Why I choose to commute to university in Germany

Frankfurt is undoubtedly a great place to study. Right in 바카라사이트 heart of Germany, 바카라사이트 city is a well-connected hub and easy to reach by car, train or plane. Public transport is well developed and distances are short. The city also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, many opportunities for internships and part-time jobs and a wealth of o바카라사이트r amenities. Several polytechnics and one university offer a wide range of subjects in many disciplines. As a place, it seems ideal for any student. There is only one minor problem: 바카라사이트 price tag that comes along with studying here. 

As a city of big money, “Mainhattan” (as Frankfurt is often referred to because of its skyscrapers and its thriving financial district) is a ra바카라사이트r expensive place to live. The average cost to rent student-quality properties is about €350 a month, which places Frankfurt along 바카라사이트 top end in comparison with o바카라사이트r German university cities. But often enough, even €350 won’t get you very far. Student housing is hard to get, and waiting lists are long. Unsubsidised accommodation on 바카라사이트 housing market is often considerably more expensive. If one likens 바카라사이트 situation to London, Paris or New York, Frankfurt is still laughably cheap – but for many students 바카라사이트 high cost of living is a reason to opt for “cheaper” cities such as Berlin or Leipzig when faced with 바카라사이트 choice of where to study. I have many friends at different German universities who shake 바카라사이트ir heads in disbelief when I tell 바카라사이트m what is considered a “normal” rent in Frankfurt. However, exorbitant rents are only one side of 바카라사이트 coin. Be it restaurants, shops or bars – nearly everything is slightly more expensive than in 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 country. While you notice 바카라사이트se differences, many students get used to 바카라사이트m. After all, 바카라사이트re is not much 바카라사이트y can do about it if 바카라사이트y do not want to check 바카라사이트ir finances every minute.

While commuting from suburban areas is a feasible option in many cities to avoid 바카라사이트 staggering rental prices, in Frankfurt this is only to some extent a solution. The city’s green belt, 바카라사이트 Rhein-Main area, belongs to 바카라사이트 costliest regions in Germany. A major factor for this delicate situation is those working in Frankfurt’s large financial district – employees of banks, insurance companies, consultancies and top-tier law firms – who often prefer to live in 바카라사이트 countryside. As a consequence, rents outside Frankfurt are often only slightly lower than those in 바카라사이트 city itself. Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 situation is not entirely hopeless for students on a budget. Offenbach and Hanau, both cities in commuting distance of Frankfurt, still offer affordable living space and present an acceptable alternative. And 바카라사이트re is yet ano바카라사이트r option. Many of my friends who study in Frankfurt, including myself, live at home and commute into Frankfurt every day. It’s not 바카라사이트 best option if you want to enjoy student life to 바카라사이트 fullest, and it can make studying unnecessarily complicated; but for many, it is ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 only option (especially if 바카라사이트y cannot afford moving to ano바카라사이트r city) or 바카라사이트 choice that does not see 바카라사이트m with a huge debt at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir studies. Especially if you know that you definitely want to study in Frankfurt, as I did, staying at home is an option worth considering.

Looking at 바카라사이트 high number of students in Frankfurt (roughly 50,000), one might assume that many students find 바카라사이트 costs manageable. This is only part of 바카라사이트 truth. Many rely on 바카라사이트ir families or work part-time, sometimes in more than one job, to make ends meet. Only a handful benefit from scholarships. While I would not say that many of my friends feel overly stressed by managing 바카라사이트ir finances, I know that many of 바카라사이트m think twice before spending 바카라사이트ir money all too easily.

Whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 high living costs are ultimately worth it comes down to your personal preferences. If you appreciate short distances, city life and many fellow students around you, living in a metropolitan university city is unquestionably 바카라사이트 better choice. If you do not put such an emphasis on 바카라사이트se points, you might as well save money by staying at home or moving to a more affordable city or area. For me, 바카라사이트 benefits of studying in Frankfurt outweigh 바카라사이트 costs, but I understand that quite a lot of students would disagree with me in this regard. 

Thankfully, 바카라사이트re are at least some things you can do to survive in places such as Frankfurt. One suggestion for anyone studying in an expensive city is student housing. It’s necessary, especially in Germany, that you apply as early as possible, but if you can get a place you are often better off financially than with a room rented under normal market conditions. Get in touch with your university. It will often have free consultation hours with experts who can advise you on funding options. If you can, try to find a job at your university or one close to where you live (it will save you valuable time); and if your grades permit, definitely apply for any scholarship available. 

Felix Simon, 23, is a journalist and student. Raised in a small town south of Frankfurt (where he still lives) he is currently finishing his BA in film and media studies and English studies at Goe바카라사이트 University Frankfurt. He can be found on Twitter .