So underrated! What a wonderful place to raise a family. Besides the integrated outdoor playgrounds and generous public spaces, I've heard they have family cafes with play areas that are popular in the winter.
Of course, it's different in winter - although before Christmas I find it magic, with all the lights and the Christmas markets. Not all German cities are like that, though - we also have some that are really run down, e.g. after the mines closed in the Ruhr area, where some cities managed to re-invent themselves as tourist locations with mines turnt into spaces of art and culture, but others were left behind.
I do hope to visit around the holidays one day. In my experience, the winters in Europe can feel cold and bleak -- maybe because as an American I'm used to central heating and modern insulation!
Thank you for sharing your local perspective on German cities. As visitors, we can so easily idealize new places. But overall, Germany seems like a calm and egalitarian place compared to the United States.
As for central heating and modern insulation - that might be lacking in some places in Southern Europe, where winters are rather mild, but certainly not in Germany and other countries in Central or Northern Europe! Personally, I love the time before Christmas and New Year's here, but I hate January/February - never come in those months, except for carnival which is really great!
That’s good to know about the heating and insulation further north. I just remember being so cold indoors in Spain, Italy, and France during the winter. (And South America, for that matter.)
Even here in San Diego, the short, dreary days of January and February get me down. I try to incorporate some of that Nordic hygge!
Oh yes! I remember that cold both from Tunesia and Mexico. I lived in Mexico City, and from November to February, the only warm places were my car (heater running) and my bed ...
Incredible! Looking at Germany through your eyes, I discover an entirely different country. Although I recognize, of course, many of the things you describe. But to me, they are just - normal!
Your normal is our dream! Generous, well-maintained public spaces, walkability, high quality food, low crime, convenient transit, beautiful landscapes... Though I wonder if I would have felt differently if we visited the city in winter.
Lovely informative piece. Our son lived and worked in Munich for a number of years, and we loved visiting. It's a very underrated place!
So underrated! What a wonderful place to raise a family. Besides the integrated outdoor playgrounds and generous public spaces, I've heard they have family cafes with play areas that are popular in the winter.
Of course, it's different in winter - although before Christmas I find it magic, with all the lights and the Christmas markets. Not all German cities are like that, though - we also have some that are really run down, e.g. after the mines closed in the Ruhr area, where some cities managed to re-invent themselves as tourist locations with mines turnt into spaces of art and culture, but others were left behind.
I do hope to visit around the holidays one day. In my experience, the winters in Europe can feel cold and bleak -- maybe because as an American I'm used to central heating and modern insulation!
Thank you for sharing your local perspective on German cities. As visitors, we can so easily idealize new places. But overall, Germany seems like a calm and egalitarian place compared to the United States.
As for central heating and modern insulation - that might be lacking in some places in Southern Europe, where winters are rather mild, but certainly not in Germany and other countries in Central or Northern Europe! Personally, I love the time before Christmas and New Year's here, but I hate January/February - never come in those months, except for carnival which is really great!
That’s good to know about the heating and insulation further north. I just remember being so cold indoors in Spain, Italy, and France during the winter. (And South America, for that matter.)
Even here in San Diego, the short, dreary days of January and February get me down. I try to incorporate some of that Nordic hygge!
Oh yes! I remember that cold both from Tunesia and Mexico. I lived in Mexico City, and from November to February, the only warm places were my car (heater running) and my bed ...
Incredible! Looking at Germany through your eyes, I discover an entirely different country. Although I recognize, of course, many of the things you describe. But to me, they are just - normal!
Your normal is our dream! Generous, well-maintained public spaces, walkability, high quality food, low crime, convenient transit, beautiful landscapes... Though I wonder if I would have felt differently if we visited the city in winter.