Moving to Munich, Germany, can give you the best experience. This city offers opportunities to work in international companies while enjoying the vibrant life in Munich.
To help you prepare before moving and living in Munich, we have 11 tactics that are worth trying. You will find useful facts, the best neighbourhoods to live in, job opportunities, things to do, and the cost of living in Munich.
We have also included tips about overcoming culture shock so you’ll be well prepared!
1. Find Out What It Is Like Living In Munich, Germany To Get Yourself Prepared
Before moving to Munich, it is best to know some basic facts about this cosmopolitan city. This way, you’ll get an idea of what it’s like living in Munich and you’ll be able to adapt and settle in easily! We’ve put together some of the most important facts to know.
Weather In Munich
The weather in Munich is affected by the continental climate. That’s why the summers in Munich are warm, and the winters are relatively cold.
The temperature in this city can dip into 32 °F (0°C), and on rare occasions can drop to -13°F (-25°C). However, the local residents are commonly seen participating in outdoor activities even in the coldest month, January.
To embrace the weather, you need to prepare proper clothes for each season. You can buy them before moving or after you arrive in Munich.
A Pet-Friendly City
In general, German cities are pet-friendly, including Munich. Dogs and cats are allowed to enter shopping malls, parks, cafes, and amusement parks after being given rabies shots.
If you plan to bring your dogs, you can register them when you arrive in Munich. Your dog’s registration should be done within 30 days after arrival because there is a dog tax in Germany.
Home To Big International Brands
Munich is home to big companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Siemens, Allianz, Adidas, Porsche, and Bosch. Therefore, moving to Munich to pursue a better career is a good decision.
German Language
Consider learning German before moving. Being able to communicate in German is crucial for daily communication.
You can make friends and communicate with the locals outside your office easier if you speak their language.
2. Find Out The Average Monthly Rent And House Price In Munich
The housing costs in Munich will depend on the type of your accommodation. The average rent for a room and apartment are €700 and €1523 respectively.
On the other hand, the average house prices in Munich range between €850,000 and €3.5 million.
The rental and buying prices of your accommodation are also determined by location. The houses and apartments in the city centre area are more expensive than those on the outskirts.
3. Learn About The Cost Of Living In Munich To Help You Craft A Budget
Munich is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Therefore, you need to think about crafting a budget before moving here.
The monthly living expenses for a single person in Munich is around €1,000 without rent, while a family of four on average spends about €3,100.
To help you save more money in Munich, you can follow the following practical tips:
- Shop at flea markets.
- Enjoy free activities at public parks.
- Visit museums on Sundays to get an admission discount.
4. Collect More Information About The Best Neighbourhoods In Munich
Munich offers neighbourhoods that suit anyone’s needs. This city has it all, whether you are looking for a family-friendly area, the best area for expats, or a lively neighbourhood for young professionals.
Here are some of the best areas for the young crowd near the city centre:
- Maxvorstadt,
- Haidhausen, and
- Neuhausen.
If you are looking for family-friendly areas that are suitable for expats, you can check out the following neighbourhoods:
- Pasing,
- Bogenhausen, and
- Neuperlach.
If you move with your children and plan to find schools, it is best to first search for a living area. This way, you can find schools that are not too far from where you live, so it doesn’t take a long time for your children to commute to their schools.
5. Explore More Job Opportunities In Munich
One of the most important things before moving to Munich is securing a job. Even though this city has opportunities for anyone with any industry background, it is still beneficial to know the biggest sectors in Munich.
These are some of the biggest industry sectors in Munich for your job hunting reference:
- automobile,
- service sectors,
- creative industries,
- IT,
- engineering, and
- electronics.
You can find job vacancies online, or have your local acquaintance recommend you to their company.
If you move to Munich without a job, you still can get a residence permit by applying for a job seeker visa. This visa will give you six months to legally live in Munich without a work visa or Blue Card. After you get a job, you should switch your visa accordingly.
6. Familiarise Yourself With The Public Transportation
Munich Transportation Corporation (MVG) runs the public transportation system in Munich. This public transportation is highly developed and efficient to get you around the city.
You will find varieties of transportation, such as S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, tram, car sharing, bike sharing, and scooter sharing, that will help you reach your destination.
The average commuting time in Munich is 40 minutes, so you’d want to consider this when you need to go somewhere. The best way to commute in Munich for most people is by taking the S-Bahn, which has eight lines that cover the main routes in Munich.
7. Enjoy The Local Events
Munich is also known as the Bavarian capital. Therefore, you will find many local events that celebrate Bavarian culture.
Fill up your calendar with the following events that offer a lot of fun:
- Oktoberfest,
- Kocherlball,
- Summer Tollwood,
- Christmas,
- Kaltenberg Knights Tournament, and
- Christopher Street Day.
Local events and festivals are good opportunities to come out of your expat bubble. You will have an opportunity to meet more locals and make new friends.
8. Relieve Your Stress By Visiting These Beautiful Places In Munich
Munich is a beautiful city with many beautiful places to visit. Therefore, you need to take time to explore these places.
Below are some of the places that are worth visiting to relieve your stress in Munich:
- Englischer Garten (English Garden),
- Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens,
- Munich Residenz,
- The Olympic Park, and
- BMW Museum.
You can shop at Christmas Markets around the city during the Christmas season. You will find Christmas ornaments, lights, and carols and you’ll definitely feel the festive mood!
9. Taste The Iconic Local Food Around Munich
Making friends with the local delicacy is an excellent way to make yourself at home in a new city or country. Luckily, Munich has many delicious dishes to offer.
To start your food adventure, start with the following local dishes that can’t go wrong on anyone’s taste buds:
- schweinshaxe (German pork knuckle),
- brezen (German pretzels),
- Obatzda (German beer cheese dip),
- German egg noodles, and
- crusty fish rolls.
For the drink, Germany is famous for its beer. Your local friends will be happy to show you where the good beers are in Munich.
10. Practical Hacks To Overcome Culture Shock
Overcoming culture shock may be another challenge when you move to a new country or city. However, this would not be a challenge if you stay open-minded. It will be a new adventure for you instead.
Here are some practical hacks to help you overcome the culture shock:
- Spend more time with local friends.
- Discuss the cultural differences with your local friends.
- Enjoy the local events and festivals.
11. Prepare Your Relocation Well By Following These Tips
Relocating to a new city or country needs good preparation. Here we share two simple tips to make your moving process less stressful.
Make A Relocation List
Moving to a new place will leave you with many things to do. Therefore, making a relocation list is the most practical way to reduce stress while preparing for the relocation.
You can use these points to help you make a relocation list:
- a list of important documents,
- things to pack,
- things to donate or sell,
- precautions to remember,
- important contacts,
- a budget for preparation, moving trip, and post-moving, and
- relocation timeline.
Engage A Professional To Ship Your Belongings To Munich
Having a professional ship your belongings to Munich will give you a stress-free relocation process. Sanelo is a professional moving company that can help you to ship your belongings.
We have a team ready to walk you through the shipment process. This way, you do not have to carry heavy luggage on your moving trip.
Conclusion About Moving To Munich
As one of the big cities in Germany, Munich has so much to offer. This city provides excellent neighbourhoods, better job opportunities, highly developed public transportation, vibrant festivals, and beautiful places you can visit.
Even though the cost of living in Munich is considered expensive, you can still manage your budget by following the hacks used by tourists. Some of the hacks are enjoying free recreations and shopping at flea markets.
Before moving to Munich, make sure that you prepare the relocation well by making a list and engaging a professional like Sanelo to ship your belongings to Munich. You will save yourself from stress by doing these tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Munich
Is Munich A Good Place To Live?
Munich is a great place to live in Germany. In general, this city is clean, safe, and perfect for families, young professionals, and singles.
Can I Live In Munich Without Speaking German?
You can live and work in Munich without learning to speak German. However, the many Münchners only can communicate in German. You may find it challenging to get along or communicate with the locals if you do not speak German.
How Much Is A Good Salary In Munich?
An annual salary of €60,000 is considered good in Munich because it will be deducted from taxes. You will have €35,631 annually after taxes, and this amount of salary can afford you a relatively comfortable lifestyle.
Can Sanelo Help With Relocation?
Sanelo can assist you with an international relocation. Our team will walk you through the relocation process, including filling up the forms regarding the shipment of belongings from your home country.
Please contact us for more information about the relocation process. To give more time for our team to prepare the shipment of your belongings, you need to contact us three months before the relocation date.