Top 10 German Cities

1. Berlin

Pros

• Diversity and activity
• Relatively more job openings for foreigners
• Hardly any problems speaking English in daily encounters
• International city, some consider it the heart of Europe

Cons

• Living costs are high compared to most other German cities & increasing
• High competition for English-speaking roles as this is where most English speakers look first
• Streets are dirtier compared to other large cities in Germany
• Some areas like Neukölln are very densely populated

2. Hamburg

Pros

• One of Europe’s most active harbors, with a mix of modern and classic neighborhoods
• Plenty of job opportunities – the highest increase in the last year in Germany
• Waterways all over, and excellent public transport
• Close to the ocean, beaches & islands in North Germany 

Cons

• Weather most of the year is dark and rainy. The wind coming off the coast is always a factor!
• Population is considered reserved and not as outgoing 
• Less English speaking jobs

3. Munich (München)

Pros

• High quality of life
• Relatively safe
• Beautiful parks and outdoor mountainous activities
• Many multinational companies
• Easier train connections to central Europe + more countries

Cons

• Most expensive city in Germany (Check the cost of living blog post)
• Conservative culture may not appeal to everyone
• Dialect can be harder to understand depending on how you learned German before

4. Cologne (Köln)

Pros

• Friendly locals and many festivals
• Rich history and traditional architecture
• Media and business hub

Cons

• Not as many international corporations
• High demand for housing
• Traffic is relatively bad

5. Frankfurt

Pros

• International atmosphere and air transport hub
• High salaries and plenty of job opportunities in finance
• Growing cultural scene

Cons

• High cost of living, particularly rent
• Not as much diversity in neighborhood types compared to the above cities
• If you are looking for old world Europe, this isn’t the place. Frankfurt is defined by skyscrapers and is quite modern.

6. Stuttgart

Pros

• Strong job market, especially in auto and engineering
• Plenty of green spaces and high standard of living

Cons

• Very high housing costs, and high cost of living in general
• Less diverse compared to other larger cities
• Harder to find expat social events

7. Düsseldorf

Pros

• Known for fashion and arts scene
• International and diverse community with great international food options
• Large asian & specifically Japanese community
• Easy driving connections to neighboring western EU countries like Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg

Cons

• Higher cost of living relatively
• Not as much “hustle and bustle” like Frankfurt or Berlin if you’re looking for that 

8. Dortmund

Pros

• Affordable living with a strong football culture
• Friendly and welcoming locals

Cons

• Quieter nightlife compared to larger cities
• Industrial past is still visible in some areas

9. Essen

Pros

• Rich in history and affordable living
• Strong cultural and arts scene

Cons

• Limited job opportunities
• Public transportation can be less efficient
• Not as international

10. Leipzig

Pros

• Budget-friendly with a growing art scene
• Growing startup culture
• Close to Berlin

Cons

• Infrastructure needs improvement
• Less cosmopolitan than larger cities

Hope you found this useful and learned something new!