13 Best Places to Live in Germany

Germany often appears near the top of the list when it comes to the best places to relocate. With the country promoting a high quality of life, deep appreciation for culture and history and world-famous architecture, it’s easy to see why Germany is such an appealing option for movers.

Our guide will take a closer look at the best places to live in Germany for work, food, nightlife, and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Germany.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Germany

City	Reason
Stuttgart	Best for work
Bielefeld	Best for affordability
Frankfurt	Best for families
Berlin	Best for immigrants
Heidelberg	Best for retirement
Cologne	Best for young adults
Munich	Best for students
Hamburg	Best for food and nightlife
Berlin, Kreuzberg	Best for singles
Frankfurt, Alte Gasse	Best for the LGBT+ community
Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg	Best for weather
Rügen	Best for beaches
Garmisch-Partenkirchen	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Germany for Work

Stuttgart is located in southwest Germany and is the capital and largest city of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is well known for being a high-tech city, with a focus on the automotive industry.

Movers who are looking for work in the industries of technology, automotive, aerospace, engineering and the financial sector will find that Stuttgart is a base for major companies such as Robert Bosch, Deloitte and Mercedes-Benz Group.

The salaries offered in Stuttgart are competitive and many companies offer good benefits alongside employment opportunities. There are prospects mainly for skilled workers, though there are several unskilled labour opportunities due to Stuttgart’s metropolitan nature.

Other cities in Germany such as Berlin and Munich are also highly rated when it comes to work opportunities; Berlin is one the key economic hubs in the world and Munich is known for its strong manufacturing and health-centred industries.

Cheapest Places To Live In Germany

Located in the North Rhine-Westphalia, Bielefeld City is repeatedly named one of the most affordable cities to live in Germany. A university city, Bielefield is a charming city that’s best known for its traditional festival and the online ‘conspiracy’ surrounding it.

Bielefield has very affordable housing compared to other cities in Germany, which helps to cement its place as one of the most affordable German cities.

You can also use bicycles to travel around the city, which is a benefit for those looking to keep an eye on their budget, as well as boasting a good public transport system.

Those looking for life in a bigger city may want to consider Frankfurt which also has affordable housing and utilities in comparison to Berlin, but it does depend on individual usage.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Families

Frankfurt is located in West Germany and is the largest city in the state of Hesse. More than 60,000 people live in Frankfurt which is notable as the city isn’t particularly large.

Frankfurt is renowned to be an excellent place to live for a variety of reasons. The city is politically stable with excellent infrastructure in place in terms of healthcare and public transport.

It’s also the business and financial hub of Germany, making it an excellent choice for families who are hoping to find work in these industries. The city is particularly bustling which means that families may want to consider looking at the outskirts of the city.

Neighbourhoods such as Nordend are well-liked as the residents are mainly families, creating a strong sense of community, and the schools within the district are good.

Munich is also noted as a good city spot for families due to its family-friendly attractions and safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Immigrants

Berlin is the ultimate choice for immigrants considering moving to Germany. It is the largest city in Germany as well as being the country’s capital.

Berlin is known as one of the most liberal cities in Germany and is openly welcoming to immigrants and sub-cultures. There is a large international community in Berlin and the city thrives on mixing communities.

Berlin is also a great choice for immigrants as it has a good public transportation system and there are work opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.

You also don’t have to be fluent in German to get along in Berlin, which is a definite advantage for those entirely new to the language.

Hamburg is another great choice for immigrants – it is quieter than Berlin but is still a hugely convenient city with many amenities and would be a perfect choice for someone looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Retirement

Germany is a wonderful country to retire in as the cost of living is very affordable compared to other international cities. Germany also has excellent healthcare and moderately-priced food and entertainment.

The university town of Heidelberg is located on the Neckar River and is a choice favourite for American retirees in particular. The medieval town has survived World War Two largely intact, and its Baroque architecture is notably beautiful.

English is widely spoken in Heidelberg which is another bonus, and there is a lot of culture and history to soak up in this quaint town.

Leipzig is another attractive prospect for retirees, as it has low rent and utility costs. Like Heidelberg, the slower pace of living is highly enjoyable for retirees looking to get back to slow-living.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Young Adults

Berlin is an obvious choice for young adults hoping to move to Germany. However, it is not the only choice – Cologne is one of the largest cities in Germany and is a great option for young adults hoping to keep an eye on costs while still retaining the fun of city living.

Cologne has a thriving nightlife and lots of delicious restaurants and eateries as well as pubs. It also hosts Crazy Days which takes place between Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch).

There are also several universities in Cologne to choose from, with different universities offering different options for foreign students.

Cologne is a relaxed and laid-back city that is home to many museums, galleries, and theatres which are perfect for those interested in learning about and soaking up the city’s culture.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Students

Munich is one of the best options for students hoping to move to Germany. Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria.

Munich is well-known for its entertainment and amenities; Oktoberfest is a well-renowned beer festival with a travelling carnival. It is also a major centre for technology, art, innovation, business and tourism.

There are also several outdoor opportunities available for students in Munich such as skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, swimming and sailing.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Technical University of Munich are both located in Munich and, as fantastic schools, they draw a lot of attention from international students.

Berlin is another wonderful choice for international students as it has such a variety of communities and cultures.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Food and Nightlife

No moving guide for Germany can be complete without discussing some of the fantastic dining opportunities in the country. While you’d be spoilt for choice in any German city, Hamburg has a reputation for being a foodie’s dream.

Hamburg is located in northern Germany and is a major port city – the Elbe River connects to the North Sea and hundreds of canals cross through the city.

As a result, fish is one of the main ingredients used in Hamburg restaurants. A common staple dish is fischbrötchen – a fish sandwich typically made with pickled or soused herring, onion, pickles and remoulade sauce.

Of course, hamburgers are also connected to the city and many first-class restaurants pull out all the stops to provide high-quality burger dishes.

Hamburg is also renowned for its exciting nightlife with clubs, jazz bars and live music performances happening all over the city. There are also some fantastic cruise ship night outs with decadent cocktails to enjoy as you embrace the city’s love of water.

If fish isn’t your favourite, then you could consider cities such as Dusseldorf or Berlin. Known for their range of international cuisine and restaurants, these metropolitan cities are fab options for foodies.

Berlin is also a fantastic choice for nightlife – globally known for its huge range of charming hipster bars, intimate wine cellars, and some of the most exclusive international rave and techno scenes.

Best Places To Live In Germany for Singles

Movers looking for love – or for single friends – should look no further than Berlin. Berlin’s liberal culture regarding sex, love and relationships makes it the ideal spot for a single individual looking for romance or new connections.

There are a multitude of easy-to-find events for singles happening across Berlin and many of these opportunities take into account religion, sexual orientation and age. Berlin’s population is consistently growing, too, meaning that you’re not diving into a limited dating pool!

Kreuzberg is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Berlin for singles, with an artistic hipster feel. It is quite a fast-paced part of the city, so those who are looking for something a little quieter may be more interested in Prenzlauer Berg which is a well-maintained area for singles and families.

Hamburg is also another good option, with 47% of the population single. Like Berlin, Hamburg offers many events catered specifically towards single people and their extravagant list of bars and clubs is also beneficial for the single mover.

Best Places To Live In Germany for The LGBT+ Community

Germany hits the lists as a welcoming country for members of the LGBT+ community, with Berlin, Munich and Cologne often appearing as some of the most welcoming cities with active LGBT+ communities.

As well as these cities, members of the LBGT+ communities looking to move to Germany should consider Frankfurt. Frankfurt’s queer community is located in Alte Gasse, north of Konstablerwache, and known fondly to locals as the Bermuda Triangle.

As bars are not required to close in Frankfurt, it’s common for those with an interest in and joy for nightlife to disappear into the square for long periods at a time – earning the nickname Bermuda Triangle.

Frankfurt’s Pride celebration is one of the biggest events in Germany with parties, panels, protests and a huge party in Römerberg, the main square. As well as Pride, there are a variety of bars, cruising destinations, fun shops and pop-up parties all aimed at the LGBT+ community.

Best Places To Live In Germany for The Weather

Like many European countries, the weather in Germany can be unpredictable and warm, dry weather cannot always be guaranteed. However, the southwest of Germany is a particularly good choice for those looking to move to the warmest areas of Germany.

Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg is a charming university city in Germany’s Black Forest (a mountainous region that borders France) and has been named Germany’s warmest city and is well known for its temperate climate.

The summers in Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg are warm with the possibility of sharp but short rainy spells. The winters are mild with only a few days receiving snow or freezing temperatures.

Frankfurt is another good choice for those hoping to move to a city with favourable weather. The city tends to be mostly dry year-round with consistent sunny spells.

Best Places To Live In Germany Near Beaches

Beaches may not be the first thing to spring to mind when thinking of Germany, but the country does have some famously beautiful beaches and miles of gorgeous coastline in the north.

For those eager to dip into Germany’s watersport culture, then the island of Rügen is the best choice for you. Rügen is located in the Baltic Sea and is famous for its beautiful beaches and white chalk cliffs.

Rügen offers beaches for all individuals – families, dog lovers and even nudists. Some of the best beaches in Rügen are Sellin Beach, Binz Beach, Mukran Beach and Prora Beach.

In particular, Binz Beach is a stunning beach with white sand and outstanding views of the Baltic Sea. The beach is accessible for those with disabilities and there are various sections of the beach for families and pet owners.

Those who are hoping to stay on the mainland can check out Sankt Peter-Ording’s beach located a few kilometres away from the Danish border. It is the only German seaside resort with a sulfur spring and is a popular tourist destination.

Best Places To Live In Germany Near Mountains

Germany is a country not short on mountains with regions such as Bavaria to the southeast, North Rhine-Westphalia to the west, and Baden-Württemberg to the southwest.

Located in southern Bavaria, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the most well-known mountain towns in Germany. The city is a fan-favourite of those who enjoy winter sports, as the two towns (Garmisch and Partenkirchen) joined together for the 1936 Winter Olympics and have been united ever since.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a stunning view of the Alps and is surrounded by half-timber buildings and cobblestones streets, you’ll find beauty and charm here all year round.

Another mountain town in southern Bavaria is Schönau am Königssee, which offers a truly stunning view of Königssee Lake and easy access to the Berchtesgaden Alps. Fans of ice skating should consider Schönau am Königssee a must-see town.