munich

Living in Munich

Neighborhood Guide

These areas are some of the most vibrant, interesting and famous in the city, but there are many more places in which you might choose to live. Once you have enrolled, our counselors will help you choose the best place to settle to make the most of your time in Munich.

Altstadt

Altstadt

Altstadt translates as old city. What was a small medieval village has become Munich’s atmospheric heart. Aldstadt is where you will find all the main sights, including Marienplatz, the main square which hosts the annual Christmas market; the former royal palace; the world-famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall; and the iconic Frauenkirche. Home also to the city’s best restaurants and the shopping district, lively Altstadt can be busy, expensive and filled with tourists.

Au-Haidhausen

Au-Haidhausen

Au-Haidhausen, often referred to as the French Quarter, is a tranquil and leafy neighborhood to the east of the city center where picturesque pre-war buildings sit side-by-side with modern complexes. A popular place to live, Au-Haidhausen is also home to Kultfabrik, an area that claims to be Europe’s largest party zone. The district is bound by the river Isar where, in the summer months, people gather to relax in the sun and enjoy a local beer. This lively neighborhood is well connected to the rest of the city but rent here is expensive.

Schwabing-West

Schwabing-West

One of Munich’s most bohemian districts, in the 19th century Schwabing-West was home to many famous writers, poets, artists and composers. Now, gentrification has also made this area one of Munich’s wealthiest and most elegant. And its desirability is not surprising - one of the world’s largest public parks, the English Garden, is located here. A lively area filled with boutique shops, buzzing bars, restaurants and art galleries, Schwabing-West is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Schwanthalerhöhe

Schwanthalerhöhe

Widely called Westend and recently regenerated, Schwanthalerhöhe is an up-and-coming neighborhood. Home to Munich’s oldest brewery, The Augustiner, and close to the grounds in Theresienwiese where Oktoberfest takes place each year, Schwanthalerhöhe is usually a quiet district with lots of green spaces and luxurious new buildings. However, it can be expensive and difficult to find accommodation here.  

Neuhausen-Nymphenburg

Neuhausen-Nymphenburg 

A relaxed, un-touristy and currently very trendy neighborhood, Neuhausen-Nymphenburg is where you will find the world’s largest beer garden, the Hirschgarten; a good number of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shops; and the spectacular Nymphenburg Palace with its tranquil gardens. There is a good choice of places to live in this mostly residential neighborhood, but it is quiet at night, which can be both a benefit and a drawback!  

Sendling and Sendling-Westpark

Sendling and Sendling-Westpark 

The most multicultural district of Munich, Sendling is the best place to find mouth-watering international cuisine as well as the third-largest fruit and vegetable market in Europe. It is mainly residential, but its historic center hosts many shops and businesses. Although notable for its beautiful architecture and very well connected to the rest of the city, Sendling is not a particularly lively area.  

Maxvorstadt

Maxvorstadt

The city’s arts and university district, Maxvorstadt is also known as the “brain of Munich”. Museums, art galleries (including the world-famous Pinakotheken galleries), universities, bookshops, publishing houses and many relaxed restaurants and cafes give this area its distinct and vibrant atmosphere. Maxvostadt is close to the city center with excellent transport links, making it a desirable and therefore pricy neighborhood to live in.

Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt

Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt

With beautiful old architecture, trendy bars and quaint taverns, Isarvorstadt is a popular residential district. The area is home to Munich’s LBGT scene as well as the beautiful Gärtnerplatz square, where students and locals gather on warm summer evenings. Neighboring Ludwigsvorstadt is a bustling area sometimes called “Little Istanbul” for its Middle Eastern population and density of Turkish restaurants. Within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt offers a good balance of liveliness and tranquility.

Getting Around Munich

Munich’s excellent public transportation system runs through the city as well as to the outskirts. Most of the city falls into the central M-Zone, so unless you are travelling to the airport or live outside the city, you won’t need to worry about any other zones.  

Tickets 

The same ticket can be used across different forms of transport; if your journey includes time on a bus and on a tram, you don’t need to purchase different tickets.  

Monthly, weekly, daily and individual passes can be bought at U- and S-Bahn stations, as well as at many bus stops, tram stops and at newspaper kiosks. Don’t forget to stamp your ticket in the machine before boarding the bus, train or tram!  

S-Bahn 

These are suburban trains that travel outside the urban areas of Munich. There are eight trains, which are marked with an “S” plus a number. Stations are usually open from 5 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. 

U-Bahn  

These are underground, urban trains. They are marked with a “U” plus a number. Stations open daily from 5 a.m.-1 a.m. 

DB-Bahn 

These are the local and international train connections. The main departure station is the central station (Hauptbahnhof). 

Buses 

Bus maps are located at the bus stops. 

Taxis

Taxis can be ordered by phone or caught at taxi ranks. Taxi rates start at €4.50. 

U-Bahn

Bus

Bike

S-Bahn

Taxi

DB-Bahn

   

 

Accommodation

As one of the major and fastest-growing cities in Europe, Munich is a magnet for thousands of jobseekers and people pursuing further education, which can make finding accommodation a challenge. To narrow down your search, it’s helpful to know your budget and what you are looking for. Do you want to live in student halls, find a room in a shared flat, or have your own space? Living with others is a great way to make friends when you arrive in the city but does require compromise. Living on your own might suit you better if you enjoy peace and quiet. Read on for information and resources to help you find the perfect home in Munich.  

Student Dorms

Living in student dorms allows you to meet new people all the time and gives you a structured, and culturally diverse living environment. Expect to pay between €800-1000 per month for a single studio, or around €500 a two-person double dorm share, plus a processing fee and a one-off booking fee of €700. The additional security deposit of three months’ rent will be returned at the end of your stay, provided you have looked after the space.  

Partner Student Residences 

EU Business School Munich has secured a limited number of placements with four private dorms, all of which are about 30 minutes from campus via public transport. 

  1. Studiosus 3 in Moosach 
  2. Studiosus 4 in Au-Haidhausen 
  3. Campus Viva in Obersendling  
  4. Studentenwohnheim in Schwabing-Freimann 

The all-inclusive rates at these residences cover: 

  • Utilities: heating, power, water and Wi-Fi 
  • Use of all communal areas, such as bike stands, gyms and community lounges 
  • Cleaning service 
  • Concierge service (Campus Viva) 
  • Furnishings: bed frame and mattress, wardrobe, desk and office chair 
  • Kitchenette with a ceramic hob, microwave oven, refrigerator and sink 
  • Balcony or terrace (Studiosus 3, 4 and Studentenwohnheim Schwabing) 
  • Stores and shopping like groceries, cafes, drugstores, all within five minutes 
  • Easy application process 

student residence

Other Student Residences 

If you can’t get a spot with one of our partner residences, there are many other privately-run student dorms in Munich. All offer exceptional service, well-designed amenities and a range of benefits, such as in-dorm student bars, flat screen TVs and even rooftop gardens. Here are some great options: 

Next to Campus Viva (one of our partner residences) is the modern and very international Campus Suedseite. Friendly staff, bright facilities and 24/7 assistance and security. 

  • Amenities: gym, laundry, community lounges, Wi-Fi, furnished rooms. 
  • Benefits: close to Campus Viva and conveniently located near to the EU Munich campus. 
  • Drawbacks: mattress and chairs are not included as part of the basic furniture; students need to buy them separately. 
  • Highlight: rooftop garden, where students spend warm summer nights and build snowmen on chilly winter days.

Studentenwohnheim MUC offers 250 inexpensive furnished rooms and apartments just for students. It is located in one of the most desirable residential districts of Munich – Schwabing, popular among students and young people for the collection of bars, restaurants and other entertainment spots. 

  • Amenities: laundry, community lounges, furnished rooms.
  • Benefits: wide choice of residential options, flexible contract, low prices, online booking system.
  • Drawbacks: was renovated long ago, some rooms are quite old, can be noisy.
  • Highlight: in-dorm student bar, which also offers freshly baked pizzas, a warm atmosphere and flat-screen TVs for sports fans.

Newly built student residence, the Stay.Campus is located further from the city center, but its beautifully designed facilities make everyone feel at home in no time. 

  • Amenities: laundry, stylish community lounge and garden, parking spaces, bike stand, Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24/7 service desk, furnished rooms.
  • Benefits: reasonable prices and very modern furnishing.
  • Drawbacks: 40 minutes from the EU campus with public transportation.
  • Highlight: all apartments include a flat screen TV with over 80 channels, along with international TV channels provided by Kabel Deutschland.

YOUNIQ is all about lifestyle” is the motto of this residence. It is close to Olympiapark, a sporting hotspot in Munich where you can find facilities for a variety of sports, such as tennis, football, swimming, volleyball, ice hockey and many others. 

  • Amenities: laundry, study lounge with a TV, underground parking spaces, bike stand, eight-hour service desk, furnished rooms, fitness lounge.
  • Benefits: very balanced living environment.
  • Drawbacks: more than 12 months contract period, strict selection process.
  • Highlight: personal career info session, fitness and learning lounges, eight-hour onsite service.

Applying to Student Dorms

Strict German laws dictate the paperwork you will need to submit alongside your application form. The quality of your documents will affect your application, so take your time and be as thorough as possible, as you would for a job application. If you are planning to arrive for the fall semester (in October) you should apply for accommodation at least three months in advance as competition for spaces is high during this period.  

The following documents may be required, all of which should be sent as PDFs, translated into English (and preferably also into German):  

  • A scan of your passport/ID. 
  • A scan of your sponsor’s passport/ID (if you are not self-financed). 
  • A sponsorship letter. 
  • Proof of income or financial solvency (bank account statement/salary certificate for the last three months with recalculation of currency into euro). 
  • A scan of enrollment documents. 
  • Liability insurance. 
  • SCHUFA report: SCHUFA is a private company keeping credit records of individuals in Germany. You will be automatically subscribed to it once you register. 

Private Apartments

If you like tranquility and having your own space, having your own apartment is a good option. It also means you can live anywhere in the city you choose, rather than being limited by availability of student dorms. You should expect to pay from €1000 per month for a studio apartment, as well as a security deposit of three months’ rent. 

There are two ways to find your dream flat in Munich.

These platforms offer an easy way to browse flats posted by both private landlords and estate agencies.

Be aware: 

With hundreds of offers being put online daily, these portals are easy targets for fraudsters. When you find an apartment that fits your requirements, make sure you visit it and receive the keys before you transfer any money. Beware of listings without any photographs and never make any payments in advance or send a copy of your passport to strangers.

Contacting a real estate agency is the quickest way to find an apartment that meets your needs, although it is a more expensive option.  

Get in touch with these agencies to find your dream new home:   

Flat Share

Not only is sharing a flat a cheaper option, it can also be a great way to meet new people. If you know the area you want to live in but don’t fancy living alone, a flat share could be the perfect solution for you. Expect to pay between €500-700 per month, as well as a security deposit and commission, depending on the offer.

munich

Flat shares are usually referred to as WG on listings, which stands for Wohngemeinschaft. Flat shares can be both furnished and unfurnished, and some flats have living rooms while others don’t, so it is worth spending a little time deciding exactly what you are looking for to narrow down your search. You may also want to arrive in Munich a little early, so you have time to meet with potential flat mates and landlords personally.  

These sites are a good place to find your perfect flat share:  

   

 

Food and Drink

From hearty traditional Bavarian dishes to modern European restaurants and international cuisine, Munich has plenty to offer any food lover. Bratwurst, pretzels and hefty steins of local beer are probably what comes to mind when you think of food and drink in Munich, and they are plentiful! But you will also find authentic Turkish cuisine, fine dining restaurants and cafes offering all the modern classics, including, of course, avocado toast. Cocktail lovers can explore the many stylish bars spread throughout the city.