Ben Site-seeing
I’ve been living in Mannheim for just over a month now. On this post I will attempt to summarize some of the different aspects of living here.
Pros:
1. Mannheim’s train station is a great hub for travel. You can easily get to almost any main city in Germany as well as it’s surrounding countries, Belgium, Netherlands and France to name a few. Because of this Mannheim is a fantastic home base for me. It enables me to travel with great ease.
2. Cultural diversity. Mannheim is a culturally rich city with over 35% of its population being international. This gives you the chance to interact with many different types of people and also enjoy a wide variety of food styles from Vietnamese to Mexican. Not only that but you can also observe many interesting clothing styles here in Mannheim. With its crazy mix match of cultures, Mannheim is a prime example of transculturality.
3. Mannheim has plenty to do. Here, there are plenty of places to shop and pick up the latest in fashion. There is no shortage of places to eat either, with a variety of cuisine styles. The most dominant style here is Turkish cuisine, such as the Döner Kabab, a city favorite. There are also a lot of great places to have a drink. Depending on your mood, there are a variety of clubs, bars and cafes. I think my favorite are the ones situated on the edge of the Neckter River. Did I mention all these places are in walking distance of each other?
4. Economical. The cost of living here in Mannheim is much lower than the prices I’m used to in the U.S. I find it even cheaper than living in some suburban areas of PA. And if you go to the Mensa for lunch, you can get a full good quality meal for under 3 euro. If you are looking for a comfortable and modern homebase while traveling all across Europe, Mannheim may be the perfect place for you.
Cons:
1. It is not the most beautiful of cities when compared to the other great German cities. Many locals have asked me, “Why Mannheim? It is such an ugly city.” I think maybe they are a bit spoiled because it is still a great city. Certaintly you will not be exposed to breath-taking views after every city block you pass, but it is still a great modern living environment with plenty to do and experience. But I say, if you are looking to be immersed in a old, culturally and historically rich city, Mannheim may not be your first choice.
