Bochum, Germany 🇩🇪
#505
,
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bochum is a vibrant city located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, known for its cultural landmarks and educational institutions. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 365,000 people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and TransferWise are commonly used. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments, Airbnb listings, and student housing. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo are popular platforms. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Bochum and DJH Jugendherberge Bochum offer affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The City Center, especially around Kortumstraße. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Ruhr University area provides a good mix of accommodation and co-working options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Mietraums Bochum is a popular coworking space. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Fritze offers a relaxed atmosphere with good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events at Ruhr University and Meetups in the area foster networking. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Bochum Expats Facebook group for social meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now and Uber operate in Bochum. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Nextbike is available for bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Baldeney is a popular nearby escape, around 30 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Eurowings serves as a primary regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa provides major international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A40 and A43 highways are nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bochum Hauptbahnhof (main station) is the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for the VRR network are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Bochum to nearby cities like Dortmund and Essen. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bochum is a leading healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Loft Bochum offers a variety of classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | McFIT and Fitness First are popular gym chains in the area. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Waschsalon Bochum provides convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Lieferando and UberEats are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local specialty, Bochumer Kirsche. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarisch Bochum and NENI offer great plant-based choices. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Blum is famous for its delectable pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Food markets at Stadtgarten Bochum provide budget-friendly local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and eBay are commonly used online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Netto and REWE offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around Bahnhofstraße has vibrant nightlife with various bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bochum has several craft breweries including Schlösser Alt. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vini is a cozy wine bar worth visiting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks and stalls frequently set up at events and markets. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like El Greco (Greek) and Pho 24 (Vietnamese) offer international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the German Mining Museum and St. Peter's Church. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Kunstmuseum Bochum houses modern art collections. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The historic Jahrhunderthalle is a notable venue. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's and St. Maximilian's churches are significant. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Bochum Christmas Market attracts visitors every year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The area around Bochum West features creative spaces and galleries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Bochumer Schauspielhaus is the main theater for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The weekly Wochenmarkt offers fresh produce and local crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can often be found at venues like Zille. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the creative urban artworks around Hauptbahnhof. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Taste of Bochum offers cooking classes showcasing local cuisines. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Visit the Galerie Pott for contemporary artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Alte Synagoge is an important architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The mining history is a key aspect of Bochum’s cultural identity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Stadtpark Bochum is ideal for relaxation and walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sauerland National Park is about an hour's drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Ruhr Area includes numerous bike paths along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Some elevated areas near the city provide panoramic views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Local parks have areas suitable for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain designated areas in parks allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes are widely available for parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt offers tech repair for various devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have ping pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Goethe Institute offers German language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliothek Bochum provides excellent study resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Bochum Cultural Center hosts various events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Various gaming cafes can be found around the city. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Bochum offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €80,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6.5%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | In some cases, lower tax rates may apply to non-resident freelancers. |