'Not unfriendly': Is Munich really an unwelcoming city for foreigners?

As The Local recently reported, the latest “Expat City Ranking” by InterNations found that several major German cities were ranked as the least welcoming cities for foreigners to move and live in.

Out of 53 cities worldwide, Munich ranked dead last, effectively making it the ‘unfriendliest’ city in the world for foreign residents, according to the survey which was based on responses from 12,500 expats.

Germany overall has earned a reputation for being a difficult place to get adjusted, with incoming foreign residents often citing the language barrier and cold or closed-off locals among the bigger barriers to settling into a fulfilling social life in the country. But opinions differ on which German cities are more or less welcoming than the others.

Given Munich’s new and unflattering title, we thought it’d be worth checking in on how unfriendly it really is - so we asked readers of The Local for their thoughts on life in the Bavaria capital in a survey of our own.

Most readers don’t agree that Munich is so unfriendly

Asked if they agree that Munich is an unfriendly city toward foreigners and newcomers, a little over 60 percent of respondents said they disagree, whereas a little under 30 percent agreed that Munich is unfriendly, and around ten percent of respondents said they weren’t sure.

For what it’s worth, that result largely aligns with reactions to a Facebook post about The Local’s survey, where the majority of commenters wrote that Munich was actually friendly – and a couple refuted that Berlin was actually Germany’s least friendly city.

Almost every respondent to our survey said they thought that Munich was a good place to live as a foreigner. Just two respondents didn’t think so, with one writing that it was “not the best,” and the other saying, “absolutely not.”

'More collegial than California'

Overall, The Local readers who live (or have lived) in Munich suggest that the city is actually quite welcoming. A few respondents even went as far as saying that people there are more friendly than those in other German – or even other international – cities.

“The people are direct, but not unfriendly,” said Jeff, a 62-year-old American who lives in the city’s Maxvorstadt district. “I've lived in both Berlin and Munich and I generally feel that people are more welcoming in Munich.”

Adi, a 35-year-old Munich resident of more than six years, goes a step further: “I find the vibe much more collegial here than where I was before [in California]”.

He said it “boggles” him where Munich’s bad reputation comes from, adding that his neighbours being helpful and community oriented has helped him feel at home.

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Language issues and an expat bubble

Of course not every foreign resident in Munich finds the city to be welcoming and friendly, especially not immediately from the start.

Among those who said they agree that Munich is unfriendly, many respondents highlighted not knowing German as being a major issue. 

“They treat anyone whose German is less than perfect with disdain,” noted Lisa, 50, from the US and living in the city’s Obermenzing district.

Similarly, some noted that simply not being German could be an obstacle to feeling integrated.

Ms. Roberta, from the UK who has been living in Munich for more than eleven years, said that the city can feel friendly to foreigners thanks largely to its large expat community. “However, it is virtually impossible to break through the ‘expat bubble’ and integrate into the local German communities, unless you are dating or married to a German,” she said.

Another respondent, who didn’t give her name but noted that she was from India and lived in Munich, said, “There is no curiosity from the locals about non-white cultures, so they make no effort to meet and even sometimes actively avoid non-Germans.”

READ ALSO: 'World's largest village' - How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich

Most readers would recommend moving to Munich

Asked if they would recommend moving to Munich, most respondents to our survey said they would, but many added caveats.

The general consensus was that Munich offers a high quality of life but that the cost of living can be a bit expensive.

For example, Hans Averdung from Mexico City said he would recommend moving to Munich “if you can afford it.” (The InterNations survey also saw the city rank toward the bottom for personal finance.)

Another reader noted that living expenses here “are higher than other places in Germany”, but they also praised the city for being walkable/bikeable and offering a good quality of life.

Indeed, another recent survey actually ranked Munich as the most “pedestrian-friendly” city in the world.

Francisco, 46, from Argentina, says his recommendation would depend on your age and social needs. In his opinion Munich is a great city “if you are over 35, professional, family-oriented and love nature.”

Larry Schulz, 78 from the US, who has been living in Munich since 1985 – “and loving it!” – thinks Munich and Vienna are the two best non-English speaking cities in Europe.

He recommends Munich for its parks, historical and cultural attractions, extensive international community and also its "vibrant innovation ecosystem".

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Taken altogether, out survey seems to suggest that most foreigners who live in Munich think it's a pretty good place to live, and don't find it particularly unfriendly.

That said, foreigners may struggle with the language barrier and with culture shocks -- like being confronted by German directness -- when they first arrive.

Fortunately, a vibrant community of foreigners, world-famous breweries and beer festivals, and breath-taking nature around the city are all there to help get you through the sometime rocky transition to life in Germany.