Are you planning to move to Hamburg? Maybe because of a new job, a professional project, or a course of study? We have helpful tips and information to make your move easier.
Are you planning to move to Hamburg? Maybe because of a new job, a professional project, or a course of study? We have helpful tips and information to make your move easier.
The city of Hamburg has a very high quality of life, a fact confirmed again and again in all rankings. As one of the most popular and greenest cities in Germany, Hamburg offers not only water (and wind), but also numerous cultural and recreational opportunities.
If you are new to Hamburg, you first have to reorient yourself, find a new apartment and plan your move. We have put together a few tips for the very first questions that need to be answered before moving to Hamburg.
Moving to Hamburg means you have to find an apartment. It is generally known that this is not always easy in Hamburg. Finding a cheap, permanent apartment quickly is like winning the lottery. A tip: If you already know you want to live in Hamburg for a longer period of time, you can inquire at the many building cooperatives and get put on waiting lists.
However, many people who move to Hamburg decide to rent a furnished apartment for the interim, either as a temporary solution or when the stay in Hamburg itself is temporary (such as for a project). Furnished apartments are practical because they make moving to a new city much easier. Moreover, in many cases they can be booked directly without a viewing, which saves a lot of time. Once in Hamburg, you can then look for a permanent apartment at your leisure.
Look here and find your furnished apartment in Hamburg: rent apartment →
Whether you are coming as a family, a couple, or by yourself, there is a suitable district in Hamburg for everyone. The city is divided into seven administrative areas, which in turn are divided into individual districts. In total, there are over 70 districts in Hamburg.
If you prefer to live in a hip, trendy district, the best place to look for an apartment is in St. Pauli or Sternschanze. Many families enjoy the neighborhoods Eimsbüttel, Ottensen, Eppendorf, Niendorf, and Iserbrook, but there are many other residential districts with good infrastructure and schools. Students gravitate to the districts of Altona, Sternschanze, Karoviertel, or Rotherbaum.
A detailed overview of Hamburg's districts can be found here: City-Guide Hamburg →
If you come to Hamburg with all your furniture, you probably can't avoid hiring a moving company or renting a large enough transporter to get you and your worldly goods to the Hanse city all at once. In Hamburg, there are many storage facilities that you can rent for storing furniture.
Moving light: If you rent a furnished apartment and don't have to move with all your furniture yet, it will be easier for you. Furnished apartments are generally fully equipped with everything, usually including linens, cooking and eating utensils, etc.. This means you can travel light for the time being. This gives you some breathing space and peace for the first few months, so you can concentrate on your new job, your studies or even the search for a permanent apartment.
If you move to Hamburg from another German city and plan to stay longer than six months, you have to change your main residence at the district office. If you are coming from abroad and have no registered address in Germany, you have to make that appointment very early. In general, you should make an appointment for the registration at the authority in advance to avoid long waiting times. For the registration you need a so-called housing provider confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). In many cases, this document is prepared by City-Wohnen and signed by the lessor.
Information about registration deadlines can be found here: Housing provider confirmation →
All further information on registration in Hamburg can also be found on the city's official website: https://www.hamburg.com/welcome/entry-residence/general-regulations/11725242/registration/
It is generally rather difficult to get around in Hamburg by car. The Hanseatic city is known for its very busy streets, construction sites, and numerous traffic jams. Moreover, it is not easy to get a parking place in the central areas. Many parts of the city now have residential parking zones, and residents need to apply for parking permits from the authorities.
If you decide to go by bike, your life will be easier. Hamburg has many well-developed bicycle paths. Tip: Many Hamburgers already use the Stadtrad call a bike system (stadtrad.hamburg.de/en/home/) to rent a bike easily, flexibly, and cheaply. There are even cargo bikes or e-bikes that you can rent.
The Dutch company Swapfiets, which is now also in Hamburg, had a good idea. You can use their service to get your own bike for a relatively low monthly fee, including lock, headlight, theft protection, breakdown service, and maintenance. This is a very practical solution for getting settled in Hamburg. The subscription can be cancelled monthly, and you can also change your location if you make another move. A “Swapfiets” bike can always be recognized by its blue tires.
Many people prefer public transport to get from A to B. Whether using the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus or even the ferry, in Hamburg you are generally well connected and can get to your destination quickly. If you are out enjoying Hamburg's nightlife, night buses, S-Bahn and U-Bahn will get you home safely.