Is Rostock a Good Place to Live?

Rostock is a city in Northern Germany and is located right by the Baltic Sea. Rostock is the largest city in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and stretches for about 20km along the Warnow River. The city houses one of the oldest universities in the world and attracts many students moving to Germany. There is a large expat community in Rostock so expats moving to Rostock should rest assure they will not be alone. The city was extensively damaged during World War 2 but deserves credit for retaining its picturesque scenery which attracts millions to the city each year.

Is Rostock a good place to live? Rostock is a city that offers wide sandy beaches on the coast of the Baltic Sea, an excellent university and plenty of parks green spaces. The city has a rich extensive history dating back millennia and is a popular tourist destination. The above attributes among many others make Rostock a good place to live.

Living in Rostock reveals the town’s incredibly unique maritime flair. The city lies on the banks of a river draining right into the sea and is situated in one of the most naturally beautiful places in Germany. The city is very charming to adults and children alike with recreational spaces for people of all ages. Rostock is not only known for its leisure but is also an economic hub as well with numerous employment opportunities. Any expat moving to Germany will appreciate the unique blend of holiday atmosphere and productive spirit that can only be found in Rostock.

In this article you will find out:

Living in Rostock is not much different from any other major city around the world. The same inequalities that are found elsewhere can be found when moving to Rostock. Some neighbourhoods are safer, cleaner, more organised and friendlier than others hence neighbourhoods can be ranked by degree ranging from good to bad. Bad neighbourhoods include Gross Klein, Lichtenhagen, Lutten Klein, Schmarl, Toitenwinkel, Evershagen and Dierkow. Good neighbourhoods include Reutershagen. Stadtmitte, Südstadt and Warnemünde.

Rostock deserves credit for being one of the lowest crime cities in the country. All forms of crime are very low in Rostock but not non-existent. The more common crimes in Rostock include property crimes such as vandalism and vehicle theft. There has been a sharp increase in the population of Rostock in the past few years with has been followed by a subsequent rise in crime. Despite that, basically, all residents report feeling safe being out on the town during the day with 56% stating they feel safe walking alone at night.

As far as education is concerned, Rostock is a very good place too. The University of Rostock was established in 1419 and is the third oldest university in the country. The university is particularly renowned for its botanical garden. Another institution of higher learning in the city of Rostock is The Academy of Music and Theatre which offers graduate degree programs in a plethora of artistic disciplines. The school has a massive opera stage and two music halls that host performances and concerts throughout the year. Other noteworthy institutions in Rostock include the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis.

Transportation. If you plan on reaching Rostock by road then you either use the A1 from Hamburg, the A19 from Berlin or the A20 from Poland. You can also travel in and out of Rostock via train using the Rostock Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to board speed trains to Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and many other major European destinations. The Rostock tramway also transports thousands of residents within the city. Rostock has the country’s largest port on the Baltic Sea which is used to transport both passengers and cargo to various European destinations. For air travel, there is The Rostock–Laage Airport which offers flights to various domestic and international destinations. Moreover, there are smaller and private airfields in Rostock that are constantly in operation.

With such beautiful beaches, the coast is where you are assured of a vibrant social scene in Rostock. Activities you will surely find on Rostock Beach include swimming, surfing and sailing. There is also the stunning Rostock Harbour which is a popular meeting point, particularly for university students. The clubs and bars in the city are also quite busy with students being the major clientele. There are a lot of green open spaces including parks where people can meet for picnics and sports. There is something for everyone in Rostock.

Is Rostock a good place to work?

Rostock is a good place to work. The city’s economy is quite diversified hence there are many and varied jobs in the area. The unemployment rate is Rostock is about 8% which is almost triple the national average unemployment rate of 3.1%. The average annual salary for someone working in Rostock is €40,773 which is just slightly higher than the national average of €37,070.

The largest industries in the city of Rostock include biotech, IT, service industry, tourism and maritime industry particularly shipbuilding. As far as individual organisations are concerned the largest employers in Rostock are Caterpillar Inc., Neptun Werft, Nordex SE, Suzlon, AIDA Cruises, Yara International and the University of Rostock.

Is Rostock a good place to buy a house?

Rostock is an incredible place to buy a house either via mortgage or cash. The property market in Rostock has experienced a boom in the past few years but the city’s stature and location have ensured that demand has not significantly dropped. Most people who buy houses in Rostock use them as vacation homes or rent them out to tourists and make some passive income. Home insurance is crucial for anyone who lives in Rostock regardless of their neighbourhood. Bad neighbourhoods include Gross Klein, Lichtenhagen, Lutten Klein, Schmarl, Toitenwinkel, Evershagen and Dierkow. Good neighbourhoods include Reutershagen. Stadtmitte, Südstadt and Warnemünde.

The average monthly rent for a property with a single bedroom in Rostock is €490. The average rent for a property with two bedrooms is €680 per month while the average monthly rent for a property with three bedrooms is €830. The average rent per month for a property with four bedrooms is €1085 and the average rent for a property with five bedrooms is €1340 per month.

The average price of a one-bedroom property in Rostock is €95,800 while the average price of a two-bedroom property is €127,650. The average price of a three-bedroom apartment is € 154,000 while for a four-bedroom property is €177,550. The average price of a five-bedroom property is €210,700.

Is Rostock a good place to retire?

Yes, Rostock is an amazing place to retire and there are plenty of retirement homes in the city to support that. Most retirees will rent their property since it does not make sense to take out a mortgage in old age. The city is very beautiful and had stunning scenery. Living by the beach is ideal for most retirees and the city has a slow and relaxed pace mostly because of its holiday atmosphere. The city only has 200,000 inhabitants hence the streets are less crowded than other cities. Bad neighbourhoods include Gross Klein, Lichtenhagen, Lutten Klein, Schmarl, Toitenwinkel, Evershagen and Dierkow. Good neighbourhoods include Reutershagen. Stadtmitte, Südstadt and Warnemünde.

As stated above, most retirees will rent their properties so the rental rates above can be used to determine what sort of property you will be able to afford or require. Retirees often rent smaller properties as they often live alone or with a spouse.

Is Rostock a good place to visit?

As stated earlier, Rostock is a tourist town so it almost goes without saying that it is an amazing place to visit. The beach, the forests and harbours are all part of the inviting natural scenery. There is plenty to do and places to visit for both locals and tourists alike in Rostock. Some famous landmarks in the city include Warnemünde Beach, Kulturhistorisches Museum, Shipbuilding and Maritime Museum Rostock, Rostocker Stadthafen, Universitätsplatz and Rostock Zoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rostock, Germany?

The cost of residing in Rostock is quite high especially compared to other major cities in the country. Food and rent take up the lion’s share of household’s budget with most household spending about €3,200 a month.

Is Rostock a good place to invest in property?

Rostock is a holiday town so yes it is a good place to invest in property. There are thousands of tourists visiting the city every year who need places to stay. It also means that rental rates charged can be higher than if Rostock was a typical residential town. The University of Rostock also ensures thousands of students every year require housing of which investors can take advantage. Investors should ensure they get insurance for their student housing investments as they are more prone to damage than other properties.

Is Rostock a good place to raise a family?

Rostock is a good place to raise a family particularly for expats. The tourist town receives scores of visitors all year round so foreigners will not stand out. The cost of living in the city of Rostock is high but there are numerous facilities for children including schools and hospitals. The high level of safety is also great for anyone looking to raise a family in Rostock.