Looking for American Expats in Munich?

The pros & cons of living in Munich

Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on and discover what American expats love about Munich — and the challenges they face sometimes.

What Americans like about living abroad

Cost of living: When comparing the average cost of living in the US and Munich, you’ll find Munich is relatively cheaper. Rent is often more affordable, and expenses such as groceries and internet are much cheaper. This is especially true compared with major coastal cities in the US. Smaller US cities in the Midwest or South, for example, might be more comparable to Munich, with even lower rent prices than the Bavarian capital.

Healthcare: Health insurance is mandatory for every resident in Germany, so you don’t have to worry about lacking coverage or access. With income-based contributions and a focus on preventative care, healthcare is more affordable than in the US.

Walkability: Americans often appreciate how easily they can get around in Munich. You can walk or cycle to most places, and public transport is not only inexpensive but also widely available, wherever you need to go. For Americans from large cities where driving is often necessary, this is a significant advantage.

Green spaces & historic charm: Munich blends nature with urban life. The English Garden is one of the world’s largest urban public parks worldwide. You can enjoy many leisure opportunities — from the outdoors to culture — in Munich and its surroundings. Plus, there’s charming architecture and Bavarian traditions to discover (and we don’t just mean Oktoberfest!).

Vacation days: On average, you get about 20 vacation days a year, and Bavaria enjoys many public holidays throughout the year. This allows more time for vacations and relaxation than you might find in the US — and a slower pace of life. For many, this is a welcome difference to the fast-paced life in most US cities.

What Americans struggle with abroad

Salary: Salaries in Munich certainly don’t compare to the higher levels most Americans are used to. But the lower cost of living balances it out.

Bureaucracy: German bureaucracy can be a nightmare. Researching and finding answers to your questions can take a long time and not much is done online. All documents are usually sent to you by post.

Cultural differences: Discovering new cultural norms is part of the experience, but it can take time to adjust. For example, German culture can be more formal, especially in professional settings. Communication can be more direct. And if you’re used to running errands on Sundays, things are different here. Shops are closed on Sundays in Munich.

Language barrier: Outside of touristy spots, it can be difficult to connect with people and carry out daily tasks without knowing at least some German. Living in a country that does not speak your native language can take a toll on some people. Learning as much German as you can before you arrive will go a long way.

What American expats have to say about living in Munich

We asked tens of thousands of expats about their lives abroad in our Expat Insider surveys. In addition to our standard questions, we invite them to share what they like or dislike about their experiences in their own words. Here, we’ve selected some of the most interesting or representative quotes about expat life in Munich from Americans, grouped into positive and negative opinions.

Let’s start with the positive ones.

Opinion

What I love about Munich is that I have many maternal leave benefits, lots of vacation days, and access to nature. I can walk and bike to many places and the healthcare system is a lot better and cheaper than in the US.

Opinion

Opinion

I really appreciate that healthcare is much easier and cheaper than in the US. I like how diverse the community is in Germany vs where I was living before (Michigan)

Opinion

Opinion

Job security here is incredible—I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. I also love the 30 days of paid vacation and the extensive employee rights, both of which contribute to an outstanding work-life balance. These positives far outweigh almost any negatives.

Opinion

Opinion

Munich's location is fantastic, you can reach so many great cities and countries in a couple hours. Everything is at your doorstep in Munich, without it feeling like a major metropolis.

Opinion

Opinion

I like that, people don't "live to work" here. There is a very healthy work-life balance, and people value hobbies and who you are outside of your career.

Opinion

On the downside, here's are some negative experiences from American expats in Munich

Opinion

Munich isn’t very diverse, and there’s a certain “stuffiness” to the city—not just in terms of where people are from, but also in social class.

Opinion

Opinion

I think that, especially in Bavaria, it’s hard to make local friends and truly integrate into German culture, particularly in Munich and the region as a whole

Opinion

Opinion

It’s difficult to fully integrate in Germany without speaking German, and the language itself is quite challenging to learn.

Opinion

Opinion

There is a sense of acceptance and progressiveness on the outside, but when it comes down to really trying to integrate, many doors close up immediately.

Opinion

Opinion

The quality of the internet infrastructure isn’t great. People also smoke everywhere and litter, making it hard to sit outside without breathing in smoke.

Opinion

All your questions about Munich, answered

Opinion

I like the work–life balance, as well as the challenges and opportunities of living in a country where I must learn the language to communicate with the people around me. (American member in Munich)

Opinion

Enjoy the international experience — worldwide

We’re not just in Munich! InterNations has lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Germany, check out our American communities in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Essen, [Cologne] (https://www.internations.org/cologne-expats/americans), Bonn, Regensburg, Heidelberg, or Stuttgart.

But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the full list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.