10 reasons why life in Dusseldorf might be for you

Düsseldorf is a welcoming place for expats. It’s relatively small and easy to navigate, yet boasts all the perks of a metropolis.

Angelina

4 minute read

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Updated on 14 Oct 2024

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Moving

Quality of life in Düsseldorf is the 6th best in the world, according to Mercer’s 2019 ranking. No wonder expats feel at home in this German city boasting an incredible breadth of culture, entertainment and facilities for its size.

But is living in Düsseldorf something for you? We have 10 reasons why it just might be!

With a population of 643,753 residents, Düsseldorf is the 7th most populated German city. But territory-wise, it only covers 217.4 km²! That’s about the same size as Amsterdam and 4 times smaller than Berlin! Thanks to that, the city is very walkable and peaceful, compared to the rush of larger cities. Yet, you’ll find everything you need and more in this small-scale metropolis.

Living in Düsseldorf, you never have to count hours of travel to meet a friend on the other side of the town. In fact, thanks to the efficient public transportation network you probably won’t spend more than 20 minutes getting from A to B!

Despite the small scale of the city, the opportunities for finding an English-speaking job in Düsseldorf are just as ample as in other major expat hubs. So you don’t have to sacrifice paying high rent in a large and hectic city to move forward with your career in Germany! And even though the competition in Düsseldorf is pretty high, it’s somewhat less fierce than in the most sought-after destinations like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne.

Sure, learning German is still advisable to increase your chances. But you won’t experience that steep of a language barrier if you land a job at one of the international companies in Düsseldorf. And, luckily, there are plenty of those!

Take a peek at what you can expect from your average German salary!

Düsseldorf is a major international business centre, housing 1 Fortune Global 500, 2 DAX companies and a rapidly growing number of startups. Some of the key industries include Fintech, Marketing & Sales and Ecommerce & Retail. And did you know that this very city is the fashion capital of Germany?

The growing number of foreign companies and startups in Düsseldorf attracts heaps of internationals each year. In fact, around 23% of the city’s population is made up of foreigners, coming from more than 180 different countries. So, get ready to get to know new cultures as you'll be surrounded by plenty of internationals like yourself!

Merging historic buildings and the finest contemporary architecture, Düsseldorf’s skyline is one of its kind. Stealing the show is the famous ensemble by Frank O. Gehry – its curving façade makes the buildings look alive!

The structure emerges right above the Rhine river that divides the city into 2 parts. The right side is home to the bustling old town and modern office buildings. And on the left, you’ll find upscale residences and grandiose mansions. Imagine taking in this scenery as you walk along the river during your lunch break!

The promenade along the Rhine is also an amazing place to watch the sunset. You can just sit on the stairs, sip a drink on one of the terraces or relax on the grass by the riverside. And if you feel like getting to a quieter place on a sunny day, you can enjoy a barbecue on the Paradiesstrand (Paradise Beach) or take a walk in one of Düsseldorf’s many parks.

Düsseldorf has a reputation as an artsy city. And rightfully so as it’s easy to lose count of the number of galleries. In your free time, you can appreciate famous works of classical art in Kunstpalast or experience immersive installations in Kunstsammlung. And if you’re an art buff, you should definitely visit the yearly Art Düsseldorf fair.

But the heart and soul of Düsseldorf is the art academy (Kunstakademie). The likes of Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter have studied and taught there!

If you plan to visit museums often, we recommend getting a Dusseldorf Art:Card.

Did you know that Düsseldorf hosts the 3d largest Japanese community in Europe? If you’re into raw fish or ramen, you’ll fall in love with the food there. Düsseldorf even celebrates a yearly Japan Day (Japantag), taking place in May/June.

Each year, the festival draws hundreds of thousands of Japanophiles and curious tourists to the city. The streets fill up with colour, swarming with cosplayers. The sounds of Japanese choirs, koto players, and J-Pop and J-Rock groups blast from every corner and the smell of Japanese street food saturates the air.

Throughout the day you can participate in various traditional Japanese activities, watch martial arts and Bon-odori performances, fit kimonos and end the day with beautiful fireworks.

Düsseldorf’s home to “the longest bar in the world.” Well, don’t take it too literally! This name is given to Düsseldorf's old town (Altstadt) because it hosts more than 300 bars and discothèques.

There you can have the finest ‘Altbier’ - a fermented beer Düsseldorf’s famous for. You’d usually sip it on long benches on a terrace, while chatting with people next to you. A great way to meet some locals!

Düsseldorf’s proximity to the border makes it really easy to casually travel abroad on your weekends. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France – all are a short train ride away. In fact, with a car, you could drive to the Netherlands in less than 30 minutes!

Düsseldorf’s safety index is 65, making it a very safe city to live in. Whether you like to walk home after dark or are looking for a city to raise your kids in, you can rest assured that Düsseldorf is a good place for that.

Even petty crime is fairly uncommon in Düsseldorf. But, as you can imagine, the late-night action around the bars might sometimes involve drunk people looking for trouble and dealers selling drugs.

While Düsseldorf is among the most expensive cities in Germany, it’s still cheaper than Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich and Frankfurt. In fact, when you search homes for rent in Düsseldorf, you'll see that rent prices in Düsseldorf are 21.28% lower than in Berlin. And your dream place there won’t only be more affordable, but also way easier to find thanks to the less competitive rental market.

Düsseldorf is a great place to live as an expat. Do you think so too? Then wait no more and start planning your relocation to Germany now!

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