Bochum - views on living and working there

I have been offered a job over in Bochum, but, apart from a couple of days when I went for the interview (mostly spent in Düsseldorf), I have no real idea what to expect from the area.

I have lived in Germany before (Munich), so German culture is not totally alien to me (though the language is), but I'm expecting things to be somewhat different.

So, does anyone here live in or around Bochum? Is it a decent area to relocate to?

Thanks

I've been there! Only thing I can remember is going down a disused coalmine. Bit sad and industrial perhaps?

I have family friends that live up there and went to visit them a couple months ago. Its got a great little town center...like the other person said its a bit indrustrial but it looks like they are trying to change that. The center looks like its been redone within the last couple years and (personally) I really liked it. People were quite nice as well.
The people I know living there really liked it!

they have this place called the "Bermuda Dreieck" and it's bascially 3 streets forming a, ta da, a triangle!. the place boasts several dozens of restaurants and bars and cafes all right next to each other. the pedestrian area is quite large so it's nice to stroll around and shop, but i found shopping much, much better in Essen.

i had a hard time finding cinemas taht showed english movies. maybe once in a blue moon? oh, i used to work for a company that had an office up there, so i was there on business often, hence my insider knowledge! but admittedly, i never strayed from downtown so i don't know the university area at all.

but you're in Essen, Düsseldorf, Köln, Dortmund in a manner of minutes.

I live in Bochum but have never been to Munich.

It's an ok place to live - people are friendly, it's clean and safe with good schools, parks etc.

If you have any specific questions let me know and I may be able to help you

Cheers, guys.

Crazy, I probably have plenty of questions, but the only ones I can remember at present are:

Accommodation costs: how much can I expect rent to come to for a small - medium sized apartment?
German classes: I expect that not knowing the language is going to be far more of an issue in Bochum than it was in Munich, so I'm looking to get on a course; are any available?

Kind of related to the second question: is there much of an English speaking scene in Bochum?

Thanks!

I don't live in Bochum, but a town directly connected to it, Witten. Witten and Bochum are cheap as hell compared to München. For a small apartment (17-30sqm), expect between 190-275 warm. We have a 62sqm that is 414 including nebenkosten, but not electricity. Prices are similar in Bochum.

Bochum has a large volkshochschule and university where you can take German courses.

In the eastern Ruhrgebiet there isn't much going on for English, unfortunately. Most of the action is in Düsseldorf, Köln, Essen, Bonn.

There are very few expats in Bochum.

Dortmund, Essen or Düsseldorf would be a better bet for English speaking people.

Rent is very cheap. We have a 3 bedroom 100m squared apartment in central Bochum for 800 euros warm.

There is a Volkshochschule or Language schools if you want to learn German.