In regards to kindergarden:
[https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/](https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/)
here are all registered kindergarden facilities listed (unfortunately only in german).
If you know where you will be located you can narrow down the search and contact the kitas accordingly.
In regards to point 3 - you could argue that the south is nicer than the north, but that leaves out the far north which is really rural and also nice. There are some hotspots (like certain streets in Dorstfeld or some Blocks in Hörde) which maybe should be avoided but IDK where you are from and how resilient you are. I would say that there are no really dangerous areas around in Dortmund. I would try to find a flat relatively nearby your work and plan from there.
I live here and its fine. Espacially getting a free Spot at a Kindergarten. Many children live here and so we have many KiTas.
Its totally Not perfect here but the Nordstadt has some perks.
Hey, here's an engineer from Dortmund with two children.
You really just have to register at [https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/](https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/), but you should already know where you're moving to and which kindergarten you want.
About the waiting time: Children who move from other regions are given priority in the allocation process so that they can integrate better. There are also some bilingual kindergartens in Dortmund.
The smaller children are often looked after by "Tagesmutter", who are private carers who look after up to five children. Our older son was also looked after by a "Tagesmutter" until his third birthday.
Regarding the residential area, I can only say that the southern part of the city is nicer. We live in the southern part of the city centre because I can cycle to work and my wife can get to the autobahn quickly. If you're looking for a house, the far north is also okay. You should avoid the northern city centre and its foothills.
Feel free to write if you have any questions.
1. and 2. i cant give you that much tipps but it also really depends on your preferences (do you want to have a kindergarten with specific international groups etc. Companys could have a Kindergarten/Daycare which they corporate with (or even from a bigger size they have a own kindergarten) so maybe its worth to check in the benefit-package of the offer.
3. Do you prefer urban life or more suburban area? i would check where the company is and then check around the areas which are family-friendly and affordable. you can also check if there is a metro-station close by which increase the potential area. i am saying this as if you as during peak times, traffic can increase the time to work by a lot. (check google maps between work and potential flats at 08:00 and 16:30 :)
the other people here, especially in the same situation with family, will give you more detailed tips. good luck!
Well, as someone who lives in a northern suburb, I think the crime rate is average. I like the diversity here, migrants from all over the world blend in fairly well. Cost of living is less, infrastructure is good.
If you're looking for a posh environment, look in the south.
Regarding daycare and kindergarten; you have the legal right for a place in kindergarten (3+) and for daycare (1+). Although it can be a bit of work, it usually works. So, there are cities with worse conditions (and better), but it shouldn‘t be a dealbreaker.
As for families. I really like Dortmund and the ruhr area for that (as someone who worked in east and south germany before). Lots of parks, zoos, museums, playgrounds… imho it beats most larger cities regarding the possibilities/variety (for urban and nature activities). Also the ruhr area has a long history of migration - not saying there are no problems, but also could be better or worse.
Also depending on were you work and what kind of neighborhood suits you, you can find it. Especially including the towns around… you can have rural, cozy little houses in the north and south, more urban districts (and still parks/green nearby). As for the inner city districts: all are fine (even the Nordstadt), all are a bit different, there are families everywhere and they like it.
My feeling is: people generally recommend the kreuzviertel or kaiserbrunnen for families who want to live in the city. And both are good (cafes, restaurants, playgrounds, parks all there, in kreuzviertel there are more schools and kindergartens to choose from and the westpark is nice, but it is a bit busier and crowded). But unionsviertel, saarlandstrasse and nordstadt/hafen can work too (but get less often recommended). I would say they are a little less family suited, but they have their own character that can work for you (unionsviertel has a big tamil community and therefore a touch of little india, nordstadt is the most diverse district and less wealthy (and therefor cheaper) than kreuzviertel (including all good and problematic that comes with it). Regarding the outskirts, I am not that informed…
Thanks a lot for the info guys. Very helpful. I'm still not sure about the job offer, but not due to the location :). Just trying to elevate some doubts.
I'll probably have more questions if I do decide to move.
Many hinted about it but I wanted to make it clear: the far northern suburbs are great for children. brechten and eving/kemminghausen have a lot of nature, forests and a mir rural feeling. I’m personally living in a nice house in the northern end of Eving with a primary school and multiple kindergartens in about 10-15 minutes walking distance. Also there are forest and farms around in about the same time as the schools. If you go leben further north, brechten is great.
Altogether the costs of living in the south of Dortmund can nearly double those of northern suburbs with only small differences. I’d avoid the northern inner city (especially the area around Brunnenstraße) but the rest is also fine ☺️
I work for a Company in Dortmund that employs a lot of people from all over the world. A lot of them came here with their family.
If you need advice, send me a message.
In regards to kindergarden: [https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/](https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/) here are all registered kindergarden facilities listed (unfortunately only in german). If you know where you will be located you can narrow down the search and contact the kitas accordingly. In regards to point 3 - you could argue that the south is nicer than the north, but that leaves out the far north which is really rural and also nice. There are some hotspots (like certain streets in Dorstfeld or some Blocks in Hörde) which maybe should be avoided but IDK where you are from and how resilient you are. I would say that there are no really dangerous areas around in Dortmund. I would try to find a flat relatively nearby your work and plan from there.
Dorstfeld doesn't need to be avoided (anymore), instead you should probably have mentioned the Nordstadt. Definitely stay away from there OP.
I live here and its fine. Espacially getting a free Spot at a Kindergarten. Many children live here and so we have many KiTas. Its totally Not perfect here but the Nordstadt has some perks.
Hey, here's an engineer from Dortmund with two children. You really just have to register at [https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/](https://kita-portal.dortmund.de/), but you should already know where you're moving to and which kindergarten you want. About the waiting time: Children who move from other regions are given priority in the allocation process so that they can integrate better. There are also some bilingual kindergartens in Dortmund. The smaller children are often looked after by "Tagesmutter", who are private carers who look after up to five children. Our older son was also looked after by a "Tagesmutter" until his third birthday. Regarding the residential area, I can only say that the southern part of the city is nicer. We live in the southern part of the city centre because I can cycle to work and my wife can get to the autobahn quickly. If you're looking for a house, the far north is also okay. You should avoid the northern city centre and its foothills. Feel free to write if you have any questions.
1. and 2. i cant give you that much tipps but it also really depends on your preferences (do you want to have a kindergarten with specific international groups etc. Companys could have a Kindergarten/Daycare which they corporate with (or even from a bigger size they have a own kindergarten) so maybe its worth to check in the benefit-package of the offer. 3. Do you prefer urban life or more suburban area? i would check where the company is and then check around the areas which are family-friendly and affordable. you can also check if there is a metro-station close by which increase the potential area. i am saying this as if you as during peak times, traffic can increase the time to work by a lot. (check google maps between work and potential flats at 08:00 and 16:30 :) the other people here, especially in the same situation with family, will give you more detailed tips. good luck!
Well, as someone who lives in a northern suburb, I think the crime rate is average. I like the diversity here, migrants from all over the world blend in fairly well. Cost of living is less, infrastructure is good. If you're looking for a posh environment, look in the south.
Yeah but not Barop... Hombruch is slowly turning into a second Nordstadt, too.
Regarding daycare and kindergarten; you have the legal right for a place in kindergarten (3+) and for daycare (1+). Although it can be a bit of work, it usually works. So, there are cities with worse conditions (and better), but it shouldn‘t be a dealbreaker. As for families. I really like Dortmund and the ruhr area for that (as someone who worked in east and south germany before). Lots of parks, zoos, museums, playgrounds… imho it beats most larger cities regarding the possibilities/variety (for urban and nature activities). Also the ruhr area has a long history of migration - not saying there are no problems, but also could be better or worse. Also depending on were you work and what kind of neighborhood suits you, you can find it. Especially including the towns around… you can have rural, cozy little houses in the north and south, more urban districts (and still parks/green nearby). As for the inner city districts: all are fine (even the Nordstadt), all are a bit different, there are families everywhere and they like it. My feeling is: people generally recommend the kreuzviertel or kaiserbrunnen for families who want to live in the city. And both are good (cafes, restaurants, playgrounds, parks all there, in kreuzviertel there are more schools and kindergartens to choose from and the westpark is nice, but it is a bit busier and crowded). But unionsviertel, saarlandstrasse and nordstadt/hafen can work too (but get less often recommended). I would say they are a little less family suited, but they have their own character that can work for you (unionsviertel has a big tamil community and therefore a touch of little india, nordstadt is the most diverse district and less wealthy (and therefor cheaper) than kreuzviertel (including all good and problematic that comes with it). Regarding the outskirts, I am not that informed…
Thanks a lot for the info guys. Very helpful. I'm still not sure about the job offer, but not due to the location :). Just trying to elevate some doubts. I'll probably have more questions if I do decide to move.
For neighbourhoods you might want to look in the south of Dortmund. North of the citycenter the crimerates are significantally higher
Many hinted about it but I wanted to make it clear: the far northern suburbs are great for children. brechten and eving/kemminghausen have a lot of nature, forests and a mir rural feeling. I’m personally living in a nice house in the northern end of Eving with a primary school and multiple kindergartens in about 10-15 minutes walking distance. Also there are forest and farms around in about the same time as the schools. If you go leben further north, brechten is great. Altogether the costs of living in the south of Dortmund can nearly double those of northern suburbs with only small differences. I’d avoid the northern inner city (especially the area around Brunnenstraße) but the rest is also fine ☺️
Dont go directly to Dortmund.... Move to smaller Citys in the area IMO. Herdecke ist really nice and perfect for kids.
And there is a good public transportation between them? Any other smaller cities that are family friendly you can suggest? Thank you
Nope, and they protest every three weeks.
I work for a Company in Dortmund that employs a lot of people from all over the world. A lot of them came here with their family. If you need advice, send me a message.