Living In Frankfurt am Main. An Honest Review (As A Brit)
My Newsletter: benjaminantoine.substack.com
In this video I share all you need to know about living in Frankfurt am Main. The good the bad and the ugly so if you are thinking of visiting or moving here do watch this before making any decisions.
About me:
I am a Brit (from England) who lives in Germany. After completing University in the UK I moved to China where I taught English for two years. I’ve learned a thing or two about cultural integration, language learning and everything else that goes with upping sticks and moving to a foreign country. I make videos about cultural, language and life and tend to pose a lot of questions. Join me on my exploration of life abroad.
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Good morning and greetings from rainy Frankfurt am Main (it's a wet Sunday). I hope you can take a moment to appreciate wherever it is that you are in the world. Happy Sunday
Appreciate to know that there is people like you in the world at least Frankfurt.. moneytown.. seems to have been a good choice 😊 Hi from Side Türkiye and othertimes Paderborn Germany as a Sundayschild i wish a beautiful aswell as blessed Sunday to you too 🙋🏻♀️🙏🏼🧿🤲❤⚘🕊
@@cumquatsarentsweet2760 thanks so much 😀
@@britingermany 🥰
Greetings from Wales. Plenty of rain about here in the UK, too. In fact, some places have had very stormy weather in the past 24 hours. Thankfully, where I am, we escaped most of it. But it's pretty cool and damp nonetheless. At the moment, it's not raining, though. Thanks for this excellent overview of your home city. The video was most enjoyable. Happy Sunday!
Thanks lot and yes the rain does remind me a little of the UK 😉@@xelakram
One of the underappreciated things about Frankfurt is how green the city is. If venture outside the very city center, there are parks and trees everywhere.
Yes indeed. The largest urban forest in Germany
Frankfurt has been recently rated as one of the top 10 most livable cities in the world. I love riding the train in the city and hearing many different languages being spoken.
Yes I think that was last summer...I believe Vienna has nabbed the top spot again this year
The liveability rankings are an advertorial aimed thing to attract real estate investments, especially for rich foreign retail buyers. They don't give an objective picture how it is really in the city.
I can't understand what FfM makes supposedly so attractive. May be for metropol-admirers and uprooted globalists, not for native aborigines who love their region, their country, their continent and mother earth as a whole and who feel connected to those, who feel the same on this planet.
@@val-schaeffer1117 Thank you. What LW and RW stands for, I don't understand.
@@lorenaklein7278 I assume Left Wing and Right Wing.
Frankfurt spoiled me... I was hired by an automotive company located near Frankfurt (but has now moved into Frankfurt since I left) and was lucky enough to take over a furnished flat in in Frankfurt-Schwanhiem that was too small for my then Boss. Coming from the US and only having worked briefly in the UK about two years prior, I was surprised how quickly I adjusted. People from all over the world approached me and easily became my friends. So, when I changed companies a few years later to work for a German luxury car brand in Stuttgart, it was totally not my thing. I got used to it, but Frankfurt always felt more like "Home" to me. I really enjoy watching you discuss similar experiences. With HUGE regrets, I should have stayed with the company that brought me to Germany from the beginning. Still in Europe, but not in Germany anymore and missing "home" Frankfurt and the surrounding towns. Have a wonderful start to your week! Cheers!
Thanks so much. Things always seem very clear in hindsight but you never really know if it was a good or bad decision until later. All the best 👍🏻
Thank You & Take Care@@britingermany
So you worked for KIA??
Hi! Can you please tell me a little more about how to get a job in car industry in Frankfurt or Stuttgart? I'm engineer with a B1 in german Thanks!
I'm not allowed to say, it was top secret!!!
Really enjoyed this video. I moved to Frankfurt literally less than a week ago for a job opportunity (evidence to your point) and even in just a few days have had much the same experience. I only started learning German a few months ago and Frankfurters have been so patient, encouraging (and even at times delighted) by my attempts to converse with them in broken German...just maybe not at the Aldi checkout🤣I was also lucky enough to find a surprisingly affordable apartment and I love the beautiful, wide nature strips that divide the residential streets here. Thank you for all your videos - they've been excellent cultural prep for the move!
Good luck with everything although it sounds like you don't need it. I really hope you settle in without too much hassle 😀
@@britingermany Thank you!
hi!! whats an avarage affordable rent/house price in frankfurt and where did u find it? can i do it by distance?
Very interesting video. The area around King's Cross station in London used to be very run down with many of the features that you describe about Frankfurt am Main railway station, but over the last 10 years or so the area has been completely transformed with great new buildings, plazas, green spaces, and a great vibe. I guess it just shows that these sort of areas can be transformed. Btw I love your videos; well crafted, beautifully illustrated and delivered in an engaging way with your lovely calming voice and clear diction. Please keep up the great work :)
Thanks a lot. Yes I think it is quite a complicated issue but sometimes it can be frustrating that nothing is seemingly done to improve things
Has something been done for the drug addicts and prostitutes, or have they just been pushed to somewhere else?
Again such an enjoyable video about our (almost) home town... Thank you, and best wishes!
Thanks a lot 🙏
A very good description and beautiful pictures, as usual! 👍🏻
Thanks so much 🙏
I really like your honest review. Keep us posted man 👌🏾
Thanks! Will do!👍🏻
I agree with everything you said! As a Brit living not too far away in Mannheim, the Lufthansa stranglehold has tightened in the past few years for sure. When I first came here I could fly back to Glasgow with Ryanair for 40GBP, now trying to get home and see family is extortianite with Lufthansa, the other options such as Baden Baden have also dropped some schedules. Your content is great and very relateable, thanks!
Thanks a lot Stuart. I have friend working at Fraport who is in talks with Ryanair now and then but because their flights are cheap they require a discount form Fraport and when Fraport did this last time Lufthansa freaked out and move their base to Munich so there's a lot of Business/politics going on behind the scenes and I doubt there will be much change soon unfortunately.
Thank you for creating such an informative video, Benjamin. My partner, who is German, and I have rented an apartment in Frankfurt for a couple of months to see if we want to relocate there from London. I've subscribed and look forward to diving into your other videos.
Thanks a lot. I hope you’ll like it 🍀
What a great expression of love for my much loved favourite city !
So you someone else likes it 😀
Bravo, this was a very good and fair review of Frankfurt. I also live in FFM. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Penelope. Glad to have another FFMer here 😉
I live for over 30 years now in Frankfurt and Iove it 😊 Many visitors only see the mainstation and the crowded Zeil.I agree with your point of view of the city 👍
Glad to hear it 😀
@@britingermany😃👍
Hi. I have a question. I am based in Bavaria and planning to relocate to Frankfurt. Is it easy or difficult to find accommodation (wg) if you are self employed?
Such a good video!!! Regards from Paraguay
Thank you 🙏
I was born and raised in Frankfurt Main. I left the city for a small village in Rheinhessen. Foreigners in Frankfurt often have no interest for local culture, at night the are many no-go areas, for my wife felt unsecure to go out alone in the evening. Crowded streets like Leiziger you will find the half of a pizza thrown at the street. At night 3 am. your neighbour will have a nose of coke and will have a party, no matter if you got to go work at 5 am. So have a little conversation about Hauptbahnhof at night, where not even police officer feel comfortable.
Yes that is unfortunately part of it. It’s all a matter of perspective. As someone else commented here, the police presence makes them feel uneasy…not the drug addicts
Just confirms what I said before.........Frankfurt is a DUMP!!!!
Completely agree with your "walkability point". I live in Sachsenhausen, work close to the Alte Oper and just love the walk in the morning and evening. It's also one of my favorite things in Frankfurt.
Isn’t it just great 😀
@@britingermany Embrace the Spaziergang!
Bravo, you've arrived! 😊 Wishing you the best there ❤
Thank you! 😃
I miss DE...
aww where are you?@@skywalker7778
@@britingermany Southern Hemisphere, Cape
I wish there was a comparison video between Düsseldorf and Frankfurt too.
Interesting video! I lived in Frankfurt for 11 years, before the Euro. I was stupid enough to depart. That still bothers me many years later. I miss Frankfurt and Germany.
Hi Wally. I wonder what you would think now. Things have changed a bit. I’m sure it would be really interesting for you to visit
Very nice video! Thank you for sharing this honest review. I´ve been living in Germany for 10+ years now and to be honest I´m still pretty much struggling every day. I have German friends, speak the language fluently etc., but I never feel like home here. Your content makes me think, that not only Frankfurt is not for everybody, but Germany in general.
I'm sorry to hear that. I can relate. I would say the best thing is to take a trip somewhere get out and see how you feel elsewhere and how you feel when you return...that change of scene and perspective has helped me at least
Why are you struggling? Seems like you have everything you need.
If you want to make friends, join a club. No matter if it is sports, dogs, social or cultural. This is where you are most likely to find people with the same interests. I think there are over 70 Expat “clubs”, where you can meet people with similar background, but I would recommend to also find something outside the “foreign bubble”. Germans ins clubs are often “different animals” from their work or private persona.
@@maxking3 That person won't reply or read your comment. People like that only care about complaining and in finding fault with everyone but themselves. It has nothing to do with Germany.
@@Fragenzeichenplatte How nice that you know so much about me from just that one komment. You know what I need, you know what I think and you are so sertain about yourself beeing right. I just told my experience and my opinion about living in Germany as expat hier, where I thought it would be safe place. I was wrong about safe place. You said nothing about yourself, but so fast to judge others. Everyone ist different.
It should be noted that Frankfurt is well situated on the european rail network to get to London (within ten hours). That may sound like a lot but this is from city centre to city centre and German trains are fantastic for either a relaxing or productive journey.
Very true 👍🏻
Thinking about uprooting and moving from Los Angeles to possibly Europe, with very little planning. It was exhausting listening to people on YT with so much chatter and not enough sensibility. Thank you for your sound advise. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but this was helpful. 🙏
Glad to hear it 😀
I really like living in Frankfurt. I didn't have many expectations before. The city is not that simple as it seems to be. I am also going to publish a video about Frankfurt very soon. Thanks for inspiration!
Ah Frankfurt - I was born there and lived my early childhood in a 1880s flat in the Kantstraße, that's right at the Merianplatz and within easy distance of the Zoo. Later in the early 90s (you know, the "End of History"...), like so many, we moved outwards into the suburbs (Karben in my case) where I've been living since. But since I studied in Frankfurt and work across the river in dreaded Offenbach I'm still there all the time and it has changed, mostly for good, but it's also a fact that I can't really afford to move back to where I grew up. Sometimes I truly miss the urban comforts because it *really* goes downhill service-wise pretty fast (I'm what? 15minutes by car or rail?) in most directions that are not uphill (talking about the hyper-gentrified Vordertaunus) and within sight of Frankfurt's towers I sometimes feel like they still "fold up the side-walks" (paraphrasing a German saying here) at 9pm. Frankfurt simply has no area-effect regarding the quality and availability of services into the surrounding countryside - granted, it *was* a city state that was at least partially hostile with it's surrounding principalities - but that's the bloody Holy Roman Empire... aww well, modern day Germany has many more characteristics of this vaguely confederated feudal structure than it's prepared to admit so... probably can't complain. Best regards Raoul G. Kunz
I initially read that as you grew up in the 1880’s and was thinking wow you k me Ist be my oldest viewer 🤣. But it was the flat 😉. Yes folding up the sidewalks is a good phrase
@@britingermany Nah, I only *dress* like this was the case...🤣 Best regards Raoul G. Kunz
I disagree a bit. We live in Vordertaunus and Hofheim & Idstein &have great pedestrian areas, where you can still find little shops &restaurants. Höchst & Alt-Sossenheim are other places in the West, where at least some money is now helping to renovate the most run-down places in the center. An then you need to remember, that Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Mainz etc are all cities in their own right that draw people from the region for festivals & cultural events. I guess for many of us living in a village with the option to go to a small town in 10 Minutes, a mid-size city in 20 and Frankfurt in 30 is the best of both worlds. And if anything, the city planning outside Frankfurt is a shambles of US-like proportions with the same “surburbia” approach to residential areas without any walkable town center, squares or places to enjoy. But that’s surely not Frankfurt’s fault and can be seen across all of Europe.
As a young woman, I hated Frankfurt. It was ugly to me because of its high-rise buildings. My son lives and works in Frankfurt and so does my future daughter-in-law, so I started to love it and look for the things that are beautiful.❤
Excellent video. I wish I had seen it 30 years ago.
Thank you
Guten Morgen, hast du den Botanichen Garten besucht? Falls nicht, kann ich mit Begeisterung empfehlen. Der ist anscheinend immer noch eine Art Geheimtipp hier in Frankfurt. Einen schönen Montag wünsche ich Dir (trotz des ungemütlichen Wetters). Liebe Grüße aus Nordend-Ost. :)
Ja das mag ich auch sehr. Ist mit fast lieber als der Palmen Garten 😍
@@britingermany Übrigens, ich heiße Ian. Ich stamme aus Sunderland, Großbritannien. :)
@@perromanchado oh really?! Wir sind überall 😉
We're hoping to move to Frankfurt from Australia next year so we can experience Europe in an immersive way and have our daughter start her schooling fully immersed in German. However, despite having a background in asset management, I'm worried about not being able to get a job due to not having European experience, having only beginner German (although I have a gift for learning languages) and being 50. One upside is that the visa situation for Australians is quite generous in Germany. I'm also considering Zurich but I suspect my chances as a Third Country national there are near-zero. I've been following your channel for a while, and it's reassuring that Frankfurt seems like a nice city should we have the fortune of getting there.
Welcome here in Germany for your whole family. I'll keep fingers crossed for you!
Hello there. First of all all the best for the move. It sounds like you've thought it through. I think Frankfurt is a good base to have. Once you've got aquatinted and landed a job it should be easier to move somewhere else like Zurich should you wish too (ridiculously expensive, but also ridiculously beautiful). 🍀
Don't do it! Germany is Woke and going downhill.
I am from Australia and lived in Karlsruhe for 3 years. There are a lot of jobs in Frankfurt (AKA Krankfurt) for English speakers. There is a shop located near the Australian Consulate that sells only Australian related products such as Tim Tams, Vegemite et al.
The differences between public transport systems caused me to have to pay for the hefty "riding without ticket" fine many years ago: I was visiting city X, and wanted to use the tram. There was a tram of the line I wanted to take at the stop, so I hopped on and planned to buy a ticket on the tram. Where I lived, every tram had ticket machines INSIDE the tram. But not here. I should have gotten my ticket at the machine OUTSIDE the tram stop... 😢
I agree. It is confusing even for Germans because it differs from area to area.
In Dresden you can buy your ticket on the tram BUT CASHLESS, only digital.
Totally I do hope this is gradually standardised
@@britingermanylol in Germany 😂 nah, the companies are typically owned by the municipality, no way that will be standardized. But welcome, I follow your videos and did live quite close to Frankfurt. Now out of the country, but I suppose Frankfurt is a good start for an internationally minded person in Germany.
Using Apps to buy tickets germanwide is quiet useful. Like DB Apps covers most. On paper tickets there is also a huge difference, whether to stamp the ticket or not. In some cities you buy validated tickets just before the ride. In others, like Berlin, you can buy 10 tickets in advance, and just stamp it, if you use it.
Getting to Stuttgart or Cologne and Dusseldorf airport is still faster to get with PT then in the majority of the world for the local airport. Also the trains to london are great and fast.
Ryanair have dabbled at FRA...they were made to park on the opposite side of the airport past the Berlin Airlift memorial. The boarding bus gave a good tour. All the best! Abritinwiesbaden.
Thank you
If I were ever in Frankfurt it'd be a lark to try to find some locations from Ein Fall für Zwei ☺(=the old 1980s and 90s episodes with Claus-Theo Gärtner - not the milk-toast served up more recently.)
I've never had any problems walking alone as a female through Bahnhofsviertel even after dark. If you just mind your own business, most of the junkies or homeless people will mind their own business as well. The area had improved vastly a few years ago, but sadly has fallen a little back into old patterns recently. Didn't we want to meet up for coffee, btw?
I have flown to and from Frankfurt a number of times with BA. Yes, they seem to be more expensive, but the budget airlines are now asking you to pay for cabin luggage, so by the time you’ve added that to the ticket price, they’re not cheaper than BA. And BA allows two pieces of cabin luggage in their price. My only gripe is this end - they fly to Heathrow, and I live near Gatwick!
Exactly!!! Thankfully Lufthansa has started flights to Gatwick which was a game changer as Brighton is just an hour from Gatwick but as far as I know it is only Lufthansa who fly there at the moment and who knows how long they will keep that flight going
I worked briefly in FaM. I spent more time around Hoechst. The market Square is very quaint and has loads of restaurants spreading out onto the square. Don't be put off by the Chemical works just over the river. I did use Hahn. It is a bit of a pain but I got by.
ahh Höchst is nice. We sometimes have snow in winter which they called Industrie schnee...thansk to the chemical plant there 🤣
heya... i hope all is fine and in the green with you i missed your yesterday post as it slowly becaime part of my sunday wakeup ritual...( coffee... more coffee and youtube till i finually booted up to the level to face the world ) ;P i hope getting used to your new job works out fine for you and that we see you with new stuff soon again. take care and all the best from aschaffenburg
Hi there and thanks for your kind comment. Yes all is good here😀. Am planning to post this week as usual but still a bit of editing to do
np take you time just wanted to know if all is in the green with you and to let you know your vids are missed ;)@@britingermany
@@bendjohans3863 thanks a lot. That’s very kind of you 😀
I spent a week in Frankfurt am Main in 2019 and I found it to be a clean city in the areas I saw. Of course I live in the VERY dirty city of New Orleans. The area around the Frankfurt train station had a few rough looking folks but they seemed to mind their own business. Some of the restaurants were disappointing in the more touristy areas but most were excellent.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit 😀
@@britingermany I had a direct flight from New Orleans to Frankfurt but then that Thomas Cook bankruptcy happened so my return flight got cancelled! So the part of the trip involving getting home was less than excellent as I had a tight deadline for another trip to Vancouver, B.C. so it was certainly not cheap finding a flight back.
Hey, I do like your videos! Have you tried the train route to Brussels and then via the Eurotunnel instead of flying short haul?
I haven’t actually tried that although I’ve considered it
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤I always love Germany and Frankfurt, thank you very much for your great video, have a lovely day, best regards Elizabeth ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊🎉🎉🎉🎉
Wow thank you for all the hearts Elizabeth 😀
@@britingermany Thank you very much, you are very sweet and lovely and by the way I love England Britain too, and both my favorite countries, much love and respect 🤩🤩🤩🙂
I regret that I did not visit Frankfurt more often during the 3 years I lived in Darmstadt, just 30 kilometers south of Frankfurt. I could literally see downtown Frankfurt from Ludwigshoehe, Darmstadt's highest hill.
True! It’s really not far away.
Hmm, I think you failed to point out that Frankfurt is just a group of small towns with some sky scrapers. The different quaters of Frankurt do have very different vibes to live in. But all in all I agree to your description . Ok, lets get some "Gespritzten" ;) Btw. is there any chance you could block my landlord to see your video?
🤣where is your landlord?
@@britingermany as we are both living in the same house in the north of Frankfurt a geoban would make you lose a loyal viewer and subscriber (me). Perhaps we can agree not to go for London real estate prices instead? 🤫
Good and realistic view
Glad to hear it 😀
Accurate!
I lived there for six years. It has significant advantages, but the Hbf area is genuinely unsettling these days. It used to be downtrodden, but it's a bit scary. The taxation system there really hurts, if you do everything by the book. It's interesting to see your perspective - some 20ish years after I first moved there. I lived in Hannover before that, much more genteel - then.
Yes the HBF is not getting better unfortunately
Elaborate about the Taxations of you do everything by the book
@@Kelyanz Atiyah I am not an accountant, but AIUI, you're levied on your worldwide income - dividends, interest, all that sort of stuff. Moreover, the death duties are onerous - unless you are married, everything over €30,000 is subject to inheritance tax. I cannot comment on how strictly these policies are policed, though an employer of mine there did not pay the right tax, and the Fiinanzamt came after me, five years later, in a different country. That cost me €15,000, and I'm lucky because my brother in law is a German lawyer and worked for free.
Thank You very much for this video. I am considering moving to Frankfurt and I wanted to see the city from the perspective of an expat. I think it’s worth of trying. Could you please say more about requirements from landlords for an apartment rental? I am scared that noone will give me a chance for my first apartment, when I am coming from abroad (Poland). Thank you
Well usually you will have to provide a Schufa report. And a deposit of three months worth of rent up front. If you can’t find an apartment from abroad then it’s probably best to try renting fully furnished accommodation/AirbandB so that you can go to apartment showings in the city where you want to live
Lived there for 11 years, if not for winters, would still be there. But yes, Florida weather is it for us!
Ahh yes. Quite a difference ☀️😉
Everybody likes bashing Frankfurt, except the Frankfurters. They love it. I am from Mainz, but I like it, too.
Yay! Mainz is also very nice. 👍🏻
@@britingermany very true! 🙂
Thank you for a nuanced perspective on a city most of us only visit to fly internationally. The only time I‘ve had people express a desire to live in Frankfurt was when I helped in an immigration / integration center, where people told me they were looking to move to Frankfurt because it was ‚big‘ and ‚not boring like here‘….(Verden, Lower Saxony) ..and because there were so many migrant communities they hoped to fit into. Of course that is a pipe dream, and I told them integration is way easier when living with Germans, but deaf ears all around. I would like to know how much Frankfurt is picking up the slack Brexit has created in removing big corporate offices from London…must have been a reason for a lot of Brits to move…wasn‘t it?
There was a lot of talk about Frankfurt taking over from London in terms of finance. I don't think that has happened. With remote work I think location has become less important and people still fly all over the place if needed.
@@britingermany Interesting... I had just assumed that for security purposes home office wasn't possible in banking.. It's always interesting to hear the reality of an industry from insiders, as the journalists often know as little as anyone else... I had that realization hit hard during the Pandemic.
You can only integrate with Germans if they are open to it. Unfortunately, very few are, so it's not really surprising that so many of the immigrants you work with want to move somewhere where they can finally feel at home and get the support they need and is right for them if necessary.
I was actually suprised there wasn't any direct flights from anywhere inside the UK to travel to Stuttgart, except for Heathrow. Now I just opt for Manchester to Frankfurt and then go via train.
Ok I that is crap. I hadn't checked for Stuttgart. It makes it a pretty long travel time then
Krankfurt Mainhatten - you are welcome to it!
Next thing to do is to enjoy a match of Eintracht vom Main at deutsche Bank Park. 😊
Yes👍🏻👍🏻will get around to that at some point 😉
Hello Benjamin, I have just came across your video by accident on looking for info re frankfurt. I would like to ask your advice if this is possible, I am visiting frankfurt later this year as part of a holiday trip and would like to ask what the area around the main rail station is like as one of hotels im looking at staying in for a couple of days is nearby but ive read the area isnt the safest, so looking for a 2nd opinion. im coming from the uk and have never evr been in mainland europe before.. many thanks for any help you can give
Hi Yvonne. Yes the area around the main train station is pretty grimy. A lot of homeless and drug addicts. On the plus side it's well connected and easy to get all around the city on the subway. If you are on holiday I assume you won't be spending much time in the hotel but will want to get out and about...
Frankfurt is a great city to live in, but it has changed and grown considerably over the last 20 years, and the changes are not necessarily all positive. Its cultural mix comes from the large number of foreigners, but also from the large number of Germans who have moved there from other parts of Germany. Which part of Frankfurt do you live in?
I worked contracting in Frankfurt twice for about a year overall. I agree that the people are generally friendly. However, IMO there are far nicer places in DE. I relocated to Leipzig and then Berlin. Yes it is definitely a great location to explore other cities in France, CH etc. Also I tried to get an apartment but ended up staying in hotels and hostels due to the difficulty of the process. Most places are gone when you call the agent. This is also the case in many other cities. A German friend went to see a Berlin place for which there was a queue of 100 plus people..he slipped a 3K bribe to the agent to get it. Immoral arguably but this is what he had to do. Another issue is the FRA fairs, books, autos..some of the biggest in the world...which meant that all accommodation is gone for 50 KM radius. I also tried camping in April but nearly froze to death. Anyway DE is a great place overall but I would advise everyone to try sorting your living space before arriving.
Yes accommodation is not easy if you are on a budget. A lot of people are sharing places now that’s one way to cut costs dramatically. But not every one wants to do that.
Thank you very much ... I really liked your explanation . I live in Stuttgart and will be relocating to Frankfurt by Q2 24. If you dont mind can you tell me which area in Frankfurt is good for a family of 3 ( me,my wife and 18 months old) considering we would be opting for international schooling for my daughter , any pointer will be appreciated)
The best areas I would say are Nordend, Sachsenhausen and westend. They are of course the most expensive areas though.
It's worth pointing out that Frankfurt also came second worst in last year's "cities for expats" list and currently has the most overpriced housing market in the world. I came a few years ago for work and detested the city almost immediately. I was appalled by the sight of junkies shooting heroin on the sidewalks, drunk people lining up at the supermarket at 7 AM to buy cheap vodka... and the stench of urine on the trains was just awful. The city centre looks like a fake plastic set from a history film from the 1950s. The quality of the flats is some of the lowest I've seen in Europe, and if you are unlucky enough to live on a main street, all you ear from your windows is churchbells and sirens from fire alarms. The cultural offer is miserable, there's not much to do here other than shuffle endlessly from restaurant to restaurant. The only thing that makes the city bearable is a banker's salary, but not all people in FFM work in finance, and a lot of people with jobs that would be perfectly profitable somewhere else have to go through the hoops to make ends meet here. Everyone I know does not see themselves long term here. Having lived in some of Europe's other major cities, Frankfurt was a downgrade on every single level.
Another good video. Interesting that you don't like the main station area. I think it's the best and most interesting part of Frankfurt. I don't personally partake of drugs and prostitution, but I like that it's not hidden away. It's honest, plus I think there are some good restaurants in the area. There are some more traditionally nice areas to see, but on the whole I don't find Frankfurt has much character. I've never warmed to it, despite spending a lot of time there. Cologne, I find much more culturally entertaining. Munich is the worst city I've been to in Germany, which seems to go against the opinions of almost everyone I've met. It probably says more about me, though. 😅
Interestingly I did not like Cologne at all, but I've only been there twice so I don't know it that well🤷♂️
I lived in cologne for 5 months and in Munich for 9. The music scene was better and the people seemed much nicer than in Munich. Frankfurt lies geographically and culturally somewhere in between. 😊 Sorry, I forgot to say regards from sunny Amalfi. 😁
hmmm when BHV then only Münchenerstr. thats it Kaiser ,Taunus ,Elbe ,Mosel you dont need it in my Opinion im a Native Frankfurter 😉😉😉😉👍👍👍👍😀😀 @@danielc6106
Having lived in Frankfurt for 2 years and in London for a month.. Already feel Frankfurt is relatively way cleaner, more bins and bahnhofsviertal, Offenbach are safe
I suppose it depends what you compare it to. London has everything from filth to sparkle
@@britingermany True.. But seems like cons are outweighing the pros.. Except for language aspect
Frankfurt has good spots and bad spots like every place but for me any big city is a no, I even feel overwhelmed by the rather small city (70 K inhabitants) near FFM I currently live in. Sadly I can’t change my job just like that because I work for the state but I would love to get back to the countryside.
It’s crazy to think but I have colleagues in Frankfurt who have an hour and a half commute to work. So if you’re prepared to do that you can live out in the sticks no problem
Honestly FFM was/is voted one of the best cities in Germany because of its proximity to the international airport - meaning, people are desperate to get out when possible. During Covid when it wasn't possible, a lot of people left. If the city is great, there is no need to fly away every week.
It certainly was not voted one the best cities because of it's proximity to the the airport. the airport was listed as one ( of many) benefits....
I don't mean this in a negative way, but you should do a little more research into airport operations it seems... Smaller airports attract more budget airlines BECAUSE they are smaller, meaning less demand for slots and therefore lower airport fees, not "even though" they are smaller...Also, Frankfurt airport is still designed for the old hub-based model and legacy airlines therefore need to be at larger airports in a way that point-to-point operators don't, which also affects the fees each carrier is prepared to pay. I don't travel much but it seems you do, so it might be interesting to you, actually. Anyway, congratulations on your new apartment and job!🎉
Fair enough. Thanks for the heads up...
@@britingermany Just re-read my comment and it comes off more teacher-y and unpleasant than I intended...I don't like leaving mean comments on the internet, it was meant to be more of an explanation. Didn't get the tone right, sorry!
Hi Ben, I think this was a great, just and fair video. Definitely honest and really well edited. Excellent information. I really hated Frankfurt personally but I'm a small village girl and never liked big cities. Commuting from Wiesbaden to Frankfurt daily Was a nightmare. Constant train cancelations, delays and issues. 165 euros a month was extortionate. Not sure how long the 49 euro ticket offer is going on for though. Stabber-alley-station (Frankfurt Main Hbf) is dangerous and you just need to avoid it on Friday and Saturday nights. Beggars constantly harassing you on thr streets and no one has time to stop and help if you need directions. Feels like London. I didn't like how junkies sat in the train platforms and stairwells injecting Heroin into their arms. It was so expensive for a single person that I couldn't afford rent there. The apartment would have been a box room for the same price I paid for an entire flat by myself. I think if you like cities and like to move a lot and want to excel in your financial career then it's a good move but people come and go quickly and it's a fast paced life. Wasn't for me.
Köln and Düsseldorf where part of the English Zone after WWII and so many English Soldiers still have family and other connections to this part of Germany while Frankfurt as far as I know was part of US or France occupation zone but I may be wrong with the last. So Frankfurt has better connections to the US as far as I know. cheers
Yes the Americans were stationed in and around Frankfurt in places like Hanau
The coming and going is definitely characteristic for Ffm. Been here 30 years and have given up on making friends because so many have just disappeared over the years. I like the real Frankfurters and avoid the international scene. In all, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Glad to hear it. I’ve been lucky so far in that many of my friends are planning to stay here for good
@@britingermany I think times have changed. Notice lots of people actually choosing Frankfurt rather than being assigned here. Good luck, and stop by FTG Sportfabrik if you need anything.
Ive been to many big cities in Germany, its just turning out to be just like other big cosmopolitain cities in North American ( Im Canadian btw), that comes with a curse being very developed and high cost of living. I never see much of ghetto and poverty when I first vistited the country back in 2008 , not as prevalent as now tho. I was in Berlin neighborhood one in a donut shop , left my messgenger bag there , it had 2000 EUr plus ID, passports. Came back hours later , the cashier said somebody found it and turned it in , it was there with all money and everything. So I have an image the Germans were very by the rule , punctual, clean and honest ppl. The poor neighborhood where my parents in law lives has a storage outside the apartment where everbody keeps their extra belonging, it was never locked , cuz nobody ever steals. Buts its no longer like that tho nowadays , they say with more immigrants refugees coming into the country. If I leave my bag in the donut shop again with money, It will be gone....those good ol days are gone!
It could be...although I think people are just generally more paranoid less trusting than they used to be. I think in Germany trust is still very high when compared to other European countries
It's too easy to blame everything on immigrants and a bit xenophobic, sorry.
@@britingermanyHave you been to Copenhagen? I have been living in Germany for three decades, in the capital mostly and two other states. I visited most of the larger cities and otherwise seen a lot of Germany. I wish I would have moved to Denmark thirty years ago.
I boarded a Ryanair flight in Frankfurt two years ago. They had been in Hahn before, but moved. Aren't they in FRA anymore?
No, they were only there for two or three years and have left recently.
Yes as Steve said. They no longer fly from there. the deal that they were trying to negotiate with Fraport fell through
Got it! Thank you.I prefer Munich😀
Each to his own 😉
The sun was shining on the Feldberg today. Has summer returned?
Not just yet. Hopefully From Thursday onwards
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I know that Germany is big on rental, but are you tempted to get a home mortgage? Germans do have Eigentumswohnungen.
Of course...but it's a question of money. It's difficult to find A two bedroom apartment in a nice area in any of the major cities for under 6/700K...
Hi Benikon, the city council of Frankfurt/Main can be grateful to you for this profound piece of advertisement. But paying the city a visit, maybe including joining you for a walk by the river, would be enough to me; 'don't long to move there. One reason, of course, for prefering to stay here are the crazy rents you mentioned.😕 Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! 🛋️🍰☕🧸😊
Thanks Torsten. I hope you had a great Sunday so far. I had a great piece of Pflaumenkuchen😉
N'Abend Benikon, Pflaumenkuchen ist eine würdige Sonntagsspeise; ich gehe mal davon aus, dass Deiner extrem lecker war.😋 Danke, mein Sonntag ist selbstbestimmt und hochinteressant - dank Emily Brontë!📖 Im übrigen freue ich mich jeden Sonntagmorgen auf einen neuen Clip von Dir!🤩 Nun wünsche ich Dir verdientermaßen schönen Abend! 🛋️🧸
N'Abend Benikon, Pflaumenkuchen ist eine würdige Sonntagsspeise; ich gehe mal davon aus, dass Deiner extrem lecker war.😋 Danke, mein Sonntag ist selbstbestimmt und hochinteressant - dank Emily Brontë!📖 Im übrigen freue ich mich jeden Sonntagmorgen auf einen neuen Clip von Dir!🤩 Nun wünsche ich Dir verdientermaßen schönen Abend! 🛋️🧸
Erscheinen meine literarisch unbedeutenden Worte doppelt? Verzeihung, das war nicht meine Absicht und ist wahrscheinlich auch nicht meine Schuld (?)
Frankfurt is underrated, from what I’ve seen. Good place to live - the Westend and Sachsenhausen are decent, for example.
I like it. I think the problem is that most people only see Kaiserstrasse and the Zeil shopping street which is obviously...a little different
Beg to differ: Westend and Sachsenhausen are the worst places to live - unless you enjoy regular muggings and thick air pollution.
Depends on what you expect of live, I think. No mountains no ocean, just to start with. Maybe great in parties. And the best place to get around the world, due to the airport.
What's the job market like for English speakers with some level of German, yet not fluent German? I work in the Education field. Currently living in China, and seriously thinking of moving to Germany.
It’s limited! Language Schools are always looking for English teachers but otherwise most English speaking jobs are tech related…some form of programming or design…of course service jobs would also be an option
@@britingermany What kind of service jobs? I hold MA's in Education, Pedagogy major.
@@luminouslink777 in hotels restaurants and shops. Although you might be able to get something at a university or college….
.... what would be the min salary for an ok standard of living . 35Euro an hour ok?
35 Euros an hour is pretty good👍🏻
I really enjoy your videos. Spent a month in Frankfurt a. Main in German language school and really enjoyed just walking around, exploring the neighborhoods, shops, and open space by the river. I live in the USA and really regret I didn’t steer my career toward Germany when I was younger. Oh well, at least I can visit!
That’s great. You can always visit 😉
you are well handsome Love the beard
Well thank you 😀
📽👍👍👍
😀🙏
What i said is true.
Frankfurt is much better.
Now you are a real Frank - N - Furter...
Frankfurt or thailand for me
In Stuttgart ist es auch sehr teuer
Yes indeed
I added here, twice, an article in which locals were asked what they thought about Frankfurt. ( & you deleted it...........)
I got no notification of you posting any other comments (apart from the one where you said Frankfurt is a dump)…KZhead doesn’t like links which lead to external sites so they may have wiped it automatically
youve convinced me ,renting in a city ,using public transport ,transient people is possible for a visit but could never be a lifestyle
Each to his own. Everyone is different 😀
Would you say the lack of street cleanliness has been an imported habit?
I don't think so. I have spoken to older people and they can remember what it was like in the 80's and it was apparently a lot worse in terms of cleanliness and drug addicts
@@britingermany interesting! I know Germans have the reputation for being cleanliness obsessed,but cities can be difficult that way I guess. Love your insights,watching here in London...far too much litter here!
@@borderlord yes. It hunk the clean stereotype is true in private homes and smaller communities but not so much in larger cities
Stimmt, Arbeit macht rei n.
I lived there for 6 months and the only thing I liked was the fact that it is an international city. Other than that, the worst city I have ever been to. Just so filthy, superficial and dangerous. Surrounded by big buildings, and people only thinking about money and work. The vibe is just so bad compared to other cities in Europe. It felt like a soulless city
Sorry to hear that. I guess you got in with the wrong crowd…
I lived and worked 18 years in Eschborn in the northwest of FfM. I never fell "warm" in this ffM-region. FfM is very international, jet set, bank metropol, economic power house, and and and, but, a complicated public transport system, extremely expensive like London, last but not least : Ungerman, not for me. I preferred to escape every week end to rhineland palatinate to my village in the Mosel valley, where I live now. What means "international", it is more an euphemism for: more and more people from very far away, you feel as a stranger in your own country. Okay, Germany needs this economic power house, but for a place to live, I prefere other regions. By the way: I appreciate any approach and improvement in the British-German relationship and every native English speaker who promotes this, like Lauren Francis, Christopher Clark, your canal, and others.
Hi there. I do know what you mean and also everyone has their own season of life. I'm glad you found you place on the Mosel 😀
It's a little depressing, isn't it?
Not at all
I found Frankfurt the most boring city in the world. The schweg was my saving grace 😂😂😂😂
Oh dear!
@britingermany do you know what I àm.referring too?
@@halitosis75 zum Schwejk? Of course. It is an “institution” as the Germans would say 😉
Most millionaires in Hamburg I've heard?
Yes, as far as I was aware Hamburg was the hardest city to rent in after Munich…but things may have shifted due to Brexit
I have no idea. In terms money I would say Munich is ahead of Hamburg
Per Capita it's Baden Baden i think
@@arnodobler1096 Really? Spa business must be very profitable😁
@@arnodobler1096 I thought it was Wiesbaden. I expect everyone says their own town is the richest.
The train station makes me very sad. I don't mind the junkies, but all the police. This is a kind of scary direction the society is taking. Any freedom left is just gone. We have allowed this bit by bit. My heart is torn.
Interesting perspective...I for one am not keep on people using the station area as a public toilet/bedroom...The police is always a matter of perspective...for some it makes them feel safe and secure for others anxious and panicky...
littlebrit: ideological nonsense ...
Hey Harry, how is Megan?
für mich würden schon 2 Gründe reichen, um dort nicht hin ziehen zu wollen: 1. dass viele Leute nach wenigen Jahren wieder weg ziehen, d.h. aufgebaute Freundschaften wieder verschwinden, und 2. dass dort überhaupt nicht mehr viele einheimische Frankfurter wohnen. Ich liebe Geschichte und möchte die Stimmung der Geschichte durch die Einheimischen erleben. Aber okay, das ist in 99% der größeren Städte weltweit wohl nicht mehr vorhanden. Ich bin halt schon so alt, dass ich noch weiß, wie sich deutsche Städte in den 70er und 80er Jahren angefühlt haben: individuell, heimisch (und teilweise trotzdem sehr weltoffen, z.B. Köln damals). Aber weil das jetzt fehlt, zieht es mich gar nicht in Städte wie Frankfurt oder Köln, sie haben ihre alte Seele verloren. (Und für mich als Deutscher ist es skurril und faszinierend, den Blick von ausländischen Menschen auf die modernen deutschen Städte zu sehen, die nur diese Variante der Städte kennen.) Wäre wahrscheinlich genauso skurril für Engländer, wenn ich nach z.B. Bristol ziehen würde und erzählen würde "faszinierend, Bristol ist so ... und so..." und die meisten Engländer würden wohl denken "naja, was du sagst ist eigentlich nicht typisch Bristol, das ist vielleicht seit kurzem so, aber bisher war Brisol eigentlich anders." Dabei ist komisch, dass sich manche Sachen in der Gesellschaft ständig ändern, andere Sachen aber wiederum bleiben ewig und immer gleich. Wenn ich (selten) noch mal in meine Heimat komme, dann kann ich es bei manchen Sachen manchmal kaum glauben, wie dort die Zeit fast stehen geblieben scheint. ...
Geht mir genau so. Deswegen bin ich 18 Jahre lang jedes Wochenende von Frankfurt an die Mosel geflohen. Ich brauche dieses Multi-Kulti-Gedöns der Großstädte nicht, ich muß niemand beweisen das ich städtisch-weltoffen bin, ich bins einfach, egal wo ich bisher in ganz Europa lebte und arbeitete.
ehrlich = Ruhrgebiet = der Pütt, but Frankfurt not really.
Being from the Pott, I agree. The Ruhrgebiet is a big area with lots of opportunities, a great cultural life, very diverse and international, with good public transport and walkability. The train station seems to be a problem in many places. What you said about criminality round Frankfurt station sadly applies to many big cities. In the current situation with rising inflation living in the big cities is getting less affordable for many people. The amount for rents you mentioned cannot be afforded by the majority of people. Even if you are a couple and both are working, the amount you have to pay for rent, heating, water and electricity is getting ridiculous. We have got a housing crisis of affordable flats. People are forced out of the bigger cities and look for affordable flats in the neighbouring smaller towns.
two altogether very different places but yes I've heard Ruhrgebiet described in those terms before
Hi Brit! For long distances my friends ( living in Düsseldorf) prefer Frankfurt Airport….but for travelling in europe ….we all use Düsseldorf or Köln….so I agree with you. But you could have mentioned the lovely area around Frankfurt more…like Bad Soden. Frankfurt is such a nice area to live..have a nice rainy Sunday.😊
Thanks a lot. I'll come to some of those surrounding areas at some point 😉@@amanda7549
@@britingermany you could visit castle Frankenstein (which is not far away from Darmstadt). There lived indeed for a long time and over many generations a Frankenstein family. Maybe you are in one way or another related? ;) ... apropos related and apropos history: Frankfurt, Frankenstein, Frankreich ... what do they have in common?
If you like rain, mildly educated muslim people and many old people around you, don't need to move fast through the city, don't have children and have a lot of money to waste on common things it could be worth considering, yes.
Germany is like California...is failing apart. Very miserable
That’s not something which I have experienced.
Too many non-Europeans live in Frankfurt.
Germany is doomed. Cheers