Munich vs. Hamburg vs. Berlin

Just curious which city you guys think would offer a better environment for a younger student interested in a lively, pleasant, and sociable atmosphere.

Berlin seems a lot cheaper, but someone told me it's really ghetto in a lot of parts. He also said Hamburg is a much nicer place to live, with very polite (although reserved) and classy people.

Any thoughts?

If you're a student, then Berlin.

If moving for a job, Hamburg or Munich.

Job and family? Munich or the outback.

Berlin, Berlin. It rules. It's really cosmopolitan

Hi everyone!

I'm currently applying to jobs in Berlin and Hamburg; have had only a brief look at Hamburg during an interview visit - seemed very nice and surpisingly green but have no idea yet about Berlin .

So, if there are any of you out there who have experienced both these cities I'd love to know how they compare, particularly with regard to the standard of the state primary/secondary schools.

Many thanks von Ray aus Bonn

Berlin is very (very) green, greener than Hamburg, I can't say much about Hamburg, as I've only ever been on Holiday or day trips there, but I loved it.

But you've probably got a better chance of getting work in Hamburg (high unemployment rate in Berlin)

Berlin is nice though, as I said very green. loads of lakes and forests. loads of culture, it's very historic and beautiful (Brandenburg Gate, Nikolaiviertel, Reichstag, Berliner Dom - all very beautiful)

I find it amazing how Berlin has managed to combine the historic aspect and buildings with the modern.

Both cities are nice (but I just love Northern Germany) If I were you, I'd go where you get the best job offer.

Greetings from Berlin

If you have been only for holiday or day trips in Hamburg how can you know that Berlin is greener than Hamburg? Hamburg is known for being "the green lung"

Here's a link for you Ray maybe that helps a bit but whatever your decision is good luck and welcome in Germany

http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/Stadtpark_an...527.0.html?&L=1

That's actually a good question...

... I heard that Berlin is supposed to be the greenist City in Germany, but after a bit of "googling" Hamburg also Claims to be the greenist city (as does Hannover and a few cities)...

and I've seen more green in Berlin's city centre than I have in Hamburg, but I guess I can't vouch for Hamburg's total "greenness"

Both of them have lots of green. For that matter most german cities seem to boast about how much "green" they have.

Both Hamburg and Berlin also have lots of water as well. Hamburg the harbour, Elbe and Aster lakes, Berlin the Wannsee, Müggelsee and other lakes. As well as a big big lake district in the Potsdam region and a smaller one on the eastern side. The beaches are better in Berlin than in Hamburg.

I dont know about Berlin but I like Hamburg very much as a city. Obviously there are areas that arent so nice, but Hamburg does have a lot to offer. Good luck with the job hunt by the way

Hi Ray,

well, I wouldn't bother about Berlin OR Hamburg to much, as long as you didn't get an offer in both cities. (If this will happen, you will be in big trouble, 'cause you have to choose between two places you can't mistake.)

Each has it's own charme, it's own history, it's own beauty but also both have their second face. I'm pretty sure, you will love and hate to live in both at the same time and sometimes you will wish, you would have choosen the other.

And if you choose carefully and do a proper research you will find some really good primary and secondary schools which support the talents of your children.

I keep my fingers crossed for your applications.

Hofnarr

PS: Sorry for my english. I just dropped by from the DiL board.

I have lived in both cities and would prefer Berlin. Not because the "greener or not" issue, but because of Berlin being the more interesting city. Hamburg is beautiful but a little bit boring (in my view), compared to Berlin. Good luck anyway! Gloria

Hi All,

With the job search I've now initiated, I'm focusing on Munich & Hamburg as the top priority and Berlin as third choice (I realize it would probably be easier for me to pursue Frankfurt, especially since I'm in Finance, but the other cities are probably more my style in terms of the culture etc.)

Can anyone who has lived the singles life in two or more of these cities comment on the contrasts, from a cultural perspective etc.? Berlin has always struck me as more overtly multi-cultural, more raw, full of history and cheaper- but I'm no expert. I would think there's less of a difference between Munich & Hamburg versus Berlin and either of the others?

Cheers

I lived in Munich for 6 months and it would be my choice out of the three purely for location! So close to the mountains for skiing every weekend in the winter!

I am not sure of your point in terms of style, culture etc. I am a firm believer that it is not the place where you live but the people that you meet there that make a city home!

there's a huge difference between H and M in terms of mentality - kind of a north-south thing. If I had to choose I'd go for M.
You mentioned you were bilingual - what's your other language?

QUOTE: You mentioned you were bilingual - what's your other language?

Hi there, unfortunately it's French but I'd definitely start learning German immediately if I end up in the Fatherland. Very interesting comment you made about Hamburg vs. Munich- Can you please elaborate further? The only thing I've heard so far is that Munich is more "traditional/conservative" than the others. I've only briefly visited both cities and had a great time in both places, but I realize they were just quick trips, so I only have limited impressions...

I would rank them

1) Berlin
2) Hamburg
3) Munich

Saying that München is conservative is a bit of an understatement. Also, they speak funny . Nice place, though

I really like Berlin. Prenzlauerberg is a great place to be & cheap compared to the other cities. The bad news is that there aren't many international companies there, so even if you find a job there it's not very easy to switch jobs later if you're not happy.

If you expect to fly a lot, also check out what flights there are from Berlin & what they cost. It's not that well served with airports for cheap fares.

Good luck with the move

Avoid all of them and come to Cologne!

I think Hamburg is also a good choice - there are tons of international companies here - in particular in the import/export sector. Each week I see adverts looking for native speakers in various companies. I've also heard of Hamburg being referred to as the most "British" city in Germany...

Now we've really confused you!

Actually I really appreciate the feedback. I'm quite sure I'll be happy in either Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg really, and judging by the relative paucity of opportunities (of the specific kind I'm looking for) so far, it would be in my best interest to jump at the right job in any of the three.

However...what about Cologne? Would someone care to expound its virtues? A recruiter actually asked me recently if I'd consider it and I could only respond: "Quite possibly "

I wouldn't rule Frankfurt out if you are working in finance!

I am not quite sure what you mean by your style but I honestly think it is what you make of a place and the people you meet there that make you happy with your life and not the place itself. Frankfurt is an excellent location in my opinion if you work in finance!

You might find yourself pleasantly surprised!

Munich versus Hamburg versus Berlin?! This is a question or similar one involving other cities, eg Cologne versus Frankfurt versus wherever, thats been asked again and again on this forum.

Its very difficult to say in any absolutist sense which of these cities is "best". They are all big cities, all good, all have their bad sides and you can have a good or bad time in any of them. As Purple Muffin says, it depends on you. Best for one person does not necessarily mean best for another.

I think to draw any meaningful conclusion you should start from the point of view of practical considerations, number one of which would probably be your career or work. Number two the housing issue, number three other amenities, eg for leisure time, etc etc.

Example: if youre in finance, then youd best be advised not to go to Berlin - or Hamburg. Best place would be Frankfurt. That is unless you get a firm job offer somewhere else. Similarly with housing: Berlin is cheapest, Munich and Frankfurt and Stuttgart the dearest. Free time: Munichs good for skiing and mountaineering (not the city itself, I mean the region), as well as sailing and other water sports. Lots of big inland seas within easy reach, as has Berlin believe it or not, likewise Hamburg doesnt do too badly here either. But Frankfurt is less suitable for mountain & ski sports, sailing etc.

And then consider things like friendliness of locals etc. For example, Munich: bourgeios and conservative-leaning, into money, funny accent, Hamburg: reserved, german easier to understand, supposedly more like England than anywhere else in Germany, Frankfurt: very international, lots of expats, a little friendlier than Hamburg perhaps, Berlin: wild and freaky, blunt-mannered locals, big big city, with big artistic/bohemian scene, least conformist of all german cities, 20% unemployment, lots of beggars, social problems, plenty of grafitti to read on the way to work, tons of dog shit to wade through...

And so on!!

Oi you lot... don´t forget Zürich... A big financial centre, and prettier than Koln, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich combined. Oh, and almost everyone speaks English and you pay very low tax.

Right, I´m just off to collect my commission cheque from the Swiss Tourist Board

Not in the EU though, is it?If youre from the EU, can you just go there and stay there permanently or semi-permanently? Dont you need to get visas, permits and stuff?

Isnt the money very clean though in der Schweiz?? :-)

If you get a job then getting a permit for an EU citizen is very simple.

At the moment the type of permit you get depends on where you live, each Canton has a set number of five year "B" permits that they can give to citizens of each country, if the quota has been filled you just get a 1 year "L" permit (I´m now on my second one). But as of May 2007 all bilateral visa quotas with the EU will be scrapped and all EU citizens with a job in Switzerland will automatically get a B permit. After five years you then get a C permit which lasts until you get full citizenship.

And yes, the money is lovely and clean... I think they only use it once then throw it away! I´ve never seen a scruffy banknote here!

Thats it then, Im off to the Schweiz!

Let me know when you get here...I´ll buy you a pint !

Sounds good so far...are the women lovely and clean too? How about the culture there and expat community? (Are the people in general relatively friendly to foreigners?)

Cheers

The women are lovely and clean, they shower or bathe daily and even wash their hair. They also have a lot less body and facial hair than their neighbours to the south in Italy.

Anyway, you can judge for yourself here

There is a large expat community (predominantly based around pubs of course) and the locals are generally very friendly to foreigners as long as you are from a reputable EU country (not the lot that joined last year). Basically, if you´re a Brit then you´ll be just fine.