als0107

We just found out that DH will be doing an exchange for his work and Frankfurt is one of the two cities we are deciding between (Sao Paulo being the other FWIW--ruled out Beijing and Tokyo). I am trying to get a feel for how close the area we would like to live in is to his work location (in Germany that is Offenbach/Main). Does anyone have any ideas of where I should start my search?

We have a two year old and a three year old so family friendly area is key with parks, good public transportation access (I won't have a car), shops nearby, etc. Proximity to DH work is good (but he currently commutes 1.5 hours each way to work so proximity is a relative term) but we really want an area with an energy/atmosphere rather than staid blocks of apartment buildings that are ghost towns during the day. The girls travel well and we love to explore new areas so I don't want to feel like I am at home if that makes sense...why bother then? The exchange is for between 2 and 8 months depending upon the location/project.

Thank you for ANY input!!!! (With two little ones my research time is REALLY limited)

adeben

I have no advice to give re your Frankfurt questions, but, having previously rented in Europe for a six month period, I can tell you that, if you are looking for FURNISHED accommodation, the owners of such properties consider six months a SHORT-TERM rental, not long-term. Therefore availabilty can be restricted, and rental fees high. We eventually found somewhere suitable and affordable, but it was a long process.

lavandula

Probably Mainhattengirl will respond, and as she is the local expert she will have some good advice for you. I don't know Offenbach (I know the area between Wiesbaden and Frankfurt a bit) but if you didn't want to live there and preferred living in Frankfurt, you are quite close to Sachsenhausen, which is a nice area in Frankfurt - lots of pretty 19th century architecture, and you will be close to good shopping, excellent public transport, nice parks (Frankfurt has more than 50 parks), and the applewine pubs. I am guessing that if your husband's employer is organising this, they will probably have a relocations expert working with you in the early stages trying to get you settled in your accommodation. I think that's sort of standard. However, you might like to check out www.immobilienscout24.de , which is a website for renting and buying. Some vocab to get you started: mieten = to rent, renting, die Wohnung = the apartment, die Mietwohnung = rental apartment, der Ort = town, location, PLZ (die Postleitzahl) = postcode / ZIP code (which is 5 figures and will start with a 6 in that area). If you do a search for Offenbach you will get some pictures of typical apartments to rent. Houses are quite expensive in the Frankfurt area (apartments more usual) and you might only get a house if you are prepared to go to one of the outlying areas (again Mainhattengirl might be a better advisor here). Hope that will get you started.

Lavandula

J62

I second the point about working through local contacts such as they employer's relo or HR department. I've sent many short, medium, and long term assignments and it's invaluable to have someone there, on the ground who knows how things are done. Simple things like how to transfer money, arranging utilities, to more complex things like "there's no cabinets in the kitchen, who took them" problems.

als0107

Thanks so much for the input. I'll definitely want to work with relocation person once we are decided (for our part and the company) where we are going. We have to decide between Frankfurt and Sao Paulo before he can put in the proposal for which project to work on. I used to fly into Frankfurt a lot and take the train to meet my brother when he lived in Augsberg for years but no familiarity with lay of the land in Frankfurt. I guess I just need a nudge in the right direction of where to research housing options (company will pay a fair housing stipend for the Frankfurt area) with respect to suitable areas for us vs. Sao Paulo. Dh wants Sao Paulo and I want Frankfurt (easier learning curve for me to hit he ground running with two little ones and my traveling comfort for daytrips with two in tow is just greater). Does this make sense? I'm trying to type while kids aregetting ready for bed and not easy. Thanks forgone input. I'll do research tonite b