Bochum, Germany 🇩🇪
#505
51.481811, 7.219663
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, located in the western part of Germany, known for its rich industrial heritage and cultural offerings. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 365,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speeds of 100 Mbps available in many areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and online options like N26. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, student housing, private rentals, and Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular along with local rental agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Bochum offers affordable lodging starting at €25/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | DOCK1 offers great facilities for remote workers and events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Kaffeekommune is well-known for its coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups occur regularly in local coworking spaces and cafes. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like ‘Bochum International’ organize regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available alongside local taxi services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Nextbike offers bike sharing across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is approximately 1.5 hours away at the North Sea. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Eurowings operates regional flights from nearby Düsseldorf. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Eurowings connect to major international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A40 and A43 highways provide easy access. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bochum Hauptbahnhof (main train station) connects to various cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | VRR day passes offer unlimited travel starting at €8. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and S-Bahn systems connect Bochum to surrounding cities like Dortmund and Essen. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum is a renowned healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Vidya Bochum offers classes and wellness retreats. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | McFIT and Fitness First are popular gym chains. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Lounge Bochum provides laundry and dry cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Lieferando is widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the traditional currywurst at local eateries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veganhaus Bochum is popular among plant-based eaters. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Blum serves excellent pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Bochum weekly market offers fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.de and Otto.de are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Allgrocery offers grocery delivery services in Bochum. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Bermuda3Eck area is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brauhaus Bochum offers brewery tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Helden Bar features a wide selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food festivals occur regularly in the city center. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like NENI serve excellent Mediterranean cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The German Mining Museum is a must-visit. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Kunstmuseum Bochum houses modern art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Jahrhunderthalle Bochum is a historic cultural venue. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's Church is an iconic landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Bochum Christmas Market is a festive highlight in November. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The area around the Bochum city center is lively with restaurants and shops. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Bochumer Schauspielhaus is a renowned theater. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Weekly markets offer local produce and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Zeche Bochum is a popular live music venue. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features various murals and street art locations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary workshops are offered at the Bochum adult education center. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie K stands out for contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old town hall is a beautiful architectural site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bochum's mining heritage is celebrated in various cultural events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Botanischer Garten Bochum offers lush greenery. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The nature reserve 'Hohe Mark' is within an hour's drive. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Numerous paths connect parks and neighborhoods. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from the Jahrhunderthalle offers great city vistas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The nearby Ruhr River is good for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain park areas allow for bonfires with permissions. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt and local shops provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various parks have public tables for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Volkshochschule Bochum offers a variety of language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Bochum City Library is a prime study location. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Interkulturelles Zentrum Bochum fosters community interactions. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On Bochum is a popular spot for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Bochum provides gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €140,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €110,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26% rate applies to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value assessment. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 8% standard rate when purchasing property. |