Advice on moving to the Bielefeld area

HI,

I am offered a job in the Bielefeld area and it seems to be nice with decent pay. So, to introduce my self I am living in Germany since 6 years and I have never been to the NRW or that area. I have always been in Bayern and BW.

I saw the wiki pedia and the Bielefeld seems to be as big as Stuttgart area wise, but population is less and so is like there is not airport and S-Bahn systems.

The following are my questions

1) I have a family and they don't speak good German, so is it ok or too difficult to survive with some English.
2) Are there good kindergartens (also English) and how quick can we find a place for our kid.
3) Whats the average rent costs (like say for a 2 bed room apartment with built in Kitchen)
4)How is the transportation
5) Can anyone suggest family friendly areas to live in
6)How about the English speaking crowd and meetups or events

It would be very great if someone can answer all or part of the above questions and suggest me accordingly.

Thanks in advance!

Münster Osnabrück International Airport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnster_...ational_Airport

Paderborn Lippstadt Airport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paderborn_Lippstadt_Airport

Stadtbahn Bielefeld

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadtbahn_Bielefeld

Thanks Miwild,

I myself flew to Paderborn airport to reach Bielefeld, so I know it. But in my words if a City itself does not have a airport attached (eg. Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich etc.) then it is considered to be less populated or less business interest.

May be also others living in the area can quote their experience.

Hi, I have lived in Bielefeld for a year now.

I have never had a problem with the language; the vast majority of people speak excellent English.
There is a tram system in Bielefeld which will take you anywhere, no problems.
There are two army bases in Bielefeld, Rochdale Barracks & Catterick Barracks, hence a lot of people are British in Bielefeld.
As for rent and childcare, I am unsure as I am in the Army so don't know much about civilian rates.

This should be your starting point

http://www.bielefeld.de/en/index.html

Hope this helps.

Did everything work out for you in Bielefeld?? I´m an American living in Lipperland too.

HI,

No, actually I dropped the idea and rejected the offer. I am still living in Munich. So have a nice stay at Bielefeld.