10 reasons to live in Munich

Marienplatz, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

I have lived in more than 6 different cities in 5 countries and in 3 different continents, but so far, my favorite city to live is Munich. The other day I was thinking about how much I love living here, to walk around these beautiful streets, to have a very organized transportation system, to have everything at hand. So, I decided to make a little list – I love them – and tell you 10 awesome reasons why living in Munich is amazing.

It’s green!

When it comes to nature, Munich doesn’t disappoint. There are over 20 big parks in the city, from small ones to the famous Englisher Garten, which is larger than the Central Park in New York. These facts means that you can never live far from the green; there is always a park nearby.

Englisher Garten, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

Big but small

Even though Munich is the 3rd largest city of Germany, with over 1.3 million inhabitants, I never get the feeling that I live in a big and stressful city. Munich gives me the impression that I am in the country, but where I can find everything that only a big city has. Once in a while you meet someone you know around the streets, and this reminds me of when I lived in a tiny Brazilian city where everyone knows everyone.

Munich, by Packing my Suitcase.

Transportation

I am still yet to see a city with perfect public transportation like Munich. The Bus, Trams, Metro and Suburban trains’ schedule, cleanness and organization is impeccable. Of course construction might happen once in a while, but even during this time, they find a way to make everything simple and keep you well informed of the changes. On the other hand, riding a bike and driving in Munich is also practical and organized, the streets are well signed and have bike lanes everywhere. Of course there are also traffic jams, but not comparable with cities like São Paulo or New York.

Tram, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

Skiing

No, you cannot ski in Munich itself, but you have so many options around, that living here makes things easy when you just want to go skiing for the day and sleep at home, and guess what? The tallest mountain of Germany, the Zugspitze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is only 90km away. Munich is a very popular starting point for ski lovers.

Education

This is one of the most important facts for why Munich attracts so many students from all over the World. The University of Munich and the Technical University of Munich are among the top 100 universities in the world and among the best of Germany. The city also offers high quality schools, and among them there are bilingual schools, where is possible to learn languages such as English already as a child.

Low-crime

Among German big cities, Munich is the safest one to live in the country. Of course crimes happen, just like in most big cities in the world, but the criminality here it’s something you just don’t notice on your daily life, and it’s a problem you don’t have to worry about. By travelling to other European cities, I realized how much Munich is safer to live and to be here as a tourist.

Isar, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

Culture

Munich is a city full of culture, of History; and living here you can notice it everywhere, on your way to work, to a restaurant and even right beside your house. Museums and monuments, important buildings and statues, they make part of the daily life of who lives here, and I find it awesome and always think of how much has happened around here over the years since the First World War.

Karlsplatz, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

Oktoberfest

While everyone is paying an abnormal amount to visit Munich during the Oktoberfest, I don’t need it, it’s already where I pay my rent! I can just decide when to go and how many times I want to. Would you like that?

Oktoberfest, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

Eating and drinking

Munich will never disappoint you when it comes to eating and drinking. There are restaurants for everyone’s taste, from Peruvian to Ethiopian, but also the delicious local Bavarian food and the amazing local beers. There are bars for every occasion and mood, where the Spritz drinks take over at night!

Quality of Life

In June 2014, Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey put Munich on number 8 as one of the best cities to live in the world, ahead of other amazing cities like Vancouver, Sydney and Hong Kong. Munich was also chosen as the best city to live in Germany, ahead of Hamburg and Berlin.

Olympia Park, Munich. By Packing my Suitcase.

I tell you what, there are much more reasons to live in Munich, and my point is: no one regrets to live in Munich, and everyone who lives here, loves it!

About Allane

A Brazilian living in Germany. Married to Wolfi, mommy to Madu and Fitz, our Golden Retriever. Traveler, writer, photographer, diver, wine appreciator, dog Formula 1 fan. City girl, nature lover, believer of a better world one little change at a time.