Moving from London to Frankfurt

“Why would someone leave London for Frankfurt?” Truth is, it was more than just the city that brought me here. Although there are a few things I wish I could have brought with me, I just can’t justify moving back to London right now. Here’s why:

Small fish in a big pond

You don’t realise how big London is until you leave. Not that that’s a bad thing, but in London it’s pretty much the norm to travel for an hour (or more) just to get from A to B. I didn’t think it was a big deal either, but now that I rarely travel any longer than 30 minutes to get around, I have come to value my time so much more! More time for exercise, socialising, personal projects, and above all – relaxing. There’s even time to do a few things before work if you can get yourself out of bed.

Trains and tubes

Public transport in Frankfurt is more reliable and significantly cheaper than in London. Yes, there are sometimes delays (not everything can be perfect) but the chances are that you’ll get a seat and won’t have someone won’t making themselves comfortable in your personal space whilst trying to get home from work. The London Underground system is amazing, but wouldn’t it be great if the wifi was more reliable? Luckily, Frankfurt’s equivalent (U-bahn) doesn’t quite go as far underground, which means you can still get a good internet connection.

Renting

As in any major city, the flat hunt is rarely simple. It takes time and you really have to be dedicated. However, one thing I love about this city, is that renting is affordable. I remember finding it odd that so many young people rent apartments on their here. That’s because you can find a one-bedroom apartment (with a separate living room and kitchen) for less than €850 – simply impossible in London!

Making friends

Frankfurt is Germany’s most international city and it’s full of expats! People are generally open-minded and very welcoming, as they know what it’s like to be a newbie. You’d be surprised how quickly you click with others based on your relocation experience alone.

Not heard anything positive about Frankfurt?

Neither had I! But despite the rumours, Frankfurt has been ranked #7 for quality of life worldwide, and I can definitely see why. Amongst other things, Frankfurt offers an extremely good standard of living and owns Germany’s only skyline. And even though we get approximately 100 more days of sunshine than London per year, if you do fancy heading home for a weekend, there are hourly flights from the airport!