I am currently working in Luxembourg on a salary of 36,000 Euros and I've spent the last two weeks looking for an apartment with my partner whose a student, but I am more confused than ever.
Can anyone offer some advice?
Here's what I've found out so far.
Luxembourg city and the rest of Luxembourg:
Pros Close to work Very nice place to live
Cons Very expensive and it would be crazy to use half my salary on rent :(
Arlon, Belgium
Pros Not too far to commute and the trains weren't as packed as people suggest. Cheap rents. People here seem nice.
Cons Visited the town on a Saturday and it was completely dead there doesn't seem to be anything going on. Whilst I am not into nightclubs I do want some social life and to take part in activities like learning French.
Massive con as well is that here you need to get a minimum of a three year lease and if you don't like the flat you need to pay several months rent as a penalty to leave. So if you don't like it here you're screwed.
I feel that you might as well live in the countryside if you consider Arlon as they town doesn't offer anything.
Trier, Germany Pros Beautiful town and very lively. Feels likes a proper town unlike Thionville and Arlon I've generally found Germans to be very pleasant and helpful. You don't get tied into very restrictive rents with penalties for leaving early.
Cons It would be a very long commute for me especially as my work is in the South-West of Luxembourg City. I am learning French and I don't think I could manage learning both French and German. Rents are more expensive than Belgium and France.
Thionville, France Pros Short commute and the public transport isn't as bad as people make out. Cheaper rents and not the restrictive rents of Luxembourg and Belgium. City has a bit more to offer than Arlon.
Cons Ugly city and ugly, grimy built up area stretching to Metz. French can be rude and unhelpful (sorry just my experiences!). You're in the French system which can be frustrating and bureaucratic.
Can anyone offer some advice?
Here's what I've found out so far.
Luxembourg city and the rest of Luxembourg:
Pros Close to work Very nice place to live
Cons Very expensive and it would be crazy to use half my salary on rent :(
Arlon, Belgium
Pros Not too far to commute and the trains weren't as packed as people suggest. Cheap rents. People here seem nice.
Cons Visited the town on a Saturday and it was completely dead there doesn't seem to be anything going on. Whilst I am not into nightclubs I do want some social life and to take part in activities like learning French.
Massive con as well is that here you need to get a minimum of a three year lease and if you don't like the flat you need to pay several months rent as a penalty to leave. So if you don't like it here you're screwed.
I feel that you might as well live in the countryside if you consider Arlon as they town doesn't offer anything.
Trier, Germany Pros Beautiful town and very lively. Feels likes a proper town unlike Thionville and Arlon I've generally found Germans to be very pleasant and helpful. You don't get tied into very restrictive rents with penalties for leaving early.
Cons It would be a very long commute for me especially as my work is in the South-West of Luxembourg City. I am learning French and I don't think I could manage learning both French and German. Rents are more expensive than Belgium and France.
Thionville, France Pros Short commute and the public transport isn't as bad as people make out. Cheaper rents and not the restrictive rents of Luxembourg and Belgium. City has a bit more to offer than Arlon.
Cons Ugly city and ugly, grimy built up area stretching to Metz. French can be rude and unhelpful (sorry just my experiences!). You're in the French system which can be frustrating and bureaucratic.
