Life in Laim

Hi,

I'm moving to Munich and living near the Laim U-Bahn stop on Landsbergerstrasse. I'd be grateful if someone would tell me what it's like to live in this district, how far it it to the city centre by foot/public transport, and how close it is to the Oktoberfest!

Cheers,

Alex

The Laim stop on Landsbergerstr is the S-bahn. The closest u-bahn stop to there is the U5 at Laimerplatz.

I've lived in this area for a few of years now. It really depends on what you are looking for as to how suitable it'll be for you. What I mean is, do you have a family with you, are you looking for restaurants, bars & nightclubs, do you want parks nearby, etc, etc.

On the S-bahn from Laim it'll take about 5-8 minutes to get into town. Having said that it depends on where you want to go. If you are just looking for Karlsplatz or Marienplatz then it's a straight run in. For Oktoberfest you'd take the U5 from Laimerplatz to Theresienwiese which will take probably about 5 or 6 minutes. Although I've not done it, on foot from Laimerplatz to Karlsplatz will probably take you the guts of 40 minutes or so, but obviously that depends how quickly you walk.

Well I'm on a gap year after school, so basically hoping the area is well connected to the centre of Munich for culture etc, near some irish/english pubs perhaps for when I need a slice of home life! Apart from that, parks would be nice but aren't essential. I'm interested in nightlife too, although being 5-8mins from the centre that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Just a basic overview of the area would be great...thanks for the transport times

Lived in Laim for the better part of 15 months, and thought it was a pretty alright place to live. Not much in the way of nightlife unfortunately, although it’s a lot closer to the city than it seems on the map in my opinion. I lived near the Tengelmann on Agnes-Bernauer-Strasse, which was within 10 minute walking distance to the Hirschgarten beer garden and parks, 15 minutes to Westpark – mind you, I have long legs. The stretch of Furstenriederstrasse between Laimerplatz and Agnes-Bernauer-Strasse is pretty ok for shopping, with basically everything you want. Is a pretty busy street with traffic though. Laimerplatz is the last stop on the U4/5 line. My stop was Friedenheimer on the U4 – and as stated above, it’s barely 10 minutes (or 7 stops) to either Karlsplatz or Odeonsplatz – both basically in the centre of Munich. Laim itself is relatively quiet, but not in a bad way. It’s clean, lots of elderly people live there, but a couple of major thoroughfares pass through it, so it can get hectic in the morning. Chances are you’ll be living south of Landsbergerstrasse, meaning you’ll be away from the train lines. Closest English speaking palces – that I know of anyway – would be anywhere in the city/schwabing. Jump on either the U4 into town, or take the 53 bus from the corner of Landsbergerstrasse and Donnersbergerbruecke to get to Gunther Murphy’s, Shamrock, The Arc et al. All in all, not a bad part of the world in my opinion. Quiet, easily accessible, and has basically everything you want in the way of shops etc.

If you live near Laim S-Bahn, you can also take the S-Bahn 5 minutes to Hackerbrücke to get to the Oktoberfest - it's about 5 minutes walk from Hackerbrücke.
You'll be near the Hirschgarten, which is the biggest Biergarten in Munich, as well as being a big park. There are always loads of people in there playing various sports.

If you live near the Laimer Platz U-bahn station you can take the U5 to the Oktoberfest. It stops right at the Theresienwiese, just goe up the stairs and there it is. The U5 is the only train that goes to Laimer Platz, the U4 only goes as far as Westendstrasse.

yeah, Keydeck already said that
I was just pointing out that if you're nearer the S-Bahn station, then the Hackerbrücke stop is an alternative

there were a couple of people practicing cricket this morning, which I thought was rather nice

Laim is a nice area to live in and has been said, isnt far from town.
However if you want to be close to the nightlife and irish pubs your best bet is around the university in Schwabing.
somewhere near the Universität ubahn stop would be perfect. you are then within walking distance to all the irish pubs in munich.
and on the same ubahn line too. (2 stops to Marienplatz) (1 stop to Gieselastrasse where the Leopoldstrasse & Schwabing nightlife is, also the chinese tower beer garden in the englishgarden)
Great shopping in Schwabing too.

I lived there for a year and really hated it. There isn't much to do and friends won't normally make the trek out there to come see you so you'll find yourself travelling inward when you want to go out.

On the other hand, if you live close to the sbahn it shouldn't be too bad as it is only 3 or 4 stops to the centre and rent is lower in Laim if cost is an issue for you. Although I wouldn't recommend living directly on Landsbergerstr. as it's a huge road and will most likely be noisy.