The third largest city in Germany and the capital of the state of Bavaria, Munich is located in southern Germany, in the center of Europe and it stretches across the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Nicknamed the Toytown, this international and cosmopolitan city has a rich cultural heritage and diversity and many of its 2.6 million inhabitants are of non-German origin. The Bavarian capital, whose motto is “Munich likes you ” has large Balkan, Muslim and Turkish communities. Find out why the late Freddie Mercury and disco diva Donna Summer as well as former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have chosen to live in Munich. Therefore, if you want to break free from where you live, then visit it for starters. You will be back for sure and all ready for an expat life in this splendid city, because the chances of getting bored in this vibrant, versatile and bohemian city are slim to none. Below are top 7 reasons to live in Munich.
1. A high quality of life – No wonder Monocle magazine ranked Munich number 1 most liveable city in the world. This fabuluos city, often called “the village with a million inhabitants” is extremely safe, because the crime rate is lower than in Berlin or Hamburg, it is a clean, green and pollution free city and it also has the lowest unemployment rate in Germany. The most powerful economic hub in Germany, Munich is both economically and politically stable, having been governed for almost 60 years by the Social Democratic Party. The buoyant city life is infused with a cozy rusticity, given by the intimate cobblestone alleys in the old town, unique in such a large, boisterous European city. Due to its strict building code, there are no skyscrapers found in the center of Munich, yet the city has an eclectic old and modern architecture, ranging from Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque.
2. Pedestrian lifestyle – Living in Munich would make you healthier, because you get the chance to exercise on a daily basis, thanks to its large pedestrian areas along every street and in all shopping zones. In addition, the city is bicycle-friendly, because it has a large network of bike paths, all in top condition and very safe to use year-round. With bikes having the right-of-way, it is very easy to get around in the city and basically you can ride a bicycle anywhere you want, even all the way to Austria. The most popular bike hire system, Call a Bike, developed by Deutsche Bahn is available within the city limits and you can even use location-based services on your smartphone to find the bikes. Each bike has a set of unique electronic lock and unlock codes by rear wheel. The cost to use a bike is 6 Euro cents per minute with a card and 8 Euro cents without it and the fee is capped at 15 euros for an entire day.
3. Comprehensive healthcare system – In addition to its high hygiene standards and very safe tap water, the city has also reliable and high-quality healthcare facilities as well as a large number of highly competent and specialized medical doctors. Expats also have access to very affordable medical care. If you are working in Munich and have an annual income of 50,000 Euros, you will be subscribed automatically to the public healthcare system, to which 90% of the Munichers are subscribed. Your income is the only criterium for eligibility. For instance, prescription medication requires only 10% of your pocket, typically 5 Euros. Since the public healthcare system does not cover most dental care and glasses for adults, you may consider an additional policy from a private insurance company. Munich is also home to insurance company Allianz. Many foreigners come mostly in the summer solely to get medical treatment in this city.
4. Life in Munich in cheaper than in most European cities – the cost of groceries for instance are the lowest in Europe, and you can get cheap theater and opera house tickets (around 6 Euros) because they are subsidized. Every Sunday, you can get into any public museum and art gallery for only 1 Euro per person. The German Museum is the biggest and the oldest science museum in the world. The cost to rent an apartment in Munich is lower than in London, as an example. Furthermore, cold and hot running water, double or insulated window panes to reduce heat transfer as well as central heating are standard for rents. These living conditions are especially convenient for foreign students who come to study in Munich, home to a large number of universities and research centers.
5. Experience first-hand the Bavarian beer extravaganza Oktoberfest and enjoy the bohemian rhapsody setting – Munich s famous beer gardens. Hofbrauhaus is the most renowned beer hall in the world and it houses every year the famous Oktoberfest, whose beer tents attracts millions of tourists from all the corners of the world, for two fun-filled weeks. It starts in September and it usually ends on the first Sunday of October. Munich is known worldwide for its breweries and its unique beer gardens, a fascinating place for the entire family where you can enjoy the best Bavarian beer in a breathtaking atmosphere, surrounded by luxuriant greenery and trees. These Bavarian gardens are an excellent choice especially if you are a smoker, because Munich restaurants and cafes have a no-smoking policy. You can delight your tasting buds with the Bavarian specialty, the wheat beer, with the golden beer Helles and with the strongest and darkest Munich beer, Starkbier, very popular in particular on St. Joseph s Day, March 19th. If you want to sweeten up your life, you can also order in the beer gardens the famous Bavarian strudels.
6. Diverse business and employment opportunities – Munich is the largest publishing city in Europe and the second in the world and it is an excellent choice for aspiring authors and journalists. If you want to pursue a career in showbusiness, then you are lucky, because the biggest film production studio in Europe, the Bavaria Film Studios is located in Munich. The BMW headquarters with its bowl-shaped BMW museum are also in this city. Language is not an issue, as most Munichers speak English fluently.
7. The Toytown is one of the greenest cities in Europe and it houses one of the largest urban public parks in the world, the English Garden, being larger than the Central Park in NY and where you can find many jogging paths and even a nudist area. Other mesmerizing green spaces where you can enjoy a much-deserved respite include the magnificent parks of Nymphenburg Palace, built in Baroque-style, a reminder of Bavarian royalties and the majestic and the oldest park, Hofgarten, located near Rezidenz, the largest city palace in Germany.
