Tips for expats: Pros and cons of living in Munich, Germany

A very tall building with a BMW logo on it's side. Photo by Maksym Mazur on Unsplash

Yes, everyone says the same thing: achieving even the basic comfort level is extremely expensive in the stunning metropolis. We deliberately put this reason at the very beginning because it’s impossible to make a calculated decision to move to a new place without a clear understanding of the approximate cost.

Depending on the district and the size of an apartment, your monthly rent can vary from €1,124 to €2,520 while the average salary here is around €4,000, and whatever amount is left goes through the fine filter of taxes, health insurance, and all other inevitable expenses. This leaves you with nearly nothing, turning that euphoric dream of Weissbier with friends into a rare occasion. After all, five euros for a hoppy beverage seems a bit too much.

Housekeys. Image by freepik

If you were hoping to find the ideal apartment online before settling in Germany, the following information might sound like a real come-down: given that the housing market in every metropolis is tight, landlords will not rent out a place to a stranger, especially a foreigner. Therefore, you’ll have to book hotels or an Airbnb at the start. If you are secured with a nice job offer, the employer can assist or suggest a good agency to help.

For students, there is an affordable option – renting a shared space with others in a Wohngemeinschaft, or WG. But the alluring cheap price comes with an echelon of things one might not like: 20-year-old youngsters, loud parties, alcohol, and omnipresent smoke. Not your cup of tea? Here are a few tips on how to hunt for a suitable home in Munich:

– You’ll need a customer profile at major real estate agencies;

– Post your apartment search request on- and offline, use your social media platforms;

– Make sure to have all the necessary documents ready (the employment contract, salary statements, ID card, etc.);

– Negotiating the rent is a bad idea – demand is too high.

A woman leaning on wall while sitting on bed. Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

We have already mentioned in the intro that many Germans describe Bavarians, especially Münchners, as entitled. Unfortunately, there is a grain of truth in this belief. As a newcomer, you will struggle to build a genuine friendship. Furthermore, relationships here, even if they last a while, often remain superficial and rather transactional, lacking depth and meaning.

A person sitting on a train looking out the window. Photo by Ivan Mani on Unsplash

There is a popular opinion that locals behave in a racist way, which is an exaggeration: the citizens come across as grumpy and reserved, and their sense of patriotism is arguably the strongest in Germany. But loving your country and traditions isn’t a crime, and 50% of the international population in the city proves a high level of tolerance towards foreigners. While many characterize Bavaria as the embodiment of the most vivid stereotypes about the entire nation, fitting in is still possible, of course, but to do so, you’ll need to develop an understanding of the regional cultural milieu with all its peculiarities.

A black and white digital heart beat monitor at 97 display. Photo by Jair Lázaro on Unsplash

If living in Munich was not expensive enough, there is an added issue of mandatory health insurance. Yes, you heard us right, any expat or resident in the city needs to have a statutory medical cover which is provided by the state and financed through shared employer salary contributions. The organization pays a part of the deposit for the protection, and the rest is borne by the employee which generally amounts to 14.6% of the gross salary. Let us look into it in a more detailed format:

Public health insurance:
As we explained the first type is public (Gesetzliche Krankenkasse), where any person earning a gross income less than €62,550 per year, or €5,212.50 per month, has to be insured under this scheme. This provides you with a decent cover that takes care of your everyday medical needs like vaccinations, preventive care, detections, etc. but excludes things like dental cleaning treatments and dentures.

Private health insurance:
The second kind is private health security (Private Krankenversicherung), whose overall benefits are much better as the coverage is extensive and includes clinics, alternative treatments, contact lenses, etc. This also is an option for freelancers and self-employed residents, but they then have to forgo their public insurance to avail of this.

Supplementary private insurance:
The last type lets you get a private plan over and above your public insurance which takes care of all the services not included in the public coverage. This is a good option but quite expensive for any expats who have just moved to the country.

Bratwurst served at Feldmochinger See, Munich.. Photo by Beatrix-Andrea Balogh on Unsplash

Oktoberfest, Weiβwurst, Bavarian Leberkäse, and Brezel make every gourmet drool. Munich is known as a mecca for hearty regional culinary delights and unmatched beer quality. But when it comes to variety, you might be disappointed by the fact that international food options are lacking, and the experience ends up not being worth the money spent.

A red neon sign that is on the side of a building. Photo by Preslav Rachev on Unsplash

Cooking at home is not as easy as it seems: according to the Bundesland regulations, major stores' opening times are fixed between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you’ll really have to rush after work to buy groceries. Plus, Sunday is Ruhetag, meaning that everything is closed, and everyone has to avoid all sorts of noisy chores. To overcome these obstacles on the quest of satisfying your exotic flavor cravings, check out our selection of crowd-favorite establishments. Guten Appetit!

We start our food journey with an Asian establishment called May. Similar to the month, the restaurant is warm, comforting, and full of sunshine from the moment you step foot into the place. The interiors take inspiration from the May Man, the waving cat figurine from Japan called Maneki-Neko. The premises are full of these little dolls waving their paws in a steady rhythm. Other decor highlights include the hanging wooden dragonflies and light bamboo wallpaper to complete the aesthetic experience.

The menu revolves mostly around contemporary Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese cuisine combined with a subtle German flair. Expect to sample delicious dishes like tuna avocado salad in a ponzu drizzle, grilled chicken skewers with peanut dip, scallops spring rolls in teriyaki sesame dip, butterflied black tiger prawns served in butter garlic sauce, clay pot rice with peppered beef filets, and barbequed duck breast in Thai basil sauce. Elevate your dining experience by pairing it with their signature cocktails: lemongrass ginger spritz, hibiscus with coconut milk libation, and Spices Saigon – an innovative drink infused with fiery chili.

Average bill – €20

If you fancy authentic Greek hospitality coupled with tasty Mediterranean dishes then head on over to Meraki near the Prinzregentenplatz station. It is the brainchild of husband and wife duo, Giorgos and Konstantina, who together have over 28 years of catering experience under their belt. The ambiance of the establishment is homey and inviting, featuring diffused wicker woven chandelier lights, parquet-styled redwood flooring, and whitewashed walls with lots of hanging handicrafts.

The kitchen team is helmed by Chef Giorgos, who creates a menu of Greek specialties while using local Bavarian ingredients. Some of the scrumptious comfort foods you must savor here are hummus with toasted pita bread, baked eggplant zucchini chips in tzatziki dip, roasted king prawns with avocado salad, grilled octopus leg served on a bed of risotto, pan-fried calamari with gyros in garlic sauce, and roasted moussaka in creamy bechamel sauce. Satisfy your sugar cravings by ordering pistachio baklava with vanilla ice cream, sweetened yogurt with fresh berries, and chocolate brownies with strawberry compôte.

Average bill – €32

There are very few cities in the world like Munich where the food scene is more influenced by Vietnamese dishes rather than Chinese cuisine. Another great spot to have a Southeast Asian culinary experience is Jalin, right next to the Kolumbusplatz subway exit. The cooking team works hard to create a menu of authentic flavor profiles made up of spices, herbs, and rich fragrant broth-based specialties.

Indulge your taste buds on a gastronomic journey across Hanoi with delightful items – homemade shrimp spring rolls in honey chili dip, grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf served with leek strips, pan-fried pork chives dumplings served alongside garlic soy dip, baked black cod filet in chili sesame sauce, and wok tossed Angus beef strips with peppers in basil sauce.

As for desserts, do not miss out on mango sticky rice, chocolate mochi balls, and honey-glazed bananas with vanilla ice cream. The moment patrons step into the place they are greeted by the sight of exotic green plants hanging from the ceilings, contrasted by pink and orange neon lettering on the muted walls. Make sure to enjoy local wines while admiring the atmosphere of the premises.

Average bill – €29

Our last spot on the list takes us to The Land of Elephants in a fashionable and welcoming setting. Dessi Tadka is part of a restaurant chain developed by Indian-born Harmit Singh Gill, who focuses on an overall menu covering different regions of the Southeast Asian country. When the owner first arrived in Munich he was fascinated by the beauty of the Lech canal and decided that one day he would start his flagship eatery on its banks.

Many years later, Harmit has managed to fulfill not only the dream of opening the restaurant but also convert it into a successful brand. The modern bright and colorful interiors invoke the atmosphere of fun and frolic. Diners can relish gastronomic delicacies that perfectly tickle the taste buds, including crispy dosa (savory crepes) filled with masala potato, paneer butter curry served with garlic naan, chargrilled chicken tandoori with mint dip, deep-fried samosa in a tamarind chutney, Mumbai vada pav (potato based street food), and egg fried rice with chicken chili gravy. For desserts, order their gulab jamun with ice cream and crispy sugar-glazed jalebi with cream.

Average bill – €27

If you have already successfully moved to Munich, do share a comment with your experience and the main challenges an expat might face in the metropolis. We have also researched the downsides of relocating to the capital of Germany. Check out the piece for more useful insights:

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