Moving to Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany, commercial hub, and the largest seaport in the country is a great choice if the aim of your relocation is to improve your professional and family life. Located in the northern part of the country, on the banks of the Elbe River, which connects it with the North Sea, only 100 miles away from the Danish border, this almost two-million metropolis with a rich history still attracts around 5,000 Americans who chose it for their living base.
Why Moving to Hamburg, Germany Is a Good Idea?
Aside from great economic prospects, broad job opportunities, and high-quality living conditions, there are several more things you’ll just love about the Gateway to the World (as Hamburg is also called) and the relocation to Germany!
Is Hamburg a Good Place to Live?
The first thing is, of course, the Elbe River – the focal point of the city that drives all the success, fun, and romance of the place. Believe it or not, this metropolis has more bridges than London, Amsterdam, and Venice combined! Just imagine that slow river cruise among canals while watching the sunset. Charming, isn’t it? Believe us, it’s even better in reality, and a move across the world is just worth it!
Besides, the Gateway to the World port is as big as Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city, and the metropolis is also a home for two UNESCO sites. After a successful and hectic day at work, a walk through the historic part of the city or a beer in a traditional pub definitely sounds like enough reasons for relocating to Hamburg.
Good to know: If your first association when hearing the name of the city is a hamburger – you have the right! Hamburg’s residents are called Hamburgers, and the famous sandwich was named after the city. This is another reason why people love it so much!
An Essential Expat Guide Through the Gateway to the World
If you’re wondering how Hamburg is for expats, the truth is that this is one of the best places to relocate to if you’re an American citizen. The pretty broad expat community of almost 5,000 Americans who live there, high standards, great prospects to get a job in Europe as an American, free education, and broadly spoken English are only a few of the reasons why to move overseas.
Meet All the Visa Requirements, Like Applying on Time
Although the Gateway to the World is a pretty welcoming place for new expats, don’t forget to check all the visa requirements that are necessary for a legal stay. Keep in mind that Germans are very strict when it comes to following these rules. Although US citizens are allowed to stay in the country without a visa for 90 days, if you plan to stay there permanently, you’ll definitely need some kind of a visa. This is something to explore with the embassy, so don’t forget to contact them and get all the documents needed to travel abroad.
Start to Learn German in Advance
The German language is quite different from English, especially when it comes to grammar rules. Although English is widely spoken, at work you’ll have to show a high level of knowledge, which is why starting to learn German prior to your relocation will be of utmost importance.
The Goethe Institute is the most prestigious institution for learning the German language in the world, and their certificates are accepted as highly valued proof of knowledge. The best thing about taking courses here is they provide the possibility to practice speaking German free of charge, which is an essential step to improve your knowledge.
The Living Costs, or Is It Expensive to Live in Hamburg?
Despite the fact that this is the metropolis with the greatest number of millionaires in Germany, the cost of living is still acceptable. For example, a family of four should set aside around $2,890 for all expenses without rent.
And when it comes to rental prices, depending on the location of the flat, they range from $800 for a one-bedroom apartment outside of the downtown to $2,100 for a three-bedroom apartment downtown. Utilities are pretty high, though, so be prepared to pay around $270 on a monthly basis to cover the bills.
Is It Safe to Live in Hamburg?
This metropolis is undeniably one of the most livable cities in Germany, and some of the top reasons it has taken this title are high safety scores and low crime rates. In other words, the Gateway to the World is an entirely safe place for life if you’re an expat. Also, because of the port, this place has expanded to a huge multicultural community, and no matter where you come from – everybody is welcome!
Ready for Moving Overseas? Here Is How an International Moving Company Can Help!
Undeniably, moving internationally is one of the most complex processes to organize. Even if you know everything about the country, you’ve decided to relocate to, keeping up with all the details like paperwork, packing the home, selling the house, or finding a new place to live will overwhelm you.
Using All the Necessary Services When Moving Abroad Is the Best Way to Keep Everything Under Control
For that reason, hiring a reliable overseas shipping company to handle all the details related to your relocation and choosing all the moving services you need is the right formula for easy international moving. The decisive factor when choosing an overseas moving company should be the possibility to cover all the services you need, whether they are packing services or related to overseas vehicle shipping. Once you find the company that can cover it all, you’re ready for the next big step – organizing the whole process and getting packed for the move!
