairly safe place to live and one of the best perks of the area is that nearly everyone in Dresden speaks the English language. The residents value diversity and it is friendly to the LGBT community. There are a few drawbacks including cold winters and humid summers, but in general, Dresden is a great place to live with an affordable cost of living.
9. Hof, Germany
Hof is a great city to live in with plenty of open spaces if you want to get away from the crowds of the city. There are opportunities for quality education and good jobs in Hof, and the air quality is good. The hospitals are highly rated and the roads are very safe. This is a safe place to live and many of the residents speak basic English.
8. Aachen, Germany
Aachen is another popular place to live in Germany. It’s a democratic city that values diversity and maintains a high quality of education. The city is not crowded and there is plenty of space to get away from the masses. There are ample job opportunities and good hospitals. The infrastructure of the roads is good and they are safe for travel, and everyone in Aachen speaks English.
7. Bielefeld, Germany
Bielefeld is one of the safest cities in Germany to live in. It is known for its high-quality education, safe roads, and good hospitals. The air quality is good and there is plenty of space available. Most of the people living in Bielefeld can speak basic English and the city values diversity.
6. Ulm, Germany
Ulm is another great place to live in Germany. Ulm has a cost of living that is far more affordable than the major hubs such as Munich and Berlin. There are good educational opportunities, great scenery, and some amazing historical landmarks. This is a tiny city steeped in history situated on the Danube River. The population is approximately 120,000 residents. It is home to the Ulmer Munster which is the tallest cathedral on the planet. It is also the birth city of Albert Einstein. There are plenty of performance theaters, concert halls, and more.
5. Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg is a city that has a population of 150,000 residents and it is geographically, an exceptional place for foot and cycling transportation because of how flat the terrain is. There is also an extensive public transportation system available. Although the city is flat it is surrounded by mountains which offers some beautiful views. It’s a historic city complete with castle ruins, adn all of the amenities you can imagine for a healthy nightlife. Living in Heidelberg is also affordable and most of the locals speak English.
4. Jena, Germany
Jena is a modern German town that is small in size. There are just 100,000 residents living within its borders so it seldom feels crowded. There is a peaceful feeling in this town that sits on the Saale River. Locals enjoy the limestone cliffs, along with the parks and all of the trees which give a feeling of relaxation and repose. The city has a rich heritage adn there are plenty of things to see and do in the area. It’s a college town and there are lots of opportunities for a healthy nightlife with nightclubs, bars, trendy cafes, and art and music festivals galore. It is an idyllic small German town that offers many of the benefits you would ordinarily find in a bigger city without the crowding.
3. Dortmund, Germany
Dortmund is the third best place to live in Germany. Historically, this city was the center of the German coal and steel industries. It’s a larger city that boasts a population of more than a half-million residents and it is highly industrialized. There won’t be a problem finding a job as Dortmund is a hub for technology, micro-system, robotics, and biomedical technology. The city if the home of Technologiepark Dortmund which is the first technology center in Germany.
2. Karlsruhe, Germany
Karlsruhe is a German city that is considered to be very safe to live in. Although it’s a good-sized city, the population is spread over a larger area of space so it has a feeling of spaciousness. There are plenty of good educational opportunities in Karlsruhe, and the roads are very safe to drive. Most of the residents can speak basic English and there are plenty of available jobs if you’re in the country for work. This is a safe and inclusive community that values diversity. Although the summers can get humid, residents enjoy the four distinct seasons that this region has to offer.
1. Darmstadt, Germany
Darmstadt is one of the best places to live in Germany. The majority of people in the city speak German and at a minimum, basic English. It’s a fairly safe place to live with good air quality and plenty of space so it doesn’t feel crowded. There are a lot of job opportunities in the area and the quality of education is high. The roads are very safe and the hospitals are rated as being good. This is a city where diversity is valued. Darmstadt offers plenty of entertainment options with some great restaurants, bars, and cafes for dining and drinking. The cost of living is reasonable in Darmstadt and it’s a great place for ex-pats to settle.
You can also read:
- The 20 Best Things to do in Cochem, Germany
- The 20 Best Things to do in Frankfurt, Germany
- The 20 Best Things to do in Cologne, Germany
- The 10 Richest Cities in Germany
