Accommodation in Stuttgart
Stuttgart, the capital city of the Baden-Württemberg region, is one of Germany's most diverse cities, with 40% of residents coming from a foreign background. Thanks to its developed economy, on the one hand, and calm and wondrous natural environment (surrounded by hills and valleys), on the other, Stuttgart offers a good work–life balance and expats don't find it difficult to settle in the city and enjoy its many dimensions.
Finding accommodation in Stuttgart at a reasonable price can be challenging, especially for students. However, the city has a variety of housing options, and the quality and cost depend on the area, size, and year of construction.
Neighborhoods in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is a safe city and does not have particularly dangerous neighborhoods. The city is divided into twenty independent districts. The city center, on its own, consists of five neighborhoods, including Mitte, Nord, Ost, Süd, and West, while the rest are found on the outskirts. Among these are Bad Cannstatt, Birkach Degerloch, Münster, Wangen, Botnang, Feuerbach, and Hedelfinger Sillenbuch. To make your house hunting more complicated, some of Stuttgart's neighborhoods are also divided into sub-districts. Jokes aside, Stuttgart's city center comprises commercial and business buildings home to offices, shopping malls, shops, and banks. Königstrasse, which crosses the city center, is the city's main shopping street, lined with shops and fashion boutiques, modern shopping malls, and other major retailers. On this one-kilometer-long shopping boulevard, you will also find restaurants, cafes, and pubs, as well as an art market and antique shops.
The city itself nestles within a valley, and you will be delighted by the residential neighborhoods on the hillside from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. In fact, one of the most beautiful residential areas is Frauenkopf in East Stuttgart for its attractive panoramic views. Other popular residential neighborhoods are in the South and West of Stuttgart. All these areas are easily accessible by the public transport network. However, they are also self-sustained as they have their shops, markets, theatres, cafes, and recreational areas such as parks, meaning that you don't have to commute unless it is for work.
Stuttgart-West is the biggest district, which has the highest population density and the largest woodlands in Stuttgart. This part is also considered to be the hipster area of Stuttgart, filled with artsy shops and bars. Stuttgart South and Stuttgart West, alongside the city center, are some of the most expensive places for rent. Killesberg, with its Höhenpark, is an amazing place, which, however, can get crowded on weekends. Degerloch is also known to be a popular residential neighborhood, but note that it is quiet and has its own character. Vaihingen is the largest district of Stuttgart, and it has a large proportion of forests.
Good to know:
Because of compromised air quality within the valley at times, accommodation on the hillsides is the most popular. The city center doesn't strike visitors as particularly pretty at first sight, but there are beautiful green areas such as Weinstein.
Rent prices in Stuttgart
Rent prices in Stuttgart are slightly higher compared to many other German cities, with an average of around one thousand euros for a one-bedroom apartment in a central area and about 800 euros for the same size but in the outskirts. Of course, prices vary from one neighborhood to another and according to the type of accommodation and comfort level. Rent prices in Stuttgart's city center, as well as uptown, are obviously higher than in other neighborhoods. For example, to rent a three-bedroom apartment in the outskirts, you will need an average of 1300 euros per month. For a three-bedroom apartment in the city center, you will have to pay at least 500 euros more per month.
Find accommodation in Stuttgart
Finding accommodation in Stuttgart, just like in every German city, is difficult but not impossible. You can decide beforehand if you would take a furnished or unfurnished rental. To avoid the extremely high prices, you may want to check some of the areas out of Stuttgart, such as Sindelfingen, Böblingen, and Ruhr, which are well-connected and offer lower rents. Some of the most popular websites for an internet search are highlighted in the useful links below. However, we highly recommend getting active in Expat.com's Stuttgart Forum and enquiring about housing opportunities in the city. The community is warm and welcoming of new members, and it's very likely that you may come across someone who has ideas for rentals on offer.
During your home search, you can also view offers in classified ads in local newspapers. Consider posting ads online and in local publications such as Wochenblatt on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you have already moved to Stuttgart, consider registering with a real estate agency to get more chances of finding accommodation that fits your criteria. As the competition among tenants-to-be is high, an apartment viewing may feel like a job interview. This is why it is important to be well-dressed, polite, and attentive in order to leave a good first impression on the landowner and be able to communicate financial security, responsibility, and cleanliness. If you have a permanent work contract, you stand more chances of securing a place, as financial stability and reputation are quite important and among the decisive factors for being offered an apartment.
Useful links:
Attention:
Because of the housing shortage (especially in terms of student accommodation), there is a fair amount of fraudulent advertisements and non-reputable deals, so be careful and do not pay any money before checking the place and signing the contract, which you have read thoroughly.
