Life in Heidelberg

Getting to know people is not a problem in Heidelberg. Once you've met someone, you're guaranteed to bump into them at a later stage. The old town, especially between Bismarckplatz and the Heiliggeistkirche church, is a place where you tend to see familiar faces. Getting around is also not a problem and can be easily done on foot or on a bicycle. Unless you study German, English or the Romance languages, your classes will take place in the old university buildings, which means that you can easily visit the old town to shop, go to a cafe or see a movie. And because the university library and the main lecture building are also located in the old town, you will see a lot of your teachers around here, too.

Cozy rather than large

"In the long run, the city seems a bit small," says Bernie Wong from Singapore. The 20-year-old student would like to have more variety because she's used to living in a big city. Discovering something new everyday is indeed rather difficult in Heidelberg. However, the city does have a lively bar scene, cozy cafes, theaters, movie theaters, regular cultural festivals and beautiful surroundings, especially the park Neckarwiesen. This is where about half the city's population spends its time in the summer months, doing some sunbathing, celebrating and sports. And if you didn't manage to bump into anyone you know in town, then you will definitely find them here.

Accommodation with waiting lists

Because the city is small and the real estate market limited, the rent prices are very high there, even for a small room in a shared apartment. And while there are a lot of student dormitories, you have to go on a long waiting list in order to get a place. This is why many students live outside of Heidelberg: in Eppelheim, Neckargemuend or Walldorf. Sarah Hampel recently moved to the neighboring big city of Mannheim. The 24-year-old studies translation and interpretation at the university in Heidelberg. But thanks to good public transport connections, it only takes her half an hour to get there. The rent prices in Mannheim are significantly lower, and the city also has more nightlife than Heidelberg does.

Author: Anne Allmening
Editor: Greg Wiser