Info on Dortmund, Soest and Paderborn

Hello,

I see lots of posts on munich, dresden, berlin,... but the post section in NRW is fairly inactive. I wonder if someone can provide me info on living in/around Dortmund/Soest area. I would like to contact any TT er staying in that region.

I am currently staying in Aix en provence, and i am fairly curios to know abt room rentals. here, it typically cost ca 500euros/month for 30sq.m. I wonder if the prices are similar in dortmund/soest.

Also if i have to select between living in Dortmund or a small village nearby dortmund, which one should be prefered. aka Pros and cons of dortmund, if someone knows

Cheers
IP

Hello, I don't know about Soest but rents in Dortmund are much cheaper than in Aix - you can get a fairly nice, 30sqm apartment for as little as 250 Euros. I'm from a small town just south of Dortmund originally, so ask me whatever you need to know...
As for the pros and cons, it really depends on what you're after. There's some nice small towns around Dortmund with lovely countryside, but if you want anything resembling a nightlife better stay close to the centre of Dortmund especially because public transport is pretty dismal as well (eg last trains leaving Dortmund around 22:00 etc).

I guess, this falls under general information about Dortmund. I'll be over there for the next few weeks some days a week was a bit curious about what is there to do in Dortmund. Restaurants, Cinema and thinks like that. Sightseeing may not be really an option, but suggestions are welcomed anyways. Something which I really would like to know is where to find a map of the S-bahn and U-bahn. I have looked in the DSW21 website, but can't find a simple map with the complete network. If you can point me to one I will be really greatful. Thanks for any tips.

Managed to find a map for the S- U-bahn system from the VRR website.

So no info on what to do in Dortmund?

sorry, Panama, I don't think there is anything to do in Dortmund. You have got the short straw.

If you have a car, Soest town is pretty, also in the evening (walled in city centre) - about 30 mins drive from Dortmund

The only thing I know in Dortmund (I used to be in Soest on business regularly) is the airport - and the only thing worth doing there is getting on a eurowings thing (I hesitate to call anything that small a plane) to Munich

(Now watch all the Dortmunders defend themselves!)

Hey but you got it right with the eurowings thing! It's been a long time since I last rode a plane with actual propellers and not jet engines. And what a ride was the landing approach with all those clouds.

We live about 20 minutes from Soest, and about half an hour from Dortmund. If I were to choose I would sooner live in Soest. Theres a good pub scene, nice architecture(walled city with timber framed houses), live music (at the 'Alterschlachthof), plenty of outdoor events from music to medieval markets, to the Allerheiligenkirmis. If you want to get out of town, theres the Möhnesee just up the road (Famed from the Dambusters), good for windsurfing cycling , or walking. Or skiing in the Sauerland(Winterberg or Willingen).
Dortmund on the otherhand is more like a German version of Birmingham.
Property prices in Soest are also very good, a friend of ours is buying a house there, in the old town for only 42000 Euros.

Hello!

I'm a kiwi living in Dortmund, there's plenty to do here, but Soest is much prettier & I assume cheaper. Soest is a small town, with lots of sights & touristy things to do, it's really lovely. Dortmund is a bigger city, we have Museums, Art Galleries, Pubs, Shopping Mile, nice parks, forests etc. The U-bahn is brilliant, I believe the www.vrr-dortmund.city-map.de is the best website in regards to public transport.

Hi , I am from Soest, living in Munich now. Soest is a really nice old city with a great history. My parents still there and I enjoy going back once in a while. There are a few nice pubs, but its really quiet, so if you like to party... I would say rents are for two rooms between 350- 400 euro. If you have got any more quwestions please let me know. Kat

I was in Dortmund for 3 years before i moved to Stuttgart. In spite of the fact that Dortmund itself doesnt pose a pretty picture, you can actually do a hella lotta stuffs there. Dortmund is the starting point in the chain of Big cities in germany ( Dortmund-Bochum-Essen-Duisburg-Duesseldorf-Koln-Bonn). It has many Museums, pubs, parks etc. The university is also big, neatly organised and pretty. Rents are way cheaper than south-Germany (a decent apartment for less than 250€ (if you are working) and student hostels for a max 190€) and the night life is good but not excellent. Transportation is not dismal as some might say, but yes it depends where you reside. If you are living in the city, then i guess you have the possibility of taking the last U-Bahn till midnight. Nightlife can be little choosy.. but there are some great places to hang out too. Domicil is a very laid back Jazz club, where they have regular jazz concerts. You can have good time in Limericks (irish pub) and boomerang (aussie). Few others that i remember are Solendo, Uni-bar. If u are dissappointed with Do nightlife, you can aswell try Bochum/Essen which are not so far. But remember, that the next train service to dortmund starts only at 4 am.
Within an hrs drive is Sauerland which would give u a vareity of options to enjoy nature. All can be accomplished as a day trip.

you're right not many in NRW so it seems. I live in Bottrop not far from Oberhausen.