Nürnberg, or Nuremberg, is the second largest city in Bavaria with a population of over 500,000 and is very popular among expats. In this guide, we will talk about what living in Nuremberg as expat is like and whether this beautiful city can become your perfect home abroad.
Is Nuremberg a good place to live?
Nuremberg, located in middle Franconia or Mittel Franken, along the Pegnitz River, is a hub for technology, medicine, energy, and several other industries, making it a very attractive place to live as it is ample with career opportunities.
It is a lovely place to live – the city is extremely clean, the nightlife is phenomenal, it boasts beautiful historical architecture, a diverse restaurant scene, employment opportunities are high- the list goes on.
Nuremberg is also a great option for people in all different periods in their lives. Whether you’re a young professional or a family of four, Nuremberg is a great option.
With Nuremberg being a major city in Germany, the possibilities of travel, whether via train, bus or plane, are very good.
There is a small airport in Nuremberg, and Ryanair, one of the most popular budget airlines in Europe, offers flights from Nuremberg to several major European cities.
If you take a long-haul flight from the airport in Nuremberg, chances are you will connect through Frankfurt or Munich, but it’s still great to have that as an option.
Is Nuremberg good for families?
If you’re looking for a family-friendly city, Nuremberg is a great option.
There are over fifty public and private school offerings in Nuremberg at the elementary and primary education levels.
Since the expat community in Nuremberg is quite large, most schools have a good mixture of local and international children.
A noteworthy mention is the Franconian International School. It is the international baccalaureate school in Erlangen, a city about 20 minutes by car from Nuremberg, and is well known in the expat community.
It is a perfect option if you want your child to receive an IB diploma. However, since it is private education, it comes at a high cost of around 13,000-17,000 euros a year.
With that being said, there are many great and free options for public schooling in Nuremberg, and schools in Bavaria are known for being very good.
Careers and jobs in Nuremberg
Many companies across different industries have headquarters in Nuremberg.
You will find the headquarters for Adidas and Puma about 20 minutes from the city center of Nuremberg in a nearby smaller city called Erlangen.
Luckily, the commute to Erlangen is quite simple: with an RE train, you will reach the city center in about 15-17 minutes, and with an S-Bahn, it will take a little longer- about 20 mins.
Since both Adidas and Puma are international companies, a large number of expats are employed there. Oftentimes positions at international companies are primarily in English which is great if you haven’t quite perfected your German yet.
The second-largest location of the company Siemens AG is also near Nuremberg and employs more than 20,000 workers.
Is Nuremberg expensive to live in?
Nuremberg is quite an affordable city to live in. The cost of living is quite reasonable and definitely cheaper than other major German cities.
You can find a one-room apartment close to the city center for around €700 a month. The prices do vary based on the neighborhood, but you can expect to find a flat for this price or sometimes even cheaper.
Fun fact: in Germany, a one-room apartment is a studio, so a one-bedroom here will actually be listed as two rooms.
Outside of the city and into the suburbs you can find a flat for a cheaper price of around €500.
You can find out more about renting in Germany: rules, terminology, and peculiarities of German rental practices, in our guide, A How-to On Renting A Property In Germany.
Here’s a breakdown of the average costs for other necessities and leisure activities in Nuremberg.
- Cappuccino – ca €3
- Gym membership – basic: €20
- Internet – €25+
- Phone contract w/major provider (i.e., T-mobile, O2) – €9.99-30 (pre-paid can be cheaper)
- Beer at a restaurant/cafém- €3.50
- Cocktail at a restaurant – €9+
- Movie ticket – €12
- Utilities for two people, 85m2 apt – €160
- 1 liter of gas – ca €1.75
Overall, I wouldn’t say that Nuremberg is a particularly expensive place to live, especially considering it’s a major city in Bavaria.
Additionally, the salaries in Nuremberg tend to be higher than the national average, which makes living in this city even more affordable.
Is Nuremberg a safe city?
Nuremberg is generally a very safe city and has a high safety index rating. Bavaria on the whole has the lowest regional crime rate in Germany.
I would feel comfortable walking alone outside at night in most areas of the city.
The city center of Nuremberg tends to be crowded at all hours of the night, so there would usually be someone around to help you if something happened.
Petty crime like theft does happen, so make sure to lock up your bike and watch out for pickpockets.
Like all cities, there are areas in which the crime rate is higher, but violent crime is very uncommon here. There will, of course, be drug consumption/dealing like in most cities, and the occasional drunk guy yelling in the train station, but overall I feel very safe in Nuremberg.
What is special about Nuremberg?
Every person looks for something different in a city. Some people want a place with great restaurants; others want a place rich with history and art.
Luckily, Nuremberg has all these things and more.
You can take a stroll through the old town for a blast into the past or spend your afternoon visiting one of the many museums.
The Toy Museum is great for kids, and the Kunsthalle is a great place to view art. There are several other museums in Nuremberg worth visiting!
Additionally, there are several gorgeous parks worth visiting in Nuremberg. My favorite and the most popular is the Wöhrder Wiese.
This park is simply gorgeous. There’s even a little lake in the middle where you can rent paddleboats. This is quite a popular location in Nuremberg and the perfect place to enjoy some nice weather.
Yes, Nuremberg is a major city, so the downsides of living in a big city are inevitable. However, there is still a lot of green and much nature to be enjoyed. Whether on a bike trail or a long hike, finding a place to enjoy the outdoors is quite easy.
The city is also very dog friendly, and like in a lot of German cities, your dog can accompany you in many places.
The best neighborhoods to live in Nuremberg
There are a few neighborhoods I highly recommend in Nuremberg:
St. Johannis
One of my favorite restaurants, Crazy Nate’s, is located in this neighborhood. The place is famous for its amazing Mexican food and is owned by an expat, Nate, from Cali.
A lot of international people frequent this area, it’s close to several parks and gardens and is very accessible. You can get around very easily by bike and public transportation.
This would be a great option for families and young professionals alike.
Gostenhof
This neighborhood is still very much an undiscovered treasure of Nuremberg. Gostenhof is very hip and diverse. It’s a creative and artistic area with many shops, pubs, and cafes.
It’s a great location for young professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs.
Altstadt
This is the neighborhood where the famous Christkindl Christmas Market is located.
It is filled with beautiful architecture, and the Pegnitz flows through this charming part of town.
Altstadt has a lot of clubs, businesses, quick access to the metro, buses, and many “Altbau” or old-style buildings. This neighborhood would be great for young professionals and families alike.
Wöhrd
This is my personal top pick as it is the closest to the Wöhrder Wiese. It is also close to the city center, very accessible and very green. Great for young professionals.
Gartenstadt/Falkenheim
Garten Stadt has a lot of single-family homes, lots of greenery, and trees. The A73 and streetcars are nearby as well, which makes it very accessible. This part of the city would be a great fit for families and retirees.
Mögeldorf
This is another good option for families. It’s quite modern, full of new apartment buildings and single-family homes. There’s nice shopping close by as well as the streetcar.
This district is quieter than other areas of the city and would be great for retirees and families.
Most neighborhoods in Nuremberg are more than suitable. There are only a few areas I would avoid due to personal preference, that would be around Rotenburger Street and the main train station, where it can sometimes be sketchy at night.
Expats in Nuremberg
The expat community in and around Nuremberg is vast. Since there are so many international companies, a lot of people relocate and live in Nuremberg.
Many expats here have more expat friends than German friends. There are also tons of resources for expats here and ways to meet other people.
A great way to meet other expats is through Facebook groups. There’s also an English Stammtisch group in Erlangen where people go to chat with other English speakers in the area.
Living in Nuremberg vs. Munich
While both Nuremberg and Munich are great cities to live in, they are certainly different in their own ways.
Cost-wise, life in Nuremberg is significantly cheaper than if you live in Munich.
While daily costs, such as food, electricity, etc., are somewhat similar, the rent tends to be much cheaper in Nuremberg. On average, rent prices in Munich are about 88% higher than in Nuremberg.
Since Munich is a bigger city, you’ll find a much better variety of stores and a more bustling, vibrant vibe.
Both cities have great possibilities for outdoor sports and nature in close range, but Munich does overall have more options in this department. You can’t beat the Englischer Garten, plus Munich is quite close to the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany.
Overall, I’d say that Nuremberg has a quieter, more cozy atmosphere than Munich does. So, depending on your preference, one city might be more suitable than the other for you.
If saving money on accommodation is important to you, Nuremberg might be the better option. If living in a bustling city with an upscale, vibrant feel is important to you, then Munich might be your city. While both cities are great options, it comes down to preference.
Final thoughts on living in Nuremberg
Living in Nuremberg is certainly a great opportunity. You get to experience true Bavarian culture, art, history, and architecture. The opportunities are vast, and the cost of living is fairly affordable. Whether you decide to come to Nuremberg for its education, employment opportunities, or simply for its beauty, you are sure to enjoy this city.
You might find useful:
Helpful external links:
- Find out about Nuremberg public transport and recreational activities on the VGN website.
Hi
Nice article. I lived in Munich for three years and worked as a tour guide. I often took groups to Nuremberg. One thing to bear in mind if you consider living there. As far as the locals in Nuremberg are concerned they live in ‘Franconia’ not Bavaria. It’s an important difference. Particularly to the locals !
Nuremberg was effectively handed to the Bavarians by Napoleon in 1806. It’s over 200 years ago but it’s still a sore subject and the red and white of the Franconian flag still flys pointedly over the Castle in the city.
Thank you, Karl, for your valuable addition, greatly appreciated