Forum Germany

[EasyExpat]

Hi,

We are interested by your feedback on the cost of living in Germany. With Easy Expat we have already a useful tool to compare the cost of living in some major cities in the world.

However we do not cover all the countries, nor all the destination where you can eventually decide to expatriate.

If you live in Germany, you can help the community and give information about the cost of living in Germany. You might be able to give indication and comments on the needs:
Food (what to expect, what to find).
Accommodation price in Germany. Rent?
Transport (public transport but also the necessity and cost of using a car)
Services (gaz, electricity, telephone, internet...)
Tax
Health, Education
Entertainment (restaurant, cinema, theatre...)
... etc.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience with the community

[marlon samual]

The cost of living in Germany is relatively high. However, there are many ways for students to reduce their costs: student dormitories and shared flats offer affordable housing, cheap super markets and pubs catering to students are also helpful. Cultural events, sports centres as well as public transport even certain shops offer student discounts.
Many language schools, too, have special deals with local enterprises - it is always worth asking!

All in all for (accommodation, food, leisure, etc.) EUR 1.000 per month is a realistic amount, depending on where and how you choose to live. As a rule, living in the eastern part of German y can be a little cheaper.

[texkourgan]

One of the things that lure many expats in Berlin is the low cost of living. While that is changing as the city gentrifies and more people flock to the city, the cost is still very reasonable considering the rest of Germany, or other top cities in Europe.

One of the most difficult things I have found is actually securing accommodation as competition for the best places can be fierce. This is made further difficult by the prices for similar apartments varying wildly. Looking for places within our price range (600 euro) can result in places in terrible condition with no amenities, or perfect apartments with multiple balconies/beautiful finishes etc.

Accommodation (monthly rent)
Unfurnished 1 bedroom flat in popular neighborhood (Friedrichshain, Neukölln, Kreuzberg) = 500-800 euro
Unfurnished flat in 1 bedroom in outlying neighborhoods (Wedding, Marzahn) = 350-600
Room in shared apartment = 250-550 euro

Food + Supply
One litre milk = .40 euro
Cheese (Gouda) = 2.50 euro for 450g
Roll = .30 cents
Ground Coffee beans= 4 euro
4 Chicken breast = 3 euro
500 grams ground beef/pork = 2 euro
Toothpaste = .70 cents
Shampoo = 1 euro
Shower gel = 1 euro

Utilities
Telephone / Internet /basic cable = 30-60 euro
Mobile/cell phone bill = 10-40 euro
Electricity (1 bedroom apartment) = 30 euro/month
Gas/Water costs (1 bedroom apartment) = 15-30/month

Transport
Taxi = Taximeters start at 3 euro, with the first 7 kilometers charging the rate of 1.58 euro per kilometer, and then 1.20 euro for every further kilometer.
Public Transport (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Bus, tram) in AB zone = 2.40 euro for 2 hour ticket (moving in one direction, multiple transfer)
Day Ticket AB Zone= 6.50 euro

These are my best estimates. Anyone else have examples/corrections?