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What will be average living cost in Heidelberg, Germany.?

By admin on March 27, 2011

I have recently got a postdoc offer at University of Heidelberg, Germany for 10 months. I will go there with my wife and 1-year old son. I will be paid 1800 Euro/month. I have already managed to arrange an shared furnished accommodation that will cost 410 Euro per month including electricity, water, TV, Internet etc. I want to know, whether my earning will be sufficient to live there moderately with remaining expenditure, i.e., food (we plan to cook by ourselves), little bit traveling, garments, health insurance (except mine which will be given by University) etc. How much average saving I can make? Can you please provide the costs of some regular household items and food at Heidelberg? What is the cost of 1 kg of rice?

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3 responses to “What will be average living cost in Heidelberg, Germany.?”

  1. Lilly_loves_willies
    Lilly_loves_willies
    March 27, 2011 at 12:00 pm |

    Will the 1800 € be before or after taxes? that makes a big difference.

    410 € for the apartement including all what you said looks like a very good price.
    Food if you self cater and don’t go out dining 5 to 10 € per person and day.

    If the 1800 € is after taxes you can make some savings even if you spend some on traveling.
    If it is before taxes it might get a bit tight to make savings.

  2. Gooey
    Gooey
    March 27, 2011 at 12:59 pm |

    Sounds a little tight to me if that’s before taxes. Would your insurance plan perhaps cover your whole family as well? There’s probably an option for that if your wife is unemployed.

    I can’t recall how much rice is, but it’s not as cheap as it is in countries that consume more of it, especially if you go in a regular supermarket (I’ve seen it for 4 euro for half a kg, insane!). There’s an Asian shop (Tiger and Dragon?) sort of near the Altstadt where you can buy it in large quantities for a good deal cheaper.

    As for some household items, here’s some prices of random things off my last shopping trip- (not sure if that helps?)
    Paper towels (4 pack) 1.45
    Eggs (10) 1.19
    1kg vine tomatoes 2.29
    Lettuce .79
    500 g ground beef 3.38
    carton of soy milk 1.89

    As you will be working at the Uni, I’m assuming you can buy the (I believe it’s called) job ticket for public transport. The nice thing about this is you can bring up to 4 people with you on local buses/street trains for free after 7pm and on weekends (of course check the rules when you get it, I don’t personally have one). Another cheap way to get around is to buy a used bike. It’s a very bike-able area and there are quite a few cool towns within reasonable distance for cheap day trips (Schwetzingen’s gardens are a must-see).

    This forum has some helpful pointers for people new to Germany. You have to ignore some rudeness/flaming/etc but I have picked up lots of helpful hints there. http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/

    Oh, and all businesses except bakeries, gas stations, train station shops, and restaurants are closed on Sundays. I was unprepared my first Sunday! They also bring back beer and soda bottles back to the store for a refund (look for “Pfand” on the bottle).

  3. Postman Bernd
    Postman Bernd
    March 27, 2011 at 1:11 pm |

    As a postman I know a five head family and they have to live out of 1800,-. Since they can make it somehow you as a 3 head family should make it too. But as the first answerer said it is important if it is before or after tax cos if it is before your salary will melt down to 1420,- € which makes it tougher.

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