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When it comes to moving from London to Hamburg, we have to look at Germany as a whole and not just the one city. There are plenty of opportunities to let your hair down in Hamburg, whether it’s attending a music festival, taking in the sights and sounds of the city or just sitting on the beach in the summer.
Besides being known for its lively nightlife and party scene, there’s so much more to it than that. Are you going to work or study and then retire? The culture differs greatly from that of London also full of history, beautiful best parks and monuments, a great nightlife and food scene, and more.
If you like the idea of moving from the UK to Germany and living in an interesting European city with a vibrant local community and culture then you could do a lot worse than moving to Hamburg.
How to Move from London to Hamburg?
Moving from London to Hamburg is not that difficult of a process, especially if you get some help from relocation experts, comment professional movers What Removals.
For example, you don’t have to leave the country or your rental to get relocation arrangements done. You can also easily find a job in Hamburg if you’re self-employed.
As well as moving into a shared property, you’ll need to look at renting a furnished flat in Hamburg to save money on accommodation and avoid the hassle of moving furniture yourself. Moving into a furnished flat is easy to arrange once you’ve arrived in Germany.
Just as in the UK, landlords’ responsibilities in Hamburg also include maintenance and repairs. Unless you want your own property, where a German bank account will be a must, though, both if buying cash or having an excellent credit history to get a mortgage.
The British consulate in Hamburg would help you with any paperwork. Just make sure to stay up-to-date with UK Government travel advice that’s public.
Comparing Hamburg vs London
Hamburg has an oceanic climate that’s very similar to that of London. With about the same amount of rain and slightly more sunshine, it’s also similar to other European cities, except for snow for a day or few.
Hamburg is a couple of degrees cooler than most German cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt in winter. Hamburg’s mean annual temperature is around 6°C.
The price of living in Hamburg is significantly less than the equivalent in London, UK. You’ll find property prices and rents much more affordable than in London. You’ll also save money on grocery, restaurant, transport, utility, and entertainment costs.
According to the 2011 census, on average, Hamburg residents report more safety, less pollution, better standards of health care and much lower commute times than residents of Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.
Hamburg, like London, is a great town for people who love the theatre. Every city has at least one big musical production that’s been transferred from Broadway or the West End, and the English Theatre of Hamburg is the oldest English language theatre in Germany. There you can enjoy a variety of musicals along with classics, but also new plays.
- You can gaze at exhibitions by Picasso, Degas, and Chagall.
- You’ll be thrilled by the works of the Hamburg-based sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka and of the Hamburg-based artist Hermann Noeggerath.
- Classical music fans can take their pick from the works of Haydn, Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven.
If you love funfairs, then the biggest one in Northern Germany is a perfect place for a family to visit. It’s an all-day event every three years, with attractions, rides, food, and music.
Hamburg Transport
The city centre is compact, well-designed and well served by public transport. It’s easy to walk from your accommodation to most sights in central Hamburg.
There are four main train stations:
- Hauptbahnhof (central station)
- Ruhland (north)
- St Pauli (south)
- Reeperbahn (east)
All of them have reliable connections with local buses and trams. The underground and S-Bahn systems are fast and reliable.
Hamburg is well-connected to other German cities and Europe via the high-speed railway and the ferry services. It has three international airports.
Healthcare in Hamburg
Before you head off to Hamburg, make sure you have medical cover in place. It might seem obvious now, but you wouldn’t want to leave home without getting medical cover just in case something goes wrong!
With the cost of healthcare in Germany among the highest in the world, medical insurance is crucial. You can take out private health national insurance for medical care in Germany, which gives you financial protection against illness or injury.
Look at different types of medical insurance available, the ins and outs of private health insurance in Germany, and how to get started building your own personalised policy.
Private medical insurance in Germany works differently from private medical insurance in the UK.
Hamburg & Elbe
Hamburg is among Germany’s most livable cities. Known as the city of canals, the Elbe River has been flowing through the city since Roman times.
The first recorded evidence of the Elbe’s presence in the area dates to Roman times when a road was built along the river. The oldest surviving bridge in Hamburg dates from the thirteenth century.
Since then, there have been many more bridges, canals and locks to connect the Elbe to the rivers Alster, Lübeck, Trave, and Weser. In fact, the city boasts more bridges than any other city in Europe.