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Our Guide to Choosing a Family-Friendly Location in Germany

8th March 2025

 

Relocating to Germany with your family can be an exciting yet daunting adventure. With its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and strong economy, Germany offers lots of opportunities for families looking to start fresh. This guide is designed to help you understand the essential factors to consider when choosing the best place to live in Germany, ensuring that you and your family are well-prepared for this change. From exploring the diverse education system to discovering family-friendly transport options and thriving job markets, we’ve got you covered. 

Choosing where to live in Germany based on schools.

 

One of the most important factors to consider when moving to Germany with your family is researching an area by school. The school system is very different from what you may be used to in the UK. Each German state has its own education system, which means elements such as teacher qualifications and curriculum are determined by federal state authorities and vary from area to area. 

In Germany, education is compulsory from ages 6 to 15. After preschool or primary education, there are several options for secondary schools: Hauptschule, which is a ‘lower’ secondary school, Realschule, which is an ‘Intermediate’ secondary school, or Gymnasium, which is equivalent to grammar schools.  Comprehensive schools, or Gesamtschule are designed to socially integrate students and make it easier for them to progress through the three types of secondary schools.

When it comes to locations, Saxony is often considered the top-performing state in Germany for schools. It is praised for its high standards, especially in mathematical and science-related subjects. Bavaria is also rated very highly for its education system and has high-level apprenticeship opportunities, whereas Hamburg has high rates for overall education. For high school and secondary education, cities like Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart are typically considered the best areas to enrol in; these areas also have international schools, which follow the standard IB curriculum. If you have older children and University is on the cards in the future there are hundreds of locations across the country including Berlin, Frankfurt, Bonn, Hamburg, Cologne and Aachen. 

Looking to move your family to Germany? Start your European move today.

Exploring the German Job Market before moving abroad.

Germany currently offers numerous job opportunities, particularly in IT, engineering, healthcare, and manufacturing. Understanding the specific areas with job openings in these sectors can help you narrow down potential places to live. 

Berlin 

Job opportunities in Science and Technology; Freelance artists and journalists; Opportunities at international corporations such as Deutsche Bank, Amazon, and Siemens.

Hamburg

Careers in shipping, tourism, education, and healthcare are known for offering competitive salaries and benefits. The area is also a major hub for media, logistics, e-commerce, and maritime technology.

Munich 

Automotive engineering offers excellent job opportunities, particularly in the fields of industrial innovation and IT services.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a key tech hub for fintech, cybersecurity, IT services and finances.

Nuremberg 

The perfect opportunity for IT, Medicine, Energy or Transport jobs. 

Cologne

There are financial and professional service job opportunities in sectors such as insurance, banking, consulting, corporate services, and real estate.

Relocating to Germany for Work?  We can help you and your family with a smooth transition abroad.

Transport Options in Germany that are Family-friendly

 

Several public transport options are available to residents across Germany. While some rural areas have more limited options, the cities and towns across Germany have great links to get you to your destination at all hours of the day or even night. There are four main methods of family-friendly and easy-to-use transport to research in Germany:  U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Trams and Buses.

U-Bahn

The U-Bahn is an underground train system that is most common in cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. It is one of the most effective ways to travel across and in and out of cities, as in most built-up areas, the underground reaches around 100 stations in each location. On weekdays, they run from 4:30 am, so early enough for any commuters, to 1 am and usually take 5-10 minutes to arrive. On weekends, they run for 24 hours, and come in slightly later intervals of around 30 minutes. This method of transport is affordable and often uses ‘zone’ methods for pricing.

S-Bahn

The S-Bahn is a rapid train system that travels across and out of cities to neighbouring suburbs, making it the perfect choice for commuters. This method of transport is quite similar to a metro, as it can function above and below ground. This train can also go between German-speaking countries, so transport to areas like Belgium, Austria or Switzerland is viable via the S-Bahn. You can use travel cards or even purchase single travel tickets to use the train, whatever suits you the most. 

Buses

Germany uses Euroline and Flixbus across the country. Flixbus is a German company that offers long-distance bus travel, whereas Eurolines is a low-cost bus service that operates throughout Germany. Metrobuses and Night buses are also very common in urban areas or cities, as these cover hours that the S and U-Bahn do not run. Bus lines are affordable and a great alternative to S and U trains if you need to travel further afield.

Trams

Tram and bus stops often overlap, but trams are considered faster and more frequent. Trams are used in over 60 cities/areas across Germany and are usually a very reliable source of transport due to their punctuality and rigorous timetable. 

 

Want to find out more about moving abroad to Germany? See our Moving to Germany Guide.

Locations to consider when moving to Germany as a Family

 

Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony all offer beautiful rural landscapes, charming villages, and a slower pace of life while still being accessible to larger cities for work. But when it comes to moving to Germany as a family, you should consider urban and suburban areas to ensure the best access to essential amenities for the whole family.

Munich

Munich is one of Germany’s more expensive cities, but it does offer a range of housing opportunities. Flats or apartments in the city centre can be expensive, but accommodation in the outskirts is more affordable. Commuting into the city is very easy, so finding more affordable housing in the suburbs is a good idea. Family homes and student districts are also in the outskirts, with neighbourhoods such as Neuhausen are very green and popular with families. Amenities such as pubs, restaurants, snacks, shops, and entertainment venues are in abundance, as well as parks and playgrounds for any little ones. Munich is also known for being particularly safe and having an incredibly high standard of living. 

Berlin

The area is full of parks, playgrounds, activities for all ages, public swimming pools, and libraries. With cultural offerings for children of all ages and, of course, adults, there is plenty to do when not at work or school. Housing options are the most affordable and varied in local neighbourhoods such as Prenzlauer Berg, Treptow, Kopenick and Spandow; which are safe, quiet, charming communities with lots of accessible green space. 

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is arguably the most family-friendly area to live in Germany. New city quarters such as Bahnstaft and Rohrbach-Sudstadt are being developed and built with family-friendliness in mind, with plenty of parks and play areas. There is a big mix of modern and traditional cultures here, with lots of history to be explored. For eco-conscious families, it is very environmentally friendly, with climate protection and sustainability incentives in place. Crime rates here are usually very low, and there is a big emphasis on safety. Communities including Speyer, Scheveningen and Schriesheim have suitable housing nearby for families and great transport links into the more urban area. 

Stuttgart 

Stuttgart has one of the biggest English-speaking communities in Germany, so it is usually quite common with British Expat families. It is also one of the most affordable areas to live in, especially compared to other areas like Hamburg, Munich, and Berlin. It is very easy to navigate the area with public transport and it is incredibly beautiful, especially with its gardens, parks, and zoos. The most common form of accommodation in the city centre is the apartments, whereas housing is much more common in the neighbouring areas. The most popular neighbourhoods include Bad Cannstatt, a historic district with timber-framed houses; Stuttgart-Mitte, a central location offering great amenities; and Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, a family-friendly area known for its schools, parks, shops, and daycare services.

Hamburg

Offering a great mix of urban amenities, green spaces, and dedicated activities for kids, Hamburg was incredibly family-friendly. Services and activities dedicated to children, including childcare, made it the perfect spot for playing, exploring, and getting some fresh air. Parks like Planten Un Blomen make the perfect spot for playing, exploring, and getting some fresh air. Hamburg, however, has a high cost of living, especially when it comes to house prices. Despite this, many British expats and families live here, and have a similar culture to back in the UK

 

Moving to Germany with your family opens up lots of opportunities as well as providing a strong support system for education, employment, and transportation. By carefully considering essential factors such as school quality, job availability, and family-oriented transport options, you can make an informed decision that best suits your family’s needs. Whether you choose a city like Berlin and Munich or more peaceful areas in Bavaria and Saxony, Germany offers the perfect environment for families to thrive.

To learn more about the logistics of moving to take a look at our Moving to Germany guide. Enquire today about relocating your family today by calling a member of our team on 01638 515335 or filling out an enquiry form.