Discover the city’s best neighborhoods for affordability By Gary Buswell With the River Rhine running through it, Cologne (Köln in German) is one of the more picturesque German cities to move to It offers a quaint and bustling historical center as well as outlying green suburbs making it suitable for young professionals and families with children this article provides an overview of the best neighborhoods to call home along with advice on how to rent and buy accommodation Spotahome takes the hassle out of househunting by doing the hard work for you and book rental properties all from the comfort of your own home Take the stress out of househunting in Germany with Spotahome The largest city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, Cologne (Köln) is very much a city where the phrase ‘A river runs through it’ applies This is owing to the fact that it is cleanly divided into two halves by the River Rhine The left, or west, side is home to the old town (Altstadt), which includes the famous UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral and other historic landmarks There are also various residential neighborhoods surrounding the vibrant downtown is better known for its open spaces and lush panoramic views It has become more urbanized in recent years and is now home to a number of large businesses compared to €1,095 in the nation’s capital If you relocate to Cologne, the chances are you will want to rent accommodation – at least for the initial period joining local social media groups or forums or simply enquiring by word of mouth if you have a personal network in the city If you decide to use an estate agent, make sure that they are registered and have a trade permit (Gewerbeerlaubnis) from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry It is also important to bear in mind that you may have to pay fees for certain services they provide You can also keep an eye on advertisements in local papers such as Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and Kölnische Rundschau (websites in German) One of the most popular ways to look for housing is to search online portals Some of the better-known ones for Cologne include: Notably, the City of Cologne authority (Stadt Köln) can also help you find suitable housing and offers a housing benefit (Wohngeld) to those who are eligible (links in German) Cologne offers a variety of accommodation types including furnished and unfurnished rentals Styles range from small townhouses to purpose-built apartment blocks Many apartments are located inside divided family homes or larger townhouses Cologne also has a number of high-rise tower blocks as well as social housing available for those on low incomes A typical home in Colgine consists of a living room (Wohnzimmer) and between one and three bedrooms (Schlafzimmer) Townhouses often have small gardens while some apartments on higher floors have balconies Cologne residents have slightly less living space per inhabitant (38.9 square meters) than the national average (47.7) this is expected of major metropolitan areas where space is at a premium The complete checklist for moving to Germany Interestingly, Germany has the lowest homeownership rate (49.1%) among European Union (EU) countries where most residents rent their homes rather than own them competition is fierce among those looking to do the same As mentioned, there are many property rentals in Cologne. However, due to the competitive market, it may take some time to find a suitable place in an area you like. Notably, rental prices in the city are also slightly higher than the German average If you find a place to rent in Cologne you will have to provide the necessary documentation such as photo ID and proof of income You will also usually need to pay a deposit which is typically around three months’ rent Your landlord should provide you with a tenancy agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties You can buy a property in Cologne if you prefer, although you will need to take out a mortgage unless you have sufficient funds to purchase it Notably, there are many property websites, such as Engel & Völkers, that allow you can keep track of current property prices in Cologne and other cities in Germany Cologne consists of nine main districts (Stadtbezirke) that incorporate 86 neighborhoods (Stadtteile) between them All nine districts are connected by a public transport system that is made up of trains, trams, and buses that serve the whole city. You can view a detailed map of Cologne’s neighborhoods on Hoodmaps Below is an overview of the nine different districts in Cologne Chorweiler is the northernmost district of Cologne and the only one that doesn’t directly border the city center It is made up of 12 neighborhoods and is known for being one of the most affordable areas of Cologne This is largely owing to its reputation as a concrete jungle as the area has a higher concentration of high-rise apartments than most Although Chorweiler has fewer expats than other districts in Cologne it is popular among families as it offers a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of the city and some green open spaces If you are looking to live in the coolest part of Cologne, then you might want to consider moving to Ehrenfield Situated just northwest of the city center this is the artsy district of Cologne where you can expect to see street artists you won’t feel like you are missing out on what’s going on downtown As well as being popular with young professionals, artists, and students, the district has a distinct multicultural feel that attracts many migrants. In fact, it has been compared to the more trendy parts of Berlin It is particularly popular for its numerous music gigs and Live Music Hall where many international artists from multiple genres have performed popularity comes at a price and the district is just as expensive to live in as the city center you can find more affordable housing on the outskirts Also known as ‘the Ring’, Cologne’s city center is the most vibrant district where the majority of tourist attractions lie it is the place to be if you want to immerse yourself in everything Cologne has to offer Innestadt consists of five neighborhoods: Old Town North (Altstadt Nord) Popular areas include the Belgian Quarter in Newtown North, which has a distinctly bohemian vibe, and the attractive Neumarkt in Old Town South Chlodwigplatz in Newtown South is a popular nightlife spot and home to numerous restaurants and cafés It is also the most affordable area in the district In October 2023, the average apartment rent in Innenstadt was €1,075 Located on the east side of the River Rhine, Kalk (which means ‘Lime’ in English) is one of the industrial hubs of Cologne It was home to many large factories in the 19th century its community has traditionally been largely working class The population in the district doesn’t include as many expats as most other parts of Cologne. However, things are slowly changing as more businesses from other sectors have moved to the area in recent years, making it a good location for finding work Rental prices in Kalk are more affordable than in the more central districts of the city is now scattered with residential blocks that come with lower rental costs Located in the far west of Cologne, Lindenthal is one of the most popular districts, thanks to the University of Cologne which brings swarms of students to the area Unsurprisingly, it is a hub of vibrant nightlife, shopping, and entertainment, particularly around the Kwartier Latäng; the bustling student district that is named after the Latin Quarter in Paris accommodation is slightly cheaper in Lindenthal than in other areas of Cologne with housing largely consisting of student halls of residence and flatshares located close to the university the eastern parts of Lindenthal are right next to the city center and even those parts further out are easily accessible by public transport However, if you prefer immersing yourself in nature and getting up close to the likes of donkeys, goats, and deer, the 100-year-old Lindenthaler Tierpark is within easy reach the district is popular with upwardly mobile families who enjoy the sedate bourgeois charm of up-market neighborhoods such as Junkersdorf and Braunsfield Formerly an industrial district located in the northeastern corner of Cologne, Mülheim doesn’t offer a great deal to expats beyond manual work opportunities it has transformed over the past 30 years or so into one of the most creative areas of the city It is now home to a number of media and IT companies and has attracted a slew of young creative and artistic types Some of Cologne’s most well-known concert halls can also be found in these parts, including E Werk and the Palladium you can find some of the most contrasting rental prices in Mülheim Neighborhoods such as Buchforst have been heavily gentrified and now have some of the most expensive housing in Cologne Dünnwald and Stammheim are among the cheapest places to live in the city Sitting north of the city center, Nippes is one of the most multicultural districts in Cologne This is evident in the many Turkish grocery stores and cosmopolitan cafes and bars in the area Although it is close to the center, Nippes has something of a village feel to it. The abundance of green open spaces also offers a quieter life than the likes of Ehrenfeld, Lindenthal, and Mülheim. This makes it ideal for expat retirees or families looking to get away from noisy city life Housing costs vary across the seven neighborhoods of the district. However, it is possible to rent or buy attractive townhouses and farmhouses with a nice garden allotment at a relatively reasonable price Situated southeast of the city center, Porz is one of the more suburban parts of Cologne and is particularly popular with older people and families looking to settle down and enjoy a quiet life The district has a village-like quality with plenty of green space and more affordable accommodation compared to more lively inner city areas there are fewer expats which means that it can be more difficult to get by if you don’t know much German One of its biggest tourist attractions, a petting zoo called Rolf’s Streichelzoo (in German) Located on the banks of the River Rhine, just south of the city center, Rodenkirchen comprises 13 neighborhoods that are full of contrasts and offer the best of both worlds Marienburg and Raderberg offer highly sought-after properties located close to the river in slightly more lively quarters and within easy reach of central Cologne you can find greener pastures such as the quieter residential park at Meschenich living costs are generally higher in the district with areas such as Raderberg and Zollstock having some of the most expensive rents in Cologne offer more affordable and spacious family homes with gardens Notably, Rodenkirchen is particularly popular among both local and expat families, due to the presence of excellent German and international schools. The district is also good for green living, as it runs along the Rhine Cycle Route which leads to the Netherlands and Switzerland Overall, Cologne is considered to be relatively safe and friendly. However, like any major city in Germany or elsewhere, there are levels of crime and expats will need to take necessary precautions According to global rankings for 2023, Cologne places 115th on the Safe Cities Index and is the fourth-safest city in Germany. It also ranks 197th on the Crime Index That said, certain neighborhoods have seen a rise in crime rates in recent years which lies on the Cologne Ring in the district of Innenstadt the city center is also more lively during the nighttime when crime levels are generally higher If you experience or witness criminal activity in Cologne, you should contact the police immediately you will need to account for the factors most important to you do you want somewhere with the best transport links to a particular area such as where you work Is being in a more vibrant area a deciding factor or do you want somewhere quieter away from it all Or are you simply looking for somewhere with lower overall costs it is advisable to do ample research in advance of making a decision Gary has been freelancing for Expatica since 2016 An expert writer with experience in social research and community development he focuses on topics such as politics and current affairs Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling The German city of Cologne was bombed in 262 separate air raids by the Allies during World War II including 31 times by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Air raid alarms went off in the winter/spring of 1940 as enemy bombers passed overhead the first actual bombing took place on 12 May 1940 The most notable attack on Cologne was the first Allied 1,000 bomber raid on 30/31 May 1942 During the 1939 to 1945 period the Royal Air Force dropped 34,711 long tons of bombs on the city A massive thank you to Dierk Lürbke who allowed us to use the images from his great website www.anicursor.com War History Online welcomes many guest authors who share their knowledge of the history on our pages. 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