Basics for living in Düsseldorf

Hi everyone!

I just moved in. I am living in Altstadt. Could anyone help me with the following topics?

1) Cable TV company with a descent amount of international channels, we are not allowed to have a satelite dish!
2) Recomendation for telephone an internet company? I prefer flat rates becasue we surf the whole day and we talk a lot (overseas an mobiles)
3) Gym . I am not a big fun a gigantic gyms and i do enjoy cardio, yoga and pilates.
4) Swimming pool: Does anyone know where can i get a good swimming pool? I use to train in a masters team before.
5)Any German private teacher? or school that is reasonable priced?(Goethe charges about 1800 euros for 8 weeks in a group class!)
6)Supermarkets: i ve seen many but i still dont know which one has a good variety and convenient prices, any recomendation?
7) And my final question is: Where to buy travel adaptors?!!! all my electrical items have diferent plugs and they don't fit into a German plug. I have looked in bauhaus and Obi with no luck .

Thanks!

1) Ish / Unitymedia!
2) Arcor!
3) Fitness Company
4) Düsselstrand!
5) ???
6) Variety: Kaufhof, Karstadt, Rewe, Real. Price: Plus, Aldi, Penny Markt
7) The airport!

:-)

I would say the same...
maybe you will find a travel adaptor in Kaufhof or Karstadt.I bought mine there, but thats ages ago...

Hi guys, thanks for the hints. here some observations...

1)Unitymedia doesn't allow me to make predial overseas calls. That is a big disadvantage...
5) i need to learn German. I heard there are some teachers that are retired that are willing to give private lessons... or if anyone knows a good school that will help.

ahhhh i forgot to ask : Can anyone recomend a person that can clean our flat once a week?

1) Use Arcor for the phone as wel as the internet, just use Unitymedia for the TV.
5) Sorry, I really don't know any German teachers in Düsseldorf!

Since you have a lot of different things going in just one thread perhaps you could post an advert in the classifieds, your request will be more visible there. Good luck settling in and welcome to Toytown!

One option for Cable TV, internet and telephone is a package for all 3 together from ish. Their customer service isn't good but that seems to be so for all providers and only having one to deal with can be an advantage.

Supermmarkets - Try HIT or Globus/Toom or larger REWE stores for variety, and be prepared to take some time looking.

Teachers - try looking at the classified section in the local paper or place an ad yourself.

Cleaners - try looking at the classified section in the local paper or place an ad yourself.

Electrical items - check the appliances will run on European voltage before changing the plugs.

Swimming pool - the 50 m outdoor pool is at the LTU Arena (Messe), take the U78 from the Altstadt.
Much nicer than Düsselstrand!

German lessons - http://www.iik-duesseldorf.de/intensivkurs...4dba7598be114b3
I haven't used them but have heard a few comments that they are ok.

4) There is also an outdoor pool in Lorick, but it is too crowded
5) My husband took the course at Uni Düsseldorf (recommended by cheshirecat above) and it was fine If by any chance you are affiliated with the Uni you can take a 1/week free course.
6) Go grocery shopping in Belgium at Delhaize or Carrefour! Actually there is a Delhaize in Cologne. I admit I go to Real, but in Heerdt, Bilk is a bit crazy. Edeka is a bit better and pricier, but for good produce you really need to go to the market. Kaisers is OK but the selection is limited.
7) Saturn

theres also a british and american store somewhere in the city (drove past it once but dont know the address)...may be worth looking there for plugs or food variety!!

And the most import of a newcomer in Düsseldorf...a trip to Cologne for a Toytown meet!

1) ???
2) 1und1
3) Fitness Company
4) ???
5) ???
6) All will do
7) Media Markt/Saturn - but voltage is different here.

Instead of a supermarket... go to the market on the Karlsplatz. It's got everything... at least as far as fruit and veg goes. And there's an ace French cheese stall... and an indian spice place with chutneys and things... and all sorts of weird and wonderful mushrooms and things you don't normally see...

(It's more expensive than a normal supermarket though)

There's also a really good bakery on just at the edge of the market (in one of the shops) - sorry... I can't remember the name - but you'll know what I mean the minute you see it.

If you want to learn German without spending a fortune, you should look into taking classes at your local Volkshochschule. It won't be a one-on-one lesson, but it's a way better deal and you'll learn what you need to know.

Why don't you just use VOIP (e.g. Skype) for your overseas calls? All you will need is a fast internet connection. Probably will save you a few euros!

I'd assume Chinata has already made a decision on the phone carrier within the last 8 Months... (Thread is from June 07 )