Is Frankfurt as boring as I think it is?

[boringornot]

DH is flirting with the idea of moving to Frankfurt, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

We live in London, have 2 DC, 7 and 5. They were both born here, so they never moved cities, schools or language. They are already bilingual, but they don't know any German. DH and I are from South America and have been here for over 10 years.

I'm worried not only about the disruption, but what kind of life we may have in Frankfurt. Nothing has been decided yet, so I'm trying to gather information.

I know Berlin has an interesting cultural life, as does London. I'm a journalist and writer, but in the last few years I've been mostly a SAHM, and I'm already bored to tears. I thought that now DC2 is in school, I would finally have a chance to get back to having a cultural life, working, and meeting interesting people who have similar interests.

In this context, the idea of moving to a city famous by its banking is a bit scary. I have no affinity with city types (I live near Canary Wharf). I was looking forward to finally be able to meet like-minded people, after all those years as a SAHM.

Of course the move is not only about me. We have the interests of 4 people to think of. I'm aware of that.

The other point is that this move would be temporary. For 2 or 3 years, and then another move, either back to London or elsewhere, meaning the DC will go through disruption at least twice.

Professionally, it's a good opportunity for DH. A bigger salary and a good position. I'm just trying to weight pros and cons and make up my own mind.

Any input will be very welcome! Even if you want to flame me for my opinions, that's ok :)

Thanks in advance.

[boringornot]

Caroline thanks for the article! Very enlightening and very useful :)

[Welshcake77]

Yes thanks for copying that over, it's a good read!

[Katsite]

My DDs went to Kinderzeit-Schule a primary Montessori-like bilingual school in schwalbach. It's a bit of a hike if you are in the city but to give you an idea of fees: it's about 450euros per month.

[CarolineMonaghan]

I copied and pasted in the full article this midday, and it seems to be gone for some reason?

[Welshcake77]

I can still see it

[exfrankfurter]

If you are coming from London, Frankfurt is living death. Dull, boring and they really do stop you for crossing the road on a red light even when there is no car in sight. But you can get most places by car and parking is a doddle compared with London. Cycling is also a good option - relatively short distances and flat.
It’s small. Most workers commute in because house prices are high. Those who live in the centre are usually young bankers or old Frankfurt families who will have little interest in making friends unless they think your kids can help theirs with their English. We once had a complaint because DS 9 who is bilingual was speaking German despite the mother having asked him to speak English. He pointed out that her DS did not understand when he spoke English....
Schools are OK at primary level especially if you live in a wealthy area. But do not expect any help with learning German. If you are white, MC and Anglophone you will be tolerated...but if you are from any other background it will be more difficult.
Secondary system is three tier with the grammars creaming off the middle classes. They are extraordinarily rigid so your DC will be expected to learn English with their peers instead of doing extra German. They will also be penalised for “using constructions we have not studied yet”. If their written German is not up to scratch they will have to repeat the year even if they are excelling in maths etc. Lots of teacher absenteeism as teachers are Civil Servants and unsackable. No sport or extra curricular in schools. The second tier schools prepare for technical education. The third tier are a dumping ground for the poor, non white foreignors, and anyone with social problems.
There are some bilingual schools - great if you are German and want your kids to learn English. Otherwise not. The only decent English language school is Frankfurt International but that is quite American in its approach and expensive if you are self funding. The International School of Frankfurt is cheaper, but a bit marmite. We did not like it - but have friends who were very happy. The European School is usually limited to EU employees, over crowded and has few if any English native speakers in the English sections. There is however an Italian section which occasionally has vacancies and there is a French Lycee - you don’t say what your other language is.
Not that many expat British families in Frankfurt any more. Most stay home with the working partner commuting. But still quite a lot of Americans (military, consulate so a bit insular) Japanese and Koreans.
The Taunus is beautiful. Some wonderful villages. Gorgeous countryside. But if you visit in summer think about the nightmare drive in the snow in Winter if you have to go into town.
Frankfurt airport is a great assett as you can get flights home easily. But it blights large parts of the city - People with homes in Sachsenhausen now find it hard to sell - but that means there are more rentals...but the aircraft noise is Hounslowesque.
Sorry not to be more enthusiastic, bu Hamburg and Berlin are much better!

[boringornot]

exfrankfurter thank you very much for your candid account! That's the sort of detail that I would never find out in "official" sources of information! :)

DH and I have Portuguese as first language, and the DC speak both Portuguese and English (but English is their first language). What are the "wealthy areas" with good schools? That's definitely worth a look.

Did you move to Frankfurt with children? Would you mind telling me which schools they went to, and how was the experience? Are you back to the UK?

One more question, to everyone who has helped: can you recommend some websites or companies where I can search for flats, so I can have an idea of prices and neighbourhoods?

Many thanks!

[Welshcake77]

Best place to look for flats/houses is immobilienscout24.de

Just a note re descriptions of property - all rooms are counted so a "vier Zimmer Wohnung" is a four room flat, not four bedrooms. Could be two receptions & two beds or one reception & three beds. It also used to be normal to not have a kitchen provided but that is slowly changing but don't be surprised to see some advertised without. Also, the tenant no longer pays the agent fee but you will need a three month deposit.

Westend is the wealthiest part of town where you'll find beautifully restored old buildings and new builds with underground parking etc. Then out of town Bad Homburg, Kronberg, Königstein.

Not sure when you are planning to come over but Phorms has an open day on Nov 16th I think so might be handy to check other schools too if this is the season for it!