Aachen is Germany’s westernmost city, bordering the Netherlands and Belgium. It is the proud home to the Aachen Cathedral, one of the very first 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tourists visit Aachen throughout the year to stroll through the beautiful medieval streets of the old city surrounding the cathedral and to have a bite of Aachener Printen, a chewy cookie originating from the city. The Aachen Christmas Market is particularly famous for its old-world charm, constantly appearing in the Top 10 of the best Christmas markets in Germany. The RWTH Aachen University, one of Germany’s most prestigious technical institutes, and the many tech companies gathered around the university attract the world’s brightest students and engineers, making Aachen a small but very international city.
Area map
Climate and Clothing
In Aachen, spring, summer, and autumn are short and winters are rather long. Days with rainfall make up a little more than half of the year. Even when the weather forecast predicts sunshine throughout the day, you may be surprised by a sudden passing shower. Carrying around a lightweight and compact folding umbrella can be useful if going out and about in Aachen. Due to its high latitude, Germany may give the impression of having an extremely cold, snowy climate. However, in Aachen, snow falls maybe once or twice a year (or not at all), and the average minimum temperature in winter is around０℃, making it a relatively comfortable area to spend the winter compared to other colder parts of Germany. The temperature in summer is also mild. Only a small wardrobe of summer clothes is necessary, because summer days with temperatures exceeding 30℃ only last for 1 to 2 weeks.
The weather can be quite unpredictable. It is not uncommon for Aachen to be completely sunny and warm just 15 minutes after a chilly rain shower. Therefore, the so-called “Zwiebel Look”, layering light clothes like an onion, allows you to easily adjust to the ever-changing weather and fluctuating temperature. In general, German buildings are highly insulated, making the temperature indoors quite warm, so heavy sweaters and winter underwear are not a must even in mid-winter. “A long-sleeved shirt + a cardigan or light sweater + outerwear that fits the season” is the recommended outfit for autumn, winter, and spring. You may find yourself in a puffer coat for more months of the year than in a wool coat.
Living Conditions
Shopping
Aachen is a compact city with a well-connected network of bus routes running throughout the entire city. You will have no struggles going shopping or commuting, no matter which part of Aachen you reside in. In addition, if you have a car, you can easily reach larger-scale shopping facilities such as IKEA and a variety of supermarkets in neighboring Belgium and the Netherlands in a matter of 15 to 30 minutes. The proximity to the border is quite convenient when searching for products that are not sold in Germany or to do some shopping on Sundays, when most stores in Germany are closed. It would be a good idea to do your normal grocery shopping in Germany, since prices for everyday goods are cheaper in Aachen than in neighboring countries.
Nature
Just a few minutes outside the bustling heart of the city, you will find farms, forests, and hiking trails, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature without having to travel far away. Here in Aachen, it is possible to spend the morning horseback riding in the outskirts of the city, and then the afternoon shopping and chatting in the many stores and cafés in the center.
Travel
Aachen is conveniently located for traveling both within Germany and abroad. Taking the ICE (high-speed train) from Aachen Central Station makes it easy to explore Brussels, Paris, Cologne and Düsseldorf. Monschau, a town with lovely traditional timbered houses, is a 40-minute drive away, while Koblenz, a town on the Mosel Wine Road, is less than a 2-hour drive away.
Doctors and Hospitals
Germany has one of the highest levels of medical care in the world. However, there is usually a long wait for getting an appointment, sometimes even for 2-3 months. Since it can be difficult to see a doctor on the same day you contact them unless it is absolutely urgent, it is wise to bring your regular medication and basic over-the-counter medication from your own home country. For example, when you catch a cold in Germany, you do not go to the doctor to receive medication. What Germans would recommend to you to cure your cold is to drink herbal tea, stay at home, and get a good amount of sleep. If you do want cold medicine, you can consult a pharmacist at the pharmacy who will recommend one that fits your symptoms.
Safety
Overall, Aachen is a safe city both during the day or night. In tourist areas and at crowded events such as the Christmas Market, pickpocketing is common. Therefore, it is necessary to have a higher awareness of crime prevention than when you are in Japan, such as by always keeping your belongings close to you where you can see them, and not leaving valuables such as mobile phones on the table at restaurants.
Summary
Aachen is a relaxed city where you can enjoy a good balance of work, study, play, nature, and travelling. Many people are kind to children, making Aachen a very good environment for raising a family.
